Page 21 of Lieutenant

“Not too late for you to change your party affiliation back,” Daddy says as he stares out the passenger window. “You don’t need to work this hard, SusieJo.”

I ignore the nickname. “You always told me to be my own person, Daddy. That Ineedto work hard to make a name for myself.” I decide to address the elephant—sort of literally and metaphorically—in the car with us. “Momma’s a Democrat, and you never hounded her to change parties.”

“Because she’s my wife, and she’s not running for office.”

And because it suited him, I’m sure, having a “liberal” wife. Made him look more centrist and appealing to socially liberal Republican voters.

Believe me, I know my Daddy.

“You just don’t want to admit you were wrong about Carter,” I hear myself say, horrified that I actually said it aloud. It takes everything I have not to clap my hand over my mouth like a little kid.

Carter’s wearing sunglasses, but I see him glance in the rearview mirror, and I know I just earned strokes.

“Hmph,” Momma says.

Fuck it.I opened this closet, might as well clean it out for good. “Sixyears,” I say.

“You’ve barely been out of law schooltwoyears,” Daddy shoots back. “You went and eloped.”

Carter remains silent. I drew this incoming fire—I know I need to be the one to return it. “You taught me to go after what I wanted, Daddy. To be ruthless. Brutal, even. I wanted Carter. I’d think you’d be happy I married someone who not only celebrates the fact that I’m a strong woman, he doesn’t try to tear me down. Hewantsto help me make my dreams come true. If it was up to Carter, we’d be practicing law and settling in to a quiet life.I’mthe politician.Me. And Owen,” I quickly add. “You always told me to marry a man who’d value who I was and not try to change me, andthat’swhat I did. I marriedexactlythat man. And you know what? He reminds me a lot ofyou.”

“Touché,” Momma quietly says.

At the same time, Owen softly mutters, “Yikes.”

And Carter says, “Ouch.”

But Daddy laughs. “Fuck me, hard to argue against that, I suppose.” I know from the sound of his laugh he’s genuinely amused. I’m not sure which part he thought was funny, but at least the tension in the car has eased.

Unfortunately, I can’t leave things well enough alone. “Besides,” I clumsily add, “Owen wouldn’t have let me go through with it if he didn’t believe in Carter, too. Would you?”

I know I’ve put our boy on the spot and I’ll owe him a massive apology later.

But he’s our good boy, and he lies for me.

Sort of. “I trust Carter,” Owen quietly says. “And I trust Susa. They took me in and became my family. I wouldn’t have reconciled with Dad the way I have if it wasn’t for them helping me. They taught me it was okay to trust people again, after my mother ruined my trust. I don’t think I’m out of line to say that you and your wife raised an amazing woman, Senator Evans. I’m proud to call her and Carter my best friends, and even my adopted family. I have never had the feeling that Susa didn’t know exactly what she wanted or how to go about getting it. She’s an old soul, and she’s going to be an amazing governor, one day. I’m simply glad I get to be a part of it.”

Daddy sighs, and Momma finally looks at Owen, then me.

“Just don’t go getting her pregnant yet, Carter,” Daddy admonishes.

“That’s not going to be a problem, Daddy,” I say, feeling mixed emotions aboutthattruth. “You don’t have to worry about it.”

* * * *

To Carter’s credit, he waits until it’s just the three of us again and we’re almost home to finally bring it up.

“I don’t think that was the best way to approach things, pet.”

“I know, I know. I’m sorry.”

He points over the back of the seat at Owen, who’s now sitting behind me, on the passenger side.

Carter’s message is clear—it’s nothimI owe an apology to. It’s Owen.

I turn. “I’m sorry, sweetie.”

He’s looking out the window. “It’s all right, Ma’am.”