1.9 | The Beauty of Politics

Considering my dreams the night of Alice’s visit consisted of me riding a dolphin through  a river of wine while Lady Gaga played in the background, I think it was safe to say those were not my memories. Thankfully, though, my week was a busy one and so it distracted me from all that for a bit. I had yet another party to go to, thrown by a few of my co-workers. They worked a few branches above me, but we were friends all the same.

“Thanks for coming Jin!” Norville greeted me. “Make yourself at home and have fun.” He smiled, and then leaned in to speak softly to me. “I’ve got something to talk to you about later, bro.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. Norville was a weird combination of businessman and hippie. I had no idea what he might have wanted to talk to me about, but I nodded and went to try to actually party.

I busted some moves on the dance floor. I felt and looked like a goob, but it was fun.  

After that, I went to say hello to two of the ladies from the office. We were chatting when I happened to spot Sammi. I had no idea she was there – though I was surprised, since I knew she had a few friends from there since Morgan worked there as well – and I was wondering why she had yet to come over. I tried to get her attention, but she only looked at me and smiled, then continued with her conversation. I frowned. I guessed she was mad about how I had defended Naomi, but I never thought she would give me the cold shoulder. I was about to go talk to her when Norville came over and asked to speak to me.

“What’s going on?” I asked him lightly. “You haven’t heard that I’m getting fired or anything, have you?” I hoped I was joking.

Norville laughed. “Quite the opposite, actually. We’ve been talking around the office and even spoke to the boss about it. You know the Mayor’s final term is ending soon and elections are being held this year. Well, Jin … we want you to run.”

I was shocked. What good would I be as Mayor? I was an artist, a musician. I had no political background except for the paper pushing I did at City Hall now. “Are you crazy?” I asked with a laugh. “I am in no way qualified!”

“You don’t have to be! That’s the beauty of politics.” Norville laughed. “Just hear me out, Jin – you’re a great guy. You try to be anti social – don’t deny it – but people love you. You’re charming, charismatic, you haven’t met a person you can’t carry a conversation with.  And the best part is that you’re a good person. You know what’s good and right. That casino that just opened up, it’s a great place and it’s doing the city a lot of good, but it has the potential to go bad. I think you can keep that from happening.”

I stared at him. I was still in shock. 

“Me? As…as Mayor?” I stammered. The thought was ridiculous, nerve-wracking, and … kind of exciting? Something about the prospect of being the Mayor of Lucky Palms made me happy. I really didn’t think I had a chance at all, but what was the harm in running? Apparently, I had the backing of a lot of the people at City Hall. “I … I guess …”

“Come on, Jin.” Norville prodded me. “At least think about it.”

I did think about it. I thought about it right then and there and I made my decision. “I don’t have to think about it. I’ll do it.”

I went home from the party to find another letter from Ginger awaited me.

“Jin,

With each letter I write, I have the urge to ask ‘How are you?’ even though I know that I won’t be around to hear your response. All I can do is pray that my letters find you well. That you’re living high and happy. I want you to find love again, do you know that? I’m not a selfish woman – I’m a dead one. I love you, but someone else deserves to love you as well. Whoever she is, I hope she is wonderful – someone as wonderful as you. That’s what you deserve, Jin.

There won’t be many more letters after this one. I’m winding them down – I’m doing it because I have to. I know you don’t understand why. That’s because I’m wrestling on whether or not I should tell you. But I will, of course I will. I swore to be honest with you. I have to be.

All my love,
Ginger.”

As I always did after receiving Ginger’s letters, I took the time to reflect on her words. I stepped outside for a breath of fresh air and for the first time since I had moved to Lucky Palms, I really took in the view from my home.

The sun was setting over the ocean. Despite my intense hydrophobia, I could still appreciate the intense beauty of the moment. I thought about Ginger, about what I could remember of my time with her. I remembered being the happiest man alive…I just couldn’t understand why she seemed so down on herself and our marriage when she spoke in her letters. Unless there had been something there I hadn’t seen, something I was too busy being wrapped up in my own happiness to notice.

Had Ginger been unhappy?

I never doubted her love for me. But I never took the time to wonder …

Maybe that was why she always strived for an actual career for me. Not to mention our home hadn’t been the best. After all, I was a struggling artist and she was a college student working part-time at the coffee shop. Thinking back on it now … could I have been a better husband?

I sighed and shook my head. I couldn’t beat myself up over this, not now. Ginger wouldn’t want that, that I knew for sure. I took a deep breath of the fresh ocean air and went inside to call Naomi. I wanted to tell her about my decision to run for Mayor. She wasn’t at home – I figured she was probably working on something at the lab – so I left a message before I turned in early. I had a lot on my mind, and rest sounded like the best option.

That night, I dreamt of drowning.