Compromising Positions Read Free Page A

ex-wife. I had zero interest in someone like that. Jessie though… a woman like her is tempting.
    The image made me scour the internet for more photos. Though the majority of pictures were of her in some official capacity, it wasn’t difficult to find shots of her out of “uniform.” She looked like a different person when she was relaxed. I stumbled upon a whole cache of photos on one of her former student’s Facebook page from a kayaking trip she’d taken with a group of Navajo kids the year before. I loved to kayak, and my heart skipped a little as I realized we had something in common.
    In every photo, she wore a modest, black Speedo one-piece bathing suit. The swimsuit wasn’t revealing at all, but it showed enough of her body, which was pretty hot. I especially enjoyed the blowup of her talking to a group of kids because it gave me an accurate view of her behind. She’s got a nice little butt on her. I wonder if she has a boyfriend.
    Happy with my search results, I closed out of the window at once and went back to reading her biography.
    Representative Clark is a person respected by her colleagues for her tenacity and hard work on many important issues. She has a steadfast commitment to improve the quality of education for our children, protect Social Security and Medicare, fight for Native American rights, safeguard our natural heritage, and provide for economic development in rural communities. Having grown up in a military family, she believes in providing the necessary resources, equipment, and compensation for our troops. She is a passionate champion of a woman’s right to choose and a staunch defender against attacks on women’s health and a woman’s right to privacy.
    The Congresswoman is proud to call Tucson home.
    Leaning back in my chair, I stared at the screen. I could have guessed her positions on most issues, and I should have expected her to be pro-choice. It was her zealous explanation of her position on abortion that made me uneasy. I’d long ago separated my personal and political opinions on the issue. The issue was too important to my devout Catholic family and the Republican Party for me to let my personal thoughts get in the way. Frankly, I just didn’t care that much.
    A futile hope crossed my mind that maybe Jessie did the same. Without hesitating, I typed, “Jessica Clark abortion,” in Google. Thousands of hits came up with a variety of quotes from her on the subject:
    “Abortion should be safe, legal, and rare.”
    “Seventy-seven percent of anti-choice leaders are men. 100% of them will never be pregnant.”
    “I’m a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood and the access they provide tens of millions of women to health care and family planning.”
    “Being pro-choice is not being pro-abortion. Being pro-choice is trusting the individual to make the right decision for herself and her family and not entrusting that decision to anyone wearing the authority of government in any regard.”
    With the last quote, there was a photo of Jessie at what looked to be a pro-choice rally. She stood smiling and holding a sign that said, “Keep abortion safe and legal.” Next to her was another woman holding a sign with the words, “Abortion on demand and without apology.”
    I winced at the photo, running my hand through my hair in despair. My mom would kill me if I went out with her.
    Then I scowled at myself. What are you thinking? You want to go out with her ? You’re worried about your mother? What about your divorce for Christ’s sake? What about your seat?
    I glanced at the photo one more time before closing my laptop and pushing it away from me on the desk. She may be interesting. She may be a good person. She may be beautiful. But she’s not right for you. At. All.

CHAPTER TWO
    Jessie
    That same evening, Trish and I walked back in the freezing cold to the house we shared in Eastern Market. When we’d moved to D.C., Trish and Larry bought a row house with a large basement