The Winter of 63

Chapter 35

6:30pm

President Kennedy’s Dressing Room

ABC News Studio

Jack was in his dressing room answering and firing questions with his aides. Bobby and Jackie were sitting watching him.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. “Ten Minutes.”

“Right everyone out.” Bobby said getting to his feet.

Once everyone had left Jackie wrapped her arms round Jack’s neck and kissed him passionately accepting his tongue happily.

When he pulled back Jackie fixed his tie. “Knock em dead sailor.”

Jack laughed. “I will do.”

While Jack was in the bathroom Jackie fixed her hair and got the television set up. She was just about to sit down when Jack reappeared, he really did look pale.

“Good luck bunny.” Jackie said.

“Thanks kid.”

He was just about to walk out of the room when Jackie hit his ass. He turned round and grinned at her. “You’re naughty! I’m trying to win another term here!”

“I know.” Jackie teased.

He smiled before heading up to the podium.

Jackie was in his dressing room when Bobby came in. “You nervous?”

“Oh no Jack will be fine.”

Bobby nodded. “Yeah.”

As the debate with Barry Goldwater got underway Bobby and Jackie stood at the door and watched it from there.

When it neared half way Jackie nudged her brother in law. “What?”

“Look at Jack, he’s shaking, very pale and he keeps drinking water. He told me he slept a lot today and he felt exhausted and he kept going to the bathroom remember?”

Bobby gasped. “Shit we need to do something.”

Jackie was nodding franticly. She turned to face him when she saw Jack nearly loose his balance. Next thing she knew Bobby was standing beside the camera man.

“GO TO A BREAK NOW!”

“What?”

“GO TO A BREAK DAMN IT!”

“Why?”

“Just do it please.” Bobby exclaimed.

Luckily the camera man gave in and went to break. Bobby breathed a sigh of relief while the producer went on stage and said they were on a break. Before he knew it he saw Jack quickly leaving the stage.

“Mr Kennedy what’s going on?”

“I’ll tell you in two minutes.” Bobby said before dashing off.

Jackie was standing at the dressing room when Jack walked in. “Bunny.” Jackie said placing a hand on his back. “I’m going to be sick.”

Jackie closed the door and rubbed his back. After he’d finished she handed him a glass of water.

“Why didn’t you tell anyone Jack?”

“Tell anyone what?” Jack asked as he sat down.

“That your Addison’s has been playing up.”

He shrugged before burying his face into her shoulder. Jackie was rubbing his back when Bobby burst in. “Is it?”

Jackie nodded.

Bobby quickly pulled out Jack’s medicine and stabbed it in his leg. When Jack sat back he looked ill. “I…I can’t go back out there right now.”

“I know bunny.”

“What are we going to do? We only have a few minutes.”

“Bobby you do it.”

“I can’t.”

“You have to for me.”

Bobby nodded and quickly headed back to the stage just in time.