"No, not really. I had my life there, and I have my life here. They feel like they belong to two totally different people. That is how Ifeel about myself now. I have loved living and going to school in Cali. I can't imagine leaving. Yet, I graduate in May. Ella and I have a lot of decisions to make between now and then."
"Will you come back here after you graduate?"
"I don't know. That was the plan. Finish grad school and come home and go to law school. But things have changed. I will have to wait and see."
"How does Ella feel about all of this?
Ben paused for a moment. He had been very forthcoming and honest up until this point. However, Ella was off limits, so he said, "You know I am uncomfortable talking about Ella. She has nothing to do with my dad or what happened years ago. I see no reason to bring her into any of this."
Nodding, Harvey said, "Understood, but just for clarification, what is your relationship? Dating, engaged, friends?"
Ben thought for a moment and said, "We are engaged."
"Congratulations. When's the big day?"
"Soon. We have not set a date, but it will be very soon." With that, Ben leaned forward and stretched. "Unless you have something else specific you need to know, I would really like to get back to Ella and the girls. I am sure they have worn her out by now."
Reaching out to shake his hand once again, Harvey said, "I think I have all I need for the moment. I might need to follow up later, but I will get your email address from your dad if I do.
Thank you for your time. It has been nice talking and getting to know you. Best of luck with your wedding and whatever the future holds."
Firmly taking the reporter's hand, Ben replied, "Thank you, sir. I hope you can write an article that will show the people of Arkansas how great my dad is. There is no finer man in the state, and he will make a fabulous governor." Ben left his dad's office and searched for his fiancee and sisters.
Part 4 – How It Started
Chapter 1 – Poppy's Story
Carrington Kitchen
Searcy, Arkansas
November 27, 2023
The Monday after Thanksgiving, Poppy arranged to meet with Harvey Cox, the reporter doing the article on Bennett. The original plan had been for Harvey to interview all the main players, Bennett, Taylor, Ben, and her on the previous Friday. However, by the time Harvey finished with Taylor and Ben, it was too late to start on another one on Friday. Harvey and Bennett spent all day Saturday talking in Bennett's home office. Sunday was family day as everyone wanted to spend as much time with Ben and Ella before they left early Monday morning.
Unlike the questions Harvey asked Taylor and Ben, Bennett's interview focused on his plans for Arkansas if elected. Much of the discussion focused on various bills and initiatives he had pushed as a United States Senator. Harvey felt the article would be better if the relationship aspects were covered by the women most affected, and Bennett did the political side of things. Poppy couldnot help but think that Bennett got off a little easier than everyone else. Talking politics was in his wheelhouse. No stress there. No, she and Taylor were baring their souls’ and airing all of the dirty laundry to a stranger. It was petty, but it irritated Poppy just the same.
Of course, she did not say any of this to Bennett. If she had, he would have immediately told her they would shut the whole thing down, and his chances of being governor would go down the drain. So, she pulled up her big girl panties and prepared to do battle with the demons that had haunted her. If she was going to do this, and she was going to do it, she would do it right. Whole hog, as they say in Arkansas. She was holding nothing back. When she was done, every dirty, little secret would be out there for all the world to know. Her main concern was for her children. But, given the fact that Ben had already followed in their footsteps, apples and trees and all that, and gotten a girl pregnant out of wedlock, he had lost the right to be horrified by his parents' story.
As far as the girls went, they were still too young to understand it all. Once they were old enough to process it all, she hoped they would be proud of her for being brave enough to put her truth out in the world.
At 12:00 on the dot, Harvey rang the bell, and Poppy welcomed him with the offer of a cup of coffee. He declined but asked if she had any water. Harvey followed Poppy into her warm and spacious kitchen. Suspecting she might be more relaxed and forthcoming in her kitchen than Bennett's office, Harvey suggested they do the interview at the large granite island in the middle of the room. Handing him the water, Poppy agreed, and they both sat down to talk.
Looking him straight in the eye, Poppy asked, "So, where would you like me to begin?"
"How about at the beginning."
Poppy nodded, thinking that Harvey had no idea what he had just asked for but remembered her promise earlier to be completely honest about everything. Poppy said, "Well, get your recorder ready. I hope you have new batteries because this will take a while." With that, she took them back to where it all started.
Chapter 2
Garage Apartment Carrington House
Searcy, Arkansas
July 1999
It was so stinking hot. Poppy did not think she had ever been so miserable. Her clothes were soaking wet, and sweat oozed from every pore on her body. It felt like even her red hair, which was currently in a ponytail, was sweating. It was a typical July day in Searcy, Arkansas, ninety-eight degrees with 100% humidity.
