A Political Affair (40 page)

“I know.” He sighed.

“After all, there isn’t anything wrong.” She smiled and returned to knitting. “This may play out very well.”
 

Later that month, Trey sat at his desk on interminable hold as Walter finished another call. He tried not to take it personally, but he couldn’t help it. He wondered if Walter was less interested in Langford’s campaign. He shook it off, thinking it impossible.

“Good afternoon, Walter,” said Trey in as chipper a voice as he could muster. “How are you?”

“Oh, I’m doing fine. Busy. I’m involved in a lot of races these days,” he replied. “But I’m sure you’re calling about my spending in Colorado.”

“Well, I was curious as to what you were up to.”

“I’m in for now. Two big factors are coming up though—the ruling by the Ethics Committee and the debate.” Walter cleared his throat. “We need both to go our way, or I’m not running any more ads in Colorado.”

“But we need those ads.” Trey realized he sounded panicky and regretted it. “I assure you Langford can win,” Trey said in a stronger voice.

“Well, I’ll run ads until the debate in October. Depending on Langford’s performance, I’ll decide if I spend any more money there before the election.”

“Oh, he’ll do well.” Trey knew Langford could debate, but the question of how he’d compare to McEvoy still remained.

“He needs to,” Walter replied in a stern voice. “Sorry, Trey. I’m not in this to make anyone feel good. I’m in it to win. You should know that by now.”

Anne always laughed when Patty actually admitted to praying she’d win an election. Most people involved in politics, sports, or a war considered it poor taste—or even blasphemous—to pray for the other side’s demise. In politics, the proper thing to do was to pray for a good race that benefited the people. Patty would have none of that. “I know I’m right,” she declared with pride. “Why would I ever ask God for anything else?”

When they heard the news that the Senate Ethics Committee had cleared Stephen of any wrongdoing, Anne was overcome with relief, while Patty exclaimed, “Thank God!” She looked heavenward as she kissed the cross that hung from the platinum chain around her neck. “Thank you for answering my prayers.”

“Thank God is right,” agreed Stephen. Though he wasn’t known to put much stock in the power of prayer, he appeared thankful, nonetheless.

“It’s worked out exactly how I wanted—the committee ruled in September. We have almost two months to put it behind us before the election.” Patty was smug. “Take that, Walter Smith, you little shit.”

Over Stephen’s shoulder, Anne looked at his laptop screen and read the one-paragraph letter dismissing the complaint against him. She wrinkled her nose. “It’s awfully short. I mean, after three months of meetings, depositions, lawyers, and documents, all they have to say is, ‘The Committee finds no direct violation—blah, blah, blah. The Committee dismisses the matter.’ That’s it?”

“That’s all they
want
to say.” Stephen chuckled. “Just in case it happens to one of them one day.”

“It’s true.” Lillian smiled. “Even with all of today’s partisanship, some things don’t change. The U.S. Senate still is ‘The Club.’ They’re loath to criticize their own.” She wrapped her reassuring arms around the shoulders of Stephen and Anne. “But in this case, it was also the
right
outcome. I’m very happy for you two.”

“Thanks, Lillian,” Anne said, patting her mother-in-law’s hand.
 

Stephen looked up at his mother, his eyes shining in a rare display of open emotion. “We couldn’t have done this without you, Mom.” He cleared his throat, though it didn’t mask the waver in his voice.

Lillian’s eyes misted as she beamed. “I’ve just always wanted my children to be happy.”
 

“Things are looking up. I bet we’ll see another bump in the polls.” Megan smiled. “You’ve been cleared by the Ethics Committee, and you’re no longer a joke on the late-night shows.”

Anne laughed. “I suppose we can thank Helen for that. Her sex tape gave Jay Leno enough material for years.”
 

“Or you could thank Mom and me,” said Patty, straightening her jacket in pride of a job well done. Her voice sobered, though. “We’re not out of the woods yet. There’s a lot of time left in this campaign, including the debate.”

“The debate. Yeah . . .” Stephen muttered with a nod.

Patty frowned. “Right. The debate. Don’t fuck it up.”

Few people actually watched a debate for a Senate seat, but the spin on who won and lost played in the media until Election Day. Davis Auditorium at the University of Denver hummed with murmurs and whispers as Langford and Stephen strode onto the stage. Before they headed to their podiums, they performed the customary handshake.
 

Stephen was pleasant. “Good evening, Dan. It’s nice to see you again.”

“Evening, Stephen. Nice to see you, too.” He smirked and side-eyed the row of the McEvoy clan. “And your family also.”

Stephen nodded, though he sensed there was meaning behind Langford’s otherwise benign comment. He walked to his podium and put on his microphone. He looked at Anne, who sat between a proud Lillian and determined Patty. Anne gave him a reassuring nod and grin, and he was more at ease.

When the debate began, both men started off well. Stephen hoped Langford might stumble on more complex topics, but he handled them with his down-home common sense. While they weren’t the more thorough and eloquent answers Stephen might give, they were effective. The debate appeared to be heading for a draw, and twinges of panic pinched at Stephen. He needed a decisive win, not a tepid tie. He glanced at Patty, whose expression was steadfast, though he knew she worried just like him. While Langford made the audience chuckle again at his corny jokes, Stephen straightened his tie as he tried to bolster his confidence. He knew what the next topic was going to be.

The moderator ventured into the issue everyone was waiting for. “This is a question for Senator McEvoy,” the moderator announced. He was a crusty television reporter for the local ABC affiliate who spoke in a voice which made people want to stand straighter. “While the Senate Ethics Committee cleared you of any wrongdoing, questions about your morality linger. What is your response to those who think you’re unfit for public office?”

Stephen kept his placid expression as he moved his pen aside on the podium. It was a practiced maneuver to signal a thoughtful statement on an issue. In this case, he was to deliver a message he’d done many times since his marriage to Anne—but this time the message would reach the widest audience. He wanted to make sure his statement was one which would define him. He looked ahead and spoke to the auditorium in a candid voice.

“I can understand why the public has an interest in a politician’s private life. After all, we’re people just like anyone, and it would be a lie by any politician who said they didn’t use their personal story to influence voters.” He gestured to Langford. “Both Dan and I have narratives about our lives which describe us and our values.” He moved his hands to grip the podium. “If the events of the last year hadn’t taken place, I’d still be standing before you with the same experiences I have today. I’d have a successful career as a district attorney and a strong record as a United States Senator, working in Washington, D.C. to better the lives of Coloradans. I’d also carry my family’s dedication to fighting for the interests of the poor and working class. But my life has changed in the last year. Today I also have a wonderful wife who I happened to meet on the job. That’s not such a different story than many Americans who find their partner at work.” Turning his head to Anne and the rest of his family, he said, “Anne Norwood McEvoy is a part of my family. I love her dearly, and I’m a better man because she’s in my life.” He smiled at Anne, who returned the grin while Lillian patted her arm.
 

Silence took over the room for a moment, until a few members of the audience began clapping. As the clapping became louder, the moderator interrupted, “May we please have quiet in the auditorium?” He turned to Langford. “Treasurer Langford, do you have any comment on Senator McEvoy’s answer?”

Langford looked down at his podium for a moment and frowned. For months, he’d barely commented on Stephen’s scandal, leaving the vitriol to his surrogates. Everyone in the room waited for him to finally address the question with his opponent only a few feet away. His head rose and stared into the camera. “I’d say that’s a nice sentiment, Stephen, but Coloradans care about family values.”

“Really?” Stephen asked without waiting for the moderator. “Well, then I don’t think there’s an issue here since both Anne’s and my family support us. But I disagree. I don’t think people are most concerned about family values—however you define them. I think most people care about things which impact their everyday life—and my personal life certainly doesn’t do that. What Coloradans really want are jobs that allow them to provide for their family. Good schools so their kids get better opportunities. Clean air and water so they can enjoy the outdoors. And a national defense to keep America safe and strong. Those are the issues I think this election is about.” Stephen stared Langford down, daring him to respond.
 

“Treasurer Langford, what do you think this election is about?” The moderator raised his eyebrows.

“Sending the right man to Washington,” he said with a nod as if to convince everyone around him he was the right guy.

Stephen gave a small smile and looked down; he knew he’d done well.
 

After the debate ended, the candidates’ families rushed the stage. Langford headed over to his wife and grown children, while Stephen met Anne midway.
 

As he hugged her, she leaned into his ear. “You were great, sweetheart. It went really well.”

Lillian said as she got the second hug, “Patrick would be so proud of you.”

Megan and Marco simply congratulated him and smiled as they handed over the newest McEvoy for the traditional politician-with-a-baby photo-op. Lillian McEvoy Zamora, or Lil, as she was called, smiled for her Uncle Stephen and the cameras.
 

Afterward, Patty touched Stephen’s arm. “I guess there’s some benefit to everyone thinking you’re political roadkill. People have low expectations of us now, so we’re doing great.”

“Thanks,” Stephen grumbled.

“I’m joking. Nice job.” She grinned, tugging at his suit coat. “I mean it. I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

“Thanks, Patty. I’m glad it’s over,” he said before heaving a great sigh.
 

Greg offered his hand. “She’s right. It was awesome. Langford took the bait and imploded.” He grinned and predicted the outcome of the election with his next words. “Congratulations,
Senator
McEvoy.”