***
Daniel rolled to his side and opened his bloodshot eyes. He felt exhausted. The furniture, walls, and floor looked like they were covered in a fuzzy haze. He blinked and rubbed his eyes until his surroundings came into focus. He was still in his suit, lying on top of the bed. Even his shoes were still on.
The clock on the nightstand read eight o’clock. A few thumps sounded downstairs, and he pushed himself up from the bed, his arms shaking as he did. He cradled his head in his hands, trying to support the ten thousand pounds of crushing pressure that seemed to be working against him.
A quick shower. That’s what he needed. He stumbled to the bathroom, clumsily disrobing himself, until his hands found the shower handle and turned it to the left on its warmer setting. Daniel stepped inside, letting the warm water cleanse him of the dirt and filth from the previous day. He stood there, watching the gauge tick off gallon after gallon. He could stay in the shower all day if he desired. There were no restrictions for him. Not for a United States congressman.
After thirty minutes, he shut the water off and stepped out, dripping onto the tiled floor. He dried himself, then put on a fresh pair of jeans and a shirt. He passed his son’s room and could see both Kevin and John on the floor, playing video games.
“Hey, Uncle Dan,” John said. “Feeling better?”
“Huh?” Daniel asked.
“Last night mom said you weren’t feeling well,” Kevin answered.
“Oh. Yeah. I’m better. Why aren’t you at school?”
“Mom said we didn’t have to go since Brooke and everyone was here.”
“I see you’re making good use of your time,” Daniel said, pointing at the game.
“It’s actually harder than it looks, Uncle Dan,” John said.
“Right.”
When Daniel made it to the bottom of the stairs, he saw Eric propped up on some pillows watching television. Gabby and Emily were on the floor, playing with some dolls. He stood there a while before Eric noticed him.
“Congressman Hunter,” Eric said, trying to get up from the couch while nursing his left shoulder, which was wrapped in a bandage.
“No, please, you don’t have to get up.”
Eric flopped back down onto the couch with exaggerated relief. “Well, it’s good to know that not every congressman is full of himself. Right, girls?”
Emily and Gabby giggled.
“Call me Daniel.”
“Well, Daniel, I’m Eric Stephenson,” he said, extending his right hand. “I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done.”
“I, uh… I’m glad.”
Daniel didn’t want to try and cut the man off, but he wasn’t going to fight the compliment. He’d learned long ago that compliments held just as much meaning for the person giving them as the person on the receiving end. Sometimes more.
“Have you seen Brooke and my wife?” Daniel asked.
“They headed to the pharmacy to pick up some medicine for my arm. They left first thing this morning, so they should be back soon.”
“Thanks.”
Daniel walked to the garage to grab something out of his car, but when he opened the door and flicked the light on, a banged-up Toyota Land Cruiser was in its place. He recognized it as Brooke’s car then shut the door and headed to the kitchen. He poured himself a bowl of cereal. Before he could shovel the first spoonful into his mouth, he heard the front door open, and his heart skipped a beat.
“Kids! Donuts!”
The thunder of John and Kevin’s feet from upstairs roared as they hurried down the staircase. They came running into the kitchen, attacked the box of fried dough, and shoved the donuts into their faces like they hadn’t eaten in weeks.
Brooke came around the corner after them, observing the carnage. “I wish my metabolism still worked like that. Hey, Dan. You look better.”
“Thanks. I feel better.”
When Amy walked into the kitchen, she didn’t acknowledge his presence. She opened the top cupboard and grabbed a glass then filled it with water. She walked back out into the living room with the glass and a bottle of pills.
“You need to take these twice a day until they run out,” Amy said, handing the water and pills to Eric.
“Your cereal’s getting soggy, Uncle Dan,” John said.
“What? Oh.”
Daniel looked down at the bloated bits of shredded wheat floating in his bowl. When he looked back up, Amy was gone. He set the spoon down and headed back upstairs.
Amy was taking off her earrings at the dresser. She eyed his reflection in the mirror when he entered.
“Amy, about last night. We need to talk.”
“We do, but not now.”
“Honey, this is important.”
Amy slammed her hands on the dresser, and Daniel froze. He could see the strain on her face as she tried to control the anger welling up inside her. She spun around to face him, and he could see the tears in her eyes.
“Do you remember what you said last night?” her voice was shaking.
Daniel kept his head down. “I’m sorry.”
“She is my sister. They are family. And we take care of our family. So whatever you need to do to make sure that happens… do it.”
“I will.”
Amy wiped the tears from her eyes and walked over to him. Her smooth fingers slid through the spaces of his own, and they held on to each other.
“There’s something I do need to talk to you and Brooke about, though. Together,” Daniel said. “And it has to be today.”