POWER

Chapter Seventeen

''Well that didn't go so well''

''Bit of an understatement there Les'' Faith and Leslie might have been laughing about it but the riots in Wisconsin were actually a big setback for the campaign. The crowds of angry protestors were being videoed and broadcasted on every news channel available. Faith was joking around with Leslie as Jason made desperate phone calls but she was actually feeling disappointed. So far the campaign had mainly been a success but this recent failure had put the election into perspective.

''We're cancelling the appearances in Minnesota and South Dakota. There's been a change of plan and we need to go straight to New York.'' Jason was talking quickly whilst he was on the phone trying to make hotel arrangements for New York. It was safe to say everyone was getting sick of sleeping on the bus.

'' New York? Why New York?'' Faith and the others were trying to decide what do for food and wasn't paying as much attention as she ought to be regarding what Jason was saying.

''Faith can we focus please! New York, the debate has been moved to two days from now. You, Tamara and a handful of reporters listening to you argue over a load of random political crap.''

The drive to New York was long and tiring but everyone was looking forward to nice hotel rooms with working showers and comfortable beds. It's not that living on the road was awful, but none of them had slept properly since touring began.

''Kendal can we talk please?''

''Sure. Mom are you okay?''

Faith and Kendall left everyone talking and planning in the sitting area and walked through to the bedroom where they could avoid being overheard by one of the others.

''So, you and Jason?'' Faith smiled at her daughter as her face turned scarlet red with embarrassment. ''I saw you two together last night.''

''Oh, mom, I...'' Kendall was stuttering as she felt like she was being confronted. Faith however was enjoying the experience of embarrassing her daughter although she wasn't quite so sure why.

''Kendall it would be hypocritical for me to say anything.''

''You loved Josh didn't you?''

''Do you love Jason?''

''Mom do you like him? Do you mind him and me being, whatever he and I are being?''

''Kendall after everything you've been through, everything that's happened I don't care who you're with.''

Faith along with the other volunteers and Kendall and Jason and Leslie decided to make the most of the long bus journey and sleep! As she lay in her bed Faith couldn't help but think how nice it would have been if Kendall could have known Josh rather than just knowing him from her mother's memory. With everything being so busy she thought she would have been too distracted to think about Josh but she hated that he wasn't there to see everything that was happening. She hated that he was missing the success of Iowa, that he wasn't there to help fix the problems of Wisconsin. Jason was good. But Josh was better. He didn't just care about the campaign. He cared about her. All of this reminded Faith of her favourite night out with Josh.

They snuck out of the work early that night and drove out to a nice restaurant to eat. It was just far enough that they wouldn't be seen by anyone. The food was delicious, the music was perfect and they just sat there, together, talking. That's what she missed most. Not the sneaking around or the bedroom mischief but just being with him. It was comfortable. It wasn't forced.

''Faith can we talk?''

''Jason – it's six in the morning, what is so important?'' she was hiding under the blanket like a seven-year-old on the first day of school with only her head showing.

'' I wanted to avoid the embarrassment of having this conversation in front of everyone.''

'' Jason I swear if this is all about you sleeping with my daughter I will hit you. I'm tired.''

''You already know? I just wanted to make sure you knew...''

'' Jason I'm not bothered. If that's what you want, then it's fine.''

'' Well sorry for waking you.''

As hard as she tried, Faith couldn't get back to sleep so she went through to the sitting room to get a coffee. She had expected it to be empty with it being so early in the morning but she found both Jason and Leslie going over everything for the debate.

'' Why don't you join us?'' Leslie suggested.

'' Let me get some caffeine first.''

The debate was a lot more complex than Faith had anticipated. She understood it was important but not that there were so many rules and sectors. They began by prepping her on the rules – answer within fifteen seconds, only question the other's answers if they mention another candidate name, no irrelevant discussions etc. Next she was prepared on the categories – same sex marriage, gun control, abortion and racism within the courts. Faith couldn't help but notice they were all very controversial subjects when Jason said '' everything you say will upset someone. Remember that.'' The main problem they found was timing. She was struggling to make her point within the limited time. ''Faith, just keep it short and relevant.'' The longer they spent on it the better she got, they all just hoped it would be enough for the following evening.

The bus pulled up outside the hotel at ten o'clock that morning where they were greeted by the press, supporters, haters and Taylor and Joseph. They had travelled down to support Faith during the debate. ''I missed you.'' She hugged them both once they were in the hotel lobby as Jason went to get everyone keys. Faith, her husband and Taylor were sharing a room as Kendall had decided to stay with Jason.

''That's new, when did that start...''

'' I'll explain later.''

They had their bags taken up to the rooms and Faith began to get ready for the debate.