Before I Say Good-Bye Read Online Free PDF

used to understand, she thought as she set the table, poured fresh-squeezed orange juice and reachedfor the coffeepot. He used to say that he was looking forward to having a good seat in the Visitors’ Gallery on Capitol Hill. That was three years ago. What had happened to change his mind? she wondered.
    She tried not to be bothered by Adam’s preoccupied air as he hurried into the kitchen, slid onto the bench at the breakfast bar and reached for the Wall Street Journal, all with only a nod of acknowledgment.
    “Thanks, Nell, but I’m honestly not hungry,” he said, when she offered him the omelet she had prepared. So much for the extra effort, she thought.
    She sat across from him and considered what tack she should take. From the closed expression on his face, she could tell this wasn’t the right moment to begin any discussion about her possible run for a congressional seat. And that’s just too bad, she thought, feeling her irritation begin to mount. I may just have to go ahead without his blessing.
    She reached for her own coffee and glanced down at the front page of the Times. One of the lead articles caught her eye. “My God, Adam, have you seen this? The district attorney may press bid-rigging charges against Robert Walters and Len Arsdale.”
    “I know that.” His voice was controlled, level.
    “You worked with them for nearly three years,” she said, shocked. “Will you be questioned?”
    “Probably,” he said matter-of-factly. Then he smirked. “Tell Mac he has nothing to worry about. The family honor will remain unstained.”
    “Adam, that’s not what I meant!”
    “Come on, Nell, I can read you like a book. You’re trying to find a way to tell me that the old man has talked you into running for office. When he opens hisnewspaper this morning, the first thing he’ll do is call you and say that having my name associated with an investigation such as this might well hurt your chances. I’m right, aren’t I?”
    “You’re right about my wanting to run for office, but the possibility of your hurting my chances certainly never entered my mind,” Nell said evenly. “I think I know you well enough to know that you’re not dishonest.”
    “There are varying degrees of honesty in the construction business, Nell,” Adam said. “Fortunately for you, I stick to the highest standards, which is one of the many reasons I left Walters and Arsdale. Do you think that will satisfy Mac the Icon?”
    Nell stood up, her irritation flashing. “Adam, look, I can understand why you’re upset, but don’t take it out on me. And since you brought it up, I’ll tell you. Yes, I’ve decided I am going to go for Mac’s seat, since Bob Gorman is giving it up, and I think it might be nice if you supported me.”
    Adam shrugged and shook his head. “Nell, I’ve been honest with you. Since we’ve been married I’ve seen that politics is an all-absorbing way to spend a life. It can be tough on a marriage. Many don’t survive. But it’s clearly your decision to make, and clearly you’ve made it.”
    “Yes, I have,” she said, struggling to keep her voice even. “So please have the good grace to put up with it, if that’s what it takes, because I have news for you, Adam: it’s a lot worse for a marriage if one spouse tries to keep the other from doing something he or she wants. All along, I’ve tried to help you in your career.So please give me a break. Help me in mine, or at least don’t make it so hard for me.”
    He shoved his chair back and stood. “So that’s that, I guess.” He moved to leave, then turned back. “Don’t worry about dinner tonight. We’ve got a meeting scheduled on the boat, and afterward I’ll get something to eat downtown.”
    “Adam, it’s Gert’s seventy-fifth birthday. She’ll be so disappointed if you’re not there.”
    He faced her. “Nell, not even for Gert—whom I like very much. Forgive me, but I just do not want to spend this evening with Mac.”
    “Adam,