In the whole scheme of things, the concerns of one small town may not seem very significant. When we have an entire world to tend to, sometimes we do not regard the troubles that come to one or two people alone. But to me, these are the most important matters of all. The ties between two hearts, the hurts that they share, the joys that they bring to one another—how can that not be enormous and miraculous and amazing?
Today there was a debate between the two candidates for the position on the school board. Attendance was minimal—even Lauren could not come, because it happened during school hours. But a local radio station broadcast the debate, and a transcript of it will be printed in the newspaper tomorrow.
Jonathan presented himself well. In all matters, I felt that he showed himself the better option—except perhaps one. That one matter, which was brought up in an oily attack from his opponent, left him without reply and followed him through the rest of the day.
“I only want to raise one small concern I have about my opponent,” Jack Fuller said close to the end of the debate. “Small towns being what they are, we all know about Mr. Harris’s relationship with a high school teacher. I can’t help but wonder if this connection will cause a bias for him if he is elected. Will she hold influence over his decisions? Will he divert funds in order to please her? If so, perhaps we are better off with someone who can show himself to be equally interested in all the schools, not just the one where his girlfriend works.”
The moderator asked for Jonathan’s response, but Jonathan was too surprised by the issue to say very much. He replied only that this was a private matter and he did not like to address it. It left him angry and unsatisfied, however, even after the debate was ended with himself a clear winner in all other respects.
He spent the rest of the day in a fog, knowing that others will soon begin to ask the same questions. What would he answer? What was the right answer?
When he walked home after closing up that evening, Lauren was waiting for him. She had heard the debate by that time, and she wore the same expression of concern that he did.
He sighed and unlocked the front door without kissing her in greeting. Lauren’s heart twisted as she followed him inside.
“He’s an idiot,” Jonathan said as soon as he closed the door. “It doesn’t matter.”
“But what if it does, Jonathan?” she asked. “He’s got nothing else against you, but in this he might actually have a point. There are four other schools in the district that you’d be responsible for, and we can’t have people thinking that you’re going to care only about one of them.”
Jonathan looked at Lauren, really looked. It was a cool evening, and her red hair was windblown. Her freckles stood out clearly on her pale face, and she was worrying her fingers in front of her, rubbing the knuckles of her opposite hand and twisting her fingers together.
A rush of something strong came through Jonathan then, and he laid a hand over those anxious fingers, squeezing gently. “They won’t think that,” he said, and he bent to kiss her.
Lauren pulled away for a moment, tears in her eyes. “I don’t want them to use me against you,” she said. “I want this for you, Jonathan. I want—” But she had to stop there, because she didn’t want to make the offer she felt that she had to make. She wanted good things for him, but she wanted good things for herself, too, and he was the best thing she had.
“Lauren,” Jonathan began.
Lauren pulled out of his grip and took a deep breath. “We should take a break,” she said.
“No,” Jonathan said, his eyes widening.
“Just until the election,” she said, holding up her hands. “Just to show that we’re doing this right.”
“If we change what we’ve been doing, we admit that we were wrong, and we aren’t,” Jonathan said. “There’s nothing inappropriate about our relationship, Lauren. Fuller’s just grasping at straws.”
“But—” Lauren protested.
I leaned in close to Jonathan. “She is afraid of holding you back,” I whispered. “You must make it clear to her.”
Jonathan took hold of her shoulders tightly, looking down into her eyes. “I’m not giving you up,” he said softly. “Not even for a moment. You’re every bit as important to me as this job, and more.”
That was clear enough. Lauren’s eyes went wide and soft—she had not been sure of him, until this moment.
Jonathan kissed her forehead and pulled her against his chest. “I’ll think of something to tell Fuller,” he said. “Some way of showing everyone that being with you makes me better, not worse. In the meantime, I still expect you to be here with me.” He lifted her face to his, smiling gently. “I can’t do this without you, you know.”
Blinking away her tears, Lauren threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. I felt that they could manage without me after that.
I will certainly help Jonathan to come up with a response to Fuller’s question if I can. I think, however, that matters between him and Lauren have settled nicely into place. Whatever happens in the election, she will be there by his side, and that is vitally important. I am glad to have had even a small part in their happiness.