On the Corner of Hope and Main by Beverly Jenkins

Author:Beverly Jenkins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2019-12-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter

10

Monday evening’s Candidates Debate was being held in the school’s kiva, and as people trickled in and took their seats, Bernadine said to Tina, “This is exciting. It’s the first mayoral election we’ve had since I purchased Henry Adams.”

“Nothing like democracy in action,” Tina quipped.

Although Bernadine had agreed not to publicly endorse any of the contenders, she had her own private favorites. Sheila was her top choice because of what she’d shared of her vision at the Auxiliary meeting. Barrett came in second. Riley Curry and Thad July didn’t stand a chance of getting her vote. Although, if the Paynes were suddenly abducted by aliens, Thad would have to do. He might be the mythical coyote but had way more sense than Cletus’s dad.

As the seats began to fill up, she saw familiar faces: Tamar, Genevieve and TC, Reverend Paula and Robyn, and others. When Mal walked in with Trent, her attention lingered on him for a moment. As if sensing her scrutiny he turned and gave her a nod. She nodded in response and resumed scanning the crowd. Bing came in, followed by Clay and some of the farmers. As she’d promised Bing at church on Sunday, she’d checked out the news reports on the black farmers’ suit against Mega Seed. The seed giant was accused of selling the farmers sterile seed. Even though a major agricultural college couldn’t get the seed to germinate either, the company called the suit meritless. The court hadn’t agreed. She planned to keep an eye on the case.

Construction boss Warren Kelly entered the kiva holding hands with his auburn-haired wife, Jayne, and they looked so much like two high schoolers on a date, Bernadine smiled their way. She was also pleased to see Gemma Dahl enter with Mike Freewater, but had nothing but a frown for Big Al Stillwell who chose a seat in the back.

Jack James was the evening’s moderator and MC. Each candidate would be given ten minutes to explain their platform. Once everyone was done, they’d then take questions from Jack and the audience. He’d also asked the kids in his classroom to compose some of their own, and Bernadine was interested in what they’d come up with. If they planned to stay in town after graduation or move back to raise their families once their lives were established, they had a vested interest in how a future Henry Adams might look.

While the seats began filling up, up on the stage the candidates huddled with their managers. Riley in his signature black suit stood talking with Leo, who was wearing banker blue.

Tina said, “For being such a crappy individual, Leo always dresses well.”

Bernadine agreed that he was a crappy individual. She didn’t care about the rest. She hoped he was ready for Riley going off the rails and pontificating on subjects he knew nothing about, because it was bound to happen.

Sheila, dressed in a sharp black business suit and heels, conferred with Lily, while Barrett and his manager, Luis, stood together on the far end of the stage.

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