The Cost of Standing Up

Chapters 13 and 14

Chapter 13

Nick was going through a pile of call notes. He was finding it difficult to keep up with Senate business and campaign for president. His days in the DC office were few, now that he spent most of his time on the road, speaking to supporters.

“Anything critical?” he asked Chuck, seated on the couch.

“If there were, I would tell you. Promise. You are fine. We have a couple of votes coming up and you are already scheduled to be in town for them. We’ll break for summer recess soon. The calendar is pretty sparse in the fall because a third of the Senators are in the midst of their re-election campaigns.”

“It doesn’t seem right. What are the bills? Do you have some background I can study so I know what I am voting on?”

Chuck stared at his boss and shook his head.

“You have one job now. Getting elected President. You do not have time to study these bills. That’s why you have us. We will do the studying and recommend to you the way you should vote and why.”

Nick started to reply when Chuck held up his hand. “No. I don’t want to hear it. You decided to run. So do it.”

Nick was going to argue when there was a knock at the door of the office. “Come in.”