Election Day (By Design Book 10)

by J. A. Armstrong

  “You’ve said that Governor Reid wants to punish the wealthy to prop up the poor. Do you think that’s fair?”

  “It’s the truth,” Wolfe said. “This is the problem with the liberal mentality. They want to play Robin Hood—steal from the rich to give to the poor. Robin Hood wasn’t a hero; he was a thief.”

  “Can you believe that guy?” Michelle asked. She switched off the television.

  Melanie shrugged.

  “Mel?”

  “He’s a jerk.”

  “But?”

  “But what?”

  “Don’t tell me you agree?”

  “No, I don’t agree that your mom wants to punish the rich.”

  “But.”

  “Shell…”

  “I don’t believe this. You think he’s right.”

  “I don’t think he’s right. I think that he has a point, though.”

  “What point is that?”

  “I just think that there’s some truth to the fact that the Democrats tend to make the successful people into villains.”

  Michelle’s caustic chuckle sent a shiver up Melanie’s spine.

  “I didn’t say I agree with Bradley Wolfe,” Melanie said.

  “Yeah, you just did.”

  “You know, Shell sometimes you really can be a jerk.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Well, you can. I love your mom, you know. I think Wolfe’s an asshole. That doesn’t mean I have to agree with your mother on everything. She wouldn’t expect me to.”

  Michelle shook her head. “I think we should stop talking about this.”

  “Why? Because I have the nerve to express an opinion that you don’t like?” Melanie shook her head. “I don’t think that poor people are lazy, Shell. I also don’t think that wealthy people are all selfish assholes who want to take advantage of people.”

  “Mom never said that.”

  “No. But sometimes the party line sounds that way. Not everyone who is poor is a victim, Shell. Not every CEO or Wall Street banker is an overdressed thug.”

  Michelle’s jaw dropped. Melanie seldom commented on politics.

  “That’s not what Mom thinks. That’s not what the party thinks either.”

  “Maybe not. You’re so close that you don’t hear the way it sounds sometimes.”

  “Maybe because you’re hearing something that isn’t there.”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “The twins will be waking up any minute. I should check on Spencer and Maddie before they do.”

  Michelle shook her head when Melanie walked away. What the hell was that all about?

  ***

  “Nana?”

  Candace turned and smiled. Spencer had asked if he could stay with his nana while Michelle picked up Marianne and Scott at the airport. “Come over here,” she called to him.

  Spencer picked up his pace and collapsed into Candace’s lap.

  “Spencer? What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Candace held her grandson close while he cried. “Sweetheart, why are you crying?” Candace rocked Spencer gently. He rarely cried. Something had clearly upset him. “Spencer?”

  “Everyone is mad,” he choked on his words.

  “Who’s mad, honey?”

  “Shell.”

  “Shell is mad? Why is Shell mad?”

  “She yelled at Mel.”

  Candace sighed. Marianne and Scott had a fundraising dinner to attend for the clinic that Scott was spearheading in Albany. Michelle and Melanie had offered to take Spencer and Maddie for a night and meet them in Detroit for the debate. Michelle had been taking short trips to campaign for Candace. And, she had continued to help Jameson with writing speeches and preparing for interviews. Candace imagined it was taxing for Shell. She also guessed that the constant movement and stress of the campaign had to be difficult for Melanie. Melanie had responsibilities at the architectural firm, two babies to take care of whenever Shell was away, an elderly grandmother whom she helped care for, and Shell’s needs as well. The campaign was draining for everyone. She and Jameson had taken turns snapping at the other in recent weeks as well. It was a symptom of fatigue. It didn’t herald impending doom. She was sure as she held Spencer that he had picked up on the adults’ stress in his life.

  “It’s okay,” Candace assured him. “You’ve yelled at Cooper before, haven’t you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And, you’ve gotten upset with Maddie a few times.”

  “Yeah,” he grumbled.

  “But you still love them.”

  Spencer looked at his nana through swollen eyes.

  “I know everything has been a little crazy lately, hasn’t it?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That happens sometimes. Don’t worry so much, sweetheart. I hate it when you are upset.”

  Spencer’s downcast expression tugged at Candace’s heart.

  “Spencer?”

  “You and Jay Jay are gonna leave us.”

  Candace took a deep breath and released it slowly. “We would never leave you, Spencer.”

  “But you’ll be far away,” he said.

  “That might happen,” she admitted. “But it won’t be forever. We always come home, don’t we?” She kissed Spencer on the head. “Do you remember when Cooper first started visiting us? He was so afraid we would forget about him, so you gave him your frog?”

  Spencer looked at her curiously.

  Candace smiled. “You knew that Cooper would be back because you knew that we loved him. No matter where Jay Jay and I go, we will always be there for you.”

  Spencer’s tears started to flow again. Candace pulled him close. His life had changed dramatically since Scott and Marianne became involved. She sometimes lost sight of the fact that as much as he adored Scott and loved his mother, she and Jameson played a much more central role in his life than they did any of their other grandchildren. He was the first. He also had endured loss. She and Jameson had given him a foundation through that. It created a unique bond. In many ways, Spencer would always see them as parents more than grandparents. He lived with them. They cared for him. As she listened to his uncharacteristic whimpers, she felt both his sadness and his fear. Tears gathered in her eyes.

  “Oh, Spencer. I love you so much,” she said. “So much,” she promised. “I’m sorry that we haven’t had more time together.”

  Jameson opened the door and froze. She closed the door softly, turned to Jeff Lamkin, and whispered in his ear. Then she crouched down to Cooper. “Coop, Jeff is going to take you down to Jonah’s room; okay?”

  “Why’s Spence crying?”

  Jameson smiled. “I don’t know, buddy. I’m going to go talk to him right now, okay?”

  Cooper frowned.

  “I think maybe I need to talk to Spencer with Mommy for a few minutes. Is that okay?”

  Cooper nodded.

  “Okay. You go with Jeff.” Jameson took a deep breath and opened the door again. “Hey.”

  Candace looked at Jameson regretfully. No further explanation was needed. Jameson made her way to the pair and knelt beside the chair Candace occupied.

  “Hey, Spence.” Jameson put her hand on Spencer’s back. “What’s going on, bud?”

  Spencer began to cry harder. He missed Jameson. He used to go places with her. It seemed like forever to him since he’d been with his Jay Jay.

  Jameson was taken aback when Spencer threw himself into her arms. She closed her eyes and held him. “Hey…”

  Candace’s eyes looked to the heavens. Spencer was articulate, bright and animated. He’d always been that way. He was only five. In the last few months, everyone’s life in their family had been altered. In many ways, Candace now realized, Spencer’s had been turned upside down the most.

  “Spence,” Jameson tried to calm her grandson. “Whatever it is, it’s okay.”

  “You’re leaving me.”

  Jameson gripped Spencer firmly, but lovingly. “Spencer, that
would never happen. Even when I am away, I’m always thinking about you.” That was the truth. She loved Spencer. She missed him sorely. After his father’s death, Jameson had become almost a full-time parent to her grandson. It had been difficult for Jameson to step back as Marianne regained her footing. Now that Scott was in the picture, Jameson was needed even less. She understood that was as it should be. She missed Spencer. Even when he was in her care, most of his time was spent playing with Cooper. That was also normal and healthy for both the boys. Jameson was grateful they had each other. She loved them both, and she missed the time that she and Spencer had shared.

  “Yes, sir,” he sobbed.

  “No,” Jameson repeated. She placed Spencer back in Candace’s lap. “Listen to me. I know that I’ve been away a lot—so has Nana. But, you know, you’ve been pretty busy too.”

  Spencer looked at her and bit his lip.

  “You love spending time with your mom and Scott. Lots of times when Nana and I are home you and Cooper are busy doing things together.”

  Spencer looked down into his lap.

  “And, that’s okay, Spence. But see? You might be busy, but you still love me and Nana.”

  He looked back at her.

  “I wish we could always be together—you and me and Nana and Coop, Maddie and your mom. Even Aunt Shell.” Jameson winked.

  Spencer giggled through a sniffle.

  “Do you know that I remember the first time I met you?”

  Spencer was curious. “It was Christmastime. We walked into your house, and you were on your dad’s shoulder. You were still a baby,” Jameson said. “Nana took you, and you giggled. Then you smiled at me,” Jameson said. “And, you know what? I knew right then that I loved you just as much as Nana did—just as much as I love Nana.”

  Candace smiled. Oh, Jameson. Jameson possessed the most sensitive heart of anyone Candace had ever known. She had no doubt of the sincerity in Jameson’s words. Hearing them meant as much to her as she knew it did to Spencer.

  “We haven’t always lived in the same house,” Jameson said. “For a long time, you lived pretty far away from us. You don’t remember a lot of that. I do. I missed you then. Nana missed you. We wouldn’t leave you, Spencer. You can talk to me or Nana anytime. And, I promise, we will find a way to be there for you.” Jameson grinned. “You know, you spent a lot of time hiding from me and Nana.”

  Spencer smirked.

  “We always found you, didn’t we?”

  “’Cept when I hid in the cabinet. Shell found me then.”

  Candace chuckled.

  “I remember,” Jameson said. “I don’t want you to worry. I’ll make you a promise right now. You and me and Nana, we’ll spend a whole day together, just the three of us in a few weeks. Okay?”

  “What about Coop?” Spencer asked with concern.

  Candace replied. “Oh, I think Cooper might enjoy spending a little time with his grandma and grandpa.”

  Jameson smiled gratefully. Cooper adored Maureen and Duncan Reid, and they were equally in love with him. She was positive her parents would welcome a weekend with their grandson. “Sounds like a pretty good plan to me,” Jameson said. “What do you think, Spence?”

  Spencer nodded. “Jay?”

  “Yeah, buddy?”

  “Can I stay with you and Nana and Coop tonight?”

  Jameson nodded. “As long as your mom and Scott say it’s okay.”

  Spencer nodded. “I’ll call Mommy.”

  “Mommy will be here soon. She and Aunt Shell should be in the car by now,” Candace said.

  “But I can call?” Spencer asked.

  Jameson took out her phone. “Yeah, Spence—you can call.” She dialed the number and handed Spencer the phone.

  “Mommy?”

  “Spencer?” Marianne was surprised to hear her son’s voice.

  “Yep. Can I stay with Nana?”

  Marianne was puzzled. “Spencer, Nana’s pretty busy.”

  “Nana says I can. Jay says so too.”

  “Is Nana there?”

  Spencer passed Candace the phone.

  “Hi.”

  “Mom? Is everything okay?”

  Candace’s fingers riffled through Spencer’s blonde waves. “Everything is good,” she said. “We were just wondering if you’d allow us the pleasure of Spencer’s company tonight.”

  “Mom, you have the debate. Don’t you want some space? I thought maybe Scott and I could take Coop and…”

  “We’d love for Spencer to spend tonight here.”

  Marianne heard the resolve in her mother’s voice. “You’ll fill me in later?”

  “Absolutely,” Candace promised.

  “Okay.”

  “See you in a bit,” Candace said. She looked into Spencer’s hopeful eyes. “Well, I guess you are stuck with us for tonight.”

  Spencer grinned. He looked back at Jameson. “Where’s Coop?”

  “He’s with Uncle Jonah.”

  “Can I get him?”

  “Go get some shoes on and we’ll find Cooper.”

  “’Kay!” Spencer hopped off Candace’s lap and sprinted for the other room.

  “And, he’s off,” Jameson said. She looked at Candace. “I didn’t see that coming.”

  Candace sighed. “I should have seen it.”

  “Don’t start beating yourself up.”

  “I’m not. Spencer told me he heard Shell arguing with Mel.”

  “You think that’s what triggered this?”

  “I think we are all tired,” Candace said.

  “Yeah, I guess we are. Are you okay?”

  “Yes—and, no,” Candace said. “I knew this was going to be tough, Jameson.”

  “But?”

  “I needed to do this.”

  “I know.”

  “I don’t like how much it has already hurt all of you.”

  Jameson reached over and took Candace’s hands. “We’re all okay,” she said. “If it wasn’t this campaign, some other crazy thing would be happening.”

  Candace chuckled.

  “And, I don’t think we’re all hurting,” she corrected Candace. “Maybe sometimes we all miss the ordinary chaos a little. In a few weeks, we’ll be figuring out a new normal—whatever happens.”

  “I love you, you know?”

  “I know. I love you.” Jameson stood to her full height. “You have a debate to get ready for, and I have a mission to complete with Spencer.”

  “Want to trade?” Candace asked.

  “Nope. Although, I think Coop and Spence might be able to help you.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah. Ever heard them debate about which superhero can overpower a T-Rex? It’s brutal.”

  Candace laughed. “You really are a lunatic.”

  “It’s how I survive,” Jameson said. She went off in search of Spencer.

  I have no doubt about that. None at all.

  ***

  “Governor Reid, Mr. Wolfe brings up a point many people agree with. How long can the government be expected to support someone? Who’s paying for all these entitlement programs? Is it fair for the wealthy to carry everyone else?”

  Candace smiled. “There’s no simple answer to those questions. There are layers of issues involved. Social Security and Medicare are considered entitlement programs. We pay into those over the course of our working life with the expectation that we will have access to those programs when we retire or become incapable of working. Welfare is considered an entitlement—food stamps. Those programs were designed as a bridge, not as a crutch. I would be the first person to admit that we need to make sure they are utilized in the way that was intended. With that said, if the government fails to provide a satisfactory education for young people, if it declines to invest in the health of its people, then the ability for those who have become dependent on those programs to cross that bridge is diminished greatly. When you ask about whether the wealthy should ‘carry’ the burden, you’re referring to taxation. The answer t
o your question is, no. People mistake the suggestion and belief that those who enjoy wealth should pay their fair share as an attack on success. Our tax codes are stacked in favor of the wealthy. They are laden with loopholes and scapegoats for the richest people in our country. Most of the people you are alluding to would thrive even if we removed every preferential treatment the tax code provides them. So, no; I don’t believe in overburdening the wealthy. I don’t believe in vilifying the poor either. I believe in leveling the playing field, if only slightly. There will always be those who have advantages. It’s a president’s and Congress’ responsibility to create opportunities for people at both ends of the spectrum and everywhere in between. So, yes, wealthy people will have to pay more than they are now. How long do we support people? I think the question to ask is how do we provide stronger bridges instead of the weak crutches we currently employ so that people can support themselves.”

  Melanie smiled. “See? Your mom and I do agree.”

  Michelle took her wife’s hand. She leaned in Melanie’s ear. “I’m sorry, Mel.”

  Melanie squeezed the hand holding hers. “I still love you.”

  Thank God.

  ***

  “What do you think?” Jameson asked Candace.

  “I think we should get the boys back to our room and eat some junk food and finish that Scooby Doo movie you were all watching earlier.”

  Jameson took Candace’s hand. “I don’t know why anyone bothers to debate you.”

  “What?”

  “Pretty sure the world’s problems could be settled over junk food and Scooby Doo.”

  Candace laughed.

  Jameson narrowed her gaze.

  “What?” Candace asked.

  “I thought for sure you’d call me a lunatic on that one.”

  Candace shrugged. I don’t think you have any idea how right that may be. “Let’s go,” she told Jameson. Candace beckoned Spencer and Cooper to her.

  A reporter shouted for Candace as the foursome headed through the pressroom. “Governor Reid, are you anxious to get back and see how the country feels about tonight?”

  Candace gave Jameson a nod. Cooper and Spencer held each of her hands as she stepped to a line of cameras. “I’m certainly interested,” she said. “But I’m afraid I have to pass on CNN and FOX’s offers. I have a date with Scooby Doo.” She smiled at the boys and led them away.