that’ll make me look good in Tina’s eyes, but that’s what politics is all about. These girls haven’t paid attention to the media coverage of local and world leaders in, like, forever.
I was glad when we got to school and I could ditch those buzz-kill humanitarians. No one cares about the heavy stuff they were talking about; thepublic wants promises and sound bites and streamers and confetti. Important stuff.
Before I disappeared into the crowd, I looked back and saw them talking. They looked very serious. That’s not the kind of expression that makes the public vote for you. Good thing Cash and I were running and not them.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I bumped into Connie, who’d been waiting for me at my locker. She was grinning ear to ear and biting her knuckles to contain her excitement. I was a little leery about dealing with so many amped-up girls this early in the day.
“Hi, Kev. I felt really bad about how I dropped the ball on Monday because I was panicked about the science test on Tuesday. But on Wednesday, I campaigned for you. Well, JonPaul and I did.”
“Oh, wow, Connie, that’s … Thanks.… I don’t know what to say.…”
I always know what to say. But I was trying to sound gracious. And modest. And surprised, even though a part of me was always confident that JonPaul and Connie had my back. That kind of loyalty is the cornerstone of the successful candidate-voter bond.
“What did you guys do yesterday?” I said.
“JonPaul and I went to every social studies class and polled the students about their concerns and hopes and interests.”
True politicians shape public thought, they don’t go looking for it.
“We had them fill out questionnaires,” Connie told me, “and then we collated the data by age and gender. I stayed up late last night ranking the issues in terms of their importance to the student body and—”
I nodded, pretending to listen and to read the pages on the clipboard she handed me. What I was really thinking was that carrying a clipboard is a good look, gives the impression of being smart and organized.
I glanced up because Connie was still talking and eye contact is essential in proving your trustworthiness as a public figure. Over Connie’s left shoulder, I spotted Tina.
Talking with Cash.
What is with this guy?
“Walk with me.” I pulled Connie behind me and headed toward Tina. I nodded in Connie’s direction and said, “Really? The voice of the peopleis fascinating. Oh, hi, Cash, didn’t see you there.” I didn’t say anything to Tina but I looked at her and sent the silent message with my eyes: everything I’m doing is for you because you smell good and your hair sparkles. She smiled back. Maybe Katie and I aren’t the only ones who can communicate silently.
I realized I’d totally zoned out, staring at Tina, when Connie elbowed me and said, “Isn’t that right, Kev?”
I nodded, never taking my eyes off Tina. “Oh yeah, absolutely.”
“That’s really impressive.” Tina smiled at me.
It would almost be worth being struck by lightning right this very instant to have my last sight on Earth be Tina’s face.
But, wait, what’s impressive? I must have missed something Connie and Cash were discussing. So I did what I always do when I’ve lost the thread of a conversation; I turned to Cash and said, “Say more about that.”
He looked dumbstruck. And a little terrified. I hoped I wasn’t going to be as scared when I figured out what we were talking about.
“I was just saying to Cash”—Connie jumpedin—“that candidates who really talk with and listen to their voters are the most effective leaders.”
The bell rang and saved me—and Cash—from having to respond. We all headed off to class. I was carrying Connie’s clipboard summarizing the concerns and hopes and interests of our school.
I could still smell Tina’s shampoo as I walked away, and the scent inspired me to carefully absorb the results Connie and JonPaul
I was glad when we got to school and I could ditch those buzz-kill humanitarians. No one cares about the heavy stuff they were talking about; thepublic wants promises and sound bites and streamers and confetti. Important stuff.
Before I disappeared into the crowd, I looked back and saw them talking. They looked very serious. That’s not the kind of expression that makes the public vote for you. Good thing Cash and I were running and not them.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I bumped into Connie, who’d been waiting for me at my locker. She was grinning ear to ear and biting her knuckles to contain her excitement. I was a little leery about dealing with so many amped-up girls this early in the day.
“Hi, Kev. I felt really bad about how I dropped the ball on Monday because I was panicked about the science test on Tuesday. But on Wednesday, I campaigned for you. Well, JonPaul and I did.”
“Oh, wow, Connie, that’s … Thanks.… I don’t know what to say.…”
I always know what to say. But I was trying to sound gracious. And modest. And surprised, even though a part of me was always confident that JonPaul and Connie had my back. That kind of loyalty is the cornerstone of the successful candidate-voter bond.
“What did you guys do yesterday?” I said.
“JonPaul and I went to every social studies class and polled the students about their concerns and hopes and interests.”
True politicians shape public thought, they don’t go looking for it.
“We had them fill out questionnaires,” Connie told me, “and then we collated the data by age and gender. I stayed up late last night ranking the issues in terms of their importance to the student body and—”
I nodded, pretending to listen and to read the pages on the clipboard she handed me. What I was really thinking was that carrying a clipboard is a good look, gives the impression of being smart and organized.
I glanced up because Connie was still talking and eye contact is essential in proving your trustworthiness as a public figure. Over Connie’s left shoulder, I spotted Tina.
Talking with Cash.
What is with this guy?
“Walk with me.” I pulled Connie behind me and headed toward Tina. I nodded in Connie’s direction and said, “Really? The voice of the peopleis fascinating. Oh, hi, Cash, didn’t see you there.” I didn’t say anything to Tina but I looked at her and sent the silent message with my eyes: everything I’m doing is for you because you smell good and your hair sparkles. She smiled back. Maybe Katie and I aren’t the only ones who can communicate silently.
I realized I’d totally zoned out, staring at Tina, when Connie elbowed me and said, “Isn’t that right, Kev?”
I nodded, never taking my eyes off Tina. “Oh yeah, absolutely.”
“That’s really impressive.” Tina smiled at me.
It would almost be worth being struck by lightning right this very instant to have my last sight on Earth be Tina’s face.
But, wait, what’s impressive? I must have missed something Connie and Cash were discussing. So I did what I always do when I’ve lost the thread of a conversation; I turned to Cash and said, “Say more about that.”
He looked dumbstruck. And a little terrified. I hoped I wasn’t going to be as scared when I figured out what we were talking about.
“I was just saying to Cash”—Connie jumpedin—“that candidates who really talk with and listen to their voters are the most effective leaders.”
The bell rang and saved me—and Cash—from having to respond. We all headed off to class. I was carrying Connie’s clipboard summarizing the concerns and hopes and interests of our school.
I could still smell Tina’s shampoo as I walked away, and the scent inspired me to carefully absorb the results Connie and JonPaul
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