One Brief Shining Moment

Richard Burke, an aide to Teddy for ten years, saw David on many occasions. Although he was only two years older, something disturbed him. “I was troubled by Bobby and David, who were close to my age,” he said. “Both seemed out of control. David, especially, impressed me as being only vaguely associated with reality, and he often bore the brunt of his mother’s distress. I mentioned my concerns to the Senator, who shared them,” Burke furthered. “He knew they needed fatherly guidance, a strong hand to compliment Ethel’s own…but he had his own family and career to manage, and handling eleven of his brother’s children was too much for any man, even a Kennedy…He knew there was going to be trouble regardless of what he did. It was like waiting for a storm to blow in; there was nothing to do but take cover.”

It was evident David needed far more urgent attention, but the family appeared at a loss as to how to help or what form that help should take. Ted and Ethel sat down with him hoping to find the key to unlock him from his struggles. “What do we have to do, David?” Ted asked him in an almost pleading tone. “What is that you need from us? Because we don’t know what to do. You tell me and I’ll do it, David. Just tell me.” “I want you to bring back my dad, how about that?” David said angrily. “How about that, Uncle Teddy. Can you do that?” His mother and uncle just looked at each sadly and as Ted shook his head, David stood up, “I didn’t think so,” and left the room.

While stoic in public, the emotional impact on David’s immediate family was privately taking its toll. “I toss and turn all night thinking what would Bobby do?” Ted said, in a candid moment to an aide. “…And I swear to Christ, I don’t have a clue what Bobby would do. And I think, Jesus Christ, if Bobby were alive, none of this would be happening.”“Look, don’t beat yourself up over this thing,” the aide replied. “You’re doing what you can.” “But I promised I would I would be there for these kids,” Ted said in obvious distress. “I promised Ethie. I feel like I’m letting her down.”