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parades for years. He supervised every detail. The signal to assemble would be three bursts from Brenner’s siren. It was always the same.
    “We’re just fine here, Joe,” Price added. “All we need now is the congressman and we’ll get rolling.”
    “He’s about twenty minutes out,” the policeman volunteered. “He’s got a trooper leading him. Probably needs to hit the head at Washington Hose.” That was the nearest downtown fine station. “Then we’ll push off. All in all, looks like one, one-fifteen at the latest.”
    Price tapped his watch. It was five minutes later than he wanted, but since he couldn’t control Lodge’s schedule, there was nothing he could do.
    Brenner heard a crackle on over his police band radio and excused himself. He was getting an update, which confirmed the time he just posted with Price.
    Over the next few minutes, Price pulled everyone together. The drummers pounded their street beats. The firetrucks rolled into place. Suddenly, a siren cut through the air, followed by cheers. A “gumball” rotated on the New York State trooper’s squad car coming down Warren. He pulled a U-turn at the foot of Warren and First Street. A white Lincoln Towncar behind it did the same.
    Before the car had come to a complete stop the door opened and Lodge bounded out. More cheers. And everyone who was ready to march in the parade broke ranks. The high school marching band members. The Women’s Auxiliary. The Boy and Girl Scouts. The VFW members. They all raced over to see the presidential candidate for the simple reason that one day they could say they had touched Teddy Lodge. And Lodge let them.
    Geoff Newman smiled to Jenny as he helped her out of the car. “Just like Albany, Syracuse and Rochester. We’re going to take this state yet.”
    She basically ignored him. As much as she loved her husband, she recognized that he still trailed Governor Lamden. The endorsement from Governor Steven Poertner an hour earlier might help. But not enough. Nonetheless, she was proud. This was all a dress rehearsal for her husband’s run at the White House.
    The congressman jumped on top of the Towncar and waved. The cheers combined with the drum beat sounding like nonstop thunder. Lodge allowed it to continue unchecked for a good two minutes, jeopardizing Mitch Price’s schedule, but not everyone’s.
    The congressman touched his heart and extended his arm out to the crowd. They loved it. Lodge then eased himself from the roof to the hood and onto the ground. He whispered something to Lt. Brenner, who in turn pointed him to the bathroom. Newman accompanied him, with his arm on his shoulder.
    When they returned, Newman got a ride to Park Place and Lt. Brenner called a signal on his walkie-talkie. A moment later a large, loud fire department fog horn sounded from almost a mile up Warren Street. Brenner got in his squad car. Price checked his watch. Five minutes off his timetable. But Geoff Newman smiled as he checked his. Right on time. Schedules were important to him.
    Lodge found Jenny, took her hand and led her to the T-Bird convertible borrowed from Mitch Motors. “Lodge for President” banners adorned both sides.
    “Congressman, Mrs. Lodge, my name is Tommy Kenton. I’m Mayor of Hudson. And so pleased to welcome you.”
    “Mayor, it’s a pleasure. This is my wife, Jenny. And you’ve got a great town.”
    Kenton didn’t correct him. Hudson, was actually a chartered city. “Well, are you ready?” he asked.
    “Ready as we’ll ever be. Let’s say hello to Hudson, New York.”
    The mayor opened the door to the car, pulled the front seat forward, and gestured for the congressman and his wife to take their seats. Teddy hopped up to sit on the trunk; his feet hanging over the back seat. Even in her slim sheath, Jenny did the same.
    Mitch Price came over to shake hands. “Pleasure to meet you, sir. Hope everything’s all right.”
    “Just perfect.”
    “We’ll get the vote out for you. That’s