Chapter Twenty-Five
Josh
“Morning, Josh. Not long until the polls open! How are you feeling? Is it just me or has time just gone super-fast?”
I smiled wearily at Ralph and shook my head. “It’s not just you. It’s gone so fast. One week to go. I cannot believe it.”
“You’re doing great, though. This has been an awesome campaign. It’s been such an interesting one to be a part of. You were doing well, then you took a major nosedive after the Kason scandal, and after that, you went back up again. In fact, from the looks of things you are doing even better than you were to begin with.”
“I just hope it stays that way.”
Ralph looked at me and frowned. “You used to be a lot more confident about these things. I was always the one telling you not to get too cocky too soon.”
I looked over at Reagan who was grinning into her coffee cup. “Yeah, well, I’m starting to learn that cockiness is not always the best attitude to have. I’m still confident, though, but I know that anything can happen. This next week is absolutely crucial. And, I’m starting to feel a lot more pressure from our opponent. Which reminds me, how much longer do we have until his press conference begins?”
Ralph looked at his watch. “Ten minutes. Oh wow, I didn’t realize the time. Okay, let’s all gather around. I’ll get the TV set up in the meantime,” Ralph said.
We gathered the team and all sat together in the conference room. Reagan had rushed to the kitchen to make pots of coffee for the middle of the table, and we were all sitting and waiting nervously for it to begin.
“Why are we watching this idiot anyway?” someone shouted.
I was just about to say something, but Reagan got there first. “Because we have to be two steps ahead at all times. That means always knowing what our opponent is up to. We need to know what we are up against.”
I shot her a grateful smile. Reagan was exactly what our team had always needed. Nobody had a thing to say about her comment. It made sense.
“Okay, he’s up,” Ralph said and increased the volume.
We all sat in hushed silence as we listened to Frank Hirshman talk. He was very confident, his bright white teeth shining into the camera as he practically flirted with his audience. He spoke about all the things that he would change, and about all the issues that he felt were important. It was a good speech, and not all that different from something I would’ve said. But then, right at the end, when someone asked him a question about us, his attitude changed.
“Josh Maxwell is still in the middle of a big scandal. The friends that he hangs out with are a big reflection of who he is as a person and what sort of things he thinks are acceptable or not. I think it’s very important that you take a look at this, and realize what you are getting yourself into if you vote his way.”
Tempers flared in an instant, with everyone around the table getting angry, and I found myself desperate to turn the TV off. But Ralph told everyone to calm down as we listened to the rest of the talk. It was all much the same really, and when it was finally over, we all sat and looked at each other.
“Wow, nice man,” I said.
“Yeah, how can he say something like that about you? Is that really his strategy? What an idiot.”
“Don’t let him get to you. That’s what he wanted,” Reagan said. “At least you haven’t stooped as low as him. Your campaign has been all about how you are going to better things, and not once have you brought him down in order to bring yourself up. That’s a positive thing. All he has really done is made himself look childish and stupid. His argument is one that you would see on the playground at school, not one that is coming from a future leader. Trust me; you’re still in the lead Josh. I was watching the statistics as he was talking, and you are still in the lead. He just wants the voters to think badly of you. He is obviously not nearly as confident as he makes himself out to be. I really wouldn’t worry. All right, let’s get back to work,” Reagan said. “Let’s show this man what we’re made of.”
I smiled at Reagan, surprised by how quickly she had taken on a leadership role that went well beyond her scope of work. I walked back to my office and continued with my work. I was sure that if Reagan hadn’t stood up to have her say, the staff would’ve been in disarray after watching Frank talk. But now everyone seemed more excited than ever to show him what we were made of. People seemed to be working harder than ever.
At the end of the day, I picked up the phone and called Reagan into the office. My door was closed, and she walked in without knocking again. I chuckled.
“Don’t you knock?”
“Only when I don’t have to,” she said.
She closed the door behind her and sat down.
“How are you feeling about everything? I hope you’re not upset about the conference. Because I really still think you have nothing to worry about.”
“I’m actually feeling fine about it. I like the way you took control of the room, though. If it wasn’t for you, everyone would’ve been freaking out.”
She smiled. “It’s my pleasure. I expected Frank to do something like that, and that’s fine by me. Let him do things his way, and we will do things our way. We still have a week, and that’s plenty of time to continue doing everything we can to make sure you win. I have a good feeling about this, Josh.”
“So do I, actually.” This was the first time I’ve ever truly had anyone in my corner before. I knew my team were all there for me, but it was different with Reagan. She really and truly believed in everything I stood for. She was doing this job because it was what she was passionate about, not just because she had to. I had never felt more supported in my life, and I hadn’t realized how much I had missed out on that feeling until that moment.
“So,” I said and grinned at her, “Is there anyone left in the office?”
She groaned. “Sadly, yes. I must’ve really motivated everyone because none of them have left yet. It looks like everyone wants to work late tonight.”
I sighed. That was probably a good thing. The cleaning lady had almost busted us once, and the last thing we needed was for someone to actually walk in on us again. Still, it was a pity. Reagan was looking particularly beautiful that day.
“Damn,” I said.
She smiled. “Tell me about it. We better lay off the brandy too.”
I laughed. “Such a pity.”
I stood up and quickly kissed her on the mouth. My blinds were closed, and so was my door, but I was quick just in case someone decided to walk in at that moment.
“That was nice,” she said and licked her lips.
“Don’t do that.”
“What?”
“Lick your lips like that. It’s too much for me.”
She giggled. “Sorry.”
“Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for everything. I’m heading out now. But I’ll see you tomorrow. Probably in the office, but definitely for dinner. You’re still coming over I hope?”
She smiled. “Oh, I’m definitely coming over.”