Rough Drafts by J.A. Armstrong

Author:J.A. Armstrong [Armstrong, J.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J.A. Armstrong Books
Published: 2015-08-25T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

“What?!” Dana screamed. Candace cringed. “There is not enough scotch in Washington D.C. for this. Are you seriously telling me that Jonah’s girlfriend is the daughter of the media director for FVI?”

“It would appear so,” Candace replied.

“Jesus Christ!”

“Not so loud,” Candace warned Dana. “We might need his help soon.”

“I am glad you are so amused,” Dana replied as she flopped onto the sofa. “Lawson Klein? Lawson Klein? I cannot believe that Jonah is sleeping with Lawson Klein’s daughter! What was he thinking?”

“This isn’t about Lawson Klein, Dana,” Candace reminded her. “We don’t even know Laura.”

“I know,” Dana said. “But, Candy—Lawson Klein?!”

Candace grimaced. “I know. It’s bad.”

“No. Not bad. Bad is a thunderstorm. This is a cyclone. Family Values International is one of your biggest critics.”

“Don’t remind me,” Candace flinched. Family Values International was a non-profit humanitarian group. At least, that is what they claimed as their designation. Candace wondered when bias became a humanitarian effort. The organization was decidedly anti-gay and by most people’s accounting, anti-feminist as well. They opposed same-gender marriage, were adamant about overturning Roe versus Wade, had lobbied Congress aggressively in support of prayer in the public schools, and had a well-known alliance with the NRA. In short, everything they believed in stood in stark contrast to Candace’s personal life and political beliefs. She was the frequent target of pointed criticism with regard to both her voting record and her personal life by FVI founder Dominick Ward.

“Have you talked to Jonah yet?” Dana asked.

“No, and I don’t plan to.”

“Tell me, I heard that wrong,” Dana said.

“No, you heard me correctly.”

“Candy, I understand that Jonah is your son, but you have to be realistic about this. What happens when the shit hits the fan? Think about Jonah in that equation.”

“I am,” Candace replied. “Look, he needs to deal with this in his own way. I need to give him the time to do that,” Candace said. Dana remained unconvinced. “Dana, please. Just start getting prepared. Okay?”

“I don’t even know what I am preparing for!”

“Anything and everything you think might be possible. We both know that they will play the morality card against me,” Candace said knowingly.

“Exactly my point. Candy.”

“Dana.”

Dana put her face in her hands and sighed in frustration. “If Shell comes on board, you will have to tell her.”

“I know.”

“Candy, that…”

“I know!” Candace raised her voice.

“I’m sorry, Candy. Dominick Ward has been looking for your weakness for years.”

“I know that too,” Candace said. “Look, I stand by Jonah no matter what.”

“I know, and that is your strength,” Dana smiled. “It’s not so much that I think this jeopardizes you in the election,” she continued. Candace closed her eyes in anticipation of Dana’s next words. “They have never been dragged through the mud like you have, Candy. They’ve left the kids out of it. All bets are off now.”

“I know,” Candace sighed. She was fighting the urge to be sick.

“A lesbian daughter, who might come on board the campaign. A son fathering a child out of wedlock with the daughter of a conservative activist…Candy, they are not kids anymore.

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