The Founders' Plot

ecky touched Mike’s arm. “Dad, can I ask a question, a favor maybe?”

“What?”

“Well, Patti … actually all three of us were wondering if you could do something about it. I mean her boyfriend’s family.”

Mike spread his hands. “What can I do? They’ve got to get legal status. If not, they might be deported.”

“Can’t you give them some kind of dispensation … a pardon?” Rose asked.

“I can’t do that.”

“But you’re the governor,” Rose said.

“Yeah, but I can’t just pass out pardons and dispensation willy-nilly. I’m the governor, not the Pope.”

“Well,” Rose responded, “how about having them apply for citizenship and you kind of pushing it through fast without a lot of questions asked?”

“No, honey. I won’t do that. It’s not right. They have to get in line like all the others. I don’t play games like that, and you know it.”

“And,” Josephine added, “what if it comes out that the governor, who made illegal immigration his crusade, is cheating for a family whose son his daughter is in love with? The hypocrisy would stink to high heaven.”

Becky pursed her lips. “Well, I guess that’s it. Sorry about the blowup.”

“Ah,” Mike said and smiled. “What family doesn’t have its little spats now and then?”

They laughed and when the girls left Mike and Josephine sat on the patio.

“Jo, did you—”

“I already told you. I didn’t know anything about this. I was as surprised as you.”

“All right. And thanks for not piling on. The three of them were enough. Hell, Patti was enough.”

“They’re scared, Mike, especially Patti because of her boyfriend.”

“I know. But it’s too late to back off now.”

“I figured, particularly after your press conference and those interviews. You won’t give an inch. I’d like to be in your corner. So would the girls. But—”

“I know. And I understand. I don’t expect you all to be cheerleaders for me, but I really don’t want to go through anything like this again. If you can’t stand by me, at least don’t stand against me. That girl. I swear she’s always got to me more than the other two combined.”

Josephine sat next to him. She glanced down and her eyebrows furrowed. “What if her boyfriend’s family goes to Mexico? You think she’d go with them?”

Mike lowered his head. “Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.”