MIKE APPROACHED THE main entrance of the governor’s mansion, but took a step back before walking in. He pursed his lips as he stepped inside and went to the patio where Josephine was reading.
“Home on time,” she said. “I could get used to that.”
Mike sat on the lounge chair next to her and kissed her cheek. “Thought I’d give myself a break.”
“Good idea.”
“I get those now and then. What’s for dinner?”
“Pot roast is in the oven.”
“Sounds good.”
He started to speak, then hesitated.
Josephine squinted. “Something wrong? Is this about work?”
“Kind of,” Mike said and looked away.
She put the book on the patio table. “Okay. What is it, Mike? Education reform? The road and bridge construction bill you’re trying to push through?”
“No. It’s not that.”
“Oh. The budget. Well, you’ve got too many people in your own party fighting you on that. You know, Mike, maybe you should slow down a bit. All this doesn’t have to be done overnight.”
“It’s something else.”
She hesitated and tilted her head. “All right, let’s have it.”
“It’s about the supreme court ruling.”
“What about it? You’re off the hook. You did what you said you would. But the court struck down the law. It’s not your fault. The people can’t blame you.”
“I’m going to hold a press conference tomorrow.” He took a deep breath. “I’ll announce that I’m going to ignore the ruling.”
Josephine’s jaw dropped. “You’re going to what?”
“I’m not going to obey the court. I’m going to keep enforcing the law.”
“What! Are you kidding me?”
“No. I’m dead serious.”
“Can you do that?”
“Yes, I can, and I’m determined to do it.”
She stood and stepped away, her back to him. “That’s crazy, Mike. That’s insane. You can’t just disregard a supreme court order. Why would you do that? Haven’t you got enough on your plate?”
“It needs to be done. You know how I feel about federal courts being out of line.”
“But why you?”
“Someone has to, babe. It’s got to be done, and I’m going to do it.”
Mike got up and walked to her. He clasped her shoulders. “Try to understand, Jo.”
“I’m trying. I’m trying. Believe me. But this is quite a bomb you dropped.” She shook her head. “This is folly. I’m sorry, but it is.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
She spun around to him. “Don’t worry! Don’t worry! How can I not worry?” She threw her hands in the air. “My husband is going to defy the supreme law of the land, and I shouldn’t worry?”
“The Constitution is the supreme law of the land,” Mike corrected. “The court just interprets it.”
“Oh, don’t be so fuckin’ technical. You know what I meant.”
Mike smiled. “I just it love it when you talk dirty.”
She pushed him away. “Jokes. Now you’ve got to make jokes.”
“I wasn’t joking.”
“Oh, stop it,” she said and sat back down. “I don’t get this. And I don’t like it.” She paused. “Are you still thinking about your mother’s eviction? Mike, that was a long time ago. And it all worked out well. Why can’t you just let it go?”
Mike shook his head. “It’s not that simple, Jo. You’ve heard John and I talk about this. It’s got to stop.”
Josephine looked down. “Mike, I wish I could say I’m behind you on this. But I can’t. I just can’t. This concerns me big time. Can’t you just amend the law or get a new one that won’t get struck down?”
“No. That won’t fly. And I’m not going to do it.” Mike sat next to her. “You’ve got to trust me on this, babe.”
“Sure. But I know what this is going to do to you. You’re burning yourself out as it is, and now you take this on. It makes no sense. You’re already in a pressure cooker, and now you’re going to turn up the heat. How am I supposed to feel about that?”
Mike sucked his lips tightly into his teeth. She’d been harping for months about working himself too hard, and he was tired of it. “Oh, stop with the pressure-cooker shit! I’ve heard enough of that.”
Josephine’s shoulders slumped, and she lowered her gaze. “See what I mean, Mike? See what you just said and how you said it? That’s not you, Mike. That’s the job grinding you down, stressing you out. And I don’t like it.” She stood and walked to the patio door.
Mike walked after her. “Okay, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. But there are things happening. Especially important things—”
“More important than our marriage? Mike, I feel like I’m a sideshow in your life.”
“That’s not true, and you know it.”
“Why don’t you pour yourself a drink and relax. The pot roast is almost ready. Help yourself. I’m not very hungry,” she said and walked inside.
Mike sat back in the lounge chair and rubbed his temples. This was what he’d feared, what he’d wanted to avoid, wishing he knew where all this was going, wondering how badly it would endanger his marriage.
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