Page 96 of Dignity

I shake my head. “Nope, I get it now why this is addictive. It’s like fighting in a video game where you can’t die for real, but you get an adrenaline hit when you win. You miss your old gig?”

He snorts. “No. This ismucheasier, and still exciting.” He indicates one Secret Service agent standing not far from us back stage. “They get to do the heavylifting. Besides, we’re making history. Who wouldn’t want to be part of this?”

I wish Mom was here. She’d be so proud of me, I know she would. I wish Shae’s parents were alive. That Chris’ parents were here.

I feel my phone buzz and find text messages from Benchley and Carter congratulating us, and I smile as one more comes in.

A smiley face emoticon with the tongue stuck out from Lauren.

I feel a little guilty that, lately, I’ve been too busy to really talk to her, even texting sometimes drops off my radar. We’re in full-on war mode now, and my focus is on procuring every vote for my girl.

As for my other girl…

She’s unhappy at a network whose ratings are sinking, and she’s locked into toeing a line I’m not sure she’s comfortable with anymore. Her tepid stories on Fullmer area marked contrast to accurate stories about Shae that still don’t necessarily portray her in a favorable light.

I get it, and I don’t take it personally. It’s the job, it’s her contract, and it’s her livelihood. She has to court viewers while maintaining a level of personal dignity and integrity that allows her to look in the mirror every day.

But part of me can’t help but wonder if she’s…jealous.That another woman gets my time now, even if she doesn’t know our relationship is more than friends and co-workers.

With November rapidly approaching, I can’t take the time to ponder that right now.

Not when we have an election to win.