Irene Fitzgerald Kennedy

Summer Campaigning

The summer months contained much chaos for Jack and Irene. They were flying from one place to another nonstop. One evening in the William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, they were both reading quietly. Irene was invested in a copy of 1984 while Jack quickly poured through The Emergence of Lincoln.
"Well, kiddo," he sighed looking at Irene from his bed across the room, "I think I'm going to sleep."
"Goodnight, Dad," she smiled.
He began to say something, but a groan came out instead.
"Dad!" Irene jumped out of her bed. She ran to his side, "What's wrong?"
"It's just my back acting up. That's all."
"I don't think I've ever seen it this bad."
He moaned as he tried to make himself comfortable. "Dad, let me run you a nice hot bath. I'm sure it'll do your back some good."
He agreed and Irene filled the tub with water. She helped him up from bed and into the bathroom. After softly closing the door, she climbed back in bed to wait for him. An hour later, he came out of the bathroom standing at least a little straighter than before.
Irene helped him get settled for bed and then went to bed herself.
The next morning, she woke to the the sound of moans. Rubbing her eyes she glanced across the room. Her father was trying to get out of bed, but to no avail. "Dad, let me get your brace and help you."
He could only nod. She hurriedly found his brace and helped him out of bed. "Maybe you shouldn't speak at the dinner tonight.
"Irene, I have to."
"Dad, your health is more important. Besides, Uncle Bobby and I can charm the hell outta of 'em."
Jack laughed as he hugged Irene, "You're so my kid."