Page 12 of The Marriage Game

Not for lack of trying.

Hannah

You and Will are trying??! (Heart eye emoji, party hat emoji, bed emoji)

Brooke

We are—figured it was unlikely we’d have twins twice. Might as well give Lenna and Benson a younger sibling to boss around. But enough about me—back to Jill. If nobody is sick or pregnant why are you quitting your job?

Hannah

And does this mean you can come with us to Montana after all?

Jill

Just up and leave for Montana tomorrow? I don’t think so, Han. Anyway, I’m only quitting my job because I accepted a new position.

Brooke

A new position? Where?

Hannah

Yes, same question!

Jill

I’ve agreed to run Max’s campaign to be elected as Arizona’s next attorney general.

My announcement is followed by approximately sixty seconds of stunned silence before my phone starts to go off in quick succession.

Brooke

What the heck?

Hannah

You’re joking. Tell me you’re joking.

Brooke

Attorney general? What is he high?

Brooke

Sorry. I know Max isn’t high. Been spending too much time with the youth group at Grace Canyon. Picking up useless slang. But FOR REAL!!! What the actual heck is he thinking?

Hannah

He’s clearlynotthinking. That’s the problem. How could he do this to you? Obviously you don’t want him to run. Doesn’t that count for anything?

Their back and forth dismay sends a surge of vindication through me. At least someone, notwosomeones actually, knows that I want Max to be done with politics. Clearlytheyunderstood my indirect signals just fine.

Or it’s possible that I may have vented to them a time or two…used actual statements like “I just want him to be done working in government” and “It’s going to be so great to have Max around more once he’s done with this last senate term.”

I suppose those statements don’t leave much room for misinterpretation the way sulky silences and slamming of doors do.

Brooke

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