The Invitation-kindle by Michael McKinney Page A

he is a wheelchair-bound triple amputee. Through determination and sheer force of will, Steve Kearns campaigned indefatigably to win his election. A well-liked Democrat in a conservative district, he makes it a point to be accessible to all of his constituents. This afternoon finds him in his home town where he grew up, and where he and his wife Rebecca maintain their modest home. The topic of their after dinner conversation today is highly atypical. The President has asked Steve to come to Miami for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Unsure as to why the invitation was offered, he hesitantly agreed. His wife Rebecca would prefer his company at home. Still adjusting to the unpredictable work schedules of a freshman Congressman, she jealously protects the time they have together. Rebecca knows all too well the practical difficulties involved in her husband’s travel schedule. Seeing the trip to Miami as needless, she voices her opinion to her husband.
    “I don’t understand it. It doesn’t make any sense.”
    “It sure took me by surprise.”
    “You said he called you?” Rebecca asks.
    “Yeah, I’m sitting there having lunch with two other Congressmen, and my cell phone rings. I almost didn’t answer it. I said hello, and heard a man say, ‘Congressman Kearns, the President would like to speak with you.’ I thought it was a prank. Then I heard, ‘Steve this is Ken Myers. Do you have a few minutes?’ That’s when I realized who I was talking to.”
    “What did you say?”
    “I said, ‘Yes, Sir, I do.’ You should’ve seen the expression on Tim Sweeney’s face when I called him ‘Mr. President.’”
    “I guess so. What did he say to you?”
    “Actually, not much. He thanked me for my support on the energy bill. Then before I could say anything he asked me to come to Miami for the opening ceremonies. I was stunned. I just said, ‘Yes, I’d be glad to be there.’”
    “Well, that’s very flattering, but does he realize how difficult it is for you to travel?”
    “I think so.”
    “I don’t know. It doesn’t sound like it. Oh, well. I’ll be coming with you, so it’ll be okay. Did you make reservations for the flight?”
    “It’s already taken care of.”
    “For both of us?” Rebecca asks.
    “Yes, both of us,”
    “Which airline?”
    Seeing only a smile on her husband’s face, she asks again, “Which airline?”
    “Uh, you might have heard of it. It’s called Air Force One.”
    “What?”
    “Air Force One.”
    “Are you serious?”
    “I am.”
    “The President said that?” she asks.
    “That’s right.”
    “That’s incredible. Wait a minute. I’m not in the government. He probably meant that for you only.”
    “No, both of us,”
    “Are you sure?”
    “He said, ‘I hope Rebecca can come with you.’ That’s a direct quote.”
    “He said my name?”
    “That’s right.”
    “How does he know my name?”
    “In Washington, people make it their business to know those things. It gives them an edge.”
    “Wow, you didn’t tell me this over the phone yesterday.”
    “I wanted to tell you in person. Are you excited?”
    “Are you kidding? Who wouldn’t be?” How long will we stay in Miami?”
    “Just for the opening ceremonies. We’ll be back home by Sunday night, unless you want to stay longer.”
    “I have to tell my mother,” Rebecca says as she quickly rises.
    “Say hi for me,” Steve says, as he receives a kiss from his wife.
    “I will,” she says.
    Steve smiles contentedly as his wife prances out of the room with giddy excitement. He can imagine how difficult it must be for a woman to be married to a man with disabilities as severe as his. The love, respect, and gratitude he feels for her is unceasing.
    Steve and Rebecca were planning to have children when he got out of the Army. That all changed in a split second, when the bomb blast that nearly killed him left him maimed for life. That was over five years ago. In that time Rebecca has been