That got some laughter.
“I have to thank Brewster McRiley, our beloved campaign director. I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this. Brewster did, but he never told me! Brew come up here!”
Brewster was dragged up to the podium amidst more than a little joking, and I gave him a one-armed hug around the shoulders. Then I sent him off.
“One of these days I might just forgive him!”
More laughter, and then I reached out and took Marilyn’s hand and pulled her close to me.
“And finally, more than anybody else in the room, I need to thank my wife, Marilyn. No matter what happened, Marilyn believed in me and supported me, just like she has since we first met back in 1974. Whatever I’ve done in my life, she’s the one who said I could do it. No matter how dark it seemed during this campaign, Marilyn believed in me. She’s the reason you can all be sure I’ll do the best job I can as Congressman, because whatever I do, I want to make her proud of me, and not ashamed. So thanks, honey, because none of this means anything without you by my side!”
I looked down and found her crying. I was on the verge of saying I was sorry, but then she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me. I handed her my handkerchief and she wiped her face and gave me the best smile in the world.
“Okay, so much for the great words! This is a really big night, and I think it’s time to party. Now, let’s not get stupid and drunk and crazy. We’re going to check everybody as they leave and take your car keys away if you can’t drive. I have no intention of ruining this night, and I’m going to need your help to make me the best Congressman I can be. Can we all agree on that?!”
There was a mix of cheers and good-natured jibes. Then somebody popped a cork on a champagne bottle and passed it forward. It had been years since I had drunk champagne from the bottle, but I had some, and then passed it to Marilyn. More cheering erupted as we drank the champagne and laughed.
Then we stepped away from the podium and I passed the bottle around. Marilyn looked up at me and grinned. “Now what?”
I smiled and shook my head. “I have no fucking clue!”
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