Page 13 of Revisions

I know what Dana is trying to say. I’m not a “typical” first lady. I think we’ve covered that. I sigh.

“JD, it’s not a bad thing.”

“No. But it bugs me.”

“It bugs you that people like you?”

“No. It bugs me that people don’t see Candace as a person, Dana.”

“Candy has been in the public’s eye for decades. It goes with the territory.”

“It shouldn’t.”

“It shouldn’t. But itdoes. You help humanize her, JD. I told you. Candy has laughed more since she met you. She hasn’tchanged. She’s more comfortable being herself in every situation.”

“Candace has never been fake.”

“No. But she kept up the polish. She lets people seeher—the real her—or at least glimpses of the Candy we know and love more than she did before you were a couple.”

“I doubt it. And even if it’s true, I’m not sure it’s because of me,” I say.

“Trust me about this, JD. Candy trusts you. She trusts in your marriage. She loves the kids. She loved Jessica—not the way she does you.”

“I know.”

“She knows you’ll be there, JD. And I don’t know if Candy has felt that kind of security with anyone except Pearl. It’s my job to read the tea leaves. That means I need to observe people. I spent years listening to Candy—watching her. You’ve helped her find her footing. She always says she wouldn’t be here without you.”

“She would.”

Dana smiles. “No. I don’t think she would.”

I’m stunned. Dana practically worships Candace.

“Surprised to hear me say that?”

“Yes,” I reply.

“It’s true. She’s always been the right person to lead. She needed someone to anchor her. I heard you say something a few weeks ago.”

“Oh? What did I say?” I ask.

“You were talking to Shell one day. You said that Candace is the center of your world. You’re a part of hers. JD, you are the center of her world. Believe me.”

“Dana—”

“You are. I was in the room—or close to it—all the years when you weren’t. I see her differently, but clearly. She might be reeling—ready to hand someone their?—”

“Ass?”

“Yes—or their walking papers. I know when that’s about to happen. She removes her glasses, massages her eyes, and thenlooks at your picture before addressing the room. You keep her steady even when you’re not with her.”

“You know I’ll do whatever she asks.”

“I do.Shewon’t ask.”

Dana has an advantage over anyone close to me and Candace. She knows us. And she was close to us both before we fell in love.

“You didn’t ask to work in my office because you were worried about your recovery, did you?” I ask.

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