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Authors: Venita Ellick
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didn’t want to think about it. She needed to get away from all of this turmoil.
Despite everything she’d said, the urge to give in, to run to him and make things better was overwhelming. The stress was a tangible force to reckon with. Well, standing here feeling sorry for herself wasn’t going to change anything. She needed to move. She needed to get back to New York and to as normal a life as possible, given the fact that her husband had just been elected president.
Ashley picked up the phone and dialed Jeremy’s and Juliette’s extension. “Hi, it’s Mom. Can you come up for a minute? I’m leaving for New York sooner than I expected, and I want to say goodbye.”
“We’ll be right there,” Jeremy answered.
A few moments later, they were all sitting around the suite’s living room, strain showing on all of their faces.
“This isn’t easy to talk about, but I want you to know what’s going on. Your dad and I need some time away from one another. We’re not splitting up; nothing like that has ever been discussed. We simply need a break from one another for a while. He has his work, and I need to get back to mine. I want you to prepare yourself for the possibility of some nasty rumors that the media may create. They’ll undoubtedly be vicious and hurtful. You know you can call your dad or me and ask us the truth if you’re really concerned about something.
“The sooner I get back to work, and the sooner your dad can start putting his transition plans into action, the better it will be for all of us. So I’m leaving for New York this afternoon as soon as I’m packed.
“I think the next few days and weeks are going to be crucial as to how all of this gets hammered out. I’m planning on taking it one day at a time, and hoping . . .”
“Mom, we know,” Juliette interrupted. “We knew this was going to be messy. You and Dad want different things right now. We know how high the stakes are.”
Ashley nodded. “I’d change things if I could, but I can’t commit to something I’d hate.”
Jeremy stressed, “We’re not kids anymore, Mom. We’ll handle what comes our way. I don’t like some of the changes that will happen in my life, but the last thing you need to do is worry about us.”
“Wouldn’t it be great if I could say I wouldn’t worry about you and really mean it? Fat chance. Worrying 101 is a special class we had to take during parent training or they wouldn’t let us take you home from the hospital.
“I’ll give you a call when I get back to New York and get settled in, and please call me when you get back to school. I love you guys. Now, give me a hug and off you go.”
As Ashley watched her children walk down the hall to the elevator, she noticed the Secret Service agents following them and the ones stationed outside the door. Addressing them, she said, “I’m flying back to New York immediately. Would you make any necessary changes that are needed for my departure? I’ll be ready to go as soon as I write my husband a note.”
Ashley sat down at the dining room table to compose a note to Michael. What could she say that hadn’t already been said? Still, she didn’t want to leave without saying something. It was bad enough that they weren’t saying their goodbyes in person, but she couldn’t stomach any more of Michael’s disapproving looks. How she could convey some hope in her words?
Dear Michael,
I can’t think of anything else to say for now, only that I love you. There’s no point in rehashing this over and over; we’ve done enough of that already. We’re just going in circles, so I’m returning to work.
I know you’re going to be extremely busy in the coming days, but please find time to stay in touch and I’ll do the same. Maybe given some time and space, we’ll both be blessed with new insights that our emotions are presently hiding.
I love you,
Ashley
10
While Ashley was en route to New York, Michael was trying to remove the railroad spike
Despite everything she’d said, the urge to give in, to run to him and make things better was overwhelming. The stress was a tangible force to reckon with. Well, standing here feeling sorry for herself wasn’t going to change anything. She needed to move. She needed to get back to New York and to as normal a life as possible, given the fact that her husband had just been elected president.
Ashley picked up the phone and dialed Jeremy’s and Juliette’s extension. “Hi, it’s Mom. Can you come up for a minute? I’m leaving for New York sooner than I expected, and I want to say goodbye.”
“We’ll be right there,” Jeremy answered.
A few moments later, they were all sitting around the suite’s living room, strain showing on all of their faces.
“This isn’t easy to talk about, but I want you to know what’s going on. Your dad and I need some time away from one another. We’re not splitting up; nothing like that has ever been discussed. We simply need a break from one another for a while. He has his work, and I need to get back to mine. I want you to prepare yourself for the possibility of some nasty rumors that the media may create. They’ll undoubtedly be vicious and hurtful. You know you can call your dad or me and ask us the truth if you’re really concerned about something.
“The sooner I get back to work, and the sooner your dad can start putting his transition plans into action, the better it will be for all of us. So I’m leaving for New York this afternoon as soon as I’m packed.
“I think the next few days and weeks are going to be crucial as to how all of this gets hammered out. I’m planning on taking it one day at a time, and hoping . . .”
“Mom, we know,” Juliette interrupted. “We knew this was going to be messy. You and Dad want different things right now. We know how high the stakes are.”
Ashley nodded. “I’d change things if I could, but I can’t commit to something I’d hate.”
Jeremy stressed, “We’re not kids anymore, Mom. We’ll handle what comes our way. I don’t like some of the changes that will happen in my life, but the last thing you need to do is worry about us.”
“Wouldn’t it be great if I could say I wouldn’t worry about you and really mean it? Fat chance. Worrying 101 is a special class we had to take during parent training or they wouldn’t let us take you home from the hospital.
“I’ll give you a call when I get back to New York and get settled in, and please call me when you get back to school. I love you guys. Now, give me a hug and off you go.”
As Ashley watched her children walk down the hall to the elevator, she noticed the Secret Service agents following them and the ones stationed outside the door. Addressing them, she said, “I’m flying back to New York immediately. Would you make any necessary changes that are needed for my departure? I’ll be ready to go as soon as I write my husband a note.”
Ashley sat down at the dining room table to compose a note to Michael. What could she say that hadn’t already been said? Still, she didn’t want to leave without saying something. It was bad enough that they weren’t saying their goodbyes in person, but she couldn’t stomach any more of Michael’s disapproving looks. How she could convey some hope in her words?
Dear Michael,
I can’t think of anything else to say for now, only that I love you. There’s no point in rehashing this over and over; we’ve done enough of that already. We’re just going in circles, so I’m returning to work.
I know you’re going to be extremely busy in the coming days, but please find time to stay in touch and I’ll do the same. Maybe given some time and space, we’ll both be blessed with new insights that our emotions are presently hiding.
I love you,
Ashley
10
While Ashley was en route to New York, Michael was trying to remove the railroad spike
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