C. J. - Stories

A Friday night conversation over pizza.

A college student puts his life at risk by standing up against hate.

CJ, Owen, and their daughter, Liebe spend Christmas down under. They trade the December Washington DC cold for the warmth of Australia's Hunter Valley. Surrounded by vineyards and family, it should be a stress-free vacation. Unless something goes wrong.

A little over a year after graduating from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, the State department posts CJ Abelló to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. CJ, his husband Owen Liston, and their daughter, Elizabeth Liston Abelló, immediately make themselves at home south of the Rio Grande.
Until disaster strikes and their lives are forever altered.

Following their departure from Mexico City, CJ, Owen, and Liebe stop in South Florida to rest and recover before returning to Washington, D.C.

In Key West, they return to Cypress House, the bed and breakfast they had previously visited. Between relaxing and spending time playing in the sun and water, CJ and Owen share their plans for the future with Ritch.

Returning to Washington, D.C. after the Mexican ordeal and time off in South Florida, CJ, Owen, and Liebe must adapt to their new reality. They are all celebrities and must navigate a sea of friends, well-wishers, and reporters. A meeting with President Biden in the White House could set the stage for CJ reentering the political arena.

In Newport for a wedding, CJ’s confronted from the right by a Donald Trump acolyte and from the left by an Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fan. In both instances, he deftly refutes their arguments, impressing the groom’s father sufficiently he offers CJ a job.

Brett Davenport and César Abelló convince their Georgetown neighbors to combine their 4^th of July celebrations into a block party. With their segment of Prospect Street closed off, children play on the street and adults cross from one house to another undisturbed by traffic. CJ and Owen ensure Carson Sawyer, part of the group being assembled to propel CJ to public office, meets one of the block’s wealthy and connected residents. Liebe has a flashback to the park shooting and a friend from Mexico City visits.

Another weekend, another out-of-town wedding for CJ and Owen. This time, Liebe comes along. She’ll serve as the flower girl for CJ’s high school classmate, Autumn Dingell. Surrounded by the magnificence of Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel and by Michigan political royalty, CJ reconnects with old friends and meets new people who may play a role in his future

Geoff and Pam Liston, Owen’s parents, fly to Washington for a visit. It’s the first time they see their son and granddaughter since the fiasco in December 2020 when Pam wanted to baptize Liebe behind CJ’s back. Although therapy and drugs have helped her deal with anxiety and depression, the girl’s kidnapping in Mexico has negatively affected her behavior.