said, addressing the house full of Democrats, half of them students, âto rue yesterdayâs political news. Youâre here to celebrate tomorrowâs political news.â Henri found herself gripping the wrist of Justin, who was carried away by the proceedings, clapping boisterously whenever the audience gave him a lead with its applause. âYouâre here to listen to a young shining star in the Democratic pantheon.â Atkins paused theatrically.
âNow let me tell you about Reuben Hardwick Castle. Going back not that longâjust fifteen, twenty yearsâhe was the most prominent member of his class at the University of North Dakota. Editor in chief of the student newspaper, chairman of the Student Council. He was brave in denouncing the war, but he refused to shield himself from it. He even put off law school, waiting till after his military service to begin law studies at the University of Illinois, all of this so that he could do what he thought was his duty.â The applause had been dutiful, but now was proud.
âHe was, fortunately, spared the bloody end so many members of his generation suffered in that terrible war under the leadership of President Nixon. He returned home safely, entering law school the following September. But he didnât complete his studiesâin good conscience he couldnât complete his studies while he saw the terrible shape his country was in. He was drawn to public life, to do what any good citizen would doâputhis God-given talents to work in order to serve his country.â There was a ripple of applause.
âHold your applause, please, ladies and gentlemen, gathered in this hall of this distinguished universityâit gets better. When he was out here in Colorado on a speaking tour for the Democratic Party, he met and soon afterward married a young lady who had been Miss Colorado âand then had gone on to become Miss America !â There was substantial applause.
âElle est ici?â Justin whispered to his mother.
âOn ne sait pas, Justin.â
âJe voudrais la voir.â
âOn verra.â They would soon know whether Mrs. Castle was there.
âPriscilla Castle is the mother of a fine young man, and if heâs lucky, one day in just a few years heâll be a student at the University of Coloradoââ There was enthusiastic applause. âAnd if he does enter this university, I know heâll end up a proud member of the Democratic Caucus.â The applause now was sustained.
âReuben Castle was elected first as North Dakotaâs sole member of the House of Representatives, where I am honored to serve as one of Coloradoâs proud delegation.â The applause had now thinned out. âOnly six years ago, he was elected to the Senate, replacing a long-serving Republican. He easily won reelection last fall.
âSo! Iâm delighted tonight to introduce this great young Democrat. And just to show the special esteem he has for the University of Coloradoââthe speaker was slowing down the words he spoke and augmenting the volume with which hespoke themââhe has brought with him Miss America âshe is still that, always Miss America, as far as the citizens of Colorado are concerned!â
The congressman turned on his heel and gestured to the people seated on the stage behind him.
Justin felt the sudden pressure of his motherâs hand. âQuâestce que câest, Maman?â
â Nothing. Quiet. â Her eyes were fixed on the stage. Had she spoken too sharply to her son? She would make up for it.
âQuiet, darling,â she said, her tone softened.
CHAPTER 12
Boulder, February 1987
Amy dropped her handwritten letter off at Henriâs apartment early the next morning. The envelope was marked: En route to Aspen, skiing. The lettering on the envelope was large and distinctive.
The missive read, âGlad you came last night! I spotted
âNow let me tell you about Reuben Hardwick Castle. Going back not that longâjust fifteen, twenty yearsâhe was the most prominent member of his class at the University of North Dakota. Editor in chief of the student newspaper, chairman of the Student Council. He was brave in denouncing the war, but he refused to shield himself from it. He even put off law school, waiting till after his military service to begin law studies at the University of Illinois, all of this so that he could do what he thought was his duty.â The applause had been dutiful, but now was proud.
âHe was, fortunately, spared the bloody end so many members of his generation suffered in that terrible war under the leadership of President Nixon. He returned home safely, entering law school the following September. But he didnât complete his studiesâin good conscience he couldnât complete his studies while he saw the terrible shape his country was in. He was drawn to public life, to do what any good citizen would doâputhis God-given talents to work in order to serve his country.â There was a ripple of applause.
âHold your applause, please, ladies and gentlemen, gathered in this hall of this distinguished universityâit gets better. When he was out here in Colorado on a speaking tour for the Democratic Party, he met and soon afterward married a young lady who had been Miss Colorado âand then had gone on to become Miss America !â There was substantial applause.
âElle est ici?â Justin whispered to his mother.
âOn ne sait pas, Justin.â
âJe voudrais la voir.â
âOn verra.â They would soon know whether Mrs. Castle was there.
âPriscilla Castle is the mother of a fine young man, and if heâs lucky, one day in just a few years heâll be a student at the University of Coloradoââ There was enthusiastic applause. âAnd if he does enter this university, I know heâll end up a proud member of the Democratic Caucus.â The applause now was sustained.
âReuben Castle was elected first as North Dakotaâs sole member of the House of Representatives, where I am honored to serve as one of Coloradoâs proud delegation.â The applause had now thinned out. âOnly six years ago, he was elected to the Senate, replacing a long-serving Republican. He easily won reelection last fall.
âSo! Iâm delighted tonight to introduce this great young Democrat. And just to show the special esteem he has for the University of Coloradoââthe speaker was slowing down the words he spoke and augmenting the volume with which hespoke themââhe has brought with him Miss America âshe is still that, always Miss America, as far as the citizens of Colorado are concerned!â
The congressman turned on his heel and gestured to the people seated on the stage behind him.
Justin felt the sudden pressure of his motherâs hand. âQuâestce que câest, Maman?â
â Nothing. Quiet. â Her eyes were fixed on the stage. Had she spoken too sharply to her son? She would make up for it.
âQuiet, darling,â she said, her tone softened.
CHAPTER 12
Boulder, February 1987
Amy dropped her handwritten letter off at Henriâs apartment early the next morning. The envelope was marked: En route to Aspen, skiing. The lettering on the envelope was large and distinctive.
The missive read, âGlad you came last night! I spotted
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