America 1982-Chapter 519 - 101: Bill’s Cocktail Party
Bill hosted a private cocktail party at a small Miami art gallery. The owner of the gallery, Geraldo Arias, was a staunch supporter of Bill Clinton and also the brother of Hillary’s sister-in-law, Maria Rodham.
Why was it that whenever the Democratic Party encountered problems in Miami, Bill eagerly rushed over? Because here, he had his wife Hillary’s two brothers maintaining local connections for him. Hillary had two brothers; the first, Hugh Rodham, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where he had served as the president of the Fraternity’s charging society, a prominent figure on campus. Initially, after graduation, he wanted to become an idealistic international teaching volunteer. For this purpose, he even went to South America to teach in countries with a shortage of education. Had he continued down this path, he might have become a social activist or educator capable of winning many awards.
Unfortunately, he had a sister named Hillary. When Bill first ran for Arkansas Attorney General, Hugh was called back from Colombia by Hillary to join Bill’s campaign team. Two years later, Bill was elected Governor of Arkansas and soon after, with the influence of his position as Governor, Bill helped Hugh obtain an advanced degree in law from the University of Arkansas. With his new degree, Hillary used her and Bill’s legal connections to arrange for Hugh to go to Florida, he became an investigator for the prosecutor in Dade County, and now he is a public defender at the Miami drug court. His wife, Maria Rodham, of Cuban descent, is a lawyer who graduated from the University of Miami School of Law, specializing in real estate law. The couple married in 1886, and since then they have had a great working relationship. Hugh, with his status as a public defender, has earned the gratitude of many of Miami’s addicts and even the general public, for his job is to keep a large number of lower-class addicts out of jail, while his wife has earned the trust of many Miami millionaires due to her expertise in real estate law.
The couple could be considered celebrities in Miami. Even more bizarre was that the husband was a Democrat, and his Cuban-American wife was a Republican. However, this did not affect their marriage in the slightest.
The second brother, Anthony Rodham, had an even more legendary experience. During his college years, he participated in his future brother-in-law’s campaign team, and his academic credentials were the same as his brother’s, with an advanced degree in law from the University of Arkansas. After graduation, he did not pursue a career related to law but instead served as a consultant for some companies, with his footprints scattered all over the United States—Texas, Arkansas, Maine, and his hometown, Chicago. Simply put, he made some money for his sister and brother-in-law that they couldn’t openly earn themselves, until one time, he got into trouble in a Chicago public housing project and was shot in a black operation. Fortunately, he survived, and later Bill helped him secure a job as a Chicago prison correctional officer. However, this job made him, who was accustomed to large events, extremely uncomfortable. Eventually, he contacted his brother Hugh and also moved to Miami, becoming his brother’s investigator and private detective.
It could be said that Miami was one of Bill Clinton’s important strongholds.
When Page helped Tommy and Odelia open the car door, the two walked together towards the brightly lit entrance of the gallery, passing through the lounge, where Bill and Hillary were waiting to greet each arriving couple. Seeing Tommy and Odelia, both sides immediately showed expressions of surprise. Bill hugged Tommy, while Hillary and Odelia affectionately touched each other’s faces. Afterwards, they had to exchange pleasantries insincerely. Bill, being a gentleman, lightly touched Odelia’s cheek, while Tommy had to lean in to let his face gently touch Hillary’s.
"Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Tommy," Bill said with his ever-genial smile.
Tommy shrugged and smiled in response, "Of course. You know, Odelia wouldn’t miss a conversation about environmental issues. As her boyfriend, I have to support her."
"Odelia, you look absolutely stunning tonight," Hillary also complimented Odelia sincerely.
Odelia joked with a smile, "Diane, I bet you’re going to say that to every lady who attends tonight."
"That’s right. That’s exactly what she’s doing," Bill said, joining in.
All four of them laughed, and then Bill patted Tommy on the back, "Go in and let the bartender prepare a special drink for you. Enjoy the party. After Diane and I have greeted all the guests, we’ll sit down and have a chat."
"Thank you for coming tonight, Tommy," Hillary added.
Leaving the political couple to continue their reception duties, Tommy walked on with Odelia towards the hall. As it was a gallery exhibition space, it appeared to have more artistic atmosphere than the average cocktail party, but the program was not much different. A small band played soothing dance music in a corner, with a dozen couples dancing to the rhythm, while other guests sat on nearby sofas or in the cigar smoking area, drinking and chatting idly.
Odelia knew more people than Tommy did. As soon as they entered the hall and before Tommy could pour himself a glass of mead from a waiter’s tray, two women came up to greet Odelia, clearly old acquaintances of hers. Odelia introduced Tommy to them, and then the women’s husbands also appeared timely, and the six people started chatting away with mindless banter like old friends.
