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"Hello?" I said putting the phone up to my ear.
"Hey, you never called. I got worried." Alexis said
"Sorry. I have a lot of things on my plate. I have been making calls to campaign managers, financial advisors, and lawyers all afternoon…" I said looking at my watch. "And night."
"It's fine. Are you hungry?" I said hearing background voices.
"Yea, I could use a break. Where are you at?"
"The Old Haunt with my dad, Kate, and their friends. Do you want to meet me over here?"
"Yea, let me change. I'll be right over." I said hanging up. I stood from the table and walking into my bedroom. I threw on a pair of jeans and a casual black sweater. I quickly put on my jacket and grabbed my wallet and was out the door.
I stepped into the tavern and looked around for Alexis. She saw me first and quickly waved to get my attention.
"Hey." I said walking up to her, she stood as I did so.
"Hey." She staid taking my hand and pecking me on the cheek. "Jasper, this is Detectives Javier Esposito and Kevin Ryan. And, well you know everyone else." She said motioning to Lanie, Kate, and Castle.
"Good to meet you both. Good to see all of you as well." I said shaking both of their hands.
"You too." They said in unison.
Alexis sat me down next to her in the large, round booth. Under the table, she grabbed my hand and squeezed. I looked at her and she gazed up at me. We were in out world.
"How did your meetings go?" She asked.
"I'll tell you later."
She only nodded.
"So Jasper, where do you work?" The latino asked me from across the table.
"I used to work at the Mayor's office but, I have something new coming up."
"Like what?" Castle asked, his curiosity getting the best of him.
"I'm preparing to run for city council."
"Wow, good for you."
"Thank you, Sir."
"What will you be doing for the holiday?" Lanie asked.
"I have interviews for campaign managers and other positions that I need. Probably take the whole day." I saw Alexis's face fall.
"Excuse me, would you like a drink?" The waiter asked.
"Just a water." I turned back to the table. "Did you guys order already?"
"Yea, we did." Alexis said. "I ordered for you."
"Thanks." I said with a smile. Our moment stopping when my phone rang. "Excuse me, I need to take this." I said getting out of the booth. "What?" I siad walking to the bar. I felt the whole table's eyes on me.
"Who do you think you are making funeral arrangements behind my back?" My father's ragged voice came over the phone.
"I'm not her murderer. That's for damn sure. Why do you care anyway?"
"I'm at a dinner and everyone is asking me questions about the funeral that was planned and I had no idea."
"You got an invite. Did you R.S.V.P.?" I asked sarcastically.
"We are not having a funeral in a funeral home. We will have it outside."
"Those are what funeral home's are used for aren't they? Besides, she's my mother. You're opinion or suggestions don't matter. I make the decisions and I don't know if you noticed but it's cold outside." I said my voice raising an octave in rage.
"Listen Jasper, you're walking a thin line." He said in a hushed tone.
"I'll be happy to hand you a pair of scissors." I said hanging up. As I turned around, the table's eyes looked away, except for Alexis's.
"Everything ok?" She said as I approached the table.
"Fine." I said. "You know what I need to go."
"Jasper, don't approach him." She said in pleading tone.
"I'll call you later." I said as I walked up to the bar and cancelled my order. Paying everyone's tab while I was there also.
I stepped out onto the deserted sidewalk and started walking to Central Park. The streets were busy tonight due to the setup of the annual parade that made the City the top tourist destination tomorrow. My phone rang, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Bracken."
"Hi, Mr. Bracken. This Emily White returning your phone call about an open campaign manager position." A young lady's voice answered.
"Ah, yes. Miss White. I'm glad that you called back."
"I'm glad that you called me. Sorry for it being so late. How about we have coffee tomorrow morning and we can discuss the position a little more?"
"Sounds good."
"I'll email the you place and time." She said hanging up.
"Meetings, meetings, that's all I ever do." I said to myself as I began to walk home.
I was late, more than late. I woke up to the sound of my phone alerting me of an email, instead of my alarm. Darn that am and pm button. I quickly took a shower and threw on a black suit. Rushing out the door with the tips of my hair falling in front my eyes. I quickly hailed a cab and paid the driver extra to do a little over the speed limit.
"Mr. Bracken over here." I heard a woman call my name as I rushed into the Starbucks.
"Miss White, it's a pleasure." I said shaking her hand. She was older than me, yet younger than forty. She was pretty but she was nothing compared to Alexis. Her hair was blonde and she had brown eyes. I preferred a certain red-head with blue eyes.
"Pleasure is all mine, Mr. Bracken. Shall we?" She said motioning towards the chair.
"Getting cold outside isn't it."
"Very. We're actually supposed to get some snow next week."
"Great, I love snow." I said rubbing my hands together.
"Let's get down to business shall we?" She said opening her back and pulling out her resume.
"I won't be needing that. I already know that you're highly qualified. The Mayor himself recommended you."
"Of course he did. So, what are you running for?"
"City Council. Start small work your way up."
"Exactly. I have won many city council elections for my clients."
"That's great. I won't need to see anything else. If Bob thinks you're good then you're good. When can you start?"
"We should start as soon possible. But, I have to warn as your campaign manager. I will have some constructive criticism. Can you handle it?"
"Sure."
"Ok, first, you need a haircut. You're hair looks to childish it's not going to ease the minds of the voters."
"Well, I kind of didn't have time to do anything to it."
"You need to get a haircut. You need to look sophisticated, classy, elegant. Like a leader. You don't see Weldon running around with a hair falling in front of his eyes."
"Well, Weldon doesn't have any." I said smartly.
"Come on, we are getting you a haircut. I know just the place. Then we will go to an interview I set up with my friend who is a financial advisor, since you're going to need one." She said grabbing her cup and strolling out of the coffee shop.
Hours later, I had bought new suits, gotten a haircut, and received advice that sounded more like commands. The financial advisor interview and lawyer meetings she had set up were a success. Donald Long and Carl Murphy were the new additions to my campaign team. So, overall the day was a success and I was dead tired.
I had told Ms. White to call it a day as I walked up the steps of my apartment building, leaving her on the sidewalk. She had told me that she would be wanting to announce my candidacy after the funeral on Sunday, so that the media would not hound me on that day.
Thanksgiving Day was almost over and I sat home alone eating out of a Chinese take-out carton. Alexis had not called and I hadn't called her either, leaving her the day to her family.
I turned on the TV, flipping through the channels till the devil himself was on the screen. I must be catching the tail-end of the interview. He was sitting across from Barbara Walters on the couch in my family home.
"What is the trait you deplore the most in people?" She asked him.
"People that do not tell the truth."
"Ha." I laughed out loud.
"On what occasion do you lie?" She asked him.
"All the time." I said out loud.
They must be at the interesting part of the interview. Where she tries to make him sweat with hard questions. He never does though.
"When it hurts other people. I think it is ok to lie to your loved ones when it is going to hurt in the end. The truth hurts and it's not helpful in some situations."
"Great answer someone should give you an award." I said turning the TV off. Not having anymore time or patience to watch him lie.
Before I fell asleep, I checked my phone. I had many missed calls from Alexis. I call her in the morning, it's late anyway. I plopped onto the bed and kicked off my shoes. Falling into a deep sleep while thinking how greatly my life had changed.