Strangers in the Night

Tread Lightly

Jack loved his poached eggs, crisp boiled bacon and orange juice in the mornings. It was what he had when he wasn't someone else's guest.

The President toyed around with the telephone cord, placing his fork down when he failed at eating with his left hand. He was all smiles as was the voice on the other line. It was Jacqueline Bouvier.

"Why don't you come back here one of these days?" he suggested.

Bobby entered the kitchen. He overheard Jack flirting over the phone and didn't think much of it. The Attorney General had his own concerns about Jack but he respected him nonetheless. He adored Jack. At times, it overwhelmed the young president but it was his duty to protect him as a brother and a supporter.

"How does Friday evening sound?" Jack smiled broadly. Jacqueline set a time and the call came to a bittersweet end.

Bobby sat across from his brother. He hoped it was someone promising that he spoke to. The President deserved a family, he thought.

"Who was that?" asked an interested Bobby. Something he could tell Ethel when he returned to Hickory Hill that evening.

"Jacqueline Bouvier," he said. His voice was undeniably content. He emulated the sound of the cheerful morning birds and awestruck tourists in downtown D.C. "You remember her, don't you?"

Bobby deflected from Jack's gaze and focused on the painted walls. Charming images of uniformed men during the Revolutionary War.  He nodded passively.

Bobby studied Jack before making another move. He was reading through the paper in his dark framed reading glasses.

Jack glanced up at him and then back down at the paper, confused as to why he didn't say anything.

Bobby hesitated for a moment. Something was wrong about the arrangement. "I don't think that's such a good idea."

"Why? Don't tell me you like her too, Bob," snapped the irritated president. He had it with Bobby prying into his personal life with his opinions.

"She," he stammered. "She's not right for you, Jack. I thought you figured this out years ago."

He set the newspaper down and eyed his brother in disbelief. This again, he thought. He argued that he was an adult. One who was very sure of himself.

"It's not—" he struggled. The words would only disperse in his frazzled state of mind. His eyes flared protectively but he knew he couldn't cross the line.

"You ought to listen to me, Jack," said a revived Bobby. He looked at his maddened brother earnestly. "I am not here to confiscate your ladies — which I know are of tremendous value to you. I know, I know," A freshened sense of confidence changed his tone. "All I ask is that you tread lightly."