POWER

Chapter Ten

''Ladies and gentlemen, your new States Attorney.... Faith Moore!''

Everyone at the party cheered and congratulated Faith (who was overwhelmed) on her greatest professional achievement yet. She'd done it, she had actually done it. Faith was the new States Attorney of Illinois.

'' To Faith!'' Everyone had a glass of champagne and made a toast to their new States Attorney, They took it in turns to hug and congratulate Faith. Joseph was in the middle of pouring Faith and Leslie another drink when Leslie noticed her phone was ringing. Twelve missed calls.

''Faith we need to leave'' said Leslie, tugging on Faith's sleeve to get her attention.                                          '' What?''                                                                                                                                                                                               '' There's been an accident.''

Both women were too intoxicated to drive so Faith's driver took them to Saint Anthony's Hospital where Josh was allegedly being hospitalised.

''Josh Carr was involved in a car accident about two miles from here I believe and was admitted here an hour ago.'' Leslie was shaking as she hoped her father was safe. Faith tried to comfort her, knowing how it felt to fear for a parent, but she was sure Josh would be fine. She didn't want to deal with the possibility of losing him.

Faith and Leslie were taken into a private room where they both assumed Josh was being treated. ''Mrs Moore, I'm afraid I need to ask you to leave. As you're not family I can't..''                                                  ''Anything you need to say to me can be said in front of Faith.'' Now Leslie felt even more worried. The doctor rose from his seat and closed the door.                                                                                                                   ''Miss Carr''                                                                                                                                                                                          ''Rivers. My last name is Rivers.''                                                                                                                                               '' Miss Rivers, we aren't allowed to release information over the phone and I apologise for dragging you in here today but, unfortunately your father has passed away''                                                                         '' I'm sorry what?'' Leslie was in much disbelief.                                                                                                                 '' Your father, he died in the crash.''                                                                                                           

Faith sat and comforted Leslie, trying to hold back her own tears but she felt physically sick at the idea of never seeing Josh again, of his life being over. But she knew it was time for Leslie to grieve. After all, to everyone else, Josh was just Faith's campaign manager. Leslie sat crying into her hands, feeling as though she was suffocating. Faith had her arm around her as she watched a strong, witty girl crumble and slowly fall apart until her mother arrived. It was about two in the morning when Faith decided to leave Leslie and her mother to grieve. Josh and Mrs Rivers-Carr were divorced but of course she was still devastated.

Faith's driver took her home and she was relieved to learn her husband and children were in bed. She hung her coat up and collapsed into a heap on her couch. This was the worst kind of pain she had known. It was the emptiness and longing for him that was hitting her like a train. After twenty minutes of silently sobbing into a throw cushion, Faith went to make herself a drink. She poured a drink and downed it as Taylor tip-toed in wearing her pyjamas and her night robe.

''Mom, I am so sorry'' she held her mothers hand and hugged her. Faith would normally have stayed calm and held together purely to keep her daughter unaware of the details of the situation but Faith wasn't her usual self. Everything in her head was spinning. She cried on her daughter's shoulder until tears could no longer be physically be produced. Then Taylor just held her mother. ''Mom, can I ask you something?'' Faith wiped her smudged mascara from her eyes and nodded. ''Were you with Josh when you were supposedly with Renata? Were you seeing him?'' Faith looked at her daughter and felt worse than she already did.

''Yes.'' She waited for Taylor to comment, but she didn't so Faith continued. ''There's nothing worse than meeting the perfect person at the wrong time. So yes, I cheated on your father.'' Taylor took a moment before saying anything, recognising her mother was hurting and feeling conflicted.                     '' I just want you to be happy mom''

Faith kissed her daughter's forehead and sent her to bed but Faith knew she wouldn't sleep. Missing people comes in waves, and on this night she was drowning. She was unsure which was worse - the shock of what happened or the ache for what she knew never would. 

Faith spent the night curled up into a ball on her couch. She didn't have the energy to cry or scream so she merely buried her head into the blanket.

''Faith''                                                                                                                                                                                                   Her head emerged from the bundle of pillows and blankets as she heard her husband call her name. ''Someone called for you. Someone called Jason, he said he's your new campaign manager.'' Faith thought it unbelievable. The day after a death and a replacement had been made.

''If this is too soon...''                                                                                                                                                                        '' No. It needs to be done. Can you tell him I'll be in the office within the next two hours.''                             '' Hunny, you haven't slept.''                                                                                                                                                         '' I'm fine.''

Exhausted and broken but determined to continue with her life, Faith got dressed and did her hair and make-up and went to off to the offices. Unexpectedly, everyone was working, apart from Leslie. How was it possible that the most important person in the campaign was gone yet no-one seemed to notice or care?

''Hello, you must be Faith. Yeah, I'm Jason and I'm gonna be your new Josh.'' This young, blonde man (around his late twenties) laughed as he introduced himself, but Faith didn't find it a funny comment at all.                                                                                                                                                                                                       '' Great. Now do me a favour and stop making light of my friend's death and lets get to work.''