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I bit my tongue so I wouldn’t argue until he was finished.
A sliver of a smile tilted his lips. “For Mr. Daniels, what would you have done differently? There was no diplomacy in that endeavor, and I want to know how you’ll both handle town disagreements in the future, particularly if the outcome isn’t what you want.”
“I guess mud wrestling is out?” I asked. Again, the crowd chuckled as I stepped to the front of the stage. “First, I’d like to note that city council did not bar any of our permits, which were heavily disputed by the town. In the end, the majority spoke. As to your question, it’s a good one, especially for a Blum woman.” Knowing laughter spread on cue. “It’s true—I have many strong opinions, and when I believe in something, I pursue it with the determination of one of Mr. Wilson’s Rottweilers.” A pause for more chuckling. “I come at problems with brass knuckles, ready to fight for what I believe is right. But at the end of the day, it’s you who decides. It always has been. Whether it was bringing Goody’s to town or addressing our homeless population. I can only do what I can do—I’m not above democracy. So I guess my answer is this: I’d better get used to swallowing bitter pills.”
Duke and I switched places.
“I will admit that while Miss Blum was able to address the homeless population swiftly and effectively, I would have handled things differently. No diplomatic party tried to negotiate. Miss Blum decided to bypass reason in her haste, too impatient to wait and unequipped to compromise. The other side went after her with no mercy. With that one act, she alienated half the town, disregarding what they wanted. As mayor, she might be bound by law, but those laws can be bent. We know that well enough thanks to the last mayor. Will she take advantage of that for her own agenda?”
Heat broiled in my belly. Unclench your teeth. Relax your shoulders. Breathe. I drew a tight breath through my nose and let it out.
“Mr. Daniels,” I interjected, moving to stand next to him, “All you know about what happened is secondhand because you were not here.”
“You suggest my absence disqualifies me from running, but I think this town needs a fresh face with new ideas. Not the same old line from the same old people. Lindenbach needs a reset to bridge the gap so we can work together. We’re a family. And a candidate like Miss Blum will only make things worse. The town will polarize even more when we should be meeting in the middle. For instance, I wouldn’t be so reckless as to erect a homeless shelter knowing the town disapproved.”
“Do you have any passion?” I asked, the red shade of fury slithering into my vision like fog. “Because true passion isn’t so easily bridled. You say you’re diplomatic. Moderate. What I hear is that you don’t really care about either side. You just want their votes.”
“I have many passions, but unlike you, I’m able to bridle mine.”
I imagined many things in that moment. Popping his head off his shoulders like a grape from the bunch. Spontaneous combustion. Lightning strike. But I smiled and swallowed all the ways I’d like to tell him to fuck off.
“Mr. Daniels is a master manipulator, uncaring beyond his own gains. He doesn’t love Lindenbach. He doesn’t want what’s best for us. He wants what’s best for him. He left here a part of our town and came back an elitist who thinks we’re easy prey for his political aspirations. And I don’t want a phony running Lindenbach any more than a stranger.”
Duke was angry enough that I caught a glimpse of madness in the flare of his nostrils and the tightness of his eyes.
“Frankly, Miss Blum, you’ve made up your mind about me based on nothing but conjecture. Truth is, you don’t know me any better than I know you. It’s just that I don’t count that as a negative in the context of this election.” He turned to the enthralled crowd with full command. “This is why my absence makes me the perfect candidate. The stories that everyone made up to villainize the other side have torn this town apart. It’s high time we do something about it. And that’s something a candidate who puts herself in the middle of conflict cannot objectively do.”
My mouth was dry as a bone, my breath sawing in, out. Every word that piled up in my throat needed to stay where it was or I’d say something that would lose me the election. Mike took over, concluding the debate before I could collect myself to speak. On numb feet, I waved at the town. Then I turned to my enemy to shake his hand.
