Irene Fitzgerald Kennedy

Fate, Falling, and a Fairytale?

Jack cancelled his appearances for the next week so that he and Irene could help Jackie. Jack and Jackie had made up and everything seemed to be coming together again. Although neither of them wanted to leave again, they left to go campaign after their week off. The first appearance was in Washington D.C. "Dad, you look awful. Are you alright?" Irene asked quietly as they checked in.
     "The trip killed my back."
     After they were checked in, Irene helped her father up to their room. "Let me go get some ice for your back."
     Jack nodded gently laying down in the bed, "When will Bob be here?"
     "He's not coming until tomorrow."
     "Oh," he groaned, "I forgot."
     Irene grabbed the ice bucket and went to find the ice machine. Eventually, she found a room in the lobby that had a snack bar and an ice machine. She filled the ice bucket and headed back up to their room. While walking in the hallway, Irene tripped and fell. She spilled the ice everywhere and cut herself on her jawbone from a sharp edge on the ice bucket.
     "Damn it!" she angrily grumbled.
     "Oh my God! Are you okay?" said a voice from behind her.
      Irene got to her feet and looked at the person that was behind her.
      "You're bleeding," the man said handing Irene his handkerchief.
      "Thank you," Irene said putting the handkerchief on her wound.
       The man bent over and picked up the ice she had spilled. "So what's your name?"
       "Irene. What's your name?"
      He stood up and handed her back the ice bucket, "Tom. How do you do?"
     "Well, I'm feeling awfully embarrassed right now."
     "No need. Everyone stumbles once in awhile."
      Irene smiled as she continued dabbing her cut. "I owe you a new one of these."
     "Don't worry about it. I can tell all of my friends that I played the knight in shining armor to a damsel in distress."
      Irene giggled, "What brings you to this hotel?"
      "I'm just here to see Kennedy."
      "What do you think of him?
      "I've liked him from the start."
      "Me too."
      "How about tonight we meet for dinner in the hotel restaurant? Say around six?" Tom asked.
       "I'd love to."
       "I'll see you then, Irene."
      Irene went back into the room and handed Jack the ice bucket. "Well, don't use this for any drinks because it was on the floor."
       "What happened to your face?"
       "I fell and this lovely fella that helped me asked me to dinner tonight. Is that alright?"
      "I suppose. Will it be in the hotel?"
      "Yes."
      "You're a grown woman. You can go if you'd like."
      Irene smiled, "As long as I don't bleed out before then," she said dabbing at her face.