POWER

Chapter Five

''Mrs Moore, how is your daughter doing?''

''Mrs Moore, did you know she was using cocain?''

''Mrs Moore, has this effected your campaign stratedgies?''

Reporters had once again began harrassing Faith, now focussing on her daughters addiction. ''Don't worry. It will pass'' comforted Josh, although he was worried how this might impact on potential voters. Faith had never been a 'chilled-out' person, but recently she had been even more stressed than usual.

''Again why do they care?''

''Leslie stop it.''

''Dad, all I'm saying is half the people out there are doing crack, it's nothing new.''

Faith felt it best to leave Leslie and Josh discuss the importance of her life whilst she went to answer her currently ringing phone.

''Hey Taylor, is everything okay?''

''Mom why are the press outside our house?''

''Wait, what?''

''They're asking about Kendall.''

Faith was outraged. She felt as if her life was falling apart. One daughter was in rehab for drug addiction and the other one was being intergated by reporters.

''Josh why are the press now targetting my daughter?''

''What?''

''We agreed to keep my children out of the limelight, out of the messes of this campaign so why are there now people camping out in my drive way?''

A series of guards were stationed outside Faith's home. Yes she was a politician and she had chosen to run as States Attorney but this was a pure violation of her and her family's human rights and she wasn't going to stand for it.

''It won't happen again.'' promised Josh.

Faith hated this. She hated how her career impacted her children, she felt as if she was failing them. But how was she supposed to run for States Attorney and supposedly make the state a better to place to live whilst doing so destroyed her own home and children?

''Faith, your daughter was found with drugs wasn't she? Thats what the arrest was for, cocaine possession?'' Leslie always seemed to be good at stating the obvious in an uncomfterble way.

''Yes, why?'' an already agitated Faith was far from enjoying this conversation.

''It's just that, Matthew just did a speech at some addicts convention across town.''

''What?''

She couldn't believe it. Not that Matthew's campaign was exploiting her current family crisis but that she hadn't expected it. Faith hadn't even been thinking of how he would react to the news of her daughters addictions. Of course Matthew was going to use this, in fact, Faith thought, her campain porberbly already should have used it.

''Josh'' Faith called the campain manager into her office to show him the damadges. Josh entered her office and approached Faith's desk. She opened up her laptop and Leslie searched and played them both the footage of Matthew's speech.

'' There are far to many young people being lost due to this illness. Drugs are the enemies of ambition. By fighting against these harmful substances we are fighting for the futures and lives of those effected. I hope, we are able to save those using and the families of those as it is not just an illness that effects just one person, but an illness which effects us all.''

''Damn it.'' Josh began cursing under his breath and Leslie paused the Youtube video. ''That was more than damadging that was perfect. How, oh forget it. I'll be back in an hour with a defence.'' Josh stormed out and left Faith alone with Leslie who was currently making a ncklace out of paper clips.

It was a long day for Faith. She endured three interviews, all of whcih of course tried to focus on Matthews speech but Faith just replied with the same statement each time in an attempt to change the subject:

''I am glad he spoke out. Someone needed to and I am glad he did so in such a relatable and realistic way.''

Her and Leslie had decided it would be easier if she said this, if Faith showed her support.

It was seven o'clock and Leslie was elaving the office along with the majority of the campaign workers. ''Why don't you go home Faith? I don't mind driving you.''

''No I've got a few more files to read over but thank you.''

However Faith had no files to read over. Faith had nothing to-do. And that was the point. She wasn't about to admit it to Leslie (or anyone) but Faith wanted to take advantage of the silence and her empty to-do list and just sit. And think.

Everyone had left and Faith's office light was the only light which remained on. It was in the silence of her office that she began to cry. She covered her face with her hands and began to weep. Another day had passed in which she hadn't plucked up the courage to visit Kendall, her opponent was winning by over five points, Taylor was being harrassed and she hadn't even spoken to her husband, Joseph. So Faith just sat and cried as she had been needing to for days, everything was becoming to much and she was beginning to question whether running for States Attorney had been a mistake.

''Faith?''

She looked up and saw Josh standing in the door way. He knelt besides her and held her close as she rested her head on his shoulder. They sat in the empty offices and Josh did what he could to comfort her. He was used to candidates breaking down, having worked on so many previous campaigns, yet he couldn't bring himself to leave her and although she didn't like to admit it, Faith felt safe being cradled by Josh. She looked up at him and he wiped a tear from her cheek. Their eyes locked together, just a second before he leaned in and kissed her.