Page 24 of Just a Plot Twist
“Serious about…?” Oh no. This is going to be about their delusional dreams for me, huh? I sigh and rub my eyes. “Who is that?”
Grandma gives a quiet snort. “I told you she wouldn’t know.”
“Well, she should,” Grandpa glares at Grandma. “Norm Davies was mayor of Boulder for two terms a few years back. He’s made it his business to coach future civil servants. It’s time, Claire.”
I used to tell people when I was in elementary school that I wanted to become president. It was more that I wanted to be famous and, in my childlike comprehension, couldn’t figure out another way I could. But my grandparents took that idea and ran with it.
It’s like when you mention to someone you love the color yellow, and so forever and always from that point on, every gift they give you is buttercream or lemon or gold, even though you decided you stopped liking the color long before.
It’s like that, only way, way worse.
They’llsettlefor me running for office here in Longdale, but they’d prefer a larger city. Their fervor for it has never died down. And to appease them, I went with it, too. I majored in political science. I was student body president in high school and student body treasurer at Colorado State.
And it was fun. I’m good at debate and I do care about my civic responsibilities.
“You want me to run for city council,” I say flatly.
“What wewantyou to do is move to Boulder, work for our company, and run for office there since it’s a bigger platform,” Grandma says. “Butsince you refuse to do that, we’ll take Longdale city council as an appropriate first step.”
I sigh. “And what does Norm Davies do exactly?”
“He helps people acquire a public office seat,” Grandpa says. “He’s well connected and savvy. He says you’ll have a real shot with your experience and volunteer work.”
“I’ll…think about it. Everyone else on the council is much older and more experienced.”
“But that’s perfect. You have to start out when you’re young. Longdale needs younger representation. And you’re a woman. That’s a huge selling point.”
Leave it to my grandfather to make my identity as a woman a “selling point.”
I shrug, even though the blood is pounding in my ears. “Thanks for letting me know about Norm. Send me his number and I’ll reach out.”
I don’t want to reach out and I don’t want to run for office. I also don’t want to make it a thing right now. I want to focus on the anniversary extravaganza. Then, I’ll bide my time until I get up the courage to tell them that my childhood aspirations were a fleeting thing and I don’t exactly…want that right now.
How come even thinking that makes me feel guilty as sin?
Grandpa types on his phone and then smiles, a rare sight indeed. “I sent you the number, but I have been known to forget to hit ‘send’ before.”
My phone buzzes and I glance down. “Got it.”
But run for office? The city council’s positions are tenuous. They have to always be “on.” I rather like the behind the scenes, the nuts and boltsof running a town as the city manager without the pressures of asking a bunch of people to vote for me.
I don’t have the same dreams anymore, and I’ve explained this to them.
At least I think I have. Haven’t I? Besides, even if I haven’t said those exact words per se, I was hoping they’d assume by now that if I wanted to become mayor, I would have already set things in motion.
“No harm in giving him a call.” Grandma waves me off and begins gathering her things to head to the door. “And we’ll see you Saturday afternoon, if not before.” She strokes her pearls. “This is the biggest event of my life to date, the culmination of sixty years of blood, sweat, and tears.”
Grandpa grunts and picks up her large, gilt-edged notebook from the table. “Being married to me has been blood, sweat, and tears? Gee, thanks.”
I bite back a smile. Usually Grandma wouldn’t be so “crass” as to say the word “sweat.”
“Oh, Vernon, you know what I mean. We built our businesses together from the ground up.” She opens her purse and removes a small bottle of highly perfumed hand cream. “That was the real blood, sweat, and tears.” She sets the bag back down on the table so she can apply the lotion. “I was meaning—oh never mind. I’m just saying this is the biggest event I’ll have until my funeral.”
“Patricia! Why are you bringing up your funeral?” His eyebrows knit together.
“Because wearegetting up there in age.” She steals a glance at Grandpa. “When is there going to be another event like this moving forward except for my funeral?”
Grandpa sighs and shakes his head.
