Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 108242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
“I think her views should be considered not un-American but pre-American. They were here first. This was all theirs. We stole it. The implications of those wrongs are still being felt. And I think we get patriotism twisted a lot.”
“You think we should redefine patriotism?”
“I think we should remember what patriotism actually is—that it’s rooted in love of country and seeing a vision for life, liberty, and justice for all fully realized. Our forefathers wrote the truth but, in many cases, didn’t live it out. Patriotism is loving this country enough to examine its problematic history so we can fulfill our forefathers’ words.”
“Some would argue that our forefathers did what all nation builders have done,” Bryce says. “The strongest take over and make something good better, something that will last.”
“Your version of colonization sounds like Darwinism, with the strongest surviving.”
“It’s not too far off,” Bryce chuckles.
“I’ve lived all over the world, and America is my favorite place to be by far. I believe in it, or I wouldn’t be running to lead it. Just because something ends up wonderful doesn’t mean you don’t expose the wrong in how it began. This country is amazing, but our origins are complicated and, in many cases, morally reprehensible. In the process of building something incredible, we stole, we destroyed, we took advantage of, we hurt a lot of people. We detract from our greatness when we not only refuse to acknowledge or examine our actions historically but don’t seek ways to heal and make amends where we can. I believe that’s the essence of what ‘people like Ms. Hunter’ are asking of us.”
Bryce nods, his eyes narrowing. He turns over the card in his hand and picks up another.
“Thank you for articulating that,” Bryce says. “Could we return to the romantic nature of your relationship with Ms. Hunter?”
“By all means.”
“So you met her protesting your father’s pipeline, and then what?”
“We reconnected briefly a few years later in Amsterdam when she was on vacation and I was completing my doctorate. We didn’t see each other again for another decade, when Ms. Hunter’s firm started managing my brother’s campaign.”
“And you resumed your relationship?”
“God, no. She wouldn’t give me the time of day. I literally moved to DC to be closer to her, but she wouldn’t consider me for months.”
“So when did it become romantic again?” Bryce chortles. “I guess mutually romantic, since Ms. Hunter had held out.”
“Around five months ago.”
“And why did you hide your relationship?”
“Because of what’s happening right now. People making erroneous assumptions about her, about her work ethic, about how she became so successful. She’s earned everything she has, including my love.”
A sigh passes through the crowd at my confession.
“So you do love her?” Bryce roots around for clarity, which I’m more than happy to give.
“Yes, we’re in a committed relationship.”
“And marriage?” Bryce probes.
“Something we’ll decide when the time is right for us.”
“Americans like to know what we’re getting,” Bryce says. “It’s a package deal. They want to know what their first lady would do, who she is.”
“If they elect me, Americans can expect a man smart enough to ask for help when he doesn’t know and bold enough to stand on his own when necessary. Someone who will fight for them in new, innovative ways, who will watch the bottom line ruthlessly and take risks that will propel us all forward. A man who will honor the past when we got it right and apologize for when we got it wrong and who is determined the future will be better than we can imagine.”
I turn my attention to the audience and shrug, smile.
“Just consider the kind of woman that man would choose, and you’ve got Lennix Hunter.”
CHAPTER 50
MAXIM
“I swear I’ll try to make it,” I tell Lennix, taking a sip of my coffee.
“I know how full your schedule is today,” she says from the other end of the line. “You don’t turn down Good Morning America for anything. This is a great chance for you to connect with voters.”
“Yeah, Kimba sent me some policy notes last night to review. Basically War and Peace but slightly longer.”
“She’s thorough.” Lennix laughs. “I’ll give her that.”
“We’ll probably strangle each other before November. Being on the road without you as a buffer sucks. There’s no one to protect me from her.”
“Well, I’m on the road myself. The governor’s race is heating up, and I think we’ve got a real shot of turning Virginia blue. I mean, it’s a swing state, so it’ll probably go red again in four years, but I gotta try, right?”
“Right.” I rest in the easy silence for a few seconds, just enjoying the sound of her voice, the thought of her. “I miss you.”
“Same, Doc. Same.”
I smile even though it hurts to not be with her. “There are some guys in from Hong Kong. After GMA, I have to meet with them and try to save this deal, but I plan to catch a flight right after so I can be there in time.”