Madam President ✓

71. A One Time Oath

Tanya
January 22nd, 2023

  "I feel like a broken record but....  Are you sure ya' wanna do this?" Anthony asks. "Cause once those cameras are turned on...."

He peeks out the open doorway, a few yards down the hallway where a podium is set up for my address.  I nod.

  "Yeah.... I think? They're gonna find out eventually. It's better this way... maybe." It's been a while since I've been so unsure- but with the media ready to go, I have less than a minute to find the guts.

  "Still not too late to...." He sighs. "You've been an amazing president."

  "Thanks but.... I've been a decent one. They only like me because I... helped rebuild the government."

  "Tanya-"

  "Madam President? They're ready for you. Ten seconds."

"We'll talk about this later... and I'm sorry for not giving you a heads up." I look into his eyes for only a split second before going into politician mode. He looks confused- like he already knows what this speech is about since he's read the script.

  "And you're live in 3...2...1...." I hear from my earpiece. I put on a fake smile as I walk to the podium and the teleprompters turn on. Off to the side Melissa, Carlos, and Walter stand- all at various stages of a mental breakdown.

  "My fellow Americans-" I start. "Two days ago was the second anniversary of the capital bombing- and the execution day of Katie Elizabeth Clark. You have heard this from me many, many times- and I'll say it many more: I am truly sorry for not noticing anything was off. I celebrate her death with the five living survivors and families of the deceased. There are not words to describe what I felt that night- or early the next morning when I found out what she did. Now, I've said that my administration will be the most honest one... but there is one lie I've told."

  I pause. There are actually many lies I could substitute.

  "Darrel Lowe is Katie's biological father." I can almost hear people across the country slapping their hands over their mouths, calling their best friends, and breaking news banners being typed up in a rush for the live stations. "My team has drafted a statement- explaining what happened, but in short terms.... We didn't even know each other at the time. I'll be having a press conference later- so if you have any questions stay tuned."

  I gulp down about half of my water bottle. Walter squints- he knows this is a habit I hold to fill silence when I'm thinking.

  "With Election Day just twenty two months from now, speculation is swirling. I'm here to put that to rest." Walter frowns. That wasn't in the script Jessie wrote.

  "Again, in the interest of honesty-  when I was running for my congressional seat I never imagined I would be standing at this podium." I take a deep breath. "This... job was forced upon me out of necessity. On January 20th,2021 I took an oath. I intend on keeping that oath until the end. I did what I was drafted to do. And so.... On January 20th, 2025..... I will not be repeating said oath."