With about a month left until the election, it certainly looks like the Mayor has his re-election in the bag. Since his announcement of his wife's pregnancy, he's launched a vast array of proposals designed to better support the working women of the city-a demographic that he's struggled with in the past. Is it going to be enough to push him over the edge? Well, let's just say this; if the Mayor plays his cards right, he may actually end up not just winning, but winning with such a landslide vote that he'll go into the next term with the people of the city united behind him.
But before you start getting comfortable and thinking that it's time to move on to the next thing competing for your attention, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't say that I think there's still questions that need to be answered. Isn't it just a little too convenient that this baby is on the way right before the election? And does Hizzoner have any secrets that could end up coming out at the eleventh hour that might take away from his baby bump? A lot can happen in a little under four weeks-and there's still a lot of balls in the air, so don't get too comfortable, Gotham. Till we know more, this is Amanda Adams signing off. Keep your ears open, New York.
48
Jocelyn
"This city was built on the values of family," Michael says to an approving audience. "And it's gotten us through the tough times. We will only be great by continuing to cherish our values and holding ourselves to a higher standard!"
I look toward the clapping and cheering audience. They're enthusiastically holding signs that read "Bring Back Our Values" and "Anders - Character Counts."
If they only knew.
"I pledge that my second term in office will see the restoration of the old values that made this city the center of the world," Michael declares. "And that people who flout those values don't get a free pass while the rest of the city follows the rules and plays fairly."
People nod and clap. Michael looks over in my direction. It's just for a second and it's a fleeting glance but I know he's checking on me.
I bring my hands to clap and give a weak smile. It should be enough to let me continue to blend in the background.
Besides, I'm the pregnant wife, remember? I can be excused for having to leave. Or wanting to sit down.
Don't think I haven't thought about it.
Every. Single. Morning.
Just saying that I can't make it due to the pregnancy. That I can't stand next to this man and smile and clap while he tells the people of the city how much values are important to him.
"My friends, if every one of us cherished the same family values that are under assault, we'd have a stronger, more vibrant city without spending a single cent!"
The crowd loves this. Not surprising. They see a charismatic leader with his pregnant wife standing next to him and they think he's figured out this world. Well, he's figured it out alright. He's figured out the art of manipulation. Of blackmail and deceit.
"I know that I personally am a stronger candidate since Jocelyn got pregnant," Michael says, running out the tired phrase all over again. He's got to remind New Yorkers about his pregnant wife. In case they missed it on the ads that are on the subways, buses, and taxis. Or the commercials playing on television. "She tells me I have to be home by 8 pm so you know what it makes me do? It makes me work harder and get up earlier. So I can be there for her exclusively in the evening."
Yesterday Michael didn't even come home in the evening. I only saw him this morning, wearing the same clothes. He looked well rested and I knew he had been with someone else. He didn't even think to explain it to me. He just nodded in my direction and went to shower as I watched him silently.
As he was showering, I looked at his clothes. I still remember the smell of the cologne. It took me all of two seconds to know where I've smelled it before-that's Kenneth's signature fragrance.
I mean, how many times has Lance told you about Michael cheating on me. How many times have I?
But I'm sorry, hon. I don't mean to come across like what I just sounded like. I'm not trying to be a bitch.
And before you tell me it's okay, I'm not upset that Michael is cheating on me with a man. I'm really okay with that part, if you can believe that. I mean, God works in mysterious ways. If Michael is attracted to Kenneth, or to another man, me spreading my legs and flashing my tits isn't going to work on him. Considering that he's never even kissed me, I don't really feel betrayed or hurt.
No, what really riles me more than anything else is that Michael gets to go have his fun while the one man that I want-that I crave-is out of my reach. The one man …
"Lance, my son," Michael booms and just hearing that name snaps me back to reality. I don't really care what crock of bullshit Michael's feeding them. I want Lance. I want his arms around me. I want him squeezing me against his hard body. I want to feel his giant cock pulsing against my pussy as he grabs my ass and squeezes it. I want that salty semen of his to fill me up, like it has so many times. I want to ride him until he makes me cum and the world's problems melt away.
And then afterwards, I want him to hold me as I bask in contented satisfaction. In his arms, I know that I was happy.
"Lance," Michael continues. "Couldn't be here today, because he's doing some important work for the campaign in the Bronx, but I'm sure that even he would agree that his life has turned around greatly since he's come home and had the stability of family."
Now that's a low blow. Michael not only neglected his stepson to the point where Lance acted out. But now he's taking credit for Lance's turnaround?
You know what, I really don't care anymore. I miss the man who's the love of my life. But I can't be with him because I'm blackmailed into staying in a loveless marriage. To have a baby for a man that's hiding his identity from the world.
"Lance would be the first person to agree that a happy, trusting, and honest home is what makes him successful," Michael says.
I can't help but scowl. There are times that I hate this man. They seem to be happening more and more frequently. If there was only some way to get out of …
"Not liking what you hear?" a voice whispers into my ear.
It's too low to be caught by the crowds or the cameras.
I turn around slightly to see Kenneth standing next to me.
My first thought is if it looks odd that Kenneth is talking to me during Michael's speech. But after doing plenty of these campaign stops I realize that form the crowd it'll only look like logistical discussions between members of the campaign. They're fixated on Michael's oratory. Not on me.
"Did you not hear me, Mrs. Anders?" Kenneth asks again. "I know you're not the biggest fan of the Mayor."
Now my body freezes. I don't know if it's fear. Kenneth isn't one to inspire fear. He's more catty than anything else. But there is caution. And wariness. Whereas Lance could kill someone if he got angry enough, I know Kenneth could meticulously plan their complete destruction.
"Your posture is telling me that you can not only hear me, but that I'm right," Kenneth says and this time I turn toward him.
"What do you want, Kenneth?" I hiss under my breath. I can hear the audience break out into cheers and applause at one of Michael's lines and I only hope that I wasn't supposed to be smiling and waving.
But the moment passes and Michael continues on. Kenneth simply looks at him. "I want what's mine," he says to me. "I want to be with the man I've fallen in love with, and the man you're trying to take away with that fake pregnancy of yours."
"What makes you think this baby is fake, Kenneth?" I ask him.
He smiles at me sardonically. "Silly rabbit, I know you're really pregnant, but I know that's not Michael's baby."
Now the hairs are rising on the back of my neck. If Kenneth knows that this child isn't Michael's then who else knows. And if Michael thinks I told, then all bets are off. He'll go after dad as easily as he throws away garbage.
The look must be translating across my face because Kenneth lowers his voice.
"Relax, Jocelyn," he says to me. "No one gossiped, if that's what you're worried about."
It is. But if no one has been gossiping, then who could …
"As far as everyone knows, you and Michael are in so much fucking love," Kenneth says. "And you're expecting that child like two proud and happy parents. It makes me sick."
How does Kenneth know?
"And in case you were wondering, I heard about your baby straight from the horse's mouth," Kenneth says, his eyes traveling to Michael. There's an inescapable look of lust in them. Michael has just finished a line and the crowd is clapping again. He turns his head slightly and sees Kenneth and I speaking. "That's right. Straight from the horse's mouth. As he was fucking me doggy."
I cringe at the thought of my husband having pillow talk with this man. He's so fucking slimy.