2000

"Elizabeth are you ready yet," Gail screamed up the stairs. "Eric and April are here. Its time to go." Elizabeth answered by making her way down the stairs. "Your wearing that?"

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Nothing. I don't mean it that way," Gail said, obviously frustrated. "I meant are you going to bring a jacket, sweater, or anything that has sleeves?"

"No."

"Whatever. I swear the older you kids get the harder it is to take you anywhere." She looked around the house. "Has anyone seen Jake?"

"Wasn't my turn to watch him," Eric answered.

"I got him," Elizabeth said, annoyed at her brother's comment. She found Jake out on the back porch. "Whatca drink'," she asked him.

"Water," he answered, shaking what was obviously a water bottle at her.

"Can I have a sip?"

"No."

"Its not water because if it was you would let me have some." He looked at her with a "duh" expression on his face. She pulled him around so that his full body was facing her. "Well your eyes aren't bloodshot…yet. Just don't talk to anyone. On second thought." She reached into her purse and pulled out a small container of mints. 'You are not going to get away with talking to no one. This box is your friend. Now lets go before Mom has a massive coronary."

He always seemed to give the same inauguration speech, but added things to make it more current. Even though it was the same boring speech each time the family had to show up with smiles on their faces and looks of interest much like Hilary and Chelsea had to do for President Clinton. Johnston always started his speech by thanking his family for their support. He would give an even more special thanks to his wife and then go into updates on the children. This year he got to report that Eric was getting married and that he would be the "right hand man." He told the entire town how his daughter had made the Jericho Tigers girls basketball team as a freshman. He ended his family portion of the speech by thanking his father and hoping that he could be half the mayor he was. The only person he didn't mention was Jake. Well, that's not entirely true. He did mention Jake. "And of course there is my son Jake," he had said. "Who never seizes to amaze me." Jake missed it, though. He stopped paying attention right after his father said, "Good evening Jericho." Around halfway through the speech Jake snapped out of his trance. "He's not done yet," he whispered to his sister. The glare she gave him said it all. "I'm just saying." He faced the crowd with the fakest smile of his face.

After the speech came the inauguration dinner. This had to have been the worst part of the whole day, in Elizabeth's mind anyway. This was the place when everyone would congratulate her on her father's win; and this year they had her brother's engagement and her basketball accomplishment. The townspeople would suck up to her in hopes it would get back to her dad and he in turn would do right by them. When it came time to eat Elizabeth had to sit with her family instead of her friends. Even then she couldn't get away from the people kissing ass. Then there were the comments on how much or really how little, she was eating. Elizabeth had always watched what she ate. She never starved herself, but instead would eat small meals throughout the day. She would splurge every once in awhile, but she didn't need to binge eat or anything. Along with exercise it was what kept her healthy. Between the months of November and Mars she would go on what her mother called the "basketball diet." Elizabeth added more foods with protein and stuff that gave you more energy. All she had on her plate was a piece of grilled chick and she also had a bowl of salad she was going to put the chicken in. She had a big practice the next day and didn't want to be all bloated and sick. If one more person said some variation of "Oh honey you need to ear more than that," she was going to throw her salad at them. If they were so concerned they would have noticed the piece of steak she got from her father and the spoonful of pasta Eric plopped on her plate. In all honesty she would have eaten more, but she was saving room for cake. Her mom made the best cakes. April took a seat next to her and placed two bites of meatloaf on her plate. "Your mom said you have to try this. Its good. She would have brought it over herself, but she is busy…"

"Being the First Lady of Jericho," Elizabeth finished for her.

"You know the town is concerned about you."

"Me."

"Supposedly your not eating." Elizabeth sighed and rolled her eyes. "Don't worry I spit out some medical jargon saying you were fine. That should keep them quiet for awhile."

"Not long enough."

"Have any of you seen Jake," Eric asked. "They want to take a picture of the family."

"Not my turn to watch him," Elizabeth said, mimicking her brother from that afternoon.

"Lizzie."

"Last time I say him he was at the bar…"

"The bar."

"With Grandpa."

"With Grandpa.'

"Is there an echo?" Eric looked annoyed. Elizabeth stood up and looked around. "Well I don't see Jake or Grandpa, so I guess this picture this is going to have to wait."

"I don't think they will wait."

"Who are they?" Never mind, I don't care. Tell them they are going to have to wait." She smiled at him then let out a frustrated sigh as Eric walked away. She turned to April and said, "Are you sure you're ready for this family?"