The Father of Her Son - By Kathleen Pickering Page 0,1
that diner across the way is like a religious experience. Hope you didn’t rush on my account.”
The wink acknowledged more than breakfast. Clearly, Dean had told the senator that the religious experience had more to do with the diner’s owner than the meals. All the bucks in the newsroom flirted with Kelly, who managed to fend them off with amazing ease while filling their coffee mugs. To Evan, the woman’s aloofness was part of her allure, and she was totally undeserving of the rogue attitude guys like Dean attached to her. Any insinuation that Kelly was available made Evan want to smash a fist into Dean’s pointed snout.
Instead, he patted his stomach because sure enough, his late breakfast had been memorable. “Excellent down-home Cajun fare prepared by a cook who’d scare you off the sidewalk as soon as pass him, sir. You’d enjoy the experience.”
Buzz laughed, exposing perfect white teeth. “Next time, for sure. For now, let’s discuss some important questions I’d like you to ask me on air.”
* * *
EVAN’S NERVES THRUMMED deep under his controlled exterior. Beneath the hot studio lights, the set was silent except for the exchange between him and Senator Campbell. He’d already exhausted all the carefully choreographed questions Campbell wanted asked. His guest looked completely satisfied sitting across from him in his Brooks Brothers suit, blue shirt and contrasting yellow print tie. With a precious two minutes left, Evan would let the torpedoes fly with some hard-core questions of his own.
“Senator, America has been at war since 2001. How much longer can our country or our economy sustain war, not to mention the loss of America’s sons and daughters on foreign soil?”
The momentary lift of an eyebrow on Campbell’s face was lost on the viewing world since the camera was on Evan, but he hadn’t missed the senator’s surprise—or the delight at a challenge—that rose in the man’s eyes. With camera two recording his answer, Buzz Campbell replied with the face of a concerned father.
“America has no more time for war, Evan. We have to understand the cultural differences driving the forces behind the violence we’re trying to subdue. We must understand the people with whom we are at war and make sure American interests are not violating humanitarian interests in those regions. I will work closely with the United Nations to create dialogues and set strategies for conflict transformation on all levels, insuring all interested countries across the globe take part in finding a plan for peace.”
Excellent response. Kudos for the senator. Evan let his ease reflect his support for the senator’s answer.
“We only have time for one more question, Senator. Given the raw nerve that has been struck by certain politicians and religious groups insisting the government set laws based on religious doctrine, what is your stance on religion influencing government?”
Campbell shook his head. “You know, Evan? Personal interests have always been the motivating factor behind any great society whether right or wrong. While America was founded by God-fearing men and women who used their moral beliefs to fuel our great beginnings, religious doctrine belongs in our hearts, not our politics. I’d like to believe that our leaders will govern our people with wisdom and intelligence—without imposing any religious doctrine that would deny America the freedom of choice. We have to trust that Americans know the difference between right and wrong and will do what is right within this country’s fabric of inalienable rights.”
The senator’s answer raised applause from the set workers, which made both Evan and the senator smile. What a great way to end the segment: with the down-home, middle American approval in the studio reflecting how many viewers would probably respond.
“Thank you for your time, Senator.” Evan closed the interview by looking into the camera as he spoke the trailing statement. He didn’t have to look at the senator to know he’d just earned the regard of the next president of the country.
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING, Evan plowed into Neverland after the show aired, all pumped up from the high ratings the segment with his interview with Buzz Campbell had garnered. He’d done it. He had crawled under the senator’s defenses and forced him to answer some hard questions on camera, and America responded favorably.
Best result of the interview, however, was that Buzz Campbell had understood the gift Evan had presented him in his endorsement. Evan had just gotten off the phone with the senator, who had offered his personal cell phone number. If Evan needed quotes in