CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
It was January 20th, three years, and 332 days, after his own inauguration as President. Bull was in an especially good mood.
"Mr. President," Mrs. Roland said, "Charles McKinley is here to see you."
"Send him right in.
"Charles, welcome! Great to see you on this happy day! We have missed you around here. Do you realize you have been gone over two years? How are you doing?"
"I'm doing fine, thank you, Mr. President. The doctors say I have made a full recovery."
"You must be ready to go back to work then. Maybe you can get a job around here. I understand there are some openings. You have quite a resume."
"No thank you. I am happy back in Massachusetts. I putter around the garden, read a lot of books, make a few speeches, and live a life of leisure."
"Sure you roped me into this White House job, and then you get sick, and get to go off and relax. What is wrong with this picture?"
"It is a magnificent 'picture.' Mr. President, you have brought this republic back from the abyss. It is free, its citizens enjoy liberty, the economy has done well, and you kept us out of war."
"It wasn't all me. People like you give me the credit, but there are some naysayers out there who do not."
"They are just jealous of your success. Your polls have shot the moon, you could have won the election easy."
"I never cared about polls, I'm not a politician, remember! I told you that when we first met, and I still say it. I'm a retired General, and I think I was a good one."
"Have you left a note behind ...that is normally done?"
"Yes, I wrote one out early this morning. ...Put it in the desk drawer.
"I hear that you pardoned two former 'Patriot Council' members."
"Yes, they applied for a pardon, they had plead guilty and acknowledged their guilt. They served half of their four year sentences, and like most of the so called 'Patriot Council,' had been kept in the dark about the assassination. Both repudiated their involvement in the Council. And they had previously honorably served in the military and fought for their country. I thought there was room for mercy."
"You didn't pardon Ishnik, Grantham or the former Senators." No, they have never changed their minds, and if they had the chance, I think would do it all over again. Besides, they murdered a President."
Just then, Mary Margaret Roland stepped into the Oval Office and said, "Mr. President, the Secret Service say that the 'President-elect' is walking over from Blair House."
"Poor man, he is walking into a gilded cage. Well, I better go meet him at the door."
"Good bye, Mr. President, and good luck," Charles Adams said.
"Good bye, Charles, you were a major reason for any success around here. I will come up to Massachusetts sometime, and you can show me Concord and Lexington."
"Any time, Mr. President."
Bull, adjusted his tie, and asked if the flag pin, and his four stars were in a straight line going down his left lapel.
"They are fine, Sir."
"It has been a pleasure, Mrs. Roland. You may have had the hardest job in this place, guarding my door, doing my bidding, and keeping me on track. You have a happy retirement too, you deserve it. You probably will be the last one out the door."
"Well, almost, Mr. President."
Pinchon walked down the hall to the east door of the White House, greeting various of the staff, who were packing their personal items into boxes.
"Leave the furniture and the radiators," Bull joked. "Good bye, and thank all of you for all the hard work. You have served your country well."
He continued on and stepped out the door, and greeted the incoming 'President-elect,' as he arrived.
"Welcome back to your new, and 'old' home."
They entered the White House and talked briefly. It was soon time to go. The President and President-elect rode together in the big new limousine bought for the next President. They drove down Pennsylvania Ave., the Presidential flag flying from the front fender. As they go past stands, that have been set up for spectators to watch the inaugural parade later in the afternoon, they see that some people have already taken their seats, and are waving as the Presidential limo goes by.
"I wish you all the success, Mr. President-elect. You have some great opportunities at home and abroad. You may be able to finally get a treaty signed to officially end the Korean war; it is about time! The war has technically been still going on for decades. China has been very constructive in dealing with North Korea. I hope you and President Hu Zhang Win, will develop a good relationship.
"You also have some opportunities with the new Congress to actually pass some legislation. You and I may not agree on all your priorities, but I hope the Congress will actually work with you.
"I left you a note in the middle drawer of your desk. It's a tradition. Beware of only listening to a few voices, and especially just your friends, when getting advice. Even those in the other party need to be heard. Especially listen for what the people beyond Washington are saying. They will give you sound advice. This nation is still good, and it is still great. Take care of it."
"What are you going to do now?" asked the President-elect.
"Well thank you, for letting me have Air Force One, one last time. I am going to ride it back to Hawaii. It seems like my vacation there was interrupted. So I am going back to finish it."
The procession pulled up to the Capitol building. The two men got out, and the President proceeded to walk up the steps and down the hall to the west side of the Capitol. As he walked down the steps to his place at the front of the inaugural platform, everyone stood as for one last time for Bull Pinchon, the Marine band struck up, "Ruffles and Flourishes, and Hail to the Chief,"
A few minutes later, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court administered the oath of office to President-elect George Carr, the widowed husband of assassinated President Caroline Carr. The Chief Justice said, "Congratulations, Mr. President." A big weight suddenly lifted off Bull's shoulders. He had kept his word. He had not run for re-election. But America finally, again, had an elected President. He thought to himself, that is the way it is supposed to be. And yes, he was free too!
After the speeches, and the brief "goodbyes," appropriate for a former President, Pinchon quietly walked back out the Capitol's east side, and now got in the old Presidential limousine.
Forty minutes later they drive through the gates of Andrews Air Force base. They pull up beside "Air Force One," and Bull gets out. He greets the base commander, and then walks up the steps to the plane. He turns and waves, and goes inside the plane. He walks to the Presidential Cabin and sits in a big easy chair.
There is a knock at the door. Bull says: "Enter." He sees a face he can't forget, and hears a familiar voice.
"Hello, Mr. President!"
"Melman, I am not President any longer. But what are you doing here? Am I being kidnapped? ...Again!"
"No Sir, I have been assigned as head agent of your security detail."
"Hah, you just wanted to go to Hawaii with me. Well, that's reasonable, you kidnapped me from there, now take me back, Melman. I'm on vacation!"
"Yes Sir!"
###
About the Author
Roy Diestelkamp is a gospel preacher, working with a church, living near Niagara Falls. He is married with three children.
From his own childhood to now being a senior citizen, he has travelled to many countries on five continents. He is a student of politics and history, and is interested in the different form and function of governments of the world. As an American he takes a special interest in the U.S. Constitution, and the many arguments about what is, and is not, Constituional.
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Four Days In February Page 26
