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It worked before When in Peril, Change ApparelBy Rick Horowitz The bread truck delivers its bounty fresh and hot to the corner grocery store. A young boy on a bicycle wobbles down a leafy lane in search of frogs and adventure. Nearby, a dog barks a doggy welcome to everyone who passes his window. It's a sunny summer morning in Capitalville, USA -- time to look in on George and Laura, that nice couple in the big white house. "Honey," says George, shuffling into the kitchen, "have you seen my compassionate conservatism?" George still has his pajamas on, and he moves carefully, as if part of him is still asleep and he doesn't want to wake it just yet. Laura has been up for hours; she's got her apron wrapped tight around her as she pours the batter into muffin tins, then puts the tins into the oven and turns to greet him. "Blueberry OK?" She plants a kiss smack on the tip of his nose. "Blueberry's fine," he says. "You sure you haven't seen it?" "Your compassionate conservatism?" "It's gotta be around here somewhere. Some of the guys think I ought to wear it again." It's not the first time George has misplaced something in the months since they moved here from Lone Star. It's a big house, the biggest they've ever lived in, with hidden rooms and secret passageways everywhere. A person could lose himself for hours just wandering the corridors. And keeping track of every stitch of clothing? Almost impossible. "Are you sure you brought it with you? I know you were wearing it a lot last year, but..." If only their move from Lone Star hadn't been so hectic! George's promotion was approved. Then it was delayed. Then it was approved again. By the time they knew for sure they were coming to Capitalville, they had just a few weeks to throw everything into boxes and load the moving vans. That isn't the way Laura likes to do things. She's the methodical one. It wouldn't surprise her at all if, amid all the hubbub, they accidentally left some items behind. But George is shaking his head. "I know I had it on in January. When I gave that speech." "And since then?" "Karl said I should put it away. He said I wouldn't need it again for years." At the mention of Karl's name, Laura rolls her eyes. Karl is one of George's closest pals. He helped George get where he is today, and Laura knows he has nothing but George's best interests at heart. Sometimes, though... "And now he's changed his mind?" "Well, he says it's gotten a little chilly up on The Hill. I've gotta spend some time up there the next few months, he doesn't want me catching cold, that's all. Up on The Hill, and some other places." "Other places?" "Wherever it's gotten chilly lately. No big deal." George smiles that sweet, cockeyed smile of his and Laura can't help herself; it's the smile that won her heart the very first time she saw it. She wishes George were more careful about things. She wishes he paid more attention to the details. Then he wouldn't have to rely on other people's advice quite so much. Then he could -- "The broom closet! I remember now: I threw it in the broom closet!" George races down the hall and returns a minute later. Laura looks at the loose ball of fabric in her husband's arms. "I can get those wrinkles out for you," she says. "But will it still fit after all this time?" "Karl says it doesn't have to. I'm not gonna have it on that long." "But -- " "Those muffins done yet?" Posted 7/3/01. For
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Rick Horowitz
