The Ups and Downs of Being President

Chapter 7

The White House

10am

By the time Jack got back to the White House he was cranky from the pain he was in. Mrs Lincoln was already behind her desk, when he reached the outer office. "Sir you have a meeting with the Vice President, he's already waiting."

"Fine." Jack mumbled before walking in. Lyndon immediately got to his feet.

After Lyndon left at half ten Jack was in agony. He got down on the floor and rested his feet against the desk. He only had two more appointments before he could go up to the residence.

He was still on the floor when his next appointment came in. "Do you want me to come back Jack?" Kenny asked.

"No, no take a seat, you don't mind if I stay down here do you now?"

"Not at all sir."

Jack smiled and they began to talk.

10:50am

After all three meetings he finally headed up to the residence. When he reached the door he turned to his agents. "You've had a long day go and have a sleep. Trust me I'm not going anywhere but bed."

His agents smiled.

Jack closed the door and went through to his bedroom. He quickly changed into his pyjamas and collapsed into bed. "Oh fucks sake." Jack grumbled.

He put a heat pack on his back and fell asleep. It wasn't till the phone rang that he woke. He quickly grabbed the receiver. "Hello?" Jack asked still half asleep.

"Mr President?"

"Hmmmm."

"Sir are you asleep?"

"Possibly."

"Sorry to wake you but it was just to let you know Mrs Kennedy arrived safely in Greece."

"Ok." Jack hung up and snuggled back under the duvet. He hadn't even opened his eyes to check the time.

He got another few hours' sleep before there was a loud pounding on the residence door. Jack sat up slowly and glanced at the clock, it was quarter to two. Suddenly Bobby walked in. "Hi Jack, sorry did I wake you?"

"Yeah you did." Jack muttered. Bobby grabbed his arm and helped him up. "I need to piss, can you make my bed?" Jack asked before making his way to the bathroom.

"Oh sure I'll become the maid." Bobby replied sarcastically.

When Jack returned he joined Bobby in the sitting room and put the TV on. "Where are the kids?"

"They're still in school but you're about to get another visitor."

"Who?" Jack enquired.

"Your press secretary, doctor Travell and me."

Jack shook his head and focused on the TV. Quickly Pierre and Janet arrived. "Just while you're here Janet could you take a look at my back?" Jack asked.

She nodded and waited till he was lying on the sofa. As she poked his back he started talking to Pierre. "So what do you want?"

"We think since you're going to Palm Beach on Thursday we should tell the nation you're on crutches."

"But I'm not on crutches...." Jack replied.

"You need to use them again sir and do these exercises." Janet said handing him a sheet.

"Did my wife phone you both?"

"Yes sir Mrs Kennedy asked us."

"Well you can tell the press once I'm on Air Force One en route to Palm Beach."

"Yes sir."

Once Jack and Bobby were alone again Jack sighed. "Well the press are going to think I'm a cripple."

"They won't Jack."

He shrugged before going to change. He had to talk to the nation tonight.