The Ups and Downs of Being President

Chapter 6

Buckingham Palace

London

10:30pm

After a state dinner with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, they were all dancing in the ballroom. Jackie was feeling very happy and childish after earlier. Jack really was maturing.

“You look stunning tonight.” Jack whispered in his wife’s ear.

“You don’t look to bad yourself.”

Jack laughed. “Thanks.”

After a while people began leaving. Jack and Jackie were standing in a quiet part of the corridor saying their goodbyes. “Jack, please take care of yourself.”

“I will kid, have a nice time in Greece.”

“Thank you.”

Jack wrapped her in his arms and gently kissed the top of his head. He pulled back and kissed her tenderly accepting her tongue happily. “I love you.”

“I love you too bunny.”

She smiled before heading to her car with Lee. Jack watched as she walked away. He was going to miss her.

Air Force One

11:40pm

When the plane took off from London Jack managed to sneak past his advisors to the private cabin. He said night to Eunice before closing the door.

He sighed and pulled his tie off. He left his shoes under the chair before closing the window shutters. He took his jacket and shirt off and pulled a fresh white t-shirt on. He then went and sat on the bed. He took his trousers off and crawled into bed in his boxers.

As much as he tried to sleep he couldn’t, his back was throbbing and he was still a little gloom after Khrushchev. He soon got back out of bed and walked into his adjoining office.

He got a fright. His advisors and Eunice were seated talking. They hadn’t heard him come in so he sat down at the back. “He look’s tired maybe we should get him some time off?” Kenny suggested.

“I don’t know, Khrushchev was just being arrogant.”

“It’s like his Presidential aura has thinned.” Eunice said. “He should take some time off.”

“Maybe you should ask him.” Jack said.

Everyone immediately stood up. “Sit your asses down.”

“I thought you were asleep.” Eunice said.

“I couldn’t.”

They nodded. After twenty minutes or so his advisors and Eunice headed back to their seats for some rest. Hugh was last to leave.

“Hugh can you stay a minute.”

“Of course.”

Jack moved on to the comfier seat opposite Hugh. The light was dim and it showed the age of John Kennedy. Hugh sat opposite watching the President in his underwear trying to get comfy. He moved stiffly to try and ease his back pain but it wasn’t working well. He often moved his hand to where the pain was to try and dispel it.

“So how have you been?” Jack asked.

“Fine Sir.”

“Did you see much of Europe? Was it a good trip?”

“Oh yes, Paris was very exciting and London was amazing.”

Jack smiled softly, for once in the entire week he was being treated like a normal human being. “So tell me what the press has been saying about Vienna?”

As Hugh talked he could see the bags under the President’s red and weary eyes. Jack’s mind suddenly snapped back to his confrontation with Khrushchev, he was clutching his knees as he stared out of the window. His mind was deep in thought but he was still listening.   

Just after 1am, Jack stood up. “I’m going to bed.” Jack yawned.

“Try and get some sleep sir.”

Jack nodded and headed into his room. He closed the door and flopped back into bed. This time when his head hit the pillow it didn’t take him long to fall asleep.

8am

When Jack woke he felt slightly refreshed. He had a searing pain in his back which made him bend over in pain. He lay flat on his back hoping to ease the pain that was soaring through it.

After a few minutes he sat up. He changed his underwear before pulling a fresh shirt and pair of trousers on. He went and slumped himself in the chair and picked up the phone. “Could you try Mrs Kennedy in London?”

“The lines ringing sir.”

Suddenly Jackie’s breathy voice came on the other end. “Jack?”

“Hiya kid, how are you?”

“I’m good, how about you?”

“Could be better.” Jack replied.

“Take it easy bunny. Have you taken your medicine?”

“No I’ll take it with my breakfast.”

“Ok.”

“When’s your flight to Greece?”

“Ten.”

“Ok, let me know when you get there.”

“I will bunny.”

“Love you.” Jack said.

“Love you too.”

Once he hung up he went and ordered breakfast and prepared to land in Washington.