As we, yes me and Bobby, pulled up to the estate I wondered why he had to come with. Again I couldn’t help but feel like I was being set up with Bobby because it looked good. The governor's daughter with the new governor would make a good damn headline. I wasn’t interested in being a headline hence the reason I never participated in the shit my family did. According to the media, they didn’t have a damn child. I was my own person outside of this and I wanted it to stay that way.
“You look fabulous my love,” my mom said extra chipper. I gave her the side eye but brought her in for a hug. I always wanted to chat with her about my relationships, but we had never got to the point. It would have been nice for her to do the same things Missy did, but I was asking for a lot. My problems would take from her catering to my father and his agenda. I digressed.
“Thank you, mommy. I’m surprised it’s not too dark for you.” I’m not sure why she was acting like she hadn’t given me shit before about wearing so much black, especially when it was springtime. In her mind, I should be in pastel pinks and floral dresses with big ass hats.
“Dear, it is dark, but unlike your father, I’ve learned to keep my opinions to myself. Be nice to me today,” she said pinching my arm. I turned around and noticed Bobby and my father had appeared with cups of bourbon in hand. So this was about appearance. I shook my head and took off to greet my dad. I didn’t like him, but I still did my best to respect him.
“Hey, daddy.”
“What is it going to take to get you to be happy when you see me?” he asked. I squinted because I couldn’t understand why everyone was acting like they didn’t know I would rather be in the pits of hell than be here. If Bobby wasn’t here this whole scene would have been different. My mom would have for sure had something to say about my clothing and my dad hell I prob- ably wouldn’t have seen him at all.
“You could start with getting those damn people off my back about the building you sold me. That would change this month’s BS,” I smirked. Over conversation, Bobby explained that he liked honesty. So Iwould give him just that. He needed to see that he was being endorsed by a damn jackass.
“Teaghan haven’t you enjoyed time off?”
“No, I haven’t enjoyed not being able to work or save lives. I love what I do. Same as you.”
“I can’t stop them from doing a thorough job,” he shrugged.
I looked at Bobby just wondering at any point if he thought I may be overreacting. “This is who you want endorsing you. He does his best to force me into his agenda. I promise he will do the same for you,” I fussed at Bobby who was doing his best to ignore the confrontation. “I want my business that I worked for back open without you attempting to shut me down. Why can’t you just let me be, Dad?”
“Teaghan you were supposed to be a boy. Imagine being the first boy in a family full of girls. The boys were raised to have jobs and the girls learned to make homes. When I set off for college I knew I wanted to be something great. I knew I wanted something I could keep in the family. When your mom had you, I was disappointed that it was a girl. I didn’t love you any less, but life isn’t the same for women as it is for men. I couldn’t change that you were a girl, but I could do everything in my power to instill the love of politics in you in hopes that you would do exactly what a boy would have. I want you to follow in my footsteps.
You went off to college leaving me to believe you would do just that and imagine my surprise when I found out that you didn’t. What I raised you to be you turned your back on. So if you want to know why I do what I do, it’s because you lied and that broke my heart.”
“So me saying all those years that it wasn’t what I wanted didn’t break my heart? Because it did. You still should have supported me. I’m your child and whether I’m a boy or not I deserve the support of my family. You’ve never shown your support or love for me. That hurts and you know what it leads me to do? It leads me to search for love with people I know won’t give it to me. I feel like I don’t deserve love or support. I’ve never known what it feels like. There’s still a place in my heart that aches for the love of my father. That should be your focus not grooming me to be just like you.” Things were getting heated and I still hadn’t figured out why we were here. This wasn’t how I wanted tospend my first day back in the world. I wasn’t having this conversation with them anymore. I wasn’t going to beg for understanding anymore. If he wouldn’t just be my father than I couldn’t make him.
“I am proud of you. You went to college and made something of yourself, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want something different for you. I’ll make the call,” he finished. I was waiting for the camera crew to come out and tell me it was a joke. But it didn’t happen. I jumped for joy and into Bobby’s arms. I couldn’t wait to call Missy.
“You owe me another date,” he whispered in my ear.
“And why is that?” I asked jumping from his arms. It was like someone pressed rewind and now I was looking at him sideways. Why would he think I owed him another date?
“You don’t think we ended up here by chance. After you told me how he shut your business down and how you really miss working. I made the call when I went to the bathroom. One thing I know about family is that you can’t function in the midst of division. They are the reason sometimes for the highs and the lows. I lost my father and I will never get him back. Neither of you needs to continue this.”
“How did you know I would even bring it up?”
“Because you don’t bite your tongue. He told me that also,” he said taking another sip from his drink. I didn’t know whether to be happy about him sticking up for me or be mad that again I had got played. It made me wonder if my father really wanted this for me or if he was just a part of Bobby thinking he could pull strings. Either way, I guessed I should be happy about having my business back. However, now it meant I owed Bobby something in return. He wouldn’t have done this without wanting something in return. I knew a politician when I saw one.
Bobby
A FEW WEEKS LATER
Teaghan seemed to be a different person now that she was back at work. Her smile didn’t seem forced or fizzled and I liked to think I had a part in it. I figured she would question my motives and I would like to say I didn’t have any, but I did. Teaghan’s job was perfect for the campaign. Mr. LeJune just needed to see it from a different perspective. Michelle Obama had her own career, but it assisted in President Obama's success. I wanted the same. Healthcare was a big deal right now and I needed someone with more than a pretty face on my side. Now it was a win. I was the man that got her something that made her happy and feel whole. She would never forget that.
Two weeks into her working, I popped up and got to shake hands and kiss babies. It was all working out. Mr. LeJune had no choice but to congratulate me. His speech to Teaghan pulled at my heart but it didn’t stop the flow. I needed to convince her that
I was on her side. I was because everyone needed support but at the end of the day, this was a part of the game.
“Delivery for Teaghan,” I said as I made it to the front window of Mothering Medicine. Her friend Missy smiled, and it didn’t reach her ears but hey it was what it was. I contributed it to jealousy. I was a catch and I would be hating also if I had me
“She’s with a patient. You can leave it here,” she fumed. Oh, yea she didn’t like me, and I didn’t understand. I was always polite when I came around.
“I’ll wait,” I informed. Taking a seat in the lobby, I started to check my emails. In a few days, I had a press conference and I needed to get Teaghan ready to be center stage with me. She had explained that she didn’t want to be in the limelight before. But hopefully, I could explain the importance and have her see things my way. That was the goal of today. I needed a minute to chat with her.
“Hey love, what are you doing here?”
“I guess you could say I missed you and thought you could use some beautiful flowers to match that beautiful face,” I answered as she came in for a hug. I didn’t know why she was single. Teaghan was a lovely individual. She didn’t require a lot. Maybe because I had most of what I needed. I didn’t need saving or any of the other shit she explained she did for others. I was self-made and all I wanted was her to take the ride with me.
