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"Political science is a discipline that studies how people think about politics, how they interact politically, what governmental institutions do, and what effect all of this has on our lives. Politics affects all of us - the education we receive, how our towns and cities are run, how the environment is cared for, how much we pay in taxes, and the economic future we are likely to experience." My professor lectured. "Now, everyone please turn to page…" He was interrupted when someone walked through the doors.
I couldn't see him from this far away but, he looked familiar.
"Mr. White, my name is Ted Stevens, assistant to Senator Bracken. There is a family emergency that Jasper needs to attend to."
"Go on ahead." My professor dismissed me.
I got out of my seat and followed Ted out of the classroom.
"Ted, what's going on?"
"There's been an accident." He whispered as he guided me out of the campus.
"What kind of an accident? Who was in it?"
"There was a car accident. Your mother…"
"Where?" I asked desperately.
"Lennox Hill. Jasper…"
I turned and sprinted down the street. I heard Ted in the distance call my name. I ran faster than I ever did before. My lungs burned and my legs ached. I ran through the people and soon ended up in front of the hospital. I rushed up to the emergency room nurse.
"I'm…looking…for…Sheila Bracken." I said out of breath.
"Right this way." She said guiding me to an empty waiting room where Ted and my father were waiting.
"How is she?" I asked.
"We don't know." My father said.
"Sir, the press are beginning to assemble. Shall I prepare a statement?"
"I'll make the statement when I get news. Why don't you go check security?"
"Yes, sir." And, with that Ted left the room.
"What happened?" I asked, putting my problems with him aside for the sake of my mother.
"The town car your mother was in got t-boned on it's way to a luncheon."
"Do they have a suspect?"
"Hit and run. Nobody yet."
"Son of a…"
"Mr. Bracken, my name is Dr. Phillip Davis. I was the one operating on your wife."
"Is she ok? When can I see her?" I asked.
"I'm very sorry. We did everything possible to save your wife's life. The amount damage done in the accident were fatal. She died on the table."
I fell into the chair, tears cascaded down my face. I just lost my mother. The only one who truly loved me throughout my childhood. The one I depended on. My only family now was my father. That scared me.
I looked at my father whose face was expressionless. I tuned everyone else. My father said something to the doctor and he left. His face showed no emotion. No sadness for the loss of his wife.
"You're not sad?"
He looked over at me.
"You did this." I stated plainly.
His lips curled into a small smile.
"I had to prove to you. That I still held the power and the consequences of it."
"You killed my mother because you had to prove how big of a psychopath you are?"
"I had to get your attention. Plus, the public will see a family united by the loss of our matriarch. They will see us as the underdog that America is."
"I hate you."
"I don't need your love. I need your image. I have to go and make a statement. Come join me in a few." He said giving me one last sadistic smile before leaving the room.
I stood and with all my anger punched the wall. My hand went through and the hot tears began to roll faster.
"Jasper?"
I peered around, pulling my hand out of the wall. It hurt but, not as much as my heart. Alexis was standing in the doorway.
"Alexis." I said in anguish, running to her. She caught me in her arms and instead of holding her, she held me. She played with hairs on my neck as I cried softly into her shoulder.
"I'm so sorry. I heard the news she had an accident over the radio."
"She's dead, Alexis. My mother is dead." I said crying harder.
"I'm sorry." She whispered into my ear.
"Can we get out of here? Please." I pleaded, pulling back and looking at her.
"Yea, come on." She grabbed my hand.
She pulled me along with her through the doors. We walked out and all I saw was camera flashes. All I heard was, Jasper this and Jasper that. It felt like forever until we landed in the safety of the car. The car sped off.
"Hey." She said getting my attention by grabbing my hand. "I'm right here. I'll always be right here."
"I know." I said giving her hand a squeeze. "Where are we going?"
"To the loft."
"I'm not going to be welcomed there."
"You're my boyfriend. They are going to have to get used to it."
We pulled up in front of the apartment building. Alexis pulled me along with her to the door, luckily there were no paparazzi. We rode the elevator up to her floor and she opened the door.
There was no one home at least no one on the first floor. She dragged me into the kitchen and sat me down in a barstool. She quickly got a glass of water for me.
"Are you hungry?" She asked.
"No."
"Ok, do you want to watch a movie?"
"Alexis, all I want to do right now is hold you in my arms."
"Come on." She said holding her hand out.
I took it. She guided me up the steps and passed the hallway that was lined with family photos and large printed book covers. She opened the door of her bedroom and led me inside. She turned and pulled my jacket of my shoulders. She then loosened my tie and unbuttoned my shirt. She shucked it off my shoulders, revealing a white t-shirt.
I lifted the covers and plopped on her bed. She crawled in beside me and tucked her head under my chin.
With her beside me, I fell into a peaceful slumber.