AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I let out a sharp bark.
“Are you kidding sweetheart? Not since Richard Nixon has a President of the United States resigned from office. I don’t exactly want to follow in the steps of Tricky Dick, if you get what I mean.”
She shook her head.
“Yes, I get it,” the female spoke. “But you’re so unhappy. Doesn’t that count for something? You can’t live life like this, stewing non-stop in your fancy suits. It’s not worth it Thomas. Life isn’t meant to be lived like this.”
I took a deep breath because how could I make her understand? I’m the President, for crying out loud. How could I just turn my back on the people who had elected me?
But on the other hand, Susie had a point. I hate my life. I hate getting up in the morning, my heart heavy with dread. I hate putting on these goddamn suits that all look the same, while making nice with diplomats who can’t wait until I’m gone. I hate the cameras, the endless news coverage, and the media barons, all who want to bring me down. I hate them all. So to my own surprise, I nodded.
“I’ll think about it,” came my low voice. “Because shit, I really want to quit.”
She nodded.
“We all do sometimes,” she said. “And there’s no shame in quitting, so long as the circumstances are right. Because we’re not here on Earth to hate every minute of existence, Thomas. We’re humans. We’re meant to be happy, and it’s our right to pursue happiness in life. Isn’t that what the Declaration of Independence says? And you’ve suffered enough. You never asked for this, and it was only through sheer chance that the office landed on you. So maybe it’s time to throw in the towel. Be happy, Thomas. Start your life over because you deserve it.”
And holy hell, but Susie’s words moved me. How did the girl do it? Somehow, her sentences stirred my soul deep within, tapping into what I really wanted. Because I was sick of this city. I was sick of this office and the in-fighting and squabbles, large and small, that happened each day. I was sick of the ceaseless demands, the non-stop traveling, and the rubber chicken dinners. I wanted peace and happiness once more, and becoming a private citizen was the first step on that path.
So I took her hands in mine.
“If I do it,” came my low growl. “Will you come with me? Because sweetheart, you mean the world to me. It doesn’t matter that you dance for a living. It doesn’t matter if you’re green, blue, or purple with polka dots. What matters is that we love each other, and want to be together.”
Susie looked at me then with light and adoration in her eyes.
“Yes, I’ll come with you, Mr. President.” She took a deep breath. “Because ultimately, it doesn’t matter to me if you’re the president or not. What matters is that I, Susie Hemphill, love you, Thomas Burke, and I want to be with you. So yes, Mr. President. Take that as my agreement.”
And with that, I lowered my head to her sweet pout, taking the little girl’s lips. Because these were the words that I needed to hear, a balm over my sore heart. This woman would be with me through thick and thin, even if I rejected the highest office in the land. She didn’t care about keeping up with the Joneses, or about the trappings of success. She wanted to be with me because true love is the way to happiness, and we were destined to walk the path together.
So yes, despite our unconventional beginnings, the starlet and the President found their way together. It was crazy, our first meeting taking place in a seedy joint called the Pink Flamingo. But you know what? It’s no crazier than on-line dating or using a matchmaker. And what’s important is that my true love is in my arms … for better or worse, richer or poorer, until death do us part.
