Page 71 of Dignity

“Senator ShaeLynn Samuels. She hired me to be her campaign manager. When I was in Florida, she approached me about heading up her run. And, this part keep quiet until she announces it, she’s going to name me chief of staff if she wins.”

Lauren jumps to her feet, yanking her hands free. “You’re going to run aDemocrat’scampaign?”

“It’s ajob. It’sa two-year job, for starters.”

“No, Kev.” She crosses the room, looking out the windows. “A job is being a US correspondent for BBC America, or going to work forBuzzFeed, or becoming aWaPocolumnist. Running a campaign ispolitics. And you arenota politician!”

I stand and follow her. I knew she’d need a little adjustment, which is why I wanted to do this in private, not at a restaurant orsomewhere public. “Are you more upset that I’m working for a politician, or that she’s a Democrat?”

“Yes!” She turns on me. “Kev, what are you doing? I told you, if money’s an issue, I’ll help you out.”

I recapture her hands and tug her close again. “This is a done deal, honey. I want to do this.”

“But a Democrat?Really?”

“She’s hawkish. You yourself have said it. Is she my dream candidate?No, but she’s not a Freedom Caucus asshole, either. I already warned her I’m not going to hold back when I think she’s wrong, and I won’t let her tell empty lies just to win votes or play to the base.”

Well, I warned Christopher, and he already told me I’d be allowed to run the campaign however I saw fit, as long as I was putting in my best effort and not trying to sabotage it.

Lauren’s notyet convinced. “She tried to squelch the final report on the Jackson Committee.”

“And we both know it was proven that thirty documents provided to the committee were falsified, and the committee had to be reconvened and the report amended. She said all along she had severe issues with the provenance of those documents, and everyone laughed at her, but she turned out to be correct. So don’t gothere. I was the first on the network to issue a correction when that came out, and I caught a ration of shit about it from viewers until even more proof emerged that yeah, she was right.”

She stares at me for a long moment. “You going to the other team now?”

“No, I’m still a Republican. But you and I have both votedDbefore.”

“Shh!” But she finally smiles. “You want to get me burned at thestake?”

“I want to do this.” Thatisthe truth. The more I think about this…the more Iwantto do it. it’ll enrage Dad, which is always a bonus. If I can actuallygether to the White House?

Holy shit, he might stroke out. That’s a win, in my book.

She eyes me. “Chief of staff, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“What do you know about being chief of staff?”

“Uh, not to let POTUS record shit, not to let themsell arms to Iran, not to cover up for people involved in domestic abuse charges, and don’t do cocaine at Studio 54 with the press secretary.”

That gets a full-on belly laugh from her. She hugs me. “Shit, this could get serious, huh?”

“Yeah, tell me about it.”

“You let her try any post-truth bullshit, I’ll burn you and her to the ground.”

“Come on, you know me better than that.” I look downinto her face. “I want to try this. I could do some amazing good.”

“Worst job in Washington. Isn’t that what Baker said?”

I smile. “I think he also said it was the second most powerful job.”

She pokes me in the stomach. “Think I’ll be able to get press credentials? Deep background?”

“Like you want to do stand-ups in the rain under an umbrella. You have a studio job.”

“Yeah, but I’d go tothe White House if you were there.”