Chapter 5
Jake stepped off the fold-down stairs of the Air Erika Lear Executive jet and thanked the pilot for the smooth trip. When he turned back around, Gail Martin was walking out of the private aviation hanger toward him. Jake picked up his travel bag and headed towards his Chief of Staff, happy to see her after all these months. Jake dropped his bag on the tarmac, swept Gail up in his arms, and swung her around. Gail beat on his shoulder and tried to act offended at his lack of decorum.
"Cut it out, Boss, people are looking," she giggled.
"Let them look, I can't help it if I missed you," Jake teased.
Gail blushed as he sat her back down; it would not do for him to know exactly how much she had missed him. Jake was the center of her universe on a couple of different levels. Jake had resuscitated her life after her one true love had been killed in Vietnam. By convincing his father, Charles to grant her a scholarship, Jake had opened the world up to her. Learning had partially filled the void in her life that the death of her fiancé had created. She had been a voracious student since then. Gail had a Doctorate in International Relations and was an evening law student at Georgetown. When Jake had made her his personal assistant, her life took on additional meaning. Jake's stated desire to make the world a safer and better place resonated with Gail; she believed in his cause completely.
Lastly, Jake filled her physical needs. For almost twenty years, he had been her only lover. Gail had thought her physical relationship with Jake would end when he married but Melissa had paid her a visit and convinced her otherwise. Melissa had told her that she counted on Gail to take care of Jake in anyway needed when Melissa herself was not there. Gail thought that Melissa Turner was the most amazing woman in the world. The upshot of all this was that Gail was as fiercely loyal to Jake as it was possible for one person to be. Congressmen and their staffs from both sides of the aisle were circumspect in talking about Jake to avoid her wrath. Gail was acknowledged as the most effective chief of staff on the hill. Gail was ninety percent of the reason that Jake was always so well prepared.
Gail started bringing Jake up to date as soon as they settled into her Coupe de Ville. Gail drove a Cadillac primarily so that she could chauffeur Jake around and not have to ride in the three-year-old pickup truck Jake kept in DC. For the life of her, she could not figure out why he loved that truck so much. Gail kept up her briefing for the thirty-five minutes it took to reach the Watergate complex from Dulles Airport.
Gail lived in an apartment adjoining Jake's on the sixth floor of the east tower. Thornton Development had purchased a block of four adjacent apartments on the same floor from the Sultan of Brunei's first cousin. Gail's apartment had been the maids' quarters for the wealthy sheik and had a connecting door to Jake's place. Owning the block of apartments made it simpler to entertain friends and constituents from Florida. Gail living so close to Jake did not raise any eyebrows because of Gail's reputation as being prim, proper, and all business. Gail had shot down every one of the House and Senate's Romeos and politely turned down dates from everyone else, male and female. Mention her name and the common response from men who knew her was to shiver and go brrrr. Her nickname was Priscilla or The Schoolmarm.
Jake went into his apartment and Gail went to hers. She told him she had dinner in the oven and would bring it over in half an hour. The connecting door between the two apartments locked on Gail's side. Jake's apartment was decorated much too lavishly for his taste but the women in his life would not let him change anything; the sheik's decorator had excellent taste, Jake reckoned, where he himself had less than none.
Gail bustled through the connecting door at seven with a pan of lasagna. She made another trip for garlic bread and a salad. Gail was not Julia Child, but she could whip up a tasty meal when she wanted to. Melissa had Gail in on the 'feed Jake healthy' plan so the lasagna was a rare treat. Gail had also changed clothes for dinner; she was wearing a slinky little black dress that she knew Jake loved. Gail had also let her long auburn hair down from the bun she usually wore it in. Jake was literally the only person she let her hair down for.
Jake filled Gail in on Melissa's progress on organizing his campaign. Gail nodded in satisfaction; once again, Melissa seemed to have it right. Gail's part in the campaign was to keep Jake smart on the issues. She had already started assembling briefing books for him. Gail was determined that Jake would always be prepared and never seriously caught off guard by a question from a reporter, an opponent, or a potential voter.
After dinner, Jake cleared away the dishes and sent Gail into the opulent living room with a glass of wine. Jake tidied up the kitchen and joined Gail on the couch. Gail had put some Haydn string quartets on the CD player. She was sitting with her feet under her, running her fingertip around the rim of her wine glass.
"We've been friends and lovers for twenty years, Jake," she said without looking up. "When you went off to the Gulf all the painful memories of Roger came back to me. I can't thank you enough for writing and calling me as often as you did; it made me feel much better. I love you, Jake, I was miserable without you around."
Jake looked at her with surprise written all over his face; not once in twenty years had she mentioned love.
Gail glanced at him and caught his look. She favored him with one of her rare smiles.
"Don't look so surprised, silly man, your wife has known it for years. I have had a standing invitation to join your little family since you were a ball player. With you gone, I had plenty of time to think about it and to discuss it with Melissa. I know the rules and I find them acceptable; I love Melissa too. Tonight I want to spend the night with you and, when Melissa comes up, I want to spend the night with you both. I don't think it will be an every-night thing, I love my solitude too much, but I see it being a big part of my life - if you want it, that is."
Jake was astonished and moved by Gail's admissions. Not only had she never said she loved him, she had never asked to spend the night, nor had she agreed when Jake politely asked her to. Jake took her chin gently in his hand and tilted her chin up.
"Of course I want that, Gail Martin; you have been my closest friend for ten years and I love you to death."
Gail moved into his arms when he said that and gave him a lingering kiss. Jake returned it then pushed her back.
"Stand up and let me see what surprise you are wearing under that dress," he said.
Gail stood up, deftly unzipped her dress down the back, then shrugged her shoulders and dropped it to the floor. She sidestepped out of the pool of black material and stood proudly in front of her boss. Jake let out a whistle at the sight of his Chief of Staff in a black Victoria's Secret set and three-inch black pumps. The hour each morning that Gail put in at the DC HERZ Fitness Center sure paid off, Jake reckoned. Gail was better built now than she had been when they met. Jake twirled his fingers and she spun around so he could see her from the back. Gail shivered and felt goose bumps form on her arms. She loved being on display like this. Her staff at the office would faint if they knew that their no-nonsense boss loved to pose for her lover in her expensive underwear.
"Very nice," Jake said. "You are even fitter than when I left."
"I needed to keep busy so I spent more time at the gym," she replied. "What kind of sex slave would I be if I didn't keep myself looking good for my master?"
Jake chuckled at that. He had found out Gail's little quirk one day at the bungalow in Palmdale. That day, on a whim, Jake had tied her to the bed as he had done with Liz and Helga. Being tied up and helpless turned out to be one of Gail's deepest fantasies. Over the years, Gail learned how to be the perfect little slave girl while Jake honed his act as her demanding master. Jake finally figured out one angle concerning a woman: Gail, strong and fully in control at work and at school, loved to have Jake take control of their lovemaking. The flip side was that Jake enjoyed it also; what normal guy would not? Over the years, the arrangement had served them both well. When Gail came through the door with her hair down, the game was on.
"Tonight, I think your master is going to spend some time reacquainting himself with your fabulous little body while you are staked out naked on your bed," Jake said.
"What-ever you want, Jacob my master, whatever you want," Gail said fervently.
Gail led the way through the connecting door; she kept one foot stepping across in front of the other as if she were a fashion model on the runway. Jake lagged slightly behind, enjoying the view as her butt cheeks flexed with each graceful fluid step. Jake thought that there was nothing sexier than watching a woman walk in high heels. They reached Gail's bedroom and Jake noticed that she had it set up for the evening. As she went around lighting candles, Jake walked over to her big antique four poster bed. Tied to each post of the bed was a length of inch wide black leather with a lambs-wool padded cuff. The bed spread was neatly folded atop a blanket chest at the end of the bed; the bed itself was made up with red satin sheets.
Gail finished lighting the candles and moved over to stand next to him. Even in heels, the top of her head barely reached his chin. Without warning, Jake picked her up and deposited her onto the bed. Gail gasped and her eyes got big as she meekly spread her arms and legs. Jake wordlessly went around the bed and fastened her hands and feet with the softly padded cuffs. He pulled the leather straps through the cuff's eye-loops until she was completely immobilized -- then he sat on the bed at her side.
"I am so going to use you tonight," he said as he caressed her flat stomach.
Gail shivered at his touch; her eyes glittered in the flickering candle light.
"I can't do anything to stop you, master," she whispered.
Jake smiled and unfastened her front-closure bra. He lifted the cups off her beasts and the medium sized orbs sagged slightly to the side. Leaning forward, he slurped one of her rosy red nipples between his teeth and bit down firmly.
Gail arched off the bed, "Yesssss," she hissed.
Jake gave her other nipple the same treatment then gave her a small hickey under each breast. Gail moaned as he sucked on her tender flesh; she loved it when he marked her like that. Jake took off his shirt and stretched out beside her. He ran his hand down her body and cupped her mound; her panties were already damp with her secretions. Jake leaned in and nibbled her neck up to her ear.
"If we are taking this to the next level, you are going to start taking care of me at the office," he whispered.
"You wouldn't dare," she gasped.
Jake slipped his hand into her satin and lace high cut panties and toyed with her lips. Gail was as hairless as a child down there.
"We will start tomorrow," Jake continued. "Wear a long dark skirt and no underwear so I have easy access. You are going to look so sweet leaning across my desk as I ravish you."
Gail humped against his hand, "Someone might catch us," she whined.
"Someone might," Jake agreed. "It's a chance you'll have to take."
Gail shuddered and trembled at his assertion, being taken by him where they might be caught was another of her fantasies. Jake stood up and stripped, then climbed back on the bed, his erection bobbing before him. Jake knelt next to her head and brushed his phallus across her lips. Gail lovingly laved it with her tongue. She mewed in protest when he moved down the bed but changed her tune when he pulled the gusset of her panties aside and licked her plump hairless slit. Gail's small, puffy coral lips were slick with her SweetTart juices. After she came from his oral attention, Jake moved up over her. Gail happily licked her juices off his face as he rested the head of his shaft against her entrance.
"It has been six months, Jacob, don't make me wait any longer," she groaned.
Jake relented and pushed forward with his hips. Gail had always been a snug fit; even as wet as she was, it took a couple of strokes for Jake to bottom out. Jake started slowly and picked up speed. Gail liked it hard and fast when she was tied down. When she started making the noises that meant she was close, Jake lowered his head and bit her nipple again. Gail slammed her hips upward and lifted Jake off the bed as she came. As soon as she caught her breath, he again switched positions so that he could tongue her once more. He continued back and forth like that for half an hour. They were both coated with sweat when he untied her. Jake flipped her over on her stomach and refastened her hands. He pulled her sopping panties off and laid them beside her head.
"It occurs to me that your little ass needs to be marked properly. Pull your knees up under you," he said.
Gail whimpered and quickly complied. Jake knelt behind her and put his hands on her hips. He aligned his dick and impaled her in one swift jab. Fully inside her, he reached across to the night stand and retrieved an eighteen inch ruler Gail had strategically placed on top of a hand towel. Jake swatted her with the ruler as he pistoned in and out of her. In fewer than three minutes, Gail had a delightfully pink derriere and was coming as hard as she had ever cum in her life.
Jake disentangled himself and slipped out of Gail's bed at five-thirty the next morning. He left her sleeping peacefully, her chestnut hair sweetly tousled, as he went to his apartment and made coffee. Jake went to the door and retrieved his morning Washington Post while Mr. Coffee did his thing. Gail came sashaying in as he was pouring himself a cup; he handed the steaming mug to her.
"Good morning, Ms. Martin, sleep well?"
"Like a baby, Congressman, just like a baby."
Jake grabbed another mug and joined her at the kitchen counter. They shared the paper in silence as they drank their coffee. At six-fifteen, Gail went to shower and dress. Jake did the same ten minutes later. They were on the road by seven and at the Capital by twenty after. Gail pulled off C Street into the underground garage of the Rayburn House Office Building and parked in her assigned spot. Jake headed for his office while Gail swung by the cafeteria to score them some bagels. Jake checked his schedule for the day, he had one conference committee meeting about Veterans Benefits, and there was a floor vote on raising the debt ceiling at two in the afternoon.
The rest of Jake's staff wandered in between seven-forty-five and eight. They were all excited to see the boss back. When everyone was present, Gail started the morning staff meeting. Kathy Black, Jake's Legislative Director, reviewed upcoming bills then his scheduler, Carrie Snow, went over the week's itinerary. Jake's staff was larger than most house members because he had two additional constituent services assistants and three legislative aides instead of the normal two. Jake funded the additional positions out of his own salary so he could better serve the people who had put him in office. His staff was loyal and dedicated. Jake spoke after everyone had been briefed.
"I'm proud of you all for taking care of things and I'm happy to be back. We are going to be very busy over the next three months and you might be stuck with a weird assignment or two. If your work-load starts dragging you down, speak up and we'll get some more help. I plan on us being more high profile; we are going to show the country what a committed Congressman and a dedicated staff can accomplish. We are going to do that because the accident of me being deployed increased our standing more than seniority could ever have, and I have ambitions for a higher office. I hope you all will want to work with me in whatever I try for next."
Jake's staff hoorayed and, as they filed out, assured Jake that they would stay with him. Kathy Black hung back until she and Jake were alone at the conference table. Kathy Black was the widow of the congressman whom Andrew Wiggins had replaced. She had been a legislative aide or director since Kennedy was president. Kathy was one of the most powerful behind-the-scenes players in the House of Representatives. She knew where all the bodies were buried and almost everyone owed her a favor. Kathy's genteel southern lady demeanor covered a bulldog's tenacity. Jake and Kathy had a mutual respect for each other and were good friends.
"I want to stay, Jake, if you can tell me how I'd be useful to you."
Jake got up and closed his office door then sat down beside her.
"What I am about to tell you needs to stay between us, OK?"
Kathy nodded her agreement.
"In a couple of months I'm going to announce my candidacy for the presidential nomination. When I am President, I am going to need you to be my Congressional Liaison. There is not a person better qualified or one who I trust more than you to keep these critters in line."
Kathy narrowed her eyes and regarded him for about fifteen seconds; Jake could almost see her running calculations through her head.
"Jake, if anyone but you told me that I'd laugh in their face. But with you, I can envision it happening just as you said; so count me in."
Jake went to his conference committee meeting at nine-thirty. He took the tunnel walkway to the Dirkson Senate Office Building. Jake received a warm welcome from the other conferees then they got down to business. It took fewer than thirty minutes to hash out a compromise between the House and Senate versions of the Veteran's Compensation Bill and send it back to the floor. After the stunning success of the military in Desert Storm, no one was going to vote against an increase in veteran's benefits.
Jake was back at his desk at eleven wading through a pile of papers needing his signature. Most of the paperwork was routine so he was on autopilot until he came to a letter apologizing to an elderly woman for not being able to help her. Jake buzzed Gail on the intercom and asked her to come in and talk about it. Gail came in and stood beside him as she read the letter. Jake smiled to himself as he ran his hand up the back of her legs and under her skirt. Gail's reaction was priceless as she jumped at his touch and quickly looked at the open office door.
"You probably should have closed the door," Jake said softly, "But it's too late now. Spread your legs."
Gail blushed bright red but moved her feet apart. She gasped when his hand touched her slit. She was damp enough that Jake easily slid a finger into her. Gail moaned quietly in embarrassment and arousal. Jake toyed with her a bit then had her use her mouth to clean her juices off his finger before he sent her to fetch the aide who had written the letter. Gail was still blushing furiously as she left his office.
Gail returned with the aide and the case folder. The young woman was new on his staff, hired while Jake was deployed. The constituent was an elderly woman living on social security who could not afford both food and the prescription medicines she needed for a host of physical infirmities. It was a heartbreakingly familiar dilemma. The young aide had technically done everything correctly including attaching a list of community and church charities with the apology. Jake explained to the aide that her only mistake was in not contacting the charities on the senior's behalf then following up. Jake picked up his phone and called the woman himself. The prescription drug issue was something else Jake was going to do something about if he were elected President.
Jake took the underground tram from the Rayburn Building to the Capital Building at one-forty. He liked to be in his seat for floor votes even though he could vote from a number of locations with his Tally Card. Today's vote was a roll-call vote on an amendment to an agricultural subsidies bill. Speaker of the House Tom Foley wanted those in favor of subsidizing tobacco farmers to do it publicly on CSPAN.
Jake walked into the Chamber to a smattering of applause, hand shakes, and back slapping. No sooner had Jake taken his seat than Newton Ginwich, the Minority Whip, moved to the podium in front of the Speaker's Rostrum, a location called 'The Well'.
"Mr. Speaker, I wish to be recognized," Ginwich said.
"The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia."
"Thank you Mr. Speaker. On behalf of myself and the other one-hundred-seventy-eight Republican members, I want to recognize and welcome back our good friend and colleague Jake Turner. We also want to thank the Distinguished Gentleman for his sacrifices to our nation."
Jake smiled blandly and waved his acknowledgement at Newton. Jake thought that his fellow congressmen were in general a good lot. Newton Ginwich was the exception to that rule. Newton was arrogant, self-serving, and smarmy.
"Mr. Speaker, now that our hero is home, we can clean up the chamber and get back to business as usual," Ginwich said.
Jake stood up at that.
"Mr. Speaker, the yellow ribbons should stay in place until all our service men and women have returned home. It is the least we can do for the young people we sent off into harms way," Jake countered.
Ginwich shot Jake a nasty look, "Of course the ribbons should stay up, Mr. Speaker, I meant only the items that specifically mentioned the gentleman from Florida."
Newton Ginwich disliked Jake intensely, as well. In backroom party caucuses, Newton had plenty to say about the 'pretty boy and his rich bitch wife'.
Congress was in session each week from Tuesday through Thursday until they recessed for the summer in late June. During the months leading up to the summer recess, Jake made the talk show circuit and took speaking engagements all over the country. In addition, Jake and Melissa made some high profile appearance in Washington, New York, and Los Angeles.
In May, Jake was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart on the House floor. The awards were presented by the Commanding General of the National Guard Bureau in a ceremony that made the national news. The awards presentation was the first public announcement that he had been wounded and set off another round of interviews and television appearances. Jake made light of his injury with self-deprecating humor.
"It was nothing," he told Johnny Carson, "Newton Ginwich gives me a bigger pain in the butt everyday."
During the first week of June, the Baseball Writers' Association of America voted Jake into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Jake was on seventy-nine percent of the four hundred-thirty-five ballots cast. The Hall of Fame vote was a complete shock to Jake, he never considered that his career would be worthy of induction. He had barely met the ten years of service rule and usually pitchers had to win three hundred games to be considered. Yet, Jake and Ferguson Jenkins both made it into the hall that year without hitting the magical three hundred mark.
What got Jake elected to the Hall of Fame was his impact on baseball for the decade he played. His nine straight seasons with twenty wins was a major league record. He had won two Cy Youngs and one MVP award. He reached two hundred wins faster than any pitcher in the modern era and was the only player with two hundred wins, two hundred homeruns, and two hundred stolen bases. Serious baseball numerologists projected that, if Jake had continued playing, he would have had three hundred wins by his fourteenth season and a good shot at four hundred wins if he lasted twenty seasons. The accomplishment that Jake allowed himself to be proud of was never missing a starting assignment in his career.
The Hall of Fame announcement sent Jake back on the talk show circuit, this time on ESPN and other sports channels. Jake enjoyed the chance to talk sports and baseball while Sven Johansson was happy with all the free exposure.
The Fourth of July shindig Melissa threw in Palmdale was the biggest event in the history of the city. The city enthusiastically helped her in putting the fête together. A mile-long section of the beach in front of the beachside municipal park was closed to vehicle traffic and anything Melissa asked for she received. By five in the afternoon, six catering companies were manning grills while a like number of mobile Coca Cola soda fountains were dispensing soft drinks. A large tent awning was located on the sea wall overlooking the beach. A stage had been constructed under the awning and a professional sound system was rigged with speakers all along the closed section of beach. Red, white, and blue bunting was draped on the sea wall for hundreds of yards in each direction.
High tide had crested at two that afternoon -- so thousands of people were already spreading blankets and towels on the clear beach in front of the awning. Clowns and jugglers were entertaining kids while three bands were rotating performances on the stage.
At six, the Central Florida Symphony Orchestra started setting up. The CFSO was decked out in red, white, and blue Hawaiian shirts provided by Maui Jakes. Three batteries of 105 mm cannons were set up further down the seawall along with a display of military equipment provided by Jake's National Guard unit. Most Orlando television stations had satellite trucks on hand to cover the event and one station was carrying the entire band concert live, sponsored by Turner Furniture.
At seven sharp, Sven Johansson stepped up to the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and join Leslie Robinson in celebrating America with our National Anthem."
Leslie walked to the microphone and nodded to the conductor then launched into her unique version of the Anthem. The orchestra smoothly joined her. Leslie's voice was in great form and sent goose bumps throughout the crowd. Leslie waited for the applause to die down after the song and for everyone to sit back down.
"God Bless the United States of America," Leslie said, "and God Bless our friends, Jake and Melissa Turner."
Jake and Melissa took their cue and walked to the microphone holding hands as Leslie led the cheering and applause. When the applause died down some, Jake began talking.
"You didn't think you were going to a free cookout and concert where a politician didn't make a speech, did you?"
After a smattering of laughter and some catcalls, Jake continued.
"I want to thank the City of Palmdale, my wife Melissa, and all the other people who helped put this event together. I hope that we can make it an annual event because it is right and proper for us to celebrate the fact that we are citizens of the greatest country in the world.
"We have a lot to be proud of as Americans. We are the shining beacon of democracy for the world. We also have a duty as Americans to try to make our country even better. Each of us has an obligation to insure that future generations enjoy the freedoms that we share now. That obligation extends beyond military and public service down to the way we treat each other. I have been blessed; because, with the support of my wonderful wife, Melissa, I could serve America both in the National Guard and Congress.
"I have loved every minute of my time in the Guard and the House of Representatives -- but I have accomplished about as much as I can in both. So it is with some regret that I announce that I am retiring from the military, and that I will not seek reelection to my seat in Congress."
The assembled crowd sat in stunned silence. Jake was almost universally loved and respected by his constituents. Jake let the news sink in for a few seconds then started speaking again.
"That will not be the end of my service to America, though. The train that is America needs to shift to a new track. We as a nation need to have a government that is truly responsible and responsive to the needs of all its citizens. We need better fiscal management and a better foreign policy. We need a consistent environmental policy that will insure that future generations can enjoy nature, as we have been able to. We need a national education policy and we need to do something about our dependence on foreign oil. In short, the train needs a new engineer, a new driver to get it on the right track. And with your help and support, I want to be that new driver. So today, I am announcing that I am going to seek the Democratic nomination for the presidency."
That got the crowd on its feet as over twenty thousand people stood and cheered for over a minute. Jake held up his hands and the crowd settled down again.
"Thank you very much, I hope you all are still that excited on Election Day. Now that we have that out of the way, let's enjoy the concert and fireworks. God bless you all and God bless our great nation."
It was almost five minutes before the crowd quieted down enough for the orchestra to start the concert. Jake kissed Melissa and, holding her against his side, walked off the stage. The concert was outstanding as the CFSO played stirring patriotic music. The concert culminated with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture in the fashion of the Boston Pops. The artillery batteries accompanied the music, firing salvo after salvo of powder charges. The last strands of the overture were barely faded when three barges anchored a half mile out in the ocean started shooting off fireworks. For thirty minutes, the sky was filled with colorful exploding rockets. The fireworks finale lasted three full minutes and featured a sparking display on one of the barges that read 'Jake for Pres' in letters ten feet high.
Friday, the fifth of July, was a slow news day so Jake's announcement was the lead story on all the national news programs. Sunday's public affairs talk shows were filled with speculation about his chances, hashing over his relative youth and his vast popularity.
The game was afoot.