Chapter 4
The next day the story resurfaced at the afternoon briefing.
"CJ! CJ!"
"Yes, Mark? And it had better not be another question about the rings."
"CJ, there are reports that the First Lady is engaged to another man. Can you comment on this?"
"What the hell are you talking about? In fact, it doesn't even deserve an answer." This was just getting ridiculous. CJ looked around the room, hoping another reporter would ask about the budget or anything.
"Yesterday, reporters covering her trip saw a different ring on her left hand. A ring no one had seen before, so who is she engaged to and how can she be engaged if she's still married to the President?"
"Mark, this is totally ridiculous. Don't you have something serious to ask?"
"CJ. The country has a right to know what's going on in the Presidential marriage. If there's trouble, then it's our business to share the information."
"Mark…"
"The state of the Presidential marriage is none of your business!"
"Mr. President!" The reporters stood as Jed strolled into the pressroom, with obvious anger in his voice and on his face.
"Mr. President, I don't think…" CJ tried to persuade the President that he shouldn't be doing this, but determination was written all over the President's face.
"As I said, the state of the Presidential marriage is none of your business. Everything is fine between me and my wife. She had misplaced her wedding rings and after the comments made yesterday, replaced them temporarily so you reporters would quit asking. Are you satisfied now? Good. I have to get back to more important work."
Jed turned sharply and left the Press room with the reporters still standing, most them too shocked at his appearance to even write down his words.
CJ followed the President down the hall, running into Leo who had been heading toward the Press room. Leo motioned CJ to follow him and let the President continue to the Oval by himself.
As they entered Leo's office, he shut all the doors and motioned CJ to sit down. "Why didn't you stop him, CJ? He could have made a fool of himself."
"I tried, Leo. But he was in and out so fast there was nothing I could do. Besides, I think he handled it quite well, don't you?"
"That's not the point, CJ. Anytime he's that angry, he needs to cool off before speaking. He could have gotten himself and the whole damn administration into trouble."
"But he didn't, Leo. He told those reporters just where to put these reports. I was so proud of him." A smile crossed CJ's face for the first time all day.
"Yeah, I have to admit that he pushed that report when the sun doesn't shine. And those reporters will have a hard time removing it." By now, Leo was smiling. "I hope everybody will now just shut up about it. It's such a non-story."