Chapter 3
Her alarm went off at seven. She had heard the phone ring about five-thirty but didn't stir. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to Jed before her trip. She needed to concentrate on some last few details before she left and she was sure that all they were going to do was fight. Getting out bed, she showered, dressed and made sure her suitcases were ready to be taken to the plane when she left at ten.
Grabbing a quick cup of coffee, she made her way to the East Wing thinking about what the Speaker told her last night about the budget changes. About the cuts in the HHS budget the White House had negotiated with him in order to get him to approve increased defense spending. And one of the things cut was the Children's Insurance Program. Jed had promised Abbey for the last three years that this year it would be one of his highest funding priorities and nothing would get in the way of it's passing into law as well as complete funding. Some states had tried to fund insurance for children on their own but it was hit or miss and she knew millions of eligible children had not been covered. Child's health was an issue that had been dear to her heart ever since she had become First Lady and she had given hundreds of speeches in support of such a national program. And she had been so excited when he had told her it had been included in this year's budget proposal.
"Damn, Jed. How could you pull the rug out from under me? How could you not even tell me you did it? Jackass!"
"Did you say something, Ma'am?"
Abbey didn't realize she had entered her outer office and was passing Lili's desk. "Uh, no Lili. Anything urgent on my desk before I leave?"
"No, Ma'am."
"Ok. I have to make a couple of calls. Let me know when the car is ready."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Jed threw his glasses on the desk and leaned back. Looking at the clock he saw it has almost noon. He had been on the go since 6 am and was tired. The state dinner had finally ended about midnight and then he had gone back to the Residence only to find a very cold environment. Maybe the Prime Minister of Norway had brought his winter with him. Abbey had faked sleep until he got in bed and then wouldn't talk. For some reason she was mad at him and he had no idea why. Before he could talk with her this morning, he got called to the Situation room at five thirty and by the time he got out of there, his packed schedule took away any time to think of anything else. Maybe she hadn't left yet.
"Charlie!"
The side door opened and his aide stuck his head in. "Yes, Sir?"
"What time is my wife leaving?"
"She's already left, Sir. Her plane was leaving at 11."
"Damn. Thank you, Charlie."
"Yes, Sir."
As Charlie closed the door, Jed sighed. "Oh, hell. Well, I guess I have to wait and talk to her tonight when she calls." The couple always talked with each other when they were on the road and away from each other. That was a pledge they had made once they had gotten to the White House so they could try and maintain a semblance of a personal relationship. Just a Jed and Abbey relationship.
The side door opened and Leo walked in the room. "Mr. President?"
"Yes, Leo?"
"I need to talk with you about something that's been bothering me."
Jed looked at him and nodded. He got up and motioned to Leo to sit on the sofa as he settled into one the high back chairs arranged in the sitting area of the Oval Office. "What's on your mind?"
"Did Abbey seem upset last night when you got upstairs after everyone left?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I noticed she left early from the dinner and that was after she had a conversation with Speaker Haffley."
Jed sat up straighter and leaned toward his Chief of Staff. "Haffley? She was talking with Haffley? Do you know about what?"
Leo shook his head. "No, I don't. I was on my way to ask him but was interrupted several times and by the time I was free, he had already left."
"Leo, tell me everything you saw."
"Not much. When I first saw them, they were speaking. Both were smiling and seemed to be in a deep conversation. Then all of a sudden, I saw Abbey's face turn angry. I guess that's the best way to explain it, and she turned away. Next thing I knew she had left the room."
Jed thought a minute. "That must have been when she came over to me and said she was tired and was going upstairs to bed."
"Did you and her talk when you got upstairs?"
Jed laughed and sat back. "No, I wouldn't say that. I thought she was asleep so when I got into bed and tried to put my arm around her, she slid away from me. And, as you probably can guess, that is different from our norm. When I asked what was wrong, all she said was that she was tired and that we would talk later. Then I got called out early this morning and now she's gone for three weeks." He paused for a minute, then continued. "I wonder what she and Hafferty discussed."
"I have no clue."
"Can you call him and ask him?"
Leo hesitated. He really didn't want to mix the President's personal life with the Republican Speaker's political activities. "Sir, I really think you should ask Abbey what was said. If I ask Haffley, he might wonder why I was asking him about something you could ask Abbey yourself."
"Because I want to know what they discussed."
"Yes, sir. But then again, I think you should just ask Abbey, not the Speaker."
Jed was becoming defensive, even with his very best friend. "Leo, I think you're reading more into this then there is. Abbey is on a trip for three weeks and she will be difficult to reach. You can just pick up the phone, call up to the Speaker's office and ask the Speaker what he and my wife discussed last night. Now, realistically which one is easier?"
Leo realized he was fighting a losing battle. Standing up, he gave in. "Yes, Sir. I'll let you know what he says."
The President stood as well. "Thanks, Leo."
"Yes, Mr. President."