“It is exactly the same thing.” He pointed at her. “It’s just a different perspective. You have never liked violence. You’ve always taken a pacifist approach. That’s fine. I respect that, and oftentimes you and I have similar views. But understand that there is evil in the world, and sometimes what protects pacifists are soldiers willing to meet that violence with equal violence. You and I both have seen that play out in the real world. In the last several months I’ve observed our president making decisions that one day I hope to have the wisdom and courage to make.” He walked over to her and put his hands on her arms.

Tears streamed down her face. “What if something happens to him?”

“Then you call us and we’ll mourn him with you. We’ll support you supporting him, whatever that looks like.” He pulled her into his arms. Despite the fact that he held the title of vice president of the United States, he also held the title of daddy. He smelled exactly the same as he had when she was five. He kissed the top of her head, then stepped back. “Why don’t you go take a hot bath? Pray about it. Sleep on it. Pray about it some more. Your mom and I are here if you need us.”

“Thanks, Dad.” She gestured at their debris. “Do you want me to clean up?”

“No. I’ll get it.”

Her father walked to the sink and turned on the water as Cynthia walked up the back stairs. She headed into her room with the intention of taking the recommended bubble bath, but she ended up on her knees by her dressing stool. Tears slid down her cheeks. She laid her forehead on her folded arms and sobbed. She wanted to pray, to cry out to God to help her make the right decision, but she couldn’t form the words. Instead, she relied on the promise that Romans gave, that the Holy Spirit would intercede on her behalf and take the cries in her heart to God.

She knew without a doubt that she loved Rick Norton with all of her heart. By the time she’d finished praying, no longer kneeling at her stool but lying on the floor in a fetal position, her sleeve thoroughly soaked by her tears, she knew that the love she felt for him would be enough. She would support him and his job, wherever that took him. She would serve by his side the same way her mother had served with her father all of their marriage.