Chapter 20
“You look amazingly calm to me.” Ainsley noted tying her husband’s tie.
“I feel calm.” He replied
“I don’t know how you do it, Sam. Two hours is a long time to be the focus of attention by
all of California.”
“I’m ready, Ainsley. We’ve been preparing for this for weeks.” Sam reminded her.
“I know, it’s just that standing at a podium going head to head with your opponent for two
hours, under hot lights and everyone’s scrutiny-“
“Shouldn’t you be off spinning someplace?” Sam asked impatiently.
“Josh said post debate spin only. Pre-debate, I’m doing the supportive wife thing.”
“Not so much, really.” Sam informed her.
“I’m just saying this is a new thing for you. It’s new, and there’s a lot riding on your
performance, so it would only be natural for you to be anxious. And if you’re feeling
anxious, you should feel free to talk to me about it so I can reassure you that things will go
beautifully and that there’s no way you’ll mess up on live TV, otherwise-“
“Ainsley?”
“Stop talking?”
“Yes, please.” Sam begged. “I can only take so much support. Isn’t there some kind of
snack food around here you can devour until the debate starts?”
“I’ll go look.” Ainsley told him and left him alone for a bit.
Josh and Donna were next to disrupt his peace.
“Donna, you shouldn’t have come out here tonight. You could have watched it on TV.”
Sam reprimanded her.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Game on, Sam Seaborn.” She said sternly and then
ruined the effect by kissing him on the cheek. “I’ll go find our seats.” She told Josh and left
the two friends alone.
“She didn’t look too pissed at you about Ben’s language. You must have groveled
sufficiently.”
“Sam, I’m not required to grovel with my wife. You know why?”
“Why?”
“Because my wife is a devious and conniving woman who has much more painful ways to
exact retribution than to simply give me the cold shoulder or make me sleep on the couch.”
“What did she do then?”
“She talked to her parents and promised them we’d spend to weeks with them in
Wisconsin after the election.”
“Ouch.”
“And not just two weeks in Wisconsin, Sam, two weeks at the Moss home in Wisconsin.”
“Double ouch.” Sam winced.
“Her dad keeps talking about taking me shooting while we’re there. I’m a little concerned
that it isn’t small game he’ll be shooting at.”
“Josh!” Sam laughed.
“Do you know how many hunting accidents happen each year? And it will be just the two of
us; he’s made that very clear. He could tell people anything he wanted afterwards.”
“Josh!”
“Why anyone would think that I, of all people, would be interested in handling a gun of any
kind is beyond me.”
“Yeah, that is a little much.” Sam agreed. “Maybe he’s just messing with you.”
“He’s always messing with me.”
“It was nice of Donna to come.”
“There wasn’t even a discussion about it. She was coming to see you live and that was
that.” Josh explained. “Anything you want to touch base on before I join her?”
“I’m ready.” Sam announced.
“I know you are. I’m proud of you, Sam.” Josh gave him a hug. “I’ll see you after.”
Ainsley came back in as Josh was leaving. She was carrying a small tray of vegetables
and dip. Josh laughed and winked at her. “I’m counting on you to bring the spin.”
Ainsley nodded and continued over to her husband. “Rant some bejtables?” she asked
with her mouth full of food.
“No. Promise me you won’t eat in the spin room, Ains?” Sam smiled and brushed her
cheek with the back of his hand.
“Mmmm-hmmmm.” She swallowed. “I won’t drink alcohol either. At least not until we’re
home celebrating.”
“There’s the supportive wife thing!” Sam exclaimed.
“I love you, Samuel Norman Seaborn.” She lightly brushed his lips with hers. “You’re going
to make a phenomenal Governor.”
Sam put his arms around her shoulder as they walked out toward the stage. “And just
think; as First Lady of California you’re sure to be invited to a record numbers of lunches
and dinners.
“So there’s more than one advantage in this arrangement?”
“Absolutely.” Sam was concentrating on his wife so he didn’t even notice the man in front
of him until he came within inches of him.
“Sam.”
“Kevin Kahn.” Sam said snidely. “How nice of you to make the trip out of the gutter to come
here tonight.”
Kevin smirked. “This must be your lovely wife.”
Sam ignored the subtle hint for an introduction. “What do you want Kevin?”
“Just to wish you good luck tonight. You’re going to need it.”
“I hope you’ve picked out some career alternatives for after the election.” Sam replied.
“We won’t be filling many vacancies with Republicans.”
“Except for me, right?” Ainsley confirmed.
“You are always the exception, Ains.”
“Maybe he could look for something in the food service industry. It continues to be a
growing demographic and they’re always looking for someone with interpersonal skills.”
Ainsley suggested.
“Then that won’t work for my friend Kevin here; unless he made the fries in back or
something.” Sam played right along.
“We’ll see.” Kevin refused to rise to the bait. “You and your friend Lyman have always
been too cocky for your own good.”
“Okay, that does sound a bit like Josh, but Sam? I don’t think so.” Ainsley defended her
husband. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we need to get Sam on stage so he can use his wit and
charm to humiliate your boss on national television.” Ainsley pulled Sam away from Kevin.
“Ainsley?” Sam whispered to her.
“What?”
“When you’re in the spin room? Do it just like that.” Sam instructed her. She gave him one
last kiss and went to sit with Josh and Donna.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the California Gubernatorial debate….”
***************************************************
“Mr. Seaborn, do you really think you can stand here and lecture me about clean water?
Doesn’t it make you feel the least bit hypocritical?” Senator Taylor drawled.
“I have spent my career in politics trying to improve air and water quality.” Sam replied.
“Maybe during your career in politics, but what about when you were $400,000 a year
attorney for Gage Whitney? Did you not arrange for Kensington Oil to buy a ship that had
steering and navigation problems; the Indio, which later ran aground off the coast of
Delaware? Didn’t the Indo spill 720,000 gallons of oil that covered over 100 square miles?
The Attorney’s General tried to sue for damages, but the liability shield YOU devised for
Kensington Oil barred them from having to pay a thing. So how you can stand here and
talk to me about pollution with that superior air of yours-“
“Hold on.” Sam interrupted.
“Do you deny any of those facts?” Taylor pressed on and Sam shook his head and
smirked. “Do you find something about the situation funny, Mr. Seaborn?”
There was a pause and everyone held their breath. Donna barely heard her husband’s
whispered comment, “He’s got it.”
“I’m smiling at how ironic this situation is, Mr. Taylor.” Sam replied quietly.
“How ironic?” Taylor repeated.
“Ironic; involving a surprising or apparently contradictory fact.” Sam defined the word
slowly and with perfect articulation for Taylor like Taylor was illiterate and slow.
“Mentioning this particular incident is ironic to me.”
“Why is that, Mr. Seaborn?” The moderator asked.
“Because at that time I had serious misgivings about what I was doing. I was about to make
partner in arguably the best law firm in New York because I was very good at my job; but it
felt horribly wrong. As we were discussing Kensington’s options, I mean literally as we sat
in the board room arguing about what the right thing to do was, Josh Lyman shows up in
the doorway. He had promised to come tell me if he found the ‘real thing’; a candidate who
was authentic and cared more about doing what was right than doing what was popular. I
walked out of that conference room and followed Josh Lyman that very second and never
went back.” Sam paused a few seconds. “Every candidate that runs for office has made
mistakes. We’re all human. What you as voters need to look at is how do those of us
running for office handle those situations. I chose to leave a very lucrative job to serve
one of the most honorable men I have ever known. We worked all eight years to improve
air and water quality and continued to do so under President Santos. That’s how I have
the credibility to question your inability to clean up the air and water in California.” Sam
concluded.
“Senator Taylor?” the moderator gave him the opportunity to respond.
“Mr. Seaborn can dance around the facts, we all know what a talented speech writer he is,
but the bottom line is that the Indio was in the ocean in the first place due to his efforts.”
“I explained what happened in that situation. Why doesn’t Mr. Taylor explain why pollution
has increased in his district and throughout California?” Sam suggested.
“Senator Taylor?” The moderator offered him the floor again.
“Passing pollution legislation is a very complicated process. The needs of the community
have to be weighed carefully against the needs of the businesses in the community. If
standards are raised too high, businesses suffer economically and have to lay off workers.
That doesn’t help the community at all.” Taylor reasoned.
“It’s only complicated when you follow the traditional paradigm. When you expand your
thinking to include creative solutions it becomes very simple. Under President Bartlet, I
helped create a pollution reduction program that actually provided cash incentives for
companies that reduced their pollution output. The air is cleaner, the companies get
rewarded for reducing pollution and everyone is working collaboratively on a solution that
benefits everyone.” Sam pointed out.
“That’s the Democratic party’s solution to everything; spend more money.”
“I hate to wreck an age old talking point with the facts, but the cash incentives didn’t come
from the Government. Under the Clean Air Rehabilitation Act there is a cap on
the volume of CO2 a company could emit in a year. If the company comes in lower than
the cap, they can sell the balance of their emissions allowance to another company; which
creates a cash incentive. Cleaning up our environment isn’t complicated, it just takes bold
leadership and creative thinking. I’m ready to do that as Governor of California.”
“Closing statements, gentlemen. Senator Taylor, by virtue of a coin toss, will go first.” The
moderator explained.
“California is facing serious issues at this juncture. I have no reason to believe Sam
Seaborn’s motives aren’t good. But he lacks the experience to guide us through these
turbulent waters. I have had decades of experience in state politics and I know this state
intimately. Mr. Seaborn hasn’t even lived here for that long. He’s been embroiled in D.C.
politics and I don’t want to see those values brought to Sacramento. I know the people of
California. I know how to get things done here.”
“You know me and my record. You know what I stand for. Mr. Seaborn has no record of his
own to stand on. How do we know what he might do as Governor? We can’t afford a
Governor who will make rookie mistakes. California deserves a leader who can hit the
ground running and I am that man.”
“Mr. Seaborn?” the moderator gave Sam the floor.
“Experience. I agree it’s very important, but the truth of the matter is Mr. Taylor hasn’t had
any experience in the executive branch; either in State or Federal Government. I learned
how to run the executive branch of the Federal Government for nearly a decade. If you
think running a State Government is complicated, try working with the President of the
United States, which I was privileged to do. I learned the art of compromise and I learned
how to handle tough situations when compromise wasn’t an option.”
“I haven’t worked in California politics for awhile except during interactions with the White
House, but that also means I’m not owned by big money contributors whose interests are
the opposite of most of the citizens of California.” Sam replied “Sometimes, when problems
are looked at by a fresh pair of eyes, more innovative solutions occur. California’s disaster
response is among the best in the country, but fresh pairs of eyes provided by my wife
Ainsley and Donna Lyman, came up with ways to improve the system.”
“California needs fresh eyes and new ideas. California needs an executive that is looking
out for the greater good of all the constituents here. California needs a change. I have
the right combination of skills and experience to lead California into the next decade and I’
m asking for your vote. Thank you.”
The auditorium exploded with applause as wives of both the candidates made their way
onto the stage and kissed their respective husbands for the cameras. Sam and Ainsley
got offstage first since Ainsley had to make her way to the spin room, fast.
She and Sam separated once they reached it; Sam going back to his green room and
Ainsley wading into the spin room. She was immediately engulfed by reporters hurling
questions as her. She waited patiently until they realized she wasn’t answering any of them
before calling on them one at a time.
She could see Josh, Peyton and Billy working the room too. She assumed Donna went
home and was glad to see her friend wasn’t pushing herself too far. Ainsley had taken part
in many campaigns and worked spin for many different candidates and causes, but being
able to tout the incredible job her husband had done put her on an extreme high.
By the time they were being driven home, Ainsley had indulged in a few glasses of
celebratory champagne and was feeling no pain. Sam, on a natural high, just amused
himself watching his wife.
“Sam, sam, you know where I a-a-am.” Ainsley sang off key.
“Oh. My. God. Ainsley Hayes Seaborn, are you singing an Olivia Newton John song? You
are truly toasted. Come here so I can take advantage of you.” He commanded and was
surprised when she complied. She lay down across the back seat on her back with her
head on Sam’s legs.
“You have the most gorgeous eyes, Samuel. I think I fell for your eyes first.”
“Was that before or after you pummeled me on Capitol Beat?” Sam laughed.
“Oh, before.” Ainsley recalled. “Your soulful blue eyes kept me from pummeling you on
Capitol Beat for several minutes. Then, I don’t know, Republican instincts kicked in, but oh,
those eyes.” She crooned and brought his face closer to her for a kiss by firmly pulling on
his tie.
Suddenly, she pushed him away from her. “Hey! You’re not drunk. Why aren’t you drunk?”
“Being drunk can lead to disappointing results in an activity I very much hope we’ll be
indulging in once we get home. I’m fine with water for now.”
“You were SO amazing tonight.” Ainsley gushed. “You made Taylor look like an antiquated
cog in the political machine. You kicked ass!” Ainsley giggled.
“I’m glad you think so. Let’s wait to see what the voters have to say tomorrow.” Sam
suggested and stroked her long blond hair away from her face.
“Josh says you’re going to pass Taylor up by 4 points by the end of the week.” Ainsley
whispered that news like it was a secret.
“Josh has been wrong on occasion, you know.” Sam pointed out.
“Not this time. Not about this. He’s dead on; I can feel it.”
“I’m surprised you can feel anything, Hayes.” Sam chuckled.
“I can feel all sorts of things and when we get home…you will too.” She promised and Sam’
s body reacted despite the contrary messages he was giving it. What a night!
*******************************************
The house was dark by the time Josh got home. He didn’t turn on any lights in order not to
disturb anybody but that kind of backfired when he tripped over several cars that Ben had
left on the stairs. His sharp cry of “shit” rang through the hallway, and he froze right there
waiting to see if he’d awakened anyone. When a minute passed by without anyone poking
their heads out of their room, he resumed his course into the master bedroom. He found
his wife sleeping, sitting up in the rocking chair. She looked exhausted. He knelt down next
to her and gently shook her arm.
“Donna? Why are you sleeping in the chair? Come to bed.” Josh coaxed her into
sleepwalking to the bed.
“I put Ally back to bed and then I was too tired to walk to the bed so I just sat down.” She
explained without opening her eyes.
“Get some sleep lying down, okay?” Josh tucked her in just as his daughter started to wail.
Donna immediately sat up; startled awake.
“No, no. Go back to sleep. I just got home. I’ll get her.” Josh promised.
“She must be hungry again. God, Ben is right. She eats too much.”
Josh chuckled. “You’ve got milk in the frig. I’ll feed her.” Josh kissed her forehead and
pulled the comforter up to her chin again. She was asleep before he left the room.
Josh hurried down the hall as Ally’s cries became more strident. Ben was sleeping through
the noise now, but he doubted his in-laws would be as oblivious.
“Hey, what’s all this noise?” he asked his infant daughter. “Are you hungry again, Allison
Joan? Come here, Princess. I’ve got just what you want downstairs.” Josh put her on his
shoulder and jiggled her to calm her while he went downstairs and warmed up the milk.
Donna forbade him from using the microwave to warm up the milk so the whole process
took longer, but he just kept talking to Ally.
“You should have seen Sam tonight, Princess. He kicked Taylor’s ass.” Josh paused while
he reviewed his words. “Ummm… We don’t have to mention that phrase to Mommy, okay?
Anyway, Sam did great.” Josh tested the milk on his forearm just like Donna had taught
him when Ben first came home; still too cold. “No, no, no more crying. Supper’s on the
way…well, maybe not supper. Let’s call it your post midnight snack.”
Ally paused briefly then resumed her crying.
“I know! How about a song? What’s the one Mommy’s been singing to you? Ummm…Oh, I
got it. You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy, when skies are
grey…” Josh continued the song since it seemed to distract his daughter, but he honestly
wasn’t sure if it worked because it sounded reasonably like Donna’s version or because
he sang it so badly that it simply shocked her. Either way, it worked until the bottle was
warm enough.
She drank greedily from it the moment he put it near her mouth. Josh chuckled at the
grateful look she gave him for providing the food at last.
“Looks like you got saddled with your daddy’s patience, kiddo. That can’t be good for
either of us, but we’ll let it go for now. Did you have fun with Grandma and Grandpa
tonight? You had them wrapped around your little finger the first time they laid eyes on
you. Think you could teach me that trick?”
Ally made no comment, but continued to suck down the milk.
“In exchange, I will teach you to be a master politician. You could be this country’s very
first female President, Allison Joan. When you get a little older, I’ll tell you all about your
Aunt Joanie. She would’ve gone nuts over you. And you would’ve loved her too. She would
have played piano for you and taught you to dance. She was my best friend even though
we teased each other a lot. Brothers and sisters do that. I’m sure you and Ben will too. I
really miss her at times like this, Ally.” Josh shook off the melancholy. “Okay, kiddo, give it
up a minute. You need to burp.” Josh wrestled her for control of the bottle, her mouth
holding on tight. Finally he removed it from her mouth and put her on his shoulder. He
walked around the living room slowly while he patted her back. He stopped short when he
saw a shadow at the edge of the room.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.” Tom Moss admitted and stepped into the low light. “I
heard the baby crying and thought I could help, but you beat me to her. Now I’m wide
awake.”
“Piercing cries will do that to you.” Josh offered a conciliatory smile which brought Tom
further into the room.
“She’s so beautiful.” Tom noted. “Looks just like Donna did at that age.”
“Then I’ve got my work cut out for me, since Donna just keeps getting more beautiful every
day. I may need to learn how to fire a gun after all.” Josh teased.
“About that…My wife pointed out to me, in no uncertain terms, that it was extremely
tactless of me to talk about hunting with you. I’m…uh…sorry about that.”
“That’s okay.” Josh accepted the apology immediately. “I’m glad people can forget about
the shooting. I wish I could.”
“Donna told us, some time back about the PTSD business. Does that still… I don’t know,
affect you?”
Josh gave a half smile and continued to rub Ally’s back. “Not as much as before, but once
in awhile it crops up again; when there’s extreme stress or when there’s an unexpected
loud noise. When Donna was first brought to the emergency room for the pre-eclampsia…I
had trouble for several days. I really don’t know how I functioned without her.”
Tom Moss seemed to take that in. “You’ve had a pretty long day today.”
“Tomorrow will be worse.” Josh predicted.
“Then why don’t you hand over my granddaughter and go get some sleep.” Tom
suggested and held out his arms, but Josh hesitated. “I’ve done this before you know;
three times!”
Josh weighed the delight of holding his daughter against the thought of a few hours of
uninterrupted sleep.
“That would be great. Thanks.” Josh transferred Ally to her grandfather’s arms.
Tom’s face lit up. “Are you ready for more, Allison Joan?” Tom asked and took a seat to
continue feeding her.
“Goodnight.” Josh kissed his daughter’s head and walked wearily toward the stairs.
“Josh…just for the record? Ally here isn’t the only one who’s got Anna Moss wrapped
around their finger. My wife thinks you walk on water; has ever since Germany. As for me,
well, now that you have a daughter of your own, you can probably understand better that
no man could ever be good enough for your daughter. But I’ve been watching you all
these years and I guess you come pretty damn close. You’ve done a good job with your
family, and that impresses me more than any campaign
or job in the White House.”
“Thank you, sir.” Josh said quietly.
“It’s Tom. Now go get some sleep before you fall where you’re standing…and I don’t think
you should think about a singing career either.” Tom joked.
“Uh…no.” Josh agreed. “Goodnight Tom.”
Tom Moss watched him take the stairs, then whispered to the baby in his arms, “We’re still
going to put him through his paces though, right Princess?” Ally gurgled happily and her
grandfather went about rocking her back to sleep.