Manhattan Miracle (26 page)

Lindy paused and glanced at each of the other women. "Ladies, Sally and I are proposing that we form a political party for women. Men can join. We know not all men are pigs. There are many empathetic, caring men, who can sign up as SAFE members. Ladies, women have the numbers and with that, we have the power to, as some politicians are so fond of saying, 'Take back our country'."

Carla snickered and mumbled, "Except we never had it."

Lindy laughed. "Picky, picky." Which caused everyone to laugh.

"Now, if I may continue." Lindy held up the paper she'd shown to Sally. "We just got preliminary polling back from Molly Markum at the Women's League that tells us that sixteen percent of the women polled would be somewhat or very interested in joining a political party whose candidates are exclusively women or proponents of women's issues."

"Sixteen percent isn't very much," said Jennifer.

"You're right, but the poll was based on a hypothetical. Think about it, if the poll is accurate, roughly twenty million women are mad enough to join a party that doesn't yet exist. I was told, if we received five percent we had a window. Give women an actual women's party and that might easily double and that's without going out and actually recruiting women."

Kelly raised her hand.

"Yes, Kelly?"

"You mentioned the Women's League. Are they aware of your plan, and if so, what is their opinion?"

Sally answered, "I can't speak for the entire membership of the Women's League. To say their president, Molly Markum, is in favor of a women's party is like saying a golfer is pleased when she gets a hole-in-one."

Lindy grinned. "Molly and the leadership of other women's groups we've spoken to are all ecstatic and behind us one hundred percent."

Sally nodded. "Yes, and they've committed to giving us any support they can."    

A buzz of activity and a flurry of questions followed Lindy's revelation.

"What will the Democrats and Republicans do?"

"I'm in, but won't we need more women?"

"Isn't this an overreach for six women?"

"How do we get the word out?"

"What about abortion?"

"And contraception? That was settled eons ago."

"How about equal pay?"

"How about the economy?"

"Yeah, and won't we need money? Lots of money?"

"What's this new party called?"

Sally waved her hands for a time out. "Ladies, please. Lindy or I will answer all of your questions. Unless you have a better idea, we are naming our party Stand Aligned For Equality. Or SAFE, for short."

"Ooh, I like that. I feel SAFE and more equal already." Brenda clapped her hands, excitedly.

Everyone laughed.

Sally continued. "As for what the other parties will do, I don't know, but I hope they cringe in their wingtips."

More laughter.

Lindy chipped in. "If we're successful, we'll need plenty more women and men—hundreds, perhaps thousands of staff members and volunteers."

Sally added. "As for getting the word out, each of you has a sphere of expertise, which if you join us, will help to get the word out. Who wants in?"

Brenda snickered. "Try and keep me out!"

"Me too," Kelly agreed, "I'm definitely in."

Carla raised her hand. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Count me in."

Jennifer pursed her lips. "I'm in as long as hubby doesn't have a fit."

"Fantastic. Brenda will pass out information sheets for you to fill out."

Brenda quickly passed sheets to the members.

"Thank you Brenda. Now, Kelly asked if we weren't going to need money. Yes, we will need money—tons of it. Lindy and I have opened a checking account for $40,000, which is everything we can spare. We would like each of you to donate—if you can—what you can.

"Kelly, your husband is rich, and together you have many wealthy contacts. That's why we're naming you our Treasurer and Chairwoman for fundraising."

Kelly grinned. "I was hoping you'd ask me. I already do fundraising for many charities and believe me, I have connections." She laughed. "In fact, as a charter member of SAFE, my husband has agreed to make SAFE's first donation—the sum of $100,000."

All mouths dropped open with accompanying gasps.

"I don't—"

Lindy held up her hand. "Please Jennifer. This is what Sally and I want. Ten hours of charity a week is enough, from what Sally says you have a family. You have bills to pay and mouths to feed."

Jennifer smiled. "I'm used to long hours. I'll keep track of my hours, but I'll only report them if I need money."

"And that leaves Brenda. Sweetie, you will continue your normal job on my staff, but, in addition, we want you to be our public relations person. You will arrange for getting one or both of us TV guest spots, magazine interviews, town hall meetings
, etc."

Lindy added. "We'll also need you to work closely with Kelly on fundraisers."

Brenda took a deep breath. "I'm kind of inexperienced, but it sounds like fun. What about a website? We'll definitely need a website."

"Lindy has already made one. Tell them Lindy."

"Sure. Ladies our website is www.safe.gov. Sally's email is [email protected] and mine is [email protected]. You will all be given similar emails so let me know how you want your name displayed.

"How about social media and a blog?" Brenda added, "Those would really help to get the word out."

"I agree," said Sally, "Lindy and I discussed that, but it's out of our realm of expertise. Carla, could you set up and operate the blog? I can contribute an occasional piece, plus I'd like to have politicians contribute guest blogs."

"No problem, boss."

"Good and as for Twitter and so forth, can you get that going, Brenda?"

"I'd love to, but it could become a handful with all my other work."

Lindy leaned forward placing her arms on the table. "When it gets to be too much to handle, hire someone to monitor them, but make sure you keep an eye on what we're sending out."

~ * * ~

Sally and Lindy remained after the others and had another drink. "What do you think, Lindy?"

"I think they're great. Couldn't ask for better members to start. I am disappointed in you though."

Sally's eyebrows arched. Stiffening, she pointed at her chest. "Me? What for?"

"You started this whole women’s party thing because the Democratic Party wouldn’t support you to run for the U.S. Senate and now that you will have a party's support you’re not even running.”

"Didn't you hear what I said? They would super-PAC the hell out of me."

"Sweetheart, you are one of the smartest women I know. You are the perfect candidate, and your constituents love you. You should run against Winston and Mannogue for that senate seat. They are going to super-PAC all of us. We are a mortal threat to politics as they know it, so you may as well get used to it. I would like to see you be SAFE's first candidate for national office. That alone would give us national exposure that would take hundreds of thousands of advertising dollars to match."

"You make some good points. However, I figure I'll be buried getting SAFE up and running."

Lindy picked up and bit the end off a chip. “Nothing you could do here would advance our agenda, more than having a candidate for national office." 

Sally swallowed the last of her not so frozen margarita. "Would you be my campaign manager?"

Lindy smiled. "If you'll have me."

Sally laughed. "When did you turn comedian? Let's go to my office. I want to compare the pros and cons."

List of Published Novels and Novellas

1. A Dangerous Game
   
2. Alice
   in Eroticland *
   
3. Angel Love *
   
4. April Showers *
   
5. Blind Date
   [2
   nd
   Edition]
   
6. By the Book
   
7. Dreams
   
8. Dumped
   [2
   nd
   Edition]
   
9. Duped
   
10. EEK! I'm a Woman
    
11. Felicity Jones
    
12. Felicity Jones – Rendezvous
    
13. Forbidden Passion
    
14. Fortune Cookie Magic
    
15. French Kiss [2
    nd
    Edition]
    
16. Fresh Cut Romance
    
17. Gender Wars– War on Women
    
18. Getting Naked
    at the
    Hilton
    
19. Groovin in
    Waikiki
    
20. Hollywood
    Witches
    
21. Lipstick
    Lesbos
    
22. Manhattan
    Miracle
    
23. Mysta Ree *
    
24. Naked Research
    
25. Obsession
    
26. Seducing a Geek
    
27. Sister Laurel & the Atheist
    
28. Sleeping with the Band *
    
29. The Bastard Preacher
    
30. & several shorter works
    

* Straight Erotica, no romance

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Manhattan Miracle

Copyright © 20
14 by Dee Dawning

Cover design by
Kayden McLeod

Cover art copyright
© 2014 by New Dawning Bookfair.

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