TWO COFFEES AND A DATE WITH JOE

A series of essays.....

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN
~AMERICAN PROMISE TOUR~

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

“Let’s try the ramp right across from the Center. It’s still pretty early so....it should be okay.”

“Works for me! The closer the better because it looks like it might rain.”

“No it won’t."

“Look how gray it is. Why would you say that?”

“Because you’re going to carry your umbrella around with you all night long and that, usually, is enough to jinx the rain.”

“Hope you’re right.”

BEAU AND JOE BIDEN

                                        Courtesy: Closer Weekly

“How hungry are you? I mean, we have plenty of time before they even open the outer doors and we could walk anywhere downtown to grab a bite. Personally, I’m not all that hungry.”

“Okay. Here’s Starbucks right in the Grand Bohemian (Hotel) and I’d really like my ‘Dirty Chai’ right now.”

“Well, with a short walk to the Dr. Phillips Center afterward, this is a good idea.’ (Opening the door to the coffee shop)

ANTICIPATING JOE AND
HOST, ELIZABETH VARGAS

“These chairs are very comfortable. Please don’t let me fall asleep....I’ll, probably, snore and embarrass us both!”

“If you drink your double shot espresso chai...I don’t think we’ll have to worry about that. Do you?”

“No, you’re right. I really like this stuff. Sorry I’ve turned into a ‘Dirty Chai’ addict, but this is so yummy! Your ‘Smoked Butterscotch’ smells good, too. (He offers her his cup to take a sip.) That’s good. I thought it would be too sweet. It isn’t at all.”

(Both sit in silence for a moment while observing the two college age women studying together at the opposite end of the long, wooden table the four of them are sharing near the front window of the shop.)

“So, let’s talk about Joe. How political do you think he’s going to be? (He asks, breaking the silence.) I believe most of us in the audience will be hoping for a political rally cry, of sorts, from him. Heck, I’d settle for some truths, common sense, and wisdom right about now.”

“(Closing her eyes) His voice. It’s the tone and sound of his voice for me. (Opening her eyes) Joe is the quintessential voice of reason, true. But, the tone and balance of his soft voice, and how comforting it makes me feel, makes him the quintessential Father, Husband, Grandfather, and.....Friend. I know we could all use a bit of comfort these days.”

“Hope. We could all use a bit of that, too. But, I know what you’re saying. Joe offers a feel-good vibe that resonates with people of all age groups and beliefs. Barack knew what he was doing when he asked Joe to be his running-mate.”

“Two wise, intelligent people working together.....  What are the odds of that ever happening again?”

“It will happen. It has to happen, again. One person can’t alienate an entire country! Can he? There will always be Thinkers and Believers out there to counteract and neutralize what’s happening in Washington today. Let’s just make it to November and we’ll see the difference. We’re already feeling the difference every single day.”

“Maybe Joe will help give us more insight and depth on this....that is, if he gets political. This whole thing is about his late son, Beau, and how family means so much to him. About Joe writing this book and the promise Beau made him commit to before he passed away. I think it’s about youth, too. Not just losing Beau at the young age of forty-six, but, also, losing his wife and young daughter years ago. And yet...he still takes the time to comfort others in time of need. He’s a good man.”

“He is a good man. You mentioned youth. (Taking a moment to take the last swig of his coffee) We’re the ‘old farts’ around now, you know, including Joe. It used to be our grandparents and then our parents and now....it’s us. We always knew it would happen. All of this accumulated knowledge we’ve stored ‘upstairs’ throughout the years isn’t anything to push aside or take lightly. It has to mean something to others.”

“I agree. Try explaining that to our children and grandchildren!” 

(He chuckles out loud) “Don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it, as the old saying goes. But, let’s think in terms of people such as Joe Biden. His accomplishments when dealing with the Ukraine, Central America, and Iraq brought with it a sense of triumph even though he was riddled by heart wrenching pain dealing with Beau’s illness; Beau’s death.”

“I haven’t read his book yet. I wish I had going into this tonight just to gather a bit of insight, if nothing else. But, what I see in Joe is a man who knows, not only the value of his own family and friendships but, the value of our youth and what they have to offer, contribute, and accomplish in terms of creating the balance this country has lost in the past year and so desperately needs, once again. I want to see lots and lots of young people listening to Joe tonight! I need to know that his in-depth knowledge and finesse truly means something to them.”

“I do, too.”

“I don’t think I can drink this whole thing. (Holding her coffee cup at eye level) My tummy has been upset all day.”

“You don’t have to finish it, you know. I hope it’s just ‘minimal crud’ and not the flu. (Placing the back of his hand up to her forehead and smiling) Nope! No fever here.”

“I think its just a busy week to look forward to between writing, writing and posting, cleaning the house, and coming-up with some creative meal ideas.......all before our company arrives on Friday.”

“Hey, don’t worry about the house. (Sliding back his chair to get up) It always looks great and, besides, Jan and Fred are coming to see us, to talk, laugh, and, unfortunately, commiserate with us over the last year of a Trump administration. (Helping her gather her things) Don’t forget your umbrella.”

(Both take a moment to nod their good-byes to their temporary table-mates)

“They opened the front doors about ten minutes ago. Glad we’re so close. (Walking outside) It really has turned out to be a warm, beautiful night in Downtown Orlando! Glad my umbrella is still working! Let’s go people watch while we wait in the lobby. I want to see who’s here to show some respect and love for this amazing man.”

CEILING ABOVE STAGE AT
DOCTOR PHILLIPS CENTER FOR
THE PERFORMING ARTS

THE AUTHOR AND HER BETTER HALF

RIGHT ON TIME!

READY TO BEGIN ~~
IN FRONT OF A PACKED HOUSE

(An hour and fifteen minutes later.....)

“Let me snap a picture of you in front of the building. Thanks. (Stashing her newest i-Phone back into the pocket of her purse) You know what, I just thought of something interesting. You and I have been to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts twice now. Each time it was to see and listen to a man named Joe.”

“Never thought about that. But, you’re absolutely right! Joe Bonamassa for his amazing musical talents and Joe Biden for his soothing words of wisdom.”

“If things come in threes....what ‘Joe’ is closely associated to the production of Hamilton coming next season? Just hoping, I guess. (Wide smile spreading across her face)

“Well, if I remember my history correctly, Alexander Hamilton did not have a middle name....let alone the nickname of Joe. Sorry.”

(Blending in with the crowd heading back to the parking ramp)

“Elizabeth Vargas asked Joe some great questions and, actually, succeeded in making him cry several times.”

“I agree but, Joe was going to break down no matter what she asked him. I really think she was there to hold his hand along the way. May we never have to endure such personal pain. It was so good to see this graceful, intelligent man on stage who is familiar with the ins and outs of the crazy, mixed-up, world of politics, and knows how to handle all of it so well. I’m not denying he would have made a great President.”

“Crazy thing is, he still could be. You never really know what’s going to happen, as we can attest to with the current White House resident, right? I feel we know a little bit better where Joe stands after tonight. Let’s see, he mentioned Booker, Harris, Murphy, Gillibrand, Cuomo, Klobuchar, and Kennedy, to name a few.....! Heck, I’d like to throw in Rachel Maddow myself.”

“Everything would be explained to us in explicit detail with Rachel at the helm, that’s for sure!”

A BEAUTIFUL EVENING IN ORLANDO

“Even though he mainly focused on what he wrote in Promise Me, Dad, the audience was totally receptive to his implications about running again if need be. Even though his angle was directed towards our young, aspiring politicians, I could almost see the twinkle in his eyes when we enthusiastically clapped over a possible third go at it. I felt he was kind of testing the waters with this book tour.”

“After all....it is called his ‘American Promise Tour!’  Hey, those were pretty great seats I got, right?”

“Good job, Honey.”

(Wrapping her arm around his)

“I was happy to see so many young people here tonight. It makes me feel good to believe that they care enough to get involved and listen to the words of the recent past in order to make a better life for themselves and their families. They must not become complacent about the future....hard work and dedication are critical. Thank you, Sweetheart, for my amazing Christmas gift! I’ll happily remember our coffee and Monday night date with Joe.”

“You’re very welcome. I thought you’d like to listen to him. (Opening the passenger door and taking a bow) Your chariot awaits....”

“Ten minutes drive home and I can kick my shoes off. Hallelujah! A perfect ending to a wonderful evening. And, I get to fall asleep tonight melting into the soft, inspirational words of Joe Biden. A very special night.....”

“And, a dry one. So glad you brought your umbrella!”

                                                   Courtesy: ABC13 Houston

Copyright © 2018 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved