I Know What He Needs
I pull up to the event just as it starts; traffic was worse than I had
anticipated. I manage to find a parking
space at the end of a row, not quite sure if it's an actual space, hope I don't
get a ticket.
Matthew Santos is just being announced as I get close enough to be
seen. In the last few days I've really
decided that he is quite hunky. I manage
to find a place to stand along the wall, halfway up the side aisle. While I'm listening to the Congressman I'm
only keeping one eye on him and my other eye is scanning the room for the
person I actually came to see.
And there he is.
Standing in the corner, partially hidden by a tall, fine looking guy is Josh. He's leaning against the wall, that's never
been a good sign. Although he's dressed
in a nice suit, which he does wear well, he has this vaguely rumpled look about
him, one that's gotten significantly worse in the last few months. He's in need of a haircut, or at the very
least a brush and, what is it the Queer Eye guys say, oh yeah, product. The dark circles under his eyes never seem to
completely fade away anymore and I imagine he hasn't had more than 5 straight
hours sleep in weeks.
As Matt Santos makes a point the crowd agrees with Josh smiles broadly,
showing his dimples and pumping his fist in the air. His enthusiasm is infectious and brings a
smile to my face. He starts to pace a
little as the Congressman launches into his next point. As he clutches a folder to his chest I can
almost see Josh mouthing along with the Congressman's words. As the crowd gets more and more excited, Josh
clearly can't stand still. He's
practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, an endearing habit he probably
doesn't even know he has.
I slip a little further up the aisle, but not close enough for Josh to
notice me. I didn't actually call to say
I was coming to the event and I don't want to distract him as he's focused on
the Congressman at the moment. A few
people smile in my direction, unsure of who I am. Nobody asks, they
just nod politely at this woman inching her way towards the dais.
As the Congressman finishes up in grand style, the room explodes into
thunderous applause, led by Josh, who is whistling and cheering louder than
anyone it seems. He shakes Matthew
Santos' hand and whispers something to him.
With Secret Service in tow the Congressman wades into the crowd working
it in a very presidential manner. I try
to maneuver my way towards Josh when I come face to face with him. Well, not really face to face as I'm a good half a foot shorter than Matt Santos is. He smiles broadly, thanks me for coming, all
the while looking at me like he recognizes me but he's not sure from where.
As he moves on to the person next to me I glance towards the front of the
room. Josh is on his phone, trying to
jot notes on the folder while holding the phone between his chin and shoulder. As he clips the phone back on his belt he
looks up to scan the crowd.
And I've been spotted.
The look on his face is quite priceless.
It's one of shock, disbelief and finally sheer happiness. He does this little hop and skip thing and
heads towards me. In the two seconds it
takes to get to me his dimples have come out in full force and if I'm not
mistaken tears have started to form in his eyes. He pulls me into a fierce hug, dropping the
folder, sending papers skittering across the floor.
"Mom," he whispers as he buries his face into my shoulder. Any thoughts that I shouldn't have come
unannounced fade away. I'm a firm
believer that no matter who you are, even if you're a successful campaign
manager, there are times you just need your mother.
THE END
