certainty, “Oh, but we did! And I understand you are responsible for that. Rosalind has told me all about you, and I’m very impressed.” She glanced somewhat dismissively at Jerry, and then smiled serenely at me before leaving us.
“That woman is worth millions, maybe even more,” I told Jerry after she was out of earshot. “She bankrolled the portrait gallery at the museum almost single-handedly.”
Poor Jerry was feeling intimidated. As was I, but not as badly.
I’d met some of these people already and was beginning to know some names and faces, and, although their watches cost as much as my car, I knew there were good-hearted people among them
2
and they had only wished Rosie the best. They had recognized her potential, and that was good enough for me. And I had learned too that the best of them saw their fortunes as a lucky happenstance and an opportunity to contribute to the welfare of the community that supported them. This was all new for me, this point of view, and I was sure that Jerry was still in that frame of mind that resents all of these lucky bastards.
Not everyone at the party was rich, though. There were the regular folks, too, who had given time instead of money, like Faye. And there was Ginny and her girlfriend Aura, who showed up in matching rented white and lavender tuxedos. When I saw them, I felt my face stretch into a wide smile. They were adorable and seemed very pleased with themselves. I thought I could read Rosie’s lips as she gripped Ginny by the shoulders and said,
“Aren’t you two the cutest things!” I saw Ginny hand her camera to someone so that she and Aura could stand on either side of Rosie to get their picture taken between sprays of pink roses. She was their hero too. And they had a special connection with her that I envied.
In one corner, we’d mounted a chalkboard. Periodically, one of the volunteers wrote in the latest figures from the election returns coming out of the county courthouse. Consistently, Garcia was ahead, Kiester was last. The polls had been accurate.
Rosie’s position fluctuated slightly up and down, but maintained second place, and by ten o’clock, she was far enough behind Garcia to concede.
Rosie climbed onto the stage and took a microphone, motioning to someone to turn the music down. “Listen up,”
Rosie said. “This is the official announcement. I would like to congratulate Mike Garcia for his resounding win.” Boos and cries of protest arose from the crowd. “To those of you who stuck with me, I want to thank you for your dedication. I know it wasn’t easy and I know you took a lot of abuse. I’m sorry I couldn’t pull it off for you.” Rosie’s gaze scanned the crowd. “Jean, where are you?” I raised my glass and she caught my eye. “Ah, there she is. My deepest gratitude goes to Jean Davis for her heroic
3
performance as my campaign manager. When I was ready to give up, Jean knocked me upside the head and back into the race.
Because of her remarkable efforts, we have achieved the most important victory of this campaign—we’ve kept Kiester from being reelected.” The crowd cheered. “That was my aim from the beginning, so I’m counting this election a success. To Mike, I give my heartiest congratulations, as well as all the help I can give him in his new position.” She offered a toast to Garcia, then said,
“As of this moment, I am retired from politics forever! Drink up, everybody!” She raised her champagne glass to her lips and drained it in one swallow.
I, too, drank some more champagne, feeling overwhelmed with emotion.
“Congratulations, Jean,” Faye said, running into me in the kitchen where I was stacking some trays. I felt restless and wanted to occupy myself. Faye, looking flushed and sexy in a revealing gown, said, “Rosie told me about your idea to oust Kiester. Very clever. And you did it, too. I knew something was up. I just didn’t guess that was it. A victory after
“That woman is worth millions, maybe even more,” I told Jerry after she was out of earshot. “She bankrolled the portrait gallery at the museum almost single-handedly.”
Poor Jerry was feeling intimidated. As was I, but not as badly.
I’d met some of these people already and was beginning to know some names and faces, and, although their watches cost as much as my car, I knew there were good-hearted people among them
2
and they had only wished Rosie the best. They had recognized her potential, and that was good enough for me. And I had learned too that the best of them saw their fortunes as a lucky happenstance and an opportunity to contribute to the welfare of the community that supported them. This was all new for me, this point of view, and I was sure that Jerry was still in that frame of mind that resents all of these lucky bastards.
Not everyone at the party was rich, though. There were the regular folks, too, who had given time instead of money, like Faye. And there was Ginny and her girlfriend Aura, who showed up in matching rented white and lavender tuxedos. When I saw them, I felt my face stretch into a wide smile. They were adorable and seemed very pleased with themselves. I thought I could read Rosie’s lips as she gripped Ginny by the shoulders and said,
“Aren’t you two the cutest things!” I saw Ginny hand her camera to someone so that she and Aura could stand on either side of Rosie to get their picture taken between sprays of pink roses. She was their hero too. And they had a special connection with her that I envied.
In one corner, we’d mounted a chalkboard. Periodically, one of the volunteers wrote in the latest figures from the election returns coming out of the county courthouse. Consistently, Garcia was ahead, Kiester was last. The polls had been accurate.
Rosie’s position fluctuated slightly up and down, but maintained second place, and by ten o’clock, she was far enough behind Garcia to concede.
Rosie climbed onto the stage and took a microphone, motioning to someone to turn the music down. “Listen up,”
Rosie said. “This is the official announcement. I would like to congratulate Mike Garcia for his resounding win.” Boos and cries of protest arose from the crowd. “To those of you who stuck with me, I want to thank you for your dedication. I know it wasn’t easy and I know you took a lot of abuse. I’m sorry I couldn’t pull it off for you.” Rosie’s gaze scanned the crowd. “Jean, where are you?” I raised my glass and she caught my eye. “Ah, there she is. My deepest gratitude goes to Jean Davis for her heroic
3
performance as my campaign manager. When I was ready to give up, Jean knocked me upside the head and back into the race.
Because of her remarkable efforts, we have achieved the most important victory of this campaign—we’ve kept Kiester from being reelected.” The crowd cheered. “That was my aim from the beginning, so I’m counting this election a success. To Mike, I give my heartiest congratulations, as well as all the help I can give him in his new position.” She offered a toast to Garcia, then said,
“As of this moment, I am retired from politics forever! Drink up, everybody!” She raised her champagne glass to her lips and drained it in one swallow.
I, too, drank some more champagne, feeling overwhelmed with emotion.
“Congratulations, Jean,” Faye said, running into me in the kitchen where I was stacking some trays. I felt restless and wanted to occupy myself. Faye, looking flushed and sexy in a revealing gown, said, “Rosie told me about your idea to oust Kiester. Very clever. And you did it, too. I knew something was up. I just didn’t guess that was it. A victory after
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