"That's a good point about TJ, I haven't given him enough credit," he rubbed his chin with his thumb, "or spent enough time with him recently." At the mention of the trip to Florida, Bud grinned. "I don't care what the reason is. I will be so glad to be back in the Southeast. Granted, it isn't nearly as nice as North Carolina. But it is better than the dry heat that will heat in a couple of months." True they had gone to school out West, so Bud knew quite well what the weather would be. But the Southeast was always his favorite.
"Who would have thought TJ would be the reasonable one, indeed," he added the last part with emphasis as if he didn't quite believe it. "I guess we shouldn't be that surprised; this world turns everything upside down." He reached out and took hold of Elaine's hand.
Bud laughed again at Elaine's description. "We all have our roles to play, Sugar," he added with a snide smile.
"Before, during, after," he held his hands up some in a gesture of surrender. "I will atone for how I wronged you and lied to you for the rest of my days. But I am suggesting what I am suggesting, Sugar. There is no more speaking circuit, no more foundation to run, no more presidential library to oversee, no more campaign. All I have is you and our boys and your mother. And that makes me happy."