Honor Thy Mother & Thy Father Ch. 29

"You have just undertaken one of the worst jobs in this country. Your workload is massive. Regardless of what your decision is, everyone will second-guess you, and you will never get any respect. I wish you both well."

As he had all his life, Fred poured his heart and soul into his new job. The Chief Justice was wrong. Fred did get the respect of his peers and the attorneys that stood before him.

Six years later, in the middle of his second term, Clark Atwater had an opportunity that rarely happens to a President. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court died in a skiing accident at Mount Washington, Vermont.

Before the services could be arranged, a second Supreme Court Justice advised the president that he would be stepping down immediately, because he had been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.

A third Supreme Court justice, who was approaching his 80th birthday was so overcome with grief at the loss of his two longtime companions on the bench, advised the President that he also was retiring. All three members of the Supreme Court were appointed by Presidents from the Right side of the aisle.

President Atwater had a smile on his face as long as the Mississippi River. He was the first president ever to be able to stack the Supreme Court in favor of the Left side of the aisle, for the next 30 years. There were four liberal justices remaining on the court. One conservative justice, and one who would go with his heart.

The President called a meeting with the heads of the Right side of the aisle to give them a chance to speak their minds. He had 62 votes in the Senate, and he could do whatever he wanted. However, he did not want to act imperiously, he wanted to be fair to the country he loved.

As they sat down in the Oval Office, the President said, "I want you to read the top page and look at the justices who have been vetted and approved for the bench."

The spokesman said, "Mister President most of these justices are so liberal the court will approve cocaine for breakfast."

"Yes, I know, however I want you to look at one name on that list; Fred Hastings. Now look at the 2^nd page."

"Mister President, these justices are more centrist, but there is still not one conservative mentioned among them."

"Yes, I know, however I want you to look at one name on that list; Fred Hastings. Now look at page 3."

"Mister President, there are only 3 names on this list. Two are outstanding conservative justices, and the 3^rd is Judge Hastings. Are you trying to tell us something?"

"Jack, you have your choice of page 1, 2, or 3. Which one would you like. My first nomination is going to be Judge Hastings. If he is not approved on the first vote, the choice goes from your hands to mine."

"I give you my word Mister President, he will pass through my committee like a hot knife through butter."

"I am going to announce his candidacy for the court this afternoon. I want to hear glowing remarks from your side of the aisle. No other appointments will be made until after he has been approved."

"I have your word on the other 2 appointments?"

The President picked up his pen, signed a copy of the 3^rd page, and handed it to the minority leader.

"Is this good enough for you?"

The minority leader tore apart the paper. "Mister President, your word is good enough for me."

Clark hit a button on his phone and told his assistant to get his niece and for great-nieces to the White House as soon as possible.

Sandy and Cindy were in their 2^nd year at Georgetown Law School. Debbie and Danni were in their first year of Medical School. They had passed the Law School Aptitude Test (LSAT) but when their father was on the floor laughing at them, it was the final straw. They took the Medical School Aptitude Test(MSAT) after studying night and day for 6 weeks. They passed in the top 5% of the country. Fred could not have been prouder of them. He had a large sign made for the living room that stated, "WE HATE LAWYERS, and DOCTORS!"

When the Secret Service walked into Cindy and Sandy's Contracts class, their professor was irate.

"This class is in session; how dare you interrupt it."

The Secret Service agent whispered into the professor's ear and his eyes opened wide. "Cindy and Sandy Hastings, go with these men immediately; you are wanted at the White House. Your father is being appointed to the Supreme Court."

The law class stood and applauded as the 2 students rushed to leave the class.

A helicopter landed at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. 2 Secret Service agents rushed to get Danni and Debbie Hastings from their class. They explained to the instructor what was happening and he immediately dismissed the 2 students from class.

The instructor explained the rapid departure of the 2 students from their class because Judge Hastings had been nominated to the Supreme Court of the United States and Debbie and Danni had been summoned to the White House for the announcement.

There was only one person who did not know what was going on around him: Fred Hastings. 2 fellow judges and he were in the middle of listening to oral arguments, when the Director of the FBI, and several of his men walked into the courtroom, down the center aisle and stopped before the bench.

"Arrest him. Put him in cuffs and read him his rights. Do not let him say a word until we get back to headquarters."

Four FBI agents walked up behind Fred, pulled him into a standing position, put him into plastic cuffs, read him his rights, and told him not to speak.

The courtroom was in a panic. No one knew what was going on, not even his fellow justices.

They walked out the side entrance of the Federal Justice Building, and put Fred into the back of a windowless van, with 2 guards.

"What am I charged with?"

"Do not speak until we get to our destination, or we will gag you."

All sorts of things were running through his head. Had they found out about his past? Did Joe Lombardo or Mike Caifano finally give him up? They had been in jail for quite a while, and maybe they wanted out. Was a going to use him as a pawn?

A voice came over the speaker and said, "Hood him, we are here."

An agent put a black hood over his head, and Fred yelled, "What the hell is going on?"

"Hastings, you are in enough trouble as it is. Do not make me sedate you, or gag you."

They pulled him out of the back of the van, in to the service area of the White House, down a long hall where people were quiet and stopped working as he passed. Finally, they turned into the most powerful room in the world: The Oval Office.

The guard cut him loose from the plastic tie, left the room, and closed the door. Fred heard the door click and removed the head covering. He saw the president sitting behind his desk smiling at him.

"Hi Fred, how are you doing?"

"Mister President, I believe 3 of your predecessors were killed by guns. If there is one in this room, you will be number 4. What the hell is going on?"

"Come with me Fred, and I will explain everything."

"Can I take off my robe?"

"Of course you can."

Fred took off his judicial robe and followed the President out of the Oval Office. Everyone started laughing, but the president did not know why. He turned, looked at Fred, and screamed. "Get back in there and put your robe on. I did not know you were naked underneath."

"You never asked me."

"Fred, you have not changed one bit."

"You would not like me any other way Mister President."

They walked to the Rose Garden, were hundreds of reporters, photographers, and television cameras were set up for the announcement. Sharon and the girls were there, as was Julia and Sondra.

Fred whispered, "What have you done to me now Mister grumpy?"

"That has Mister President to you, Sonny. I have had this planned for at least 8 years, and only prayed that one day it would happen. I told you I would ride your coattails, instead of you riding mine. Try to look dignified, I do not want you to embarrass my niece."

"What are you going to do to me today? Should I pour concrete around my ankles and jump into the Delaware?"

"You would ruin all my plans Fred. You would also miss watching your girls become fine lawyers and doctors."

"You are not playing fair Mister President.

"I am the President; I can cheat when I want to."

"Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States, Clark Atwater."

"That is my cue Fred; come along and listen to a speech I wrote myself."

"Did you remember to use punctuation?"

"Shut up Fred, or I will have Secret Service muzzle you."

"As you wish Mister President; I hope you can reach your handwriting."

Sharon walked over and took Fred's arm. "Fred, stay strong, this will not hurt you one bit."

"You know what it is?"

"Everyone knows what it is, except you."

"In that case, this is going to hurt for a long time."

"Yes it is, but I am so proud of you and so are your children."

Sharon and Fred had been in such deep conversation that they had not listened to the President's speech until Fred heard, "... the next chief justice of the Supreme Court, Fred Philip Hastings."

He looked at Sharon and asked, "What did he just say?"

"When did you become hard of hearing Fred?"

"He did not say what I thought he said, did he?"

"Yes he did dear. The applause is for you. You have earned it, just as you have earned the hearts of your children and me. Go up there and thank the President for his faith in you. Make us proud."

"Mister President, I do not know what I ever did to deserve this great honor. The Constitution of the United States is not a document that is written in stone. It grows like this country grows. It is flexible like this country is flexible. Congress makes the laws. It is up to us in the Courts of this great nation to decide whether these new laws fit within the framework of our Constitution. My life has been dedicated to you, Mister President, the laws of the State of Connecticut, and of these United States. I will endeavor, in every way possible, to make you and this country proud of the way that document protects the rights of the people of this great nation."

The applause was raucous. Many of his friends from the Justice Department had taken time off to see Fred accept this nomination.

That evening on the news talk shows, members on both the Left and Right had nothing but praise to say about the record of Fred Hastings. The Right called him a Centrist, who would fairly judge each case on its merit. The Left said he was a Liberal who would champion their cause.

Hearings were rushed through Congress, and as promised Fred's approval to the Supreme Court was made in record time.

The president kept his promise by nominating two middle of the road Conservative Justices. The Right side of the aisle praise the president's fairness. The Left side called him a turncoat for not putting more liberal justices on the court. In an interview he said, "The court is not about politics. The court is about the laws of this land; and how they should be interpreted. If the scales of justice are weighted down in one direction, that is not justice, that is an abuse of power. I will not allow that to happen on my watch."

********

For the young women of the Hastings household, summer vacation began the first week in June. Aunt Julia demanded that she fly them to their vacation home in Barbados, in her aircraft.

Sharon and the girls tried desperately to talk her out of it, but she would not be denied. They sat her down at the dining room table and told her about their retreat.

"Really; you romp around as God intended?"

"Yes, Julia, as soon as you enter your villa, until the time you leave, you are not allowed to wear any clothing. You only put clothes on when you are going into town to a club or restaurant."

"Do you have an extra bedroom?"

"Absolutely, anything for you and Uncle Clark. The sunrise is absolutely breathtaking. The first time we saw it, we knew we had to buy that property. There is one thing you must do to be prepared for the sand and sea, while you are there."

"What is it?"

"No Hair, anywhere, except on your head."

"That is not a problem. I get waxed clean, once a month. Clark likes it that way."

Cindy said, "OUCH; that has to hurt."

Julia replied, "If you keep it short enough, it does not hurt very much, and you get used to it. You also do not have to be a contortionist to get to those hard-to-reach places."

Sharon shook her head. "Julia, I cannot believe we are having this type of conversation."

She tapped her nieces hand lightly, and said, "It's girl talk. I have not had this much fun in 20 years. When you want to leave?"

"The girls are ready to go. I am going to wait for Fred."

"Screw Fred, come down with us and start your vacation early. He can fly down commercial as soon as the session ends."

Sharon smiled. "Okay, I will screw him tonight. I will tell him we are leaving the day after tomorrow. Is that okay with you?"

"Perfect; I will have the aircraft serviced, inspected, and filled with goodies for the trip. We will leave at 10:30 AM and be in Barbados by 3 PM. We will be naked by 5 o'clock."

"Aunt Julia, you are one amazing woman."

"You should have known me when I was 30, and your uncle Clark was after my ass. I mean he was really after my ass. He got it many times, and he was a happy man."

The girls were laughing hysterically as Aunt Julia told that story. She said to them, "I know none of you are virgins. You all have that look about you. Do not tell me your boyfriends have not gone after that tiny hole that is supposed to be an exit only."

Sharon laughed. "Julia, they are still young and impressionable."

Danni said, "Mom, been there done that."

"Danielle, I am going to wash your mouth out with soap."

"It is better than a spanking."

"Young lady, you are beginning to take after your father."

"Is that a good thing mom, or a bad thing?"

"If you had gone to law school, it would have been a very bad thing."

Julia said she had to get back to the White House before Clark thought she had been abducted. She would be in touch with them the next afternoon and verify their time of departure.

Everyone hugged her goodbye, and watched as the Secret Service drove her safely away.

"Mom, Aunt Julia must have been hot in her day. She still has the body of a younger woman."

"I agree. She must do a lot of exercising to keep herself so fit and trim. I cannot believe she talked about Uncle Clark going after her behind. Don't ever tell your father about that part of our conversation. He will be ruthless with your uncle over it."

********

"She is going to do what?"

"You heard me, she wants to run around with me and the kids on the beach in Barbados."

"The Secret Service will have a coronary. They will have nowhere to hide their guns."

Sharon giggled. "Which guns are you talking about Fred? There are so many nubile, young, attractive naked young women down there, Julia's escorts will be standing at attention all day."

"I have the feeling Clark may have something to say about this trip of hers."

"I have a feeling Julia is not going to mention certain parts of this trip to her husband."

"If the press gets wind of this, they will have a field day at his expense. Do not use her name at all. Please protect the President."

"We will Fred, I promise."

***********

Julia told the head of the Secret Service assignment team that she wanted and all female protection detail because of where she was going to be staying for the next few weeks. He balked initially, until she said, "Do you want me to get my husband involved in this assignment business, or do you want to keep your job. All I need for my vacation is four young, fit women agents. They can stay by me night and day, in the same room. It is an open plan home owned by the chief justice of the Supreme Court. I am going to be there, with his family, until he arrives at the end of the courts session. I want those 4 women at my house tonight at 7 PM for a briefing."

"Yes Mrs. Atwater, they will be there."

She went to her office in the White House and called Sharon. "Honey, I need you at my house at 6:30 tonight. I will tell you all about it when you get there."

She arrived home at the mansion in Virginia at 5 PM and told the staff to leave the house and not to return before 10 PM that evening. Anyone who returned before that time was fired. She told the agents that accompanied her home to patrol the perimeter. They were not to come any closer than 50 yards to the house unless they heard gunshots.

Sharon and the girls showed up at 6:15 PM, having no idea what was happening. When Julia told them what they were going to do they thought it was brilliant.

At 7 PM promptly, the front doorbell rang. Sandy opened the door and told them to come in. She walked towards the dining area, completely naked.

The agents were stunned. They had no idea what was happening at the Presidential estate.

They followed Sandy and when they entered the dining room, there was the president's wife, the chief Justices wife, and 3 more of his children naked, while exercising.

The lead agent asked, "Mrs. Atwater would you like us to leave you alone?"

"Absolutely not, I expect you to get undressed and join us."

"Ma'am, that could get us fired."

"You are taking a direct order from the president's wife. How can you possibly be fired doing that?"

"Ma'am, there is a dress code."

"You are in my house, and I am telling you the dress code here is to be naked in 5 minutes, and start exercising with us. Move it."

5 minutes later four very fit, athletic young women were exercising with the First Lady, and the Chief Justices' wife and family.

Julia said, "Okay, I now know you are not shy about your bodies. You shouldn't be, because you are all beautiful. However, 3 of you have a problem and it has to be taken care of tomorrow, because we leave the next morning. The only hair that is allowed on your body is on your head. The vacation spot we are going to is at a nudist colony. You do not want creepy crawly things getting tangled in the hair around your vaginas, leaving bites in your tender area. No hair ladies, anywhere but on your head. Do any of you have a problem with that?"

3 agents replied, "No ma'am."

"Good, while I am on vacation with you, you will not be able to carry your firearms, for obvious reasons. I am counting on your other skills to keep me safe. The President has no clue as to where I am going and what I will be doing. Let us keep it that way. My name is Betty Cooker, and I am from Alexandria, Virginia. The fewer lies we tell, the better the better off we are. Again, my name is Betty, not Elizabeth, Betty Cooker, from Alexandria Virginia. My husband, Ralph, died in a car accident many years ago. Many people say I am a dead ringer for the presidents' wife. We hear that all the time. I have 2 children, both are in the Army, serving in Wiesbaden Germany. Their names are Ralph Junior, and Roger. That should be all anyone would want to know of a woman my age. In case you do not recognize the people next to you, this is my niece Sharon who is married to the Chief Justice; and my 4 great-nieces. Telling them apart is tricky. The oldest pair is Sandy and Cindy. If you want to know the difference between them, you have to check Cindy's left breast. She has a light brown mole on the underside of it. It would require a warrant for a strip search to find out who is who otherwise.

Then we have the miniatures. We are not quite sure what happened with the height quotient with these 2. However, watch out for them, because dynamite comes in small packages. Debbie and Danni are both 96 pounds. If you saw the way they eat, you would wonder how. Debbie can eat a half gallon of ice cream at a sitting without blinking an eye. Put a bag of double stuffed Oreos, and one-half gallon of milk in front of Danni, and they are gone in 10 minutes. These 2 girls should be beach balls, but they have abs of steel, and can run for miles. It should only happen to me. Do any of you have any questions?"