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.And she didn’t have many, since she was so meticulous and avoided debt as much as she could.Odds were good she would have paid this charge off in another week anyway.So what was going on? All of the cards? One was a fluke.All of them was a conspiracy.“I don’t understand…” Brenda was in near tears, and Kerri had to pat her mother’s shoulder again to keep her contained.“I don’t!”In the end, Kerri handed over her one credit card and paid the rest in debit.Her mother promised over and over that she would pay her back as soon as possible.I’m sure.Kerri didn’t doubt her mother’s true intent.But she did doubt what was going on with this money crap.“First there isn’t enough money in the bank for your trip…” Brenda said while they rode back home in the car.“Then I tried to pay our tab at the country club the other day and it wouldn’t take.I also couldn’t figure out why I had to pay off that one credit card so quickly… and now this? Do you know what’s going on?”Kerri shrugged.She didn’t like to see her mother so upset, but it wasn’t like she had a clue what to say.I don’t meddle in their affairs.In turn she wished they wouldn’t meddle in hers.Brenda finally broke down into a sob as they pulled into the driveway.Both mother and daughter remained in the car long after the driver put it in park and went inside to get Raymond.“He has to know…” Brenda rubbed her nose with the back of her hand.Suddenly her delicate perm and light makeup looked more mussed than fuss.“Your father has to know what’s going on.He’s the only other person with access to those cards.Unless… unless someone is stealing from us… oh God, I always worry about this stuff when it comes to campaigns! So many of these interns I don’t know running in and out… who knows who has access to what!”All Kerri knew was that she had nothing to do with it.One of the only sad truths she had.Chapter 6The first major debate of the year may have been a town hall format, but it was held in the largest auditorium at the local university.Thousands of people wanted in, but only a few hundred from the public – all carefully checked, of course – were allowed, and they now swarmed the auditorium with a buzz of excitement.The media took up residence in the front row, where video cameras, news reporters, and the high definition photo cameras flashed every few minutes.The second, slightly raised row was reserved for campaigners and their families.The front private balconies overlooking the stage were for the Mitchells and the Halls, and that night Hunter had a lovely view of his girlfriend as she sat in the balcony across from him.“Don’t look so sad,” Ronnie said when they had a little privacy.The campaigners were too busy arguing among themselves to pay mother and son in their seats any mind.“I’m not sad.” Quite the opposite.Hunter had his opera glasses fixed on Kerri’s face as she took a moment to do her makeup.You’re lovely as you are.Kerri caught a glance of him, smiled, and took right to her phone.Within a few seconds Hunter felt his pocket buzz from a text message.“I have no idea why you would think I’m sad.”Ronnie pursed her lips and had a look at Kerri as well.“I have to hand it to you, she is pretty.Prettier than her mother, anyway.”Hunter didn’t know what to say to that.He couldn’t say he looked at Brenda a lot.“As much as I wish I could say have at it,” Ronnie continued, “I’m afraid that it truly is foolish to pursue such a relationship.But like you said, you’re an adult, and if you want to ruin your father’s campaign you’ll go right on ahead.”Not listening.Ronnie always had a flair for dramatics when she wanted to.Hunter pressed the opera glasses against his eyes again, smiling in Kerri’s direction – until Brenda leaned into view with a scowl the size of Alaska plastered on her Botox.Impressive.“Well, family,” Terrence said as he pushed his way into the balcony, his self-satisfaction permeating the people around him, “I’m off to win the hearts of everyone watching at home.I know I already have your hearts.Not that I don’t need them, but this is an easy audience!”Everyone laughed except for Hunter.His eyes wandered the crowd below, trying to ascertain who was there for whom.Sure, there were some undecided voters in the audience, but most of them had been selected due to their loyalty to one extreme or the other.They would frame their questions based on who they wanted to win – who they wanted to look good answering, while making the other flounder.Once upon a time Hunter had played that part for an election in some other state.Terrence kissed his wife on the head and patted Hunter on the shoulder before going off for his grand debating adventure.Hunter crossed one leg over the other, ignoring his mother’s berating that he should sit up straight in case one of the reporters snapped a photo of him sitting like that.The horror.He doubted anyone cared.There was still some time to kill before the start of the debate.It did not help that they couldn’t start until the sound checks were completed, which required multiple volunteers getting up on the stage and doing some songs and dances while the video cameras and booms adjusted.Instead of subjecting himself to that torture, Hunter peered at the audience once more, and had a surprise when he saw Holly the girl sitting in fifth row, a piece of paper clenched in her hand.Interesting.Hunter had never asked his father about the girl’s visit.Sometimes he forgot it, until something like this reminded him of her appearance at the Hall house all those days ago.He then looked at the woman sitting next to Holly.Just a woman, presumably the girl’s mother [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]