The Circus
The coup de grace -as far as she was concerned- came in the form of an inconspicuous phone call.
It had been like most Tuesdays at the office: fielding constituent calls, working on press releases for the end of the week, throwing herself into her work trying to find…
“Mrs. Aird, the Community Liaison is calling for you. She'd like to know if you and Mr. Aird would be willing to do an event at the Rec Center?”
“Yes, please, do let Bethany know we’ll be there. And if you could just, quite subtly of course, remind her that she’s more than welcome to work out the specifics with Harge’s office.” Carol gave the intern her trouble-maker smile and walked back to her office.
Five minutes. Just five minutes to rest my feet. With a sigh and the weight of the day pulling her towards her chair, Carol allowed herself to close her eyes, to let the weariness wash over her...
Almost done. It’s almost over.
Ring. Ring.
Honestly, can't I close my eyes for two seconds?
Ring. Rrrring.
The longer she took in awakening from her half-slumber the angrier the phone seemed to sound.
Who in their right mind - “I'm coming, I'm coming!”
Click.
“Carol.”
“Abby - what's wrong?”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Tell you what? Is everything alright?” Half of her was still asleep.
“Carol,” Abby lowered her voice, “that you were running?”
“Abigail Philomena Gerhard now you tell me what in the world y-”
“Turn on Channel 12. Now.”
Reports are in that the State’s First Lady will be running for our country’s highest office. Capitol sources say our very own Carol Aird will be giving her campaign speech tomorrow at the City’s Rec Center alongside husband, Governor Hargess Aird, where she’ll officially be throwing her name into the ring.
“That sonofabitch.”
Carol heard a huff on the other end of the line.
“He can't - I thought you had reached an agreement?” Abby spoke more to herself than to Carol.
Static.
She could feel it. Helplessness tightening its grip over her throat, she could feel herself grow numb.
“We did. He gave me his word. Abby I - are you busy? Please. I haven’t the strength -”
“Of course, anything you need. Meet me at the Ritz in an hour.” In the grand scheme of things Abby knew what this meant...for her, for Carol.
Carol hesitated.
“No. We’ll need more privacy. I’ll have my car pick you up and we can go down to Billie’s, ”
“Carol, you'll get through this. Everything's gonna be alright.”
Click.
It was no secret that her marriage to Harge was more about convenience than anything. She had grown accustomed to it, to its constraints, the complacency. But, even now as she stared at her office floor, a royal blue carpet, the state seal staring back - mocking her - she realized how tempting it was to give in...to let go...
“Mrs. Aird! I want you to know that I stand with you, anything you need. I want to officially put my name on the list!”
It was the new intern again, Genevieve. She had been enthusiastic from the beginning, which was refreshing after a decade in politics.
Carol couldn't stifle her laugh. The girl’s enthusiasm warmed her.
“Miss Cantrell, please have a seat. Now, you say you want to put your name down on the list? Officially?”
“Yes m’am I do!”
“Are you absolutely sure? You're able to make that kind of commitment? So young?” A mock concern played over Carol’s face .
“Well, of course. I - wait. I'm sorry, yes of course I'm committed to your campaign Mrs. Aird! There's no doubt you're the candidate the people need! But, um what does that have to do with my age?”
“Oh you know, you'd be pledging your loyalty and future to me - firstborn a must.”
Genevieve froze.
Well, there was at least some humor she could get out of this whole catastrophe.
“Goodness child I'm only joking!” Carol laughed as she went towards her intern and soothed her with a pat on the back. “I love your enthusiasm Miss Cantrell, it's why I hired you.”
A wave of relief came over Genevieve. “Mrs. Aird I am serious about my commitment. Please, if you need anything I -”
“I know, I know. Now, there'll be a press conference tomorrow that we will have to be absolutely prepared for. So you go on ahead and get our media team up and ready. Tell them you're in charge and if they have any problem with that they can come and talk to me directly.” Carol saw something in Cantrell she couldn't quite place … in some ways she reminded her of a younger self.
“Yes m’am.” With that Genevieve rushed out of the chair and sprinted out of the office.
Let this circus begin. He will rue the day he lied to me...I swear on my life.
“Therese! Ohh,Therese!”
“Oh, Gen,” So close to sleep. So. Close.
Therese wiped the moisture at the corner of her mouth. Attractive..
“Get excited. Cause I officially have a gig for you!” She slumped down onto the couch slightly crushing Therese’s legs in the process.
Wincing and simultaneously waking up, Therese adjusted herself and threw a chip at her eager roommate. “Do you really?”
“Oh, this is the perfect project for you. Now, when you go in for it you can't say you know me cause I'm kinda in charge of the media team for Aird’s campaign!” Genevieve brushed imaginary dust off her shoulder and grabbed the bag of chips underneath Therese’s arms.
“I thought this was his last term?”
“Oh, not Hargess, his wife, Carol!”
Therese looked at Genevieve with curiosity.
“Yeah, it’s kinda strange that she’s put her name in. She managed to hide it from all of us at the firm.”
“Okay, when should I go in?” Therese sat up and made her way to the kitchen.
“Seeing as it's tomorrow... just show up. I'm gonna pretend to be mad that our usual guy ‘bailed’ on us and you'll come in and act like you're supposed to be there. If anybody asks I'll play dumb and say I just assumed you were the replacement.”
Therese chuckled. What's there to lose? “Okay, okay. I’ll be there.”
“Aird party of two, gorgeous,” Abby smiled at the hostess. She couldn't remember if she had “met” the woman previously, but better to be friendlier than not.
“Mrs. Aird is already here Ms. Gerhard. Please, follow me.” With a coquettish sway of her hips the hostess led Abby to their usual secluded corner booth.
God, I love women.
“You know, i’m genuinely curious about the number of staff members you’ve bedded, Ms. Gerhard.” Carol teased as Abby’s eyes remained glued to the hostess that was now making her way back to the entrance of the hall.
“I can’t help it if the ladies are willing, Mrs. Aird, or should I say, Madame President?” Abby teased Carol as she squeezed her hand, but she instantly noticed a darkness come over her.
“Too soon?”
Carol threw her a death glare.
“Christ,” Carol’s face broke into a smile, “do you think it's even a possibility? I mean the frustration I have for Harge aside, is our country ready for a woman to lead?”
“Will you ladies be having the usual?” A familiar face had popped up next to their booth.
“Jennifer! How are you? Long time no see!” Carol greeted their waitress with a flirtatious smile.
“Better now with my favorite customers!” Jennifer laughed, “I heard the big news, Carol, congratulations! You'll definitely have my support - anything you need just say the word. We can host fundraisers, cater, your wish is my command.” She squeezed Carol’s shoulder and cleared her throat realizing she might have overstepped.
“We will be having our usual Jennifer, but you know what, instead of our martinis make those Long Islands.” Abby smiled sympathetically at the flustered waitress and turned her attention back to Carol.
Barely waiting for Jennifer to be out of earshot Abby couldn't help herself, “And I would like to know, Mrs. Aird, how many staff hearts have you broken?”
“None, of course. I am merciful with all my admirers,” hand to her chest in mock offense.
Merciful...don’t I know it.
Carol looked at her as if she had read her thoughts.
“My name is Therese Belivet, B-e-l-i-v-e-t, photographer.”
“Right down the hall first door on your right. Talk to Ms. Cantrell, she's in charge of media.”
Knock. Knock.
“Oh Ms. Cantreeell! Photographer at your serv-” Crap. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Genevieve and a woman, that couldn’t be mistaken for anyone other than Mrs. Aird, were huddled over a pile of documents on Genevieve’s desk.
“Where’s Stan? He usually does our press releases.” Mrs. Aird questioned without so much as a glance.
“I - well - Therese Belivet, I was told to come to this office.”
“His loss then. My motorcade leaves in 2 hours.” She walked around the desk and headed for the door, “Carol Aird, welcome to the circus. It’s going to be a lot of long hours, crap food - well, I’ll stop there. Don't want to spoil the fun!” Carol extended her hand out to Therese with a confidence unlike any other Therese had ever seen.
“I'm looking forward to it, Mrs. Aird.”
Carol smiled and walked out the door rounding the corner. Therese couldn't help but stick her head out to watch her walk away.
“So, Mrs. Aird.”
“I can see she has your vote.”
“What? No, I just have never seen her up close is all.”
“You need to put those away.”
“What?”
“Those dimples are going to kill someone,” Gen teased. Come on...you're killing me, Therese.
“Carol. I realize it was unexpected. The Party came to me. The chair himself!” Harge was fumbling. Fifteen years in politics and he was tripping over himself. He knew he had gone too far...but he also knew Carol had so much more to lose.
“Don't.” Every inch of her body stung. Shook from the weight of her anger.
“I know we said this would be it. But just think for a moment. Think of Rindy.”
Silence.
“Don't, Harge.” She spat.
The moment she had dreamed of for so long had evaporated right before her eyes.
This can't be it. And yet, there it was. The familiar suffocation. Gasping for air.
“I'm meeting with our attorneys tomorrow. You’ll have it in writing, Carol.”
“Do you have no shame? I have always given in to your demands. I know we - didn't go as planned…but you knew. You always knew that I - you promised me a divorce Harge."
“Do you think it’s easy for me, Carol? Being married to someone who doesn't love me as a wife should - .”
“Enough. ” She scoffed.
“You should relax for a bit before tonight. I will see you soon, Madame President.”
Click.
Carol, looked up. The white fluorescent lights coming in and out of focus through her tears. “How. Could you. H-howwww. Fuck you! Fuck you Hargess Francis Aird!”
Her body convulsed with an anger she had never known. Have I been so horrible? I've done everything. I did my time. I. Did. My. Time.
She punctuated every word with a fist to her desk. Crimson spread throughout the valleys of her knuckles.
“I would take care of that before it swells. The camera will pick it up.”
She jumped and gathered herself in one quick motion. Harge had put her through hell before, she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of breaking her now.
“Ms. Belivet, you startled me - I - it’s just -”
Therese could sense she had walked in on a private moment.
“You don’t have to explain.” Therese gave her a weak smile imbibed with sympathy.
With a nod, Carol gestured at the fridge in the corner of her office.
Therese walked over to the tiny fridge and grabbed a tray of ice. She looked around for a cloth to wrap the ice in with no luck. “Turn around.”
“What? Why?” Carol wasn't sure whether she should be okay with the woman’s familiar tone or if she was overreacting out of her still raging anger for Harge.
“Well, we need something to wrap around your hand while we make it to the podium. It'll keep the ice in place. We’ll have to use my shirt. If you could please just turn around - I can switch into my button up and use my tank on your hand.”
“Oh, right.”
“I wouldn't mind otherwise, it's just that I don't have a bra on.”
Carol would be lying if she said her mouth didn't automatically salivate at the mention of her new, very attractive photographer being shirtless only a couple of feet away from her.
“I'll just turn around then.”
“I have always believed in the power of the People, the values our country is expected to embody. I humbly ask that you stand with me as I go up against those that would rather see us fail than commit to real change. There is something to be said about kindness, though we might see it as weakness today - there is no doubt in my mind it’s what our country needs. Neighbor to neighbor, party to party. This is the only way we’ll get through the challenges we face today. We will rise above together.”
The crowd had packed into the Recreation Center’s gymnasium. The air conditioner was out. Sweat raced down every back. Hanging on every word, they were well aware of the historic moment unfurling before them. Their silence a testament of the love the city had for her.
“Here, with you tonight, I, Carol Aird, declare my candidacy for the Presidency of the United States of America.”
The roar that ripped through the room was unlike anything she had ever heard. The chant, the applause and even the tears made it feel as if god herself had shown up.
Therese stood in front of the podium capturing in each frame the wonder of the woman before her. She was luminous, strength exuded from each and every word she delivered, she wore greatness effortlessly. In that moment, as she looked at Carol Aird through her viewfinder time had ceased, space dissolved, and her soul had stilled.
“Hope you're ready Ms. Belivet.” Carol winked as she descended the podium. Her entourage began the procession back to the motorcade.
Therese was in awe, smiling she pulled her camera up again, “let’s see that smile Mrs. Aird”.