As Jake left the White House, he was bombarded but reporters. He did his best to ignore them but they were getting froggy. He actually nearly walked over one that had decided to step in his way. “do you mind getting the hell out of my way, Ma’am?” he asked, irritated.
“If you could JUST give us a statement about the hearing today, Dr. Draiman.”
“I have nothing to say to YOU or any of your colleagues. If you want to know about my research, watch for the FDA approval.” He got into the limo and headed for his hotel. And when he got to his hotel, he had to deal with a similar scene. He hurried into the hotel and to the elevator so that he could get to his room and get something to eat for lunch before leaving for home. As far as he knew, he was to just use his return ticket to go home on the next flight back toward Denver. And that was his plan; he was going to change his clothes, eat some lunch, and go the hell home. He’d had his fill of Washington D.C. He was ready to get home and start his clinical trials. He had what he needed; his money. And he’d also learned that he’d gotten the Secretary of Defense fired. He couldn’t help but laugh at that.
After ordering his room service and changing into his normal clothes, he started packing and put something on TV. He looked up to see his face what was going to be the five o’ clock news that evening. He shook his head and continued getting his things packed. He was ready to see his wife and daughter. He was ready to see if his mother was ok and home yet. He was ready to thank his father for the advice he’d given him before he had to deal with the nonsense of the Cabinet.
After getting his lunch and tipping the young bell hop that brought it up to him, he received a call on his room phone as he settled in to eat the grilled chicken he’d ordered. “Hello?” he asked.
“Doctor”, drawled the man on the other end. “What are you doing right this moment?”
“Eating a little bit of lunch, Mr. President. I’ve got to eat something pretty soon or I’m going to have to go to the hospital to get insulin.”
“Understandable, Doctor. I was wondering if you’d like a ride home, Doctor.”
He chuckled. “If you’re offering, Mr. President, then who am I to say no?”
“A fool if you do. I was also wondering if it might be possible to meet your parents.”
“I’m honestly not sure. My mom just had back surgery about a week ago. I’ll have to call ahead to see if she’s been released from the hospital.”
“If you don’t mind doing that for me before we take off it would be nice.”
“What would I say to my father when he asks why I ask?”
“Tell him that the President wants to meet him and your mother. It’s not rocket science or brain surgery, Jake. May I call you Jake?”
“If you like, Mr. President.”
“Then call me Rob. Call your parents to see if they’re home and would mind a visitor for the evening, then eat your lunch. There will be a limo at the hotel to pick you up at about 2:30. Will that be enough time for you to get ready?”
“Absolutely, Rob.”
“Oh, and just wear normal clothes. I don’t plan on wearing a suit to meet your Mom and Dad, if they’ll have me.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Just call me Rob and I’ll call you Jake.”
“You got it.”
---------------
As luck would have it, his mother had just been released from the hospital that day and Delilah was making BBQ beef ribs. He’d spoken with his father and he was actually excited to meet the President. “I’d be honored to have the President in my home”, his father had said.
“Great, because he seems anxious to meet you and Mom, that’s for sure.”
“Well, bring him over. I just hope he’s not as slimy as the men that are on his Cabinet and that he doesn’t make me regret having him here.”
“He’s not. He’s actually a good guy from what I can tell. He’s a good ole’ boy from Oklahoma who likes to hunt and drink good bourbon.”
“Guess I need to make a run to the liquor store then.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary. If I’m getting the right vibe from her, he’ll bring a bottle as a gift to his hosts.”
David chuckled. “I’ll make a trip to the liquor store just in case.”
“If you insist, Dad.”
“I DO, Jacob. We’ll see you in a few hours.”
“Ok, Dad, see you in a few hours.”
After he hung up, he grabbed his coat and suit case and went to check out of the hotel and meet his ride to the Airport.
---------------
They sat and laughed. “I swear it’s true”, Jake laughed.
“You seriously did that to FUZZ, the former bass player for Disturbed?”
“I told him he looked funny. My twin sister Jordan laid into him though. Told him that he was Dad’s bitch and always had been, told him that he was not just ugly but fugly, that he couldn’t play with a shit and that it was no wonder that he was replaced. She laid into him.”
“I see that. Has she gone off on him since?”
“There were a couple of times that he’d come out to visit after the War and she’s laid into him those times too. She’s called him everything but descent.”
“Have you gotten to go off on him?”
“Oh, yeah. I’ve told him what I think of him. In essence, I’ve told him that he’s a fucking retard that needs a good dose of common sense before he comes into my father’s house and acts like he runs a damn thing.”
“He tried to go into David Draiman’s house and run things?”
“Oh, yeah and my father didn’t take that very well. That was the last time he was allowed at our home.”
“Good. He’s a descent bassist, but I have to say that John Moyer is FAR better.”
“And a lot of people agree. He fits the style that Disturbed has set for themselves.”
“I know that’s right.” McAllister sighed. “I can’t wait to meet your Dad. I’ve been a fan since I was a kid. I used lyrics from the different Disturbed songs as campaign slogans when I ran for President. I think that the one that got me elected was, ‘Don’t let FEAR of the unknown overcome you’.”
“Nice play on my father’s words.”
“I thought you might like that. I just hope that HE did.”
---------------
It didn’t take long for them to get to the Draiman home once they had landed and got into the limo. The Secret Service rode in an SUV behind them and they had a police escort from the airport to the house. When they pulled up, David was standing in the door way. He smiled when he saw his son come out of the limo. “Moving up in the world, Doctor?”
“It looks like, Dad. I mean, I must be a pretty important mother fucker for the PRESIDENT to pick me up at the airport and bring me home, personally”, Jake said with a laugh.
David looked to the other man. “Mr. President, it’s an honor.”
“No, Mr. Draiman, it’s I that am honored. I’ve been a huge fan since I was a kid. This is a lifelong dream come true.” The President extended his hand to shake.
David took the younger man’s hand and shook. He was impressed with the young man thus far. “Won’t you come in, President McAllister?” he asked and stepped out of the way.
The President stepped into the house and looked around. “You have a very nice home, Mr. Draiman.”
“Thank you. My wife is to thank for the way the house looks currently. She decorated it.”
“It’s lovely. Where is your charming wife?”
“She’s in the living room at the moment. She’s recovering from back surgery.” He lead them into the living room where the rest of the family was sitting.
“You’re son told me that. I’m sorry to hear that.”
David looked at his wife. She was asleep on the couch where he left her. He shook her gently. “Baby, Jake’s home and he brought a guest”, he whispered.
Brie inhaled slowly and opened her eyes. “Welcome home, Jacob”, she smiled.
“Thanks, Mom. Where are Delilah and Miri?”
“Delilah, I think is cooking dinner and Miri is being bathed if I remember correctly. Jordan’s giving her a bath.” He nodded and left as she looked toward the young man that accompanied her son. “Welcome to our home, Mr. President. Forgive me for not standing up. My back isn’t going to let me right now.” She extended her hand.
He took her hand and shook. “Don’t sweat it, Mrs. Draiman. Both your husband and your son have told me that you just had back surgery. I’m sorry to hear that. I know that back surgery is a bit of a bitch.”
She laughed. “Don’t I know it.”
“What’s are you all having for dinner?” he asked.
“I have no idea. I’ll have to ask my daughter in law”, David said. “Won’t you have a seat, Mr. President? I’ll go find out what’s for dinner real fast.”
“Not a problem, Mr. Draiman. I’m just happy to be here.”
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