1984
By 5:45, Abbey was completely ready for the dinner. She was wearing a long, light purple sleeveless satin dress, designed by Armani. It was her first time wearing it out, and she was excited that the first time she got to show it off, the President would be seeing it and she would be in the White House.
Liz had taken Ellie and Zoey to the Smithsonian, because it was a requirement for a school project of Ellie's. They took the bus, because public transportation, oddly, was one of three-year-old Zoey's favorite things.
To pass the time before Jed arrived, Abbey picked up the phone and called Jenny.
"Hello?"
"Hi."
"Hey. You're going tonight, right?" Jenny asked.
"Yeah. You?"
"Yep. Are you already dressed?"
"Yeah."
"You're kidding right."
"No…"
"You're never ready early. What's going on with you?"
"Nothing's wrong with me! I don't know how it happened, but I have officially finished getting dressed with time to spare," Abbey replied, proudly.
"Way to go, Abs."
"Thank you very much, dahling."
"So, are you nervous?" Jenny had met the President numerous times before. This was nothing to her.
"A little. But not really. He's a Repulibcan. Screw 'em."
"Abbey! He's the President!"
"I know. I'm a little excited, to be honest. But not really nervous. I'll have Jed beside me."
"Wish I could say the same for Leo. He can't stay in one place for more than a few seconds at these dinners. He's always running around, making sure he talks to every single person in the place. Chances are, I'll be on my own most of the night. But I don't really mind. I have business to accomplish at this dinner anyway."
"Well, Jed'll be campaigning. He's in complete campaign mode right now. But I know he'll just drag me along with him everywhere. He says my M.D. makes him look good. How, I'll never know."
Jenny laughed.
"So where are the girls tonight?"
"At the Smithsonian. They'll be home soon, and Liz'll be in charge for a bit. What about Mallory?"
"Oh, she wants to come with us so badly. But she'll be home tonight too."
"You should drop her off here on your way, she can stay with the girls."
"She'll never get any homework done if she's at your house, Abbey," Jenny said.
"True. Ooh, ouch."
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing, it's probably just indigestion," Abbey answered.
"Well, take something. You don't want to be nauseous when you're shaking hands with the President, now, do you?"
Abbey laughed.
"Yeah, I'm gonna go take something right now. I'll see you tonight?"
"Yep, I'll need you to save me."
"That's what I'm here for. Bye, Jen."
"Bye!"
Abbey hung up the phone and walked into the kitchen. As she stood rummaging through the cabinet to find some Tums, she felt a warm, wet feeling on her legs. When she looked down, there was a pool of blood at her feet. She dropped the Tums and slowly slid to the ground. It was exactly 6pm.
1987
Ellie was up early the next morning. By 7am, she was already dressed in semi-formal clothes and, with a bible in hand, she moseyed downstairs. Jed was sitting with Zoey at the breakfast table. In just a few minutes, he would be off to work and Zoey would be off to watch cartoons.
"Hey, Dad. Hi, Zoey."
"Morning, El," Zoey said.
"Good morning, early bird! Why so early? And why the bible?" Jed asked
"Oh, I'm going to church."
"You're going to church? It's Monday."
"I know," Ellie replied.
"Why are you going to church then?"
"Just have some questions for Father Moriarty."
"I can answer your questions, Ellie. I did almost become a priest, you know," Jed said.
"I know, Dad, but I need to talk to Father."
"Should I be nervous about this, Eleanor?"
"No, everything's good."
"You're walking?"
"Yeah, it's not far."
"Leave a note for Liz so she knows where you are when she gets up," Jed requested.
"Okay, I will. Where's Mom?"
"She caught the early shift at the hospital this morning."
"Okay. I'll see you later, Dad. Bye, Zoey."
Jed had a feeling something was going on with his middle daughter, especially after Friday night's outburst, but he wasn't about to say anything just yet. That was more Abbey's area of expertise, and he wouldn't want to deprive her of the joy she gets interrogating innocent children on their whereabouts. Plus, he had a feeling this was bigger than that.
TBC.