POWER

Chapter Nine

The sun was shining through Faith's curtains as she was waking up. Wow, she thought. It was election day. She knew she needed to get up (after all, it was going to be a busy day) but Faith wanted to take a moment to think. This was it she thought, by the end of the day she would either be the new States Attorney or Matthew would. Faith got out of bed and got changed into a previously chosen dress. From her desk, she picked a necklace and earrings and she put on her wedding ring.

The Moore's living room was swarming with volunteers (who were trying to persuade voters over the phone), publicity executives and a very enthusiastic Josh and Leslie. '' Only eight hours left until the votes close and the results are released.'' Eight hours. It was crazy. The work of twelve months all came down to this day and whether people decided to vote or not. Every hour the local news station (along with other less respected television channels) were giving their predictions on who was more likely to win. So far, Faith Moore was the favourite to win. Things were going well.

At about eleven o'clock, amongst all of the chaos and work, there was a knock on the door. '' Renata?'' ''Hiya!'' Faith gave her old college friend a hug and welcomed her into the house. '' Sorry it's so crowded it's..'' '' Election day, I know. Can I help?'' Renata sat with the other volunteers and began making cold-calls from numbers in the phone book.

From the sitting room, Faith could hear the raised voices of her husband and Josh. Great she thought, Faith really didn't want to have to deal with them both, let alone both of them in a bad mood. ''You slept with my daughter?'' Faith wasn't sure she wanted to know who was sleeping with whose daughter.

''Leslie?'' In the study room stood Josh, Joseph and Leslie (who was holding a magazine.) ''I am not seeing your daughter!'' shouted Joseph. Faith walked in and all eyes fell on her and all shouting stopped. Whilst Josh and Joseph stared at her (and Faith feeling very uncomfortable, although slightly used to it) Leslie approached her and handed her the magazine. This week's issue was titled : 'The Moore's Scandal and the image was of Joseph and Leslie. Faith laughed, the media really was reaching. They were desperate. But after all, it was election day. '' Faith it's not true, you know I would never cheat.'' Feeling guilty and trying to avoid looking at Josh, Faith smiled at her husband in an attempt to reassure confidence. ''So, you're not sleeping with my daughter?'' Josh asked, not as certain as Faith was. ''Dad'' Leslie laughed. ''I'm gay.'' She laughed at the idea of hooking up with Joseph. Even if she was straight it would have been weird, he was twenty five years older than her and was married to her boss and best friend. Josh hugged his daughter (who was feeling relieved) and they al (Joseph and Faith included) went to prove the scandal wrong.

As much as this needed to be done, Faith really couldn't be bothered with another speech. Noticing Faith's bored facial expression, Josh went behind her and whispered : ''Don't worry, it could be fun.'' It wasn't a speech, it was more like a panel and for once Faith wasn't the centre of attention, she was merely observing. The panel consisted of around fifty different people who were trading stories and pitching ideas for the next pride parade. Josh was right. Faith was having fun. Not only was this recent scandal being overturned (and making the opponent look bad) but her campaign was also gaining votes and all of this was managing to happen without her standing in front of an audience. One of those on the panel was Leslie. Faith looked at Josh and smiled as she saw the pride in his eyes. She was proud of Leslie as well. They were friends but she always saw Leslie as a younger sister and loved her as if she was.

They all returned to Faith's home where the volunteers (including Renata) were finishing off with the phone calls. ''Only two hours left'' called Josh as they entered the sitting room. Everyone cheered - the volunteers, Joseph the daughters and even Faith. For the first time since she decided to run, Faith actually believed she could win, she took a minute to let that sink in. First States Attorney, next step, the White House.

''Tell you what, let's all get ready and meet at the party venue in time for the election results'' suggested Josh. ''Even if we lose, we all deserve a drink don't we?'' Everyone laughed and Faith, Renata, Leslie and the daughters rushed upstairs to chose party outfits and accessories.

'' I like this one.''

'' Don't you think this goes better with these?''

'' How do you feel about halter straps?''

Faith was happy, really, genuinely happy. Discussing fashion and parties with her friends and daughters was the first 'normal' thing she had done since the campaign had started. She missed doing things like this, having fun.

'' Half an hour. Shall we leave?''

Faith's make up was flawless, her heels were high and her dress was long. Win or lose this was a night to celebrate.

Wow. The party venue was spectacular. With twenty minutes until the results were finalised and released and there were already two hundred people ready to applaud Faith. ''Where's Josh?'' she asked, everyone shrugged their shoulders but Leslie was sure he was on his way and noticing Joseph's suspicions, Faith dropped it and joined the party. There was a bar, a cocktail area and tables and tables of food with the country's banner and Faith's picture hanging everywhere.

''Faith come on it's starting'' Everyone gestured for Faith to join them around the big screen where there was a programme on the campaigns was being broadcast. This programme gave viewers an overview of the race. People cheered here and there at Faith's triumphs and successes until it was time for either Faith or Matthew to win.

''And the votes are in.'' This was it thought Faith. Time for the truth. '' Ladies and gentlemen, your new States Attorney it... Faith Moore.''

Faith felt proud and relieved and the other party guests were cheering and applauding with glee.

Meanwhile, just down the road from the celebrations were two police cars and an ambulance. They had attempted to phone both Leslie and Faith but due to the noise and chaos of the party neither had managed to respond to said phone calls.

Josh. Josh was dead.