It is official! Jonathan has been confirmed as a candidate for the open school board position this year.
There was a great deal of work involved to even begin this work—I found it quite dizzying. Jonathan had to confirm his eligibility at town hall, submit to a background check, and collect signatures from those who support his candidacy. This last was as simple as leaving a paper on the counter of the store, where his customers could sign. As word got out, some people in the community would stop by the store simply to sign. He is already popular.
Now, however, the real work begins. With Lauren’s help, Jonathan has put together a small campaign team, including Michelle Ternes, who has volunteered to make signs for Jonathan, and Judy Baldwin, a commanding woman who has a knack for organization. In fact, aside from Lauren, all of Jonathan’s team consists of parents of students he has helped. (Judy Baldwin never did learn the details about her son’s attempt to steal from Jonathan, but she does know that Jonathan helped him when he was in trouble, and that is enough for her.)
There is not a great deal of time—the election day is set for June 12. And though Jonathan already has a great deal of support, he is not running unopposed. The identity of his opponent, which he learned today, has upset him.
“Jack Fuller is an idiot,” he fumed as he locked up this evening, with Lauren standing behind him with an umbrella. “What does he want to be on the school board for, anyway? He doesn’t know about policy—he doesn’t know anything about kids!”
“Could this be coming out of some long-term resentment, maybe?” Lauren asked delicately.
Jonathan looked at her in surprise. Then he sighed. “Okay, I admit, he was a jackass to me in high school,” he said. “But a lot of people were, and they grew out of it. Judy was a piece of work back then, and look at her now. But Jack missed the maturity boat.” Jonathan shoved his hands into his pockets, sticking out an elbow for Lauren to hold. “He’s rude, he’s selfish, and he’s stuck-up. He’s probably just running to satisfy his ego. What does he care about kids, anyway? He’s not even married.”
“Neither are you,” Lauren said, though the reference to marriage—which she and Jonathan have not yet discussed—made her blush.
Jonathan did not notice. “Yes, but I pay attention to what’s going on! All Jack cares about is making himself look good. He got fired from his law firm in Portland, do you know that? Threw off his plans to make governor, so now he’s here, trying for the home-town vote. It’s so obvious that this is just a stepping stone to mayor, and I bet he thinks it’s an easy win. Well, he’s got another think coming.”
Jonathan’s outrage lasted all through the rainy walk back to his house. Lauren listened with a smile on her face as he expanded on all the good things Jack would not bother to do if he were elected. It wasn’t until they were inside and shaking off the rain that Jonathan looked properly at her. “What?” he asked as she grinned at him.
Lauren stepped close and kissed him, holding his face in her hands. “I knew you were just the right person for this,” she said.
Jonathan’s anger melted away, and he covered her hands with his. “Your hands are cold,” he murmured, and he bent to wrap his arms around her, kissing her again.
I left them alone. Jonathan’s passion makes me confident that he will do well, and if the people of Standish know what is right, they will certainly elect him. He will be able to do much good in their lives. As for he and Lauren—well, things seem to be going very well indeed. We shall see.