The Politician's Wife

This story contains themes of spousal neglect and mental abuse.

“Rod, I’m tired. I can’t wash and dry the clothes and take care of the children at the same time. I need your help.”

Darlene walked into Rod’s office with their three-year-old daughter, Bobbi Jo, on her hip, the baby in a sling across her chest, and Rod, Jr. trailing behind. Rod sat, as usual, like a king on a throne behind his enormous oak desk, surrounded by political papers and letters. He swiftly placed the one he was reading face down on the closest pile.

“Honey, you know this is an important time! The election is six months away. We’ve been building momentum. The people love us, and you and the children the most.”

Darlene stared at him, stone faced. “I have a home to run, Rod. The people can wait.”

“Dar, I know you’re still recovering from the new baby. It’s going to get better, I promise.”

“It will get a lot better if you start helping.”

Darlene plopped Bobbi Jo on Rod’s lap and told Rod, Jr. to play with the model train in the corner of the office. As she turned on her heel to leave, she noticed an open envelope from her gynecologist’s office on Rod’s desk.

“Probably just the bill,” she thought to herself as she returned to her chores. Rod’s eyes remained glued to Darlene’s back as she left the room. He was grateful that she rarely asked questions about his papers. He had an election to win.

###

 The camera flashes and broadcast lights were all too much for Darlene. She’d been spending days and nights for months on the campaign trail in her best dresses and suits, high heels, hair and makeup, all for Rod. Smile and wave, look pretty, shake hands, kiss babies, take photos, quietly stand by and support her man. But she was so tired, bone tired and in near constant pain. This last pregnancy and cesarean section took more out of her than the other two combined. Something was not right, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. The heat of a campaign was not the time to dwell on it, however.

 “Stiff upper lip and carry on, Darlene. For Rod. For the family,” Darlene reminded herself daily as she marched dutifully beside Rod down the campaign trail.

    ###

    Friday before the election, John Brown poked his head into Rod’s office to give him a message.

“Mr. Marshall, sir, your wife’s gynecologist has called again. He wants to know if you’ve decided to do anything about his letter.”

 Rod swiftly closed the door to his office.

“Dammit, John. Please be more discreet. You know she’s around the office a lot more these days. No, we aren’t doing anything until the campaign is over. There can be no distractions right now. I will talk to her when I deem the time is right.”

“So you want me to tell him …”

“I want you to tell him to mind his damn business and let me handle my wife.”

“Certainly, sir.”

###

“Dar, honey. It’s going to be a long weekend. I know there will be a lot of engagements leading up to the election. I’ve arranged for the children to stay with your mother until the election is over. Why don’t you get some rest this afternoon?”

Darlene raised a skeptical eyebrow. Thoughtful Rod was new.

“What do you want, Rod?”

“Can’t I just do something nice for my wife once in a while?

“That’s not your usual mode of operation.”

“Okay, well, the party has added an election night watch party on Tuesday night. The first of its kind. They think we will win and want it all caught on television. It will probably be a very late night, and I want my wife there with me.”

“I knew it had to be something.”

“Well, this will be your victory too. You have been such a key part of my campaign.”

“Sure, sure. You know I’ll be there, Rod. I’m always there.”

 Rod kissed her forehead in appreciation and left her to rest. Darlene stared at the ceiling, wondering once again where the charming GI she fell in love with had disappeared to. She pulled out her new electric heating pad for the ever-present stomach cramps and fell into a fitful sleep.

###

Election night was electric, even Darlene thought so. She wore a beautiful new white gown that Rod splurged on with opera gloves, her brown hair in an elegant contemporary updo. Diamond drop earrings sparkled beside her beatific smile. She looked like an American princess. Rod, wearing a dark black suit, bathed in her glow all night. Interspersed between songs from a live band, Rod gave rousing speeches, a trademark of his campaign. The crowd grew frenzied under the bunting, waiting for what seemed inevitable. As the polling results came in and it became apparent that Rod would win in a landslide, he became almost manic. The band played “Moon River”, and he lifted her up in the air and twirled her around like Fred Astaire. It was almost like the honeymoon they never had. For a moment, Darlene forgot her pain and remembered the young GI Rod who swept her off her feet in the Five and Dime when she was 18.

###

“Darlene, as the governor’s wife, MY wife, you’ll have full-time help with the children. A nanny and a maid are already part of the Governor’s Mansion budget.”

“Gee, Rod. Really? … But is there a catch?”

“Always the negative one! I mean, you’ll have duties, of course. The First Lady hosts official functions at the Governor’s Mansion, represents me at public and civic engagements, and advocates for charitable and social initiatives.”

“Of course. Duties. How silly of me. When do I begin?”

“Well, immediately, of course. We’ve got so much to accomplish!”

“Rod, I’m still struggling. Something is wrong. My body isn’t right …”

“Dar, honey, that’s to be expected after three children and a cesarean on the last one! I’m sure it’s fine.”

“No, you don’t understand. This time is so different from the first two. It just doesn’t feel right.”

“I know this election season was hard. You were absolutely amazing. I’ll try to take it slow, ok?”

“Well ok, Rod. You know I’m always here for you.”

“Yes, you are. But would you be if you knew?” Rod thought to himself as he watched his wife leave the room.

###

The years of Rod’s first term passed quickly. True to his word, Rod tried to keep the burden on Darlene relatively light. Darlene spent most of her time hosting events at the Governor’s Mansion. She opened the first floor of the Mansion to the public for the first time, allowing tours during the week. The funds from these paid tours were used to pay for extra staff to help around the Mansion. The pain and fatigue ebbed and flowed, and Darlene learned to live with it. As the children grew, she spent more weekends at the family cabin in the country. Nature seemed to help when she felt her worst. From time to time, Darlene made public appearances to cut ribbons or support worthy charities. Every time, the public loved her.

Rod was more controversial, but that was part of the job, he always said. Faced with a looming term limit, a relic from Reconstruction, Rod was working the Legislature feverishly to get his chance at re-election. 

“Darlene, your ribbon cutting for the new labor and delivery unit was a huge success,” Rod crowed, tossing down the morning paper. “You got the front page, and it’s glowing! Bumped all the damn hippies and protestors and the negative opinion pieces about term limits. You are my secret weapon!”

“That’s great, Rod. We need to talk. I think I’m getting worse.”

“Oh honey. Not now! Are you sure? You know we’ve got this term limit issue and hopefully a new election coming up.”

“I know, Rod. I know. But I’ve started bleeding. A lot. It’s way more than normal, and the pain is unbearable. I don’t know what’s going on.”

“Ok, OK, hon. Why don’t you make an appointment, after the vote on the term limits next week?”

“Alright, Rod. I can wait a little longer.”

“She really is a remarkable woman,” Rod thought to himself.

###

Rod lost the term limit vote by the narrowest of margins. One party defector, a likely rival for the crown, had broken ranks and voted against the measure. Darlene knew enough to stay away from Rod for a while after that. He created a crisis room in his office suite where he locked himself away with his staff, plotting his next move. Rod had never been one to take setbacks lying down. After a long weekend of scheming, he emerged with a plan that was so utterly insane, it just might work.

“Darlene, my dear. I know I’m about to ask so much from you. But I need you to run as a surrogate candidate for me. You can appear on the ballot as ‘Mrs. Rod Marshall,’ so everyone will know you are running on my behalf. Our campaign slogan will be ‘Two Governors, One Cause.’ The lawyers say this will work. It’s been done in Texas before, in 1924.”

“Rod, I don’t know. I’m not a politician! I don’t even like public speaking or any of that nonsense. Will I actually have to do your job?”

“No, honey, no. Absolutely not. I’ll still be the actual governor in practice. You’re just running in my place to get around this stupid rule. You can call me your number one assistant, if you like, but I promise I’ll do all the heavy lifting.”

“Well, ok Rod. But I need to go see the doctor like we talked about.”

“Yes, of course. After we make the announcement of your candidacy, alright?”

“Alright dear. Can we pick a date? I need to know when I can make an appointment.”

“Certainly, we should have everything ready in about two weeks. Does that work for you?”

“Yes dear. Thank you.”

###

The announcement sent the papers into overdrive. Darlene was described as “the most unlikely candidate imaginable.” Her opponents painted her as a mere proxy for Rod’s insatiable appetite for power. Darlene found herself swept into a whirlwind of interviews and campaign appearances. Not as dynamic a speaker as Rod, Darlene was effective in her own way. As the only woman in a crowded field, she drew attention. Her previous good will as First Lady still followed her, and people responded to her dutiful persona.

“I admit that it never even crossed my mind that I’d ever enter politics myself. But I pledge that Rod and I will continue what he started in this great state. With the Marshall ticket, you’ll have Two Governors, One Cause—Progress without Compromise and Accomplishment without Surrender.”

Darlene stepped off the stage to resounding applause.

“You’re a natural, hon.”

“Rod, I’ve got my appointment tomorrow. I can’t make any appearances until next week.”

“I know. Your calendar is clear. I’ll take care of it.”

Rod motioned to his press officer as his wife walked wearily to her car.

“Make sure you spend the weekend working the papers and the broadcasts over this appearance. She’s going to be out of commission for the weekend.”

“Got it, sir. We’ve had one reporter asking health questions.”

“Quash them. Tell them it’s highly inappropriate to ask such things about a lady.”

“You got it, sir.”

###

The day after Darlene won the primary, she sat in her new office, shaking.

“Thank you, Doctor. Yes. I understand. What should I do? A hysterectomy? Immediately? I will have to discuss it with my husband. Yes. I will call you back right away.”

Darlene hung up the phone and paged John Brown, Rod’s aid.

“John, I need to talk to Rod right away. Can you ask him to come to my office, please?”

“Darlene, are you alright? You sound distressed.”

“No, John, I’m not alright. I just got an unpleasant call from my doctor. I need to speak to Rod right away.”

“Oh, is it about the cancer?”

Darlene drew in her breath sharply.

“Excuse me, John, what did you say?”

“The cancer, ma’am. I assume Mr. Marshall finally told you.”

“Finally told me what, John?”

“Your gynecologist spotted it during your last pregnancy, ma’am. I thought you knew.”

Darlene swallowed hard and bit the inside of her cheek to compose herself.

“Just get me Rod, please, John. Immediately,” the ice in her voice very apparent.

“Yes, ma’am.”

###

Rod, duly warned by John, entered the office trying to work his best angle.

“Honey …”

“You bastard, you knew. And you didn’t tell me!”

“Dar, they weren’t sure! I didn’t want you to worry.”

“That’s not what John said. And you didn’t want to destroy your political career!”

“But Dar …”

“Don’t Dar me. Speaking of John, who else knew? WHO ELSE KNEW BEFORE ME?”

Rod had never heard Darlene yell, not once in their entire marriage. Darlene was the master of composure always. Rod debated lying to her, but he thought better of it.  

“Well, John knew because your doctor called several times. A few other staffers who answered phones in John’s absence also knew. I think Steven and Barry. That’s it, as far as I know. I instructed everyone to keep it quiet.”

As Rod was speaking, Darlene was pacing the room like a caged lioness. It was a bit frightening, if he was honest.

“Of course you did. The better to protect your precious image. What about me? We could have treated this! I have suffered for years for you and your secrecy and lies.”

“We can still treat it now. I’ll get you the best doctors. If you want to go to Houston, I’ll cover for you. Whatever you need.”

“You better. You have no choice or I’ll tell the world who you really are.”

Rod nodded and left the room, recognizing he had been dismissed.

###

Darlene had her hysterectomy quietly, with nothing leaking to the press. She traveled to Texas on the weekends for radiation treatments. Rod’s machine was expert at misdirection and the public was none the wiser. Keeping up as many campaign appearances as she could, Darlene promised that Rod would be her number one assistant, and Rod often appeared in her place when she was unable to appear. The public loved the “Two Governors” approach, and Darlene won easily. Governor Darlene Marshall was sworn in with Rod standing proudly at her side.

###

“Darlene, what am I hearing about you pushing your own initiatives. You know we agreed that I am the one in charge here.”

“Rod, I am the sitting Governor, and I have the right to have a say in what goes on in this state. Our state parks are woefully underfunded. You know how much nature meant to me in the early days of my illness. In addition, I visited a state mental hospital and a state school for the developmentally disabled last month. The conditions are appalling. There are children living in filthy, barracks-like settings. It’s a travesty!”

“Dar, honey, you really should be sticking to our original agreement.”

“Rod,” Darlene’s eyes hardened, “I think I’ve earned this. It’s a small ask, really, and for the good of the state, don’t you think?”

“Yes, dear, you’re right. Is there anything else you’re working on that you haven’t told me about.”

“Not at the moment, but I’ll be sure to let you know if that changes.”

###

The signing ceremony for her appropriations bill was thrilling. Darlene loved knowing that she had championed something that would change life for the better for so many people.

“I think I understand why Rod loves this so much. This feeling could be addicting.”  

Smiling and waving at her supporters, Darlene returned to her office at the Governor’s Office. Taking off her suit jacket and laying it across the settee, she reached for the phone to call John for some fresh water. Suddenly, the phone clattered against the side of the desk, dangling from the cord as Darlene clutched at her stomach.

“Mrs. Marshall? Mrs. Marshall! Are you alright?”

John’s voice sounded tinny through the dangling phone. Darlene collapsed to the floor and heard no more.