Chapter 5

"Liz, to resign will be political suicide."

"I could care less, Doug. It's no longer about what you or even what I want. It's about Annie and Gus. It's about protecting our family. Or don't you care about them anymore?"

"Of course I care. Of course I love them both. But this is about me. This is something I want. Something I deserve."

"You arrogant SOB! It's not about you. Up to now, maybe you've felt this way. But that ride is over. Now it's all about the children and saving them from total embarrassment. I don't care if you embarrass me or even my parents. We're big boys now and we can take anything. But the children are not. The children, Doug. Do you even hear what I'm saying?"

"I hear you, Liz. And I think your parents put you up to this. Your father has never wanted me to take his old seat in Manchester. He has never supported me even when I asked for his blessing a year ago. And your mother, your mother is a work of art. She has always hated me, hasn't she? I married you and saved you from being a spinster with a child. I saved your ass when you got into trouble and your mother never appreciated that. And now she and your father are trying to turn you against me. I love you Liz, but this is not just about you or the kids. It's my future and I'm damn well going to continue the race until it's over. If I lose, I lose."

He never saw the hand coming until the sting hit his face. He quickly raised his hand even as his eyes widen in astonishment. "How could you?"

"Very easy. And I'll do it again if you don't stop. You don't talk to me like that or describe my parents in that way. They love you because I love you.

The kids love you because you're their father. Yes, even Annie considers you her father. You're the only father she's ever known. And would ever want to know. She's planning on having you escort down the aisle at her wedding. She's planning on you being the doting grandfather when she has children of her own. She's proud of you, Doug. And so is Gus.

You may not love me anymore, but by God you'll never stop loving your children and neither will they stop loving you. But if this comes out tomorrow, then all bets are off. I'll try to explain to them what made their Daddy do that to their mother, but I don't even know if I understand it. It's up to you, buddy. It's all up to you.

Go ahead and stay in the race. But if you do, be prepared to lose everything you've always had. Your children, your wife, and your life as you know it. Everything. It's now up to you. You hold the choices now.

Decide to leave the race and we'll try again, if that's what you want. Decide to stay in the race and be prepared for a very lonely life. If you decide to stay, this information will surely defeat you. Citizens of New Hampshire are not prudes but they do believe in a strong family. And you won't have one after tonight."

"Is that a threat?"

"No. That's a promise."

Both people stared at each other.

Finally, Liz turned to leave.

As she put her hand on the door, Doug sighed. "Liz?"

"Yes?" without even turning around.

"Nothing."

Liz opened the door and let it close behind her, not knowing which path she was going to follow. It was up to Doug now.