A/N: Hey guys - I'm so amazed at the positive response to the first chapter and I am SO sorry that it's taken me so long to continue this story. Much love ❤️
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The rain had fled but the sky still retained its steely gray hue when Mr. Taylor was forced to stop for gas.
"I'll jus' be a minute, Missus Kennedy. If ya don't mind, I think I'll also put in a call to my wife - so's she don't worry, ya know..."
The sound of the car door shutting was followed by smothering silence. Jackie looked down at her scarce belongings: a bag of clothes (enough for a couple days and nights) and some cash.
"What have I done?" she whispered. Had she really thought this through? She couldn't just leave like that... could she? No, of course not! She admonished herself. Where was she even going to go? She would have to go back at some point... she would have to face him... even if it only meant gathering the rest of her belongings. Oh God, what was she thinking? Was she really going to leave him? Her husband? Divorce was a tricky business - she should know, her parents were divorced - and even trickier when politics were involved. Could she do that to him? In the middle of the campaign? After all his hard work... after everyone's hard work.....
This could ruin him.
This could ruin her.
A dozen scenes played in her head.
Joe Kennedy on the front porch that perfect day in Hyannis Port a few days after Jack's senate campaign announcement. Him leaning in so only she could hear. "We're going to make Jack Kennedy president, you and I."
"That man has only ever been after one thing and it isn't the votes." Her mother on the phone the first time she caught Jack with another woman. "But you're on his ticket now."
"You're on their ticket."
Legs tangled in sheets. Doors slamming. Packed bags.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Mr. Taylor's return.
"Missus Kennedy..." Mr. Taylor's voice was soft. "I know it's not my place, miss, 'n' I don't know what happened 'tween you 'n' Mr. Kennedy..." He broke off, seemingly unsure of how to continue. They shared a lengthy pause, neither daring to breathe, before he turned suddenly in his seat. "Miss, I know he must be missin' you somethin' awful."
Jackie met his gaze steadily and something passed between them. Understanding? Perhaps, though he understood little of her situation. Sympathy? Maybe, though she would never accept it.
"Alright," she spoke so softly the word might have been explained away by the wind.
Mr. Taylor smiled. "So we're goin' back?"
"No."
The smile turned to confusion. "Miss, I need a destination."
"Marchant Avenue. Hyannis Port."
YOU ARE READING
The Brother
Romance"Look at me. Please, god, look at me. I'm not him, Jackie. I'll never be as good as him. Our dad will always like him best. Everyone will always like him best. I'll never be as charismatic and charming and successful as him, but... god... I'll never...
