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“The people elected you because of the person you presented yourself to be. If you don’t feel the need to be consistent with it then I’m afraid the prankster just might be right about the things he’s been saying.” I could feel the tension in the room. I knew the weight of what I had just said but I did not regret saying it either. I watched as his facial expressions danced around from surprise to annoyance and then to that cold calm he always kept on.
“What exactly do you want me to do about it?” He asks.
“Your social media needs content. People need to consume good content in order to change the narrative of you the prankster wants to spread.” I pause.
He chuckles softly and I almost forgot what I was talking about.
“You really want me to ask?” Yes, I laugh surprised at how our tone of conversation had eased from stiff and professional to friendly.
“Okay Miss Evelyn, what shall you have me do?”
“Plan the fundraiser with me.”
* * *
And that washow we got to the Balford house. It was this community building mostly used by the women’s club for their monthly meets and bake offs. Ryan had once mentioned a Halloween party too. I wondered how they pulled that off. The Balford house wasn’t really a house. It was a two story main building which was small compared to the porch downstairs that extended from it. It would be where most of the guests would be. Standing at the balcony upstairs you could see the expanse of the lake, some little boats littered around with people fishing in them. Delaware was a small town but it was beautiful. I hadn’t really had the time or taken the chance to look around.
Luca was quiet all through the ride here. I wondered about his childhood, he must’ve be the broody type.
“Tell me about your childhood.” I’d barely formed the words in my head before I spat them out. As always. Smooth move Evelyn.
“That was very random.”
“I know, but if I’m going to be running your socials then I need to know some things.”
“Some things like what?”
Luca was always on the defensive but today I was ready to play that game.
“Everything. Tell it to me like I was writing your biography.
“Well there’s not much to tell. My dad moved here with me and married a woman he met here.”
“Did you have a pet?”
“Nope, no pets.”
“What about a cat?”
“Do cats not qualify as pets?”
“But it’s a cat.”
“Yeah it’s a cat. You like cats?”
“I don’t have one if that’s what you’re truly asking.” We both laughed completely unwary of ourselves. It felt peaceful to laugh with him.
“You know what kind of pet would suit you?”
“No, tell me.”
“A poodle.” I burst out into laughter. A poodle? Really? Dogs were messy and regardless of whatever you sold to me to try to convince me, my mind would remain the same. No poodles for me.
“I’m sure Matteo would be less prickly if he had a dog to play with.”
Luca never really talked about his kids with anyone and right then I could feel him closing up again.
“He’s a good kid.” I say in an attempt to buttress the situation.
