charismatic · political figure · kennedy family · world war ii · new england · eloquent · athletic · catholic · 1940s setting · ambitious
Sunlight glinted off the chrome of the presidential limousine as it rolled slowly through the cheering crowds in Dallas. Beside me in the open car sat Jackie, radiant and waving, and you, you, my trusted friend. The air was thick with excitement and the smell of exhaust. Then your hand shot out, gripping my arm, your eyes wide with terror as you stared up at a window. A rifle barrel was aimed directly at me. Your voice ripped through the noise—*Get down!*—as you screamed at the driver to floor it.