"After my death" (2/2) by Wyndhamfan

wyndhamfan · 11-27-2006, 06:36 AM

After my death, Part 2
By Wyndhamfan

Not that he'd admit it to anyone, but Nathan hated political dinners. He hated smiling and bowing down to the Washington fat cats in their expensive suits. He hated how he had to depend on their generosity to thrive.

He hated, most of all, to thank them for it.

He stood on the stage telling them why his cause wouldn't fail – not now, it wouldn't, thanks to Linderman's money – and how their contribution had made it all possible (give them what they want to hear). And then he felt a shudder run up his spine.

The sudden cold caught him by surprise so much that it made him pause mid-speech.

He gave them an amiable smile, and smoothly covered that slight stumble.

“This is what I call a pregnant, intelligent pause. Something we politicians have honed to a fine art,” he gave them a megawatt smile and they laughed in response. Oh, lame joke. His speech writer must be wincing in his expensive Armani suit already.

He picked up his wine glass.

“Now, gentlemen. May I propose a toast-”

The fat cats raised their wine glasses.

“A toast! To a successful campaign!” He raised his glass-

And the cold returned with a vengence. He felt it travel up his arm and turn his fingers icy cold. His hand lost grip on the wineglass...

Something shattered.

And he knew. Knew then ... that Peter was gone.

Continue reading

Download pdf file