The Kennedy Curse

Chapter One

"I would like to thank the members of the democratic party for nominating me, for seeing in me what those earlier once saw in my Grandpa Bobby and Great Uncle John F. Kennedy. It is with great honor that I accept this nomination, I know by doing so I put myself in a position where I am expected to live up to the greatness of the Kennedy's before me. And that is a challenge I whole heartedly accept, because they were great men and it would be a shame if I could not be that for my people as well,"Jack Kennedy starts, this is only the beginning of a long acceptance speech. I wearily scan the crowd for any suspicious people, not even the security guards can ease the growing anxiety.

"Darling, this is a big day for your father, don't let your silly paranoia ruin it," My mother, Claire Kennedy scolds. All I can do is nod, she doesn't understand because she doesn't believe it. By it I mean the infamous Kennedy curse. There is too much misfortune for it to be coincidental.

"Jack, hey, focus on my voice okay. Breathe in 1, 2, 3 and now out 1, 2, 3, 4 and one more time, good," J.P. instructs coaxing me out of an anxiety attack. Where my mother seems indifferent my brother is there to pick up the slack.

"He will make an amazing president," Mom gushes her voice full of adoration for my father. She would love being the first lady, but she's no great great aunt Jackie. I would be the first daughter, making the target on my head even bigger. I might as well invest in a bright neon sign saying 'Kennedy Curse I'm right here, the one and only Jacqueline Rose Kennedy, please claim me for the curse'. Yeah no thanks that doesn't sound appealing.

Security escorts us to father, he finally finished giving his speech. I'll have to ask Malia Obama how she managed to make it through these events. At least we get to go to a celebratory brunch. When life seems awful, brunch is always the answer. We are led to a limo that is ready to drive us to my favorite brunch restaurant, Karen's. My mouth starts to water as I think about Karen's famous eggs benedict. Thoughts of food have seemed to distracted me enough to let my heart beat even out. Once we're in the limo mother and father start talking about the campaign, while J.P. nudges my arm.

"Hey, are you better now J?" J.P. asks with concern, I just nod in response. J.P. sighs, but gives me look that says 'we'll talk about this later'. And I'll tell him my fears, besides my therapist J.P. is the only one who doesn't scold me or tell me I'm being silly.

At the restaurant a hostess leads us to our usual table. The servers start to bring out our food, we're regulars so they know our orders by heart. Along with my beloved eggs benedict I also add a waffle and some fruit, the more food I can stuff in my mouth the less of a chance there is for me to be including into a political conversation.

"You did great up there dad," J.P. says to father with a look of awe. J.P. has always looked up to dad, and even followed in his footsteps b becoming a senator. He's mother and father's golden boy. I could never measure up to him, but I don't resent him for it.

"Thanks son, I just wanted to make everyone proud. I also had to let the people know that as a candidate I am for them," father replies, looking at all of us with a smile full of love. As much as it freaks me out he would be a good president, he's a natural born leader.

"What did you think Jackie?" mother asks, she has this look in her eyes that dares for me to say anything negative. The food I was chewing suddenly became tasteless, and I had to forcibly swallow it.

"I thought your speech was well delivered and mentioning family was a great tactic," I respond carefully, eyeing everyone's reactions to my words. Father and J.P. nod thoughtfully, while mother beams with a look that screams 'see I told you that wasn't so difficult'. I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding. Mother and father resume their conversation with J.P. adding a comment every so often. I use my fork to push around a lone strawberry as I zone out. The scraping of chairs alerts me that this wonderful family outing has finally come to an end. All I want to do is change into a hoodie and sweatpants, curl up in bed and binge watch Netflix. Once I'm at home I'll finally be able to breathe.

As we're ushered into the limo once more, I see security out of the corner of my eye. I understand that they're necessary, but it doesn't help the uneasy feeling I get. As we drive I keep scanning my surroundings, this family has had it's fair share of car crashes. Stories of Ted and Joseph P. II swirl around in my head. 'It's the curse,' a voice hisses in my head. My heart is hammering in my chest. Every turn the car makes could be a turn towards death. Every time the car has to brake, the brakes could fail. My breathing is becoming more erratic. Black spots cloud my vision.

"Jack!" mother yells, that's the last thing I hear before I pass out.

Okay Chapter One is done! This gives us a little insight on Jackie and her character. What do you guys think of any of these Kennedy family members? Also Karen's is a slight reference to Karen's cafe from One Tree Hill. Thank you to all who support!

xoxo,

A