Rumor Has It

by Cheris Hodges

  “Don’t count your victory before votes are cast. What is it about her that has you willing to risk everything we’ve fought for?”

  “Maybe I’m smart enough to know that love means more than anything else.”

  Teresa raised her right eyebrow. “You’re in love with her?”

  Jackson wasn’t ready to admit that yet, but he knew that’s where things were going. He loved everything about her. Her drive, her passion, and her desire. He wanted and needed Liza in his life because she’d already planted herself in his heart. Maybe he was ready to admit that he was in love with her.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Does she know that? I get the feeling that she isn’t the kind of woman who’s ready to settle down and live the straight and narrow life of a politician’s spouse or girlfriend. How are you going to get anything done if you’re always putting out social media fires involving her?”

  “You have a really low opinion of Liza. Why?”

  Before Teresa could answer, a crush of reporters swarmed on them. Most of the questions focused on what he’d said to the voters and how he planned to get the governor to change his mind on Medicare and taking federal money. Then there were questions about the military and wounded warriors. Just when he thought he’d gotten off scot-free and wouldn’t have to answer a question about last night’s debate, Liza, or Robert and the hooker, he heard, “Mr. Franklin, are you and Liza Palmer working together to discredit Robert Montgomery? Was that what your meeting was about a few weeks ago?”

  Teresa looked to see who’d asked the question but couldn’t find the reporter or campaign spy.

  “I’ve done nothing to try to discredit Mr. Montgomery.”

  “What are your thoughts on the allegations Dayshea Brown made against him in an interview last night?”

  “I don’t think his personal life has anything to do with this election, and if he has broken laws, then it’s up to the police and district attorney to handle. Other than that, I have no further comment.”

  “Don’t you think that this speaks to his character? Why not condemn his behavior?”

  “Because,” Jackson began, “we don’t know if this is his behavior or a rumor, much like a lot of things that have come out in the media during this election season. And that’s all.” He and Teresa headed for the parking lot, ignoring the other questions about Robert. Though Jackson wanted to finish his conversation with Teresa about her feelings toward Liza, he knew that he had less than ten minutes to make it across town to the Stevenson Senior Center. This was the third stop of the morning and Jackson was fired up to meet the people who may put him in office. The more he spoke to people, the more his excitement grew. But it was the questions that threw him off. It seemed as if the media didn’t listen to anything he said and only focused on the rumors and the controversy during the debate. It seemed as if the statement his campaign had released didn’t mean anything. He’d hoped that the sound bite from earlier would’ve been enough. But after the senior center event, the questions were the same: What did he think about Robert and the allegations?

  By the time he stopped at the VA hospital on Harris Boulevard around one that afternoon, he’d reached his limit.

  “Listen, when are we going to focus on the issues?” he snapped. “I’m sure the seniors trying to keep their Medicare don’t give a rat’s . . . don’t care what I think about my opponent’s personal life or if he had to pay for sex. If he broke the law, I’m sure the appropriate action will be taken. What more can I say?”

  Teresa dropped her head, then ushered him out the door. “You can’t afford to lose it now,” she said. “Do you know how many times you’re going to have to answer tough questions if you make it to Raleigh?”

  “Tough questions are one thing; this is just stupid. Why don’t they just go ask Robert?”

  Teresa held up her cell phone. “They have.”

  He read the headline from the Charlotte Observer’s political blog: LIES AND FABRICATED DRAMA.

  “They are keeping the machine going,” Jackson said. “How is this . . .”

  “He mentions that your girl and his former fiancée teamed up to bring him down. I’m just glad they didn’t say anything about us. But it’s not going to be long before your link to Liza Palmer comes up again.” Teresa sighed. “She’s a beautiful and smart woman. If she and Robert hadn’t been joined at the hip, then you and Liza would be awesome together.”

  “I can’t allow rumors and innuendos to change how I live my life.”

  “These rumors and innuendos you want to brush off can mean the difference between you winning and helping all of these people you claim you’re running to help and losing. I didn’t devote all of this time to you and this campaign to watch you throw it away behind a woman!” Teresa rolled her eyes, then took a deep breath. “Make a decision.”

  “What?”

  “If you want my help for you to win this thing, then you have to decide what’s more important—a relationship with Liza or winning this election! I will quit and watch from afar as you piss away your chance to make a difference right now.”

  “Fine.”

  Teresa gasped. “Well, if that’s how you want it.”

  “It’s not, but I’m not going to be dictated to by you or anyone else. If I want to be with Liza, then I’m going to do it.”

  “I hope she’s worth it,” Teresa said, then stormed away from him.

  Jackson dropped his head. What in the hell had he just done? How was he going to win this election without Teresa? Was Liza worth it?

  It didn’t take long for Jackson’s inner circle to find out about his row with Teresa. The first call he received was from Daniel. “Jackson, have you lost your mind?” his boss asked. “Why did you let Teresa walk?”

  “Word travels fast,” he said as he slipped into his car.

  “It just so happens that I called her to congratulate you guys on the endorsement from the Charlotte Observer and she said she’s no longer affiliated with your campaign. When I asked her why, she told me that you know why and she’s not going to talk about it. She was your ace in the hole.”

  “I’m not letting anyone tell me how to live my life and who I should associate with.”

  “Oh no? You don’t think the voters aren’t going to hold you accountable for the people you associate with? Just ask your boy Robert Montgomery. What you need to do is go talk to Teresa.”

  Jackson sighed and realized that Daniel was right, but nothing had changed. He wasn’t going to choose between the election and Liza. He wanted both. And he was going to have both. He headed to his campaign headquarters and hoped to find Teresa there.

  Chapter 27

  Liza and Chante sat in the studio of WCNC waiting for Ramona Holloway of Charlotte Today. They both loved Ramona, and when she’d asked for a comment on the situation with Robert, Liza talked her friend into going on the popular local show for a live interview.

  Of course, Chante had to be coaxed into doing it. “I really don’t want to go on TV and talk about this, Liza,” she’d said as Liza ran a brush through her friend’s hair.

  “This will be the last interview you’ll have to give. It’s not as if you have anything else to do,” Liza had replied, referring to the suspension Chante had received from the law firm just hours earlier.

  “I can’t believe those bastards suspended me because of Robert. Calling me a distraction!” Chante had been livid and pushed Liza’s hands away. “Let’s do it.”

  That had been about forty-five minutes ago, and now, Chante was even more nervous than she’d been while Liza had done her makeup.

  “Are you sure it’s not too late for me to run out of here?” Chante whispered. “How many people are going to be watching this show? And the video is going to be on their website, isn’t it? Please don’t tweet the links.”

  “You aren’t leaving until the interview is over,” Liza replied.

  “And you’re positive that the questions are going to be the ones that w
e went over and nothing more?”

  “Yes,” Liza said. “The producer gave us her word that they won’t go off script.”

  The producer walked onto the set and smiled at Liza and Chante. “Ramona is on her way, so, Liza, we’re going to have to move you off set. You can watch with me in the control room,” she said with a smile.

  “Is that all right with you, Chante?” Liza asked.

  She shrugged. “I guess I need to be a big girl.” Liza smiled at Chante, then followed the producer to the control room, where they’d watch the interview. Liza made a mental note to get a picture with Ramona before she left. Of the media stars in Charlotte, Ramona had to be her absolute favorite. Maybe it was the way that she ruled the TV and radio airwaves. There was no compromise in Ms. Holloway and Liza wanted to believe that she followed in her footsteps. Now, she hoped that Ramona would stick to the questions they agreed on so that she would still be a fan after the interview.

  Liza watched in rapt attention as Ramona and Chante bantered back and forth like old friends. Then the questioning started.

  “So, you and Robert Montgomery are engaged?” Ramona asked.

  “Were engaged,” Chante said, then waved her left hand, which was ring free. Liza had dusted some bronzer around the tan line so that it looked as if she’d taken the ring off a long time ago.

  “Did you know he’d been unfaithful and was entertaining call girls?”

  “A good friend tried to warn me after the incident she’d witnessed with Dayshea Brown, but I didn’t want to believe it. I’d been the stereotypical woman, accusing my single friend of being jealous of my relationship. But then I noticed a change in Robert and things that he’d been saying didn’t make sense. I’m a lawyer, I deal in logic. So, I had to evaluate my relationship.”

  Good answer, Liza thought.

  “Then why didn’t you let your friend make her case when she first came to you?”

  Liza looked at the producer. “That’s not on the list.”

  “Shh. It’s a logical follow-up question.”

  “The hell you say,” Liza snapped and rose to her feet. But what good would it do for her to go and interrupt the interview?

  “Well, I-I,” Chante began. “I wasn’t expecting that question. But if I’m totally honest, I didn’t want to believe her. I thought I was in love and I thought I was loved in return. She walked in my house when I was planning my wedding telling me that my then fiancé was cheating on me. What would you have done, Ramona?”

  Liza applauded her friend. “Great comeback.”

  “And we’ll be back after these messages,” Ramona said.

  Following the interview, Chante stormed out of the studio—no selfies with Ramona at all. Liza had to run to keep up with her friend. “Chante.”

  She whirled around. “What was that all about? Did you two sneak that question in, because it damned sure wasn’t on the list?! You said that I wouldn’t look like a fool.”

  “I didn’t know she was going to ask that. And you didn’t look like a fool. The producer said . . .”

  Chante folded her arms across her chest. “Oh no? Funny, everyone else was mentioned by name—but you.”

  “Just what are you accusing me of?” Liza snapped.

  “I know you, Liza. You put your reputation above everything else, no matter who you throw under the bus. No wonder you and Robert were so close. You two are just alike.”

  “Oh, I threw you under the bus?”

  “No, but you gave me a great push off the curb. I’m out of here.” Chante dashed to the car and Liza swore under her breath. How in the hell was she going to get back downtown when she rode to the studio with Chante?

  “Damn!”

  Jackson was heading into his headquarters just as Teresa was walking out carrying a huge box. “Teresa,” he said, causing her to stop.

  “What?”

  “Can we talk about this?” he asked. “I need you and . . .”

  “You need me?” She laughed. “Most of the people I’ve worked with who’ve needed me actually listened to what I had to say. You’ve made your choice and now you have to live with it.”

  Jackson stood in front of her and took the box from her hands. “You know what,” he said, “I probably don’t deserve you. I should have listened to you more, and if I was smarter, I never would’ve gotten involved with Liza Palmer. But I can’t deny what I feel for her and pretend that I don’t know her or I don’t want to be with her. Still, I know that I didn’t spend all of these months trying to win this election with you by my side to throw it away now.”

  “I guess those emerald eyes and strong arms work on most of the women you meet, but, Jackson, when I’m done, I’m done. You’re going to tell me what I want to hear right now and then ten minutes later you’re going to be in Liza’s arms, risking the press seeing you together. Or more stories coming out about her that will reflect badly on what we’re trying to accomplish. Did you catch the interview that Chante Britt gave on Charlotte Today about Robert? When asked why she didn’t believe her friend, Chante stammered. I’m guessing when Liza set up that interview, she didn’t tell her bestie that she’d be asked that question. How can you put so much faith in a woman who doesn’t value friendships that are decades old? Are you sure that’s the kind of woman you want to be with?”

  “I didn’t see the interview,” Jackson said. “But that’s not why I’m here. I said I need you, Teresa, and that’s no lie.”

  “What do you need more? Me, leading you to victory, or whatever it is that you think you and Liza share?”

  “I have to see this thing through. I started this campaign because I wanted to help the military families and wounded warriors, whom the government has seemed to turn its back on. I don’t want to stop now. I don’t want to see the status quo continue.”

  “What about Liza?”

  Jackson sighed. “What about her? She’s not running for office and she’s not . . .”

  “To be trusted. Even if she accidentally does something, she could ruin everything we’ve worked for. Why don’t you see that?”

  “What is it that you want me to see? That the woman I love is out to take me down?”

  “That the media gives and takes. And why in the hell do you think you’re in love with her?” Teresa slapped her hand against her forehead. “If I’m wrong about Liza, please show me. Because after what I saw on Charlotte Today, if that’s how she treats her friends, I’d hate to see what happens if her man ever disappoints her.”

  Jackson furrowed his brows. He knew what had happened to Liza’s ex, but did that mean she hadn’t matured? “What happened?” he asked, not genuinely wanting to know the answer.

  Teresa cleared her throat, then gave him the play-by-play of the interview with Ramona Holloway and Chante Britt. “So, when she asked about the friend, Liza wasn’t mentioned. She comes off smelling like a rose, while Chante looks like a total idiot.”

  “But that’s her friend. I can’t imagine that she set her up on purpose.”

  “And when you talk like that, I can’t take anything that you say seriously. Why do you think you would fare any better? I’m done.”

  “Teresa,” Jackson said. “You and I haven’t worked this hard for it to end like this.”

  “I stand by what I said. It’s the campaign or Liza Palmer.”

  Jackson was about to make his choice when he saw Liza walking up the steps. “If I’m standing in the way of you winning this seat,” she began, “then, by all means, continue what you’ve been working for.”

  Teresa turned and looked at Liza, then shook her head. “The choice is yours, Jackson,” she said.

  Jackson looked from Liza to Teresa. He thought about what he wanted to accomplish as the senator from district forty-five. Then he thought about the way he felt about Liza. The way she made him feel and how much he cared for her. This was unfair. This was a choice he couldn’t make. Not right now. Not while looking into Liza’s bewitching eyes. Looking at her, he knew tha
t she hadn’t purposely done anything to make Chante look foolish or to hurt her. He’d known that she wanted nothing more than to help her friend. But did Liza’s help come with a price? Did he really want her more than he wanted to win this election?

  Jackson reached out and stroked her cheek. “In another time . . .”

  She shook her face free of his hand. “I understand. This is important to you and I don’t want to stand in your way. I guess I’m just bad news for everybody.” The heartbreaking look in her eyes made him want to pull her into his arms and kiss her until she knew that she was all he wanted. Instead, he let her walk down the steps and get into her car.

  Teresa placed her hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go inside and get some work done,” she said. Jackson gave Liza a fleeting look and then followed Teresa inside.

  Election Day

  Jackson couldn’t sleep and it was after midnight. He knew the polls opened at six A.M. He also knew he was expected to be at his precinct to vote; Teresa had given the media his voting location and he was supposed to cast the first vote. He hoped that he’d wake up in time. More than anything, he hoped the turnout would be what he and Teresa expected. The experts were calling for a 10 percent turnout and Teresa said they were just under-counting.

  “People are going to vote because they have too much to lose by staying home,” she’d said the night before.

  Jackson and the other volunteers had agreed 100 percent.

  Now, he was wide awake, trying not to think about Liza. Trying not to think about the last time he saw her and how sad she looked when he chose his campaign over her.

  Was it worth it? Would winning the election and losing Liza be worth it? He picked up the phone and dialed her number. He just wanted to hear her voice. Then maybe he could go to sleep.

  Liza wasn’t about to admit that she needed reading glasses. Maybe she needed to turn the lights on or just go to sleep. Why was she still following this damned election? She tried to tell herself that the outcome didn’t matter. Neither candidate was in her life anymore.