She closed her eyes and bit her lip. She wanted to end it all now and let him do what he wanted. But they’d come too far. And besides, Asher was right—Charlie messed up and made a lousy decision, based on what? Ego?
“Okay. I’ll help you. I don’t care what Charlie thinks.”
Asher nodded, relieved. He was determined to save his office, even without her. However, he knew that having her on board was going to be a lot better for his chances.
“Okay then. When do we get started?”
“I’ll call you,” Anna said and hung up.
She set her phone down on her lamp table. She rubbed her eyes and massaged her temples. A massive headache was coming and she needed to head it off somehow.
Worse than the headache, though, was the inevitable conversation with Charlie. She and Asher were going to continue and Charlie would have to take a backseat. It could go either way, really. He could be calm, which always made him seem more psychotic. Or, he could fly off the handle and yell and scream at her. She never knew which Charlie she was going to get.
Mike Wilson was the first person to submit his paperwork for the recall election. Another candidate from first election, and two newcomers, entered the race. All told, five people, including David Asher, would run for the governorship of Blue Creek City. As the campaign progressed into the summer, it became apparent that Mike Wilson was going to win handily. Not only that, he was likely going to win an outright majority in the first round.
Governor Asher hated to debate, but he was desperate. Those in the campaign knew it was his only chance to close the distance. In every speech and television appearance he claimed that Mike Wilson was afraid to debate. The pressure for Wilson to debate increased and he finally relented. It was set for the Friday before the election. It would give voters one final look at the candidates and give them four days to make their final decision.
The debate had largely been a draw. All of the candidates made good points, but no one landed any heavy blows. The purpose of the debate was to give David Asher a chance to catch up in the polls. He needed a Hail Mary and he got his chance when the moderator allowed the candidates to directly question an opponent.
“I’d like Mr. Wilson to tell us why he’s opposed to setting up programs that will help the poor people in our community,” Asher said to the moderator. He didn’t have the heart to look at, or speak to, Mike Wilson directly.
Wilson grinned and he tried, unsuccessfully, to wipe it away with his hand. This was the opening they had been waiting for. Offstage, Patton wiped his forehead and chuckled, unable to believe that David Asher would give his opponent such an opening.
“Well Mr. Asher, I believe the answer to that question is quite easy. When everyone came to Blue Creek, they had the opportunity to have a business established for them. Some chose not to do this, opting, instead, to work for others. That’s fine, as long as there are jobs. But I’d like to remind you and you voters out there, that Mr. Asher’s dreadful policies have absolutely destroyed jobs in this community.
“And,” he said, cutting off the governor, who was trying to interject. “I find it offensive that he of all people would have the gall to ask me about welfare programs when it’s his fault that there are even people in these desperate situations. It’s laughable, really,” he said, looking over at Asher, who was now shuffling nervously through his notes, looking for something… anything… to get him out of the trouble he was now in.
“So, does that answer your question, Mr. Asher?”
Asher’s nervous swallow was visible on camera. He didn’t answer, not knowing what to say. Wilson pressed him.
“I asked you a question, Mr. Asher.”
Another pause.
Watching at home, Charlie Henry knew that it was over. Part of him was relieved. He was tired of this prima donna. Just as the thought left his mind, his phone rang. It was Anna.
“Charlie?”
“Yes,” he responded, noting her quavering voice.
A pause, then, “it’s over, isn’t it.”
He closed his eyes, hating to hear her upset, particularly when she was upset at Asher’s pain and failure. “Yes,” he replied matter-of-factly.
Silence.
“Anna?”
“What.”
“Are you ready to run next year?”
She laughed a humorless laugh. All of their work, pain, toil, and effort had been for naught.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No, darling,” he said in his grandfatherly tone. “He’s done. He’ll never be trusted again. You on the other hand… you know what we’re trying to do.”
She didn’t want to admit it but he was right—at least at the part about Asher. He was done. There was no way he could beat the Texas hick, and people would never forget what havoc his policies had caused the town.
‘Damned impatient people,’ she thought bitterly. These things take time. Didn’t they know that? Did Franklin Roosevelt do what he did in a week? No. It took years.
“Okay Charlie,” she said, resigned to their new reality. “He’s done, but I’m not sure I’m the candidate type.”
“Sure you are, darling. You’ll be better than Asher ever was. We won’t have to coach you on what you say because it’s all already in your mind and in your heart.”
She closed her eyes, beginning to dread what Asher’s reaction would be. Would he be sullen and sulky or would he be angry and violent?
“We’ll figure it out, Charlie. We have a few months.”
“Okay, Anna,” he said, and ended the call.
The reaction to Mike Wilson’s resounding debate victory was much different. Many of the campaign workers were present. Bottles of Dom Perignon and cases of beer were on ice, ready for the celebration. There was a chance that Mike wouldn’t win a full majority. However, not even Patton thought he’d fall short of a first round victory.
When the candidate arrived, he received a hero’s welcome. The drunken partiers hoisted Mike and Patton onto their shoulders and carried him around Jennifer’s living room. The party continued on well past midnight. Mike Wilson was finally himself again. He was happy and outgoing and telling stories again. He also had a gorgeous woman hanging on his arm—the truest sign that he was feeling like himself again.
Four days later, Blue Creek citizens poured into the polling booths. Patton was happy to see the heavy turnout, which he thought was a good sign for Mike. Every part of Patton’s prediction came true. He won the election with a full majority, with nearing sixty percent of the vote. David Asher took less than thirty-five percent. The remaining candidates combined for less than ten percent of the vote. It was a resounding victory, and as Mike Wilson put it during his victory speech, “It wasn’t just my victory but a victory for everyone in Blue Creek.”
In his concession speech, David Asher was visibly upset, but he was able to say, “This was a tough race. I think that a mistake was made here tonight, but the people have spoken. I called Mr. Wilson and congratulated him on his victory. We have agreed on a two-week transition period. He will take office soon thereafter.”
He looked up from his notes. The camera flashes and questions began to fly at him. He looked tired, beaten, haggard. No one had ever seen him so down in public. Asher didn’t take any questions. He read his statements. Now he was going to go home and get drunk.
The party to celebrate Mike’s victory made the debate celebration seem tame by comparison. Patton and Jennifer went all out, holding the rally at Frank’s warehouse. Hundreds of people showed up to watch the returns and then celebrate with the candidate once his victory was announced. There were streamers and signs and balloons. Patton hired a local rock band to perform for the crowd after Wilson had given his victory speech. The party went well into the early hours of the morning. After everyone finally left, it was just Patton and Jennifer.