The Reluctant First Lady Read Free Page A

exuberant audience and music blocked out what individuals were saying, but the camaraderie of those on the stage was evidenced by their smiles, hugs, and claps on the back. Before the world, she and Michael looked like the perfect couple. Michael pulled his family, plus Richard and his family, toward him while photographers snapped pictures of this historic event.
    Amid the excitement, it almost went unnoticed that a reporter shouted a question at Ashley. She ignored him, hoping he would go away.
    The reporter repeated his question. “Mrs. Taylor, what causes do you intend to champion during the next four years in the White House?”
    Ashley winced inwardly, but no outward expression marred her serene expression. She had a choice. She could tell the truth or continue to go along with the lie. Damn it. She’d been dodging questions like this for months about what special causes she intended to champion if her husband were elected. In fact, she’d become a master of evasion, not something she was proud of. Unquestionably the smartest thing to do would be to give the same canned response she’d been giving throughout the campaign. It would be a lie, all of it. But then she wouldn’t be accused of rocking the boat, a boat, she might add, that she knew was taking on a lot of water.
    She was tired of being evasive. She was sick to death of lying by omission. Michael’s managers had convinced her that he wouldn’t be elected if she declared her intentions. But, Michael had been elected. Was it possible that she was making more of this than necessary?
    She leaned toward the reporter and his microphone and began speaking in a quiet, clear voice.
    “First, I’d like to thank everyone here and at home for their incredible support throughout the campaign. I’m extremely proud of Michael and have always believed he’d be a great leader and a great president. The American people have chosen wisely and well this day. As for me, with the election over, I’ll be returning to my job as director of the Cameron Museum of Art in New York. It’s never been my intention to serve as the First Lady. Over half of the families in our country are two-career families. Our family isn’t any different. In fact . . .”
    Ashley felt Michael’s hand on her elbow. “Ashley, just smile and wave. We’re getting off of the stage now.”
    Michael turned to the audience and waved as cheers and applause continued to ripple through the gathered body of well-wishers.
    As soon as they were backstage, Michael turned to Ashley. “What the hell were you thinking, answering that reporter’s question?”
    Ashley was quiet for a moment. She felt like she was having an out-of-body experience. Had she really chosen to answer? She let out a pent-up breath. “I guess I was thinking you’ve been elected and it was okay to be honest. I’ve lived up to my part of the bargain. But, no more. I’m tired of living a lie. I just can’t do it anymore. You strategized every aspect of your campaign, but never once did you discuss how to convey to the public that I wasn’t part of the package. We’ve been over this more times than I can count. Did you think I was kidding?”
    “I hoped that by being on the campaign trail with me, you’d see all the wonderful things you could accomplish and have a change of heart. Now, instead of enjoying my victory, I’ll have to start dealing with damage control.”
    Everyone standing around backstage wasn’t sure what to say. Finally Jeremy broke the silence. “Mom, Dad, we’re gonna head up to our rooms.” Jeremy stepped forward and hugged his mother while his sister simultaneously hugged their father. “We’ll see you both in the morning.”
    Jeremy’s reaction to his parents jump-started the rest of the group into action.
    Richard Hughes turned to Michael. “We’ll need to discuss this as soon as possible.”
    Ed Branton agreed. “We need to meet tonight, right now. I’m quite sure that piece of footage of Ashley