34
Taylor
“My Lord, that man is fine,” Taylor breathed.
“He is a beautiful boy,” Tabitha Creed agreed.
They were at the Rosemont Park Hall watching Victor go head to head with the Democratic candidate, Bill Thornton, in the Illinois Governor’s Debate. Taylor, her mom and dad, along with Victor’s entire family were watching from a monitor backstage. Watching her husband so eloquently rip his opponent to shreds was definitely an aphrodisiac. But, then again, at seven months pregnant, everything was an aphrodisiac. She’d never been hornier in her entire life, but her obstetrician assured her that her excessive need for sex was normal.
Due to scandalous photos in the paper, and possible indictments, it had been such a tiring campaign for Victor. Most of his time was spent governing the state, campaigning, or putting out political fires intensified by the media. Thankfully, he was still ahead in the polls. But neither he nor Taylor trusted the polls. So, over that last few months, they campaigned hard.
For two hours, she listened as Victor answered the question about his disdain for the current president, his social interactions with members of a Sicilian mafia, the school system, the overwhelming homicide rate in Chicago, and even potholes. With each question, his response was precise and intelligent. Not to mention that his blindingly good looks and irresistible charisma were casting a dark cloud over his opponent. Taylor couldn’t have been prouder.
She placed her hand on her rounded belly and mentally told her unborn child how wonderful his or her father was. She was thinking of just how blessed and happy she was when the moderator’s voice came through the monitor.
“Thank you for joining us for the Illinois Governor’s Debate. We now have time for a short closing statement from each candidate. We’ll begin with Counselman Thornton and close with Governor Creed.”
“Thank you, Mark,” Thornton said. “To the detriment of Illinois, my opponent has openly opposed the current administration, who happens to be a Republican. At every turn, he has betrayed and belittled his own political party, therefore creating discord with the president of these United States of America. His insolence could very well be counterproductive to the great state of Illinois. You need a candidate that can work well with others in a bipartisan capacity. I’ll leave you with this… the incumbent governor’s wife is a registered Democrat. If his own wife doesn’t believe his, or his political party’s aspirations, why should the good people of Illinois?”
Taylor recoiled and turned to her mother. “Did he just put me on blast?”
“Hmph! He sure did,” she responded with a huff.
A portion of the crowd applauded the councilman. When the applause died down, the moderator looked to Victor for his response.
“Mark, thank you. Hmm… my democratic opponent wants nothing more than to be an apprentice to the president, who, by the way, happens to be a Republican. Yet, he speaks of loyalty to a political party. I am most certainly an avid supporter of my own party. However, Councilman, my loyalty will always lie with the people of Illinois. Therefore, Republican or not, I will never bow down and kiss the ring of a misogynistic, Führer-reflective dictator who openly supports radical racially motivated hate groups.
“His very presence in the Oval Office has sparked the momentum of every Skinhead, White Nationalist, and Klansman in America. That brand of hatemongering, bullying, and aspirations of dictatorship is something that I willneverbe willing to cosign. And, in closing…Councilman Thornton, with your dismal public record, I can guarantee you one thing. With you as the Democratic candidate for governor, my beautiful wife won’t be the only registered Democrat voting Republican this election.”
Thunderous applause surpassed the crowd’s roar of laughter. Victor stepped back from the podium and casually stuffed his hands in his pockets. His charm and magnetism were irrefutable, and the audience was eating it up. Victor was a Rockstar.
Taylor socialized with her family backstage, not so patiently waiting for the commentator to wrap up the televised debate. She was delighted that Victor had destroyed his opponent in the debate, but truthfully, she was exhausted. Her ankles were swollen, and her butt and lower back were aching. However, that didn’t stop her from rising to her feet when Victor walked backstage. She hurried over to him with a giant smile and her arms opened wide. His face was etched with concern as he clutched her shoulders.
“Slowdown, sweetheart,” he implored.
“Oh, honey, I’m fine. Oh my God, you were inspiring.” She was gushing excitement.
“Yeah?” he asked with a smile. “I did good, huh?”
“Baby, you slayed that dragon. Straight up destroyed his ass.”
“He was alright,” Lucas teased.
“Shut up your face, Lucas. He was awesome,” Taylor defended.
Victor looked to his father. As a politician himself, his opinion was extremely important to him.
Victor Sr. smiled and placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Taylor’s right, Son. Your points were clear and concise, your intelligence and confidence were overshadowing, and those good looks you got from me didn’t hurt.”
The family was praising and congratulating him on a job well done when his opponent approached.
Thornton nodded respectfully to Victor Sr. “Senator, it’s good to see you.”
“Bill,” Victor Sr. acknowledged.
Thornton turned his attention to Victor. “Now it’s up to the voters,” he said with his hand out.
Victor accepted his hand and shook.
