‘So, if you could vote in this year’s election, how would you vote?’ asked Miriam as she sat down between Alexa and Logan.
‘Uh....I haven’t thought about it a whole lot,’ admitted Logan, sheepishly, his hand going to the back of his neck as he side-eyed Miriam.
‘Really? Because it’s kind of important, you know...the whole voting thing,’ retorted Miriam, her eyes gleaming.
Alexa sighed. ‘Play nice, you two. Who would you vote for?’ she asked Miriam, smiling slightly as Logan shot her a thankful look.
‘I’m not voting for ‘Binders full of women,’ that’s for sure,’ huffed Miriam, crossing her arms defensively. ‘He’s such a jerk. And do you notice how he walks in jeans?’
‘The man looks like he’d never worn a pair of jeans in his life,’ drawled Frances as he sat down across from them. He put his feet up in Alexa’s lap. ‘Rub my feet, subservient female-type,’ he ordered and then yelped as Alexa smacked him hard on his shins. ‘Oh, fucking A, that hurt. Christ, woman, you have a way about you!’ he whined.
‘Pffft. Really. And yeah, what about Romney?’ asked Alexa, shaking out her tingling hand. She might have smacked Frances harder than she’d originally intended but she had no regrets.
‘Other than he’s an elitist asshat?’ asked Frances. ‘Look. I have money. I know this, you know this. Still, just because I have money doesn’t mean I have to be an entitled prig about it like him and his ilk are. It makes me want to be poor. My mother is all for it, of course. She likes being part of the 1% or whatever and screw everyone else. The 47% who, you know, just want to take a ride on the coattails and not do anything with their lives. That’s just bullshit. My mother wanted me to come with her to a fundraiser for him. I told her I wasn’t going to be available. Had to dye my hair,’ said Frances, lightly, but Alexa frowned at him. She wasn’t fooled by his words.
‘She’s not happy with you, is she?’ she asked him, softly.
Frances shrugged, his eyes flat. ‘When is she ever? This doesn’t change anything. I’ll stick with the President we have, thanks. How about you?’ he asked.
‘I’m not voting for Romney. Or, I wouldn’t. My dad isn’t. He says that even though things aren’t exactly as President Obama said they’d be, it’s still better than it could have been under someone else. And he doesn’t like Romney’s vision at all. That, plus he says the numbers don’t add up. And you know my dad. If the numbers don’t add up, something’s not right,’ said Alexa.
Everyone nodded. Alexa’s dad was an independent business owner who was quite the success; he knew his finances inside and out and they’d all worked for him at various times. Miriam, Logan, and Alexa still had jobs at his stores. Frances didn’t need to work but liked to be with his friends, so he worked a few hours a week and donated his money to a non-profit organization he’d secretly arranged with Alexa’s father beforehand. He didn’t want word getting around. No one but Alexa’s dad knew.
‘I have to admit ignorance because I hate the smear campaigns and all that drama stuff. It’s really irritating. I’d think grown people would know better than to act like kids on a playground but there you go. Let me say so far, I’m not going there with Romney. He makes me itch,’ teased Logan but there was a serious tone to his voice.
‘Well, there’s some good places to get info at that are non-partisan. I’d start there. And tune into the debates and stuff. Read what they have to say about things. And trust your gut. If you choose Romney because you really like him, I’m not going to hate you or anything, Logan. But I honestly hope you don’t,’ admitted Miriam with a grin.
‘I better start getting some information,’ said Logan. He turned to greet Wendy, Riley, and Daisy as they joined them at the back of the cafe.
Daisy had a presumptuous hand on the handlebar of Riley’s wheelchair, Frances noted with a raised eyebrow. As far as he knew, Riley had no trouble getting around on his own. Whatever. ‘Everyone looks so serious!’ Daisy cried out, dropping to the first available chair when they reached the table, Wendy doing her best to not appear affiliated with the brightly-clothed blonde. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘What is anyone talking about these days? The election.’
Wendy put up a hand. ‘I’ve been researching dual citizenship, personally. I feel like we -- or the people who can vote, anyway -- are stuck between a rock and a really disgusting hard place.’ She shivered. ‘I don’t wanna stick around if sea-to-shining-sea turns all Handmaid’s Tale.’
Daisy looked concerned, her mouth twisted in concentration. ‘Romney *has* shown a disturbing lack of dedication when it comes to the issues that matter most.’
Alexa raised an eyebrow, dropping a hand to Frances’ arm when he fully recoiled. ‘You’d vote for that prick?’ he shouted.
‘Who else is going to stand by the rights of our unborn?’ Daisy answered, not missing a beat. She stared at Frances across the table, the only sign of weakness on her countenence a quickly tapping forefinger.
‘Unborn?’ Miriam scoffed, rolling her eyes. ‘I’m more concerned with the rights of my vagina than the rights of a clump of cells.’
‘See, that’s what I mean,’ Logan began, ‘there are so many issues this election and for the life of me I don’t know how you all keep them straight!’
Riley, who had been observing the group silently until now, cleared his throat. ‘I think that... I think maybe the President doesn’t matter so much as local government. I wish I had a say in what my daily life will look like -- now, not next year. You know that Voter ID thing? It’s... kinda fucked up. I think my mom will vote against it, and that’s great, but. I just wish I could put my name next to a hell no.’
‘Co-signed,’ added Alexa, smiling. ‘Now who needs refills?’
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