“Is that why you had Jordan sit in on a call like that? A call that’s definitely above his pay grade?” I’m watching him when I ask that.
I see him weigh his answers. “It did cross my mind maybe Jordan would say something to you, yes. But he’s also trying to learn. He’s spooky-smart. If he wants to stay in DC and make this his permanent career, he could be pulling serious bank in a few years as a campaign consultant.”
The thought of my boy doing that, though, fills me with dread. Because I see how cutthroat those guys can be. Doesn’t matter the party, you’re loyal to your client, and you fight to win because your reputation is only as good as your last campaign. They quickly become cynical, jaded warriors whose trophies are tabulated by supervisors of elections and departments of state all over the country. It becomes an addiction, a curse.
Jordan’s too good for that kind of life, too sweet.
I don’t want his innocence tainted like that.
Chris warned me back then to put Jordan first in my life. That’s all well and good, but the other key part of that leverage is knowing Elliot would step up if I threatened to leave.
Problem is, he’s not invested in Jordan.
I don’t knowhowto invest him in Jordan.
Right this moment? I’m not even sure if Elliot’s invested inme.
I hate admitting that.
And if he’s not invested in Jordan, and I threaten to leave…I’m fairly certain Elliot will sadly smile, hug me, and watch me walk away so he can self-implode during the campaign, lose, and disappear from public life with that humiliation following him forever. All while blaming himself for it.
I can’t let him do that.
Iwon’tlet him do that.
Meaning until I can figure out how to bridge this gap, we’re at an impasse.
It also leaves me wondering if Elliot is far too broken for me to put together again.
Or if I should even try.
Chapter Forty-Six
Then — 15 Months Later
August
Elliotstill.
Hasnot.
Fuckingdeclared.
It’s almost eighteen months until the Iowa caucuses. The working assumption by the White House, and everyone, and their mother, and extended distant adopted fricking cousin’s college roommate’s best friend’s pool man, is that Vice President Elliot Gerald Woodley is running for president and is the presumptive Democratic nominee.
The commentators on all the cable news networks assume it.
And Elliot still hasn’t said it tome.
It’s the donkey in the middle of the living room, one that’s shitting all over the place and kicking up a storm, and Elliotstillhasn’t talked to me about it.
After my talk with Kev in the hospital, I decided to wait Elliot out. To see what he’d do.
Especially since I had no cluewhatto do about this situation.
Unfortunately, nothing else has happened between Elliot and Jordan, other than Jordan attending a couple of events as Elliot’s body man.
The few times I go to Elliot’s at night and spend time alone with him, Jordan volunteers to be left behind.
