Surprise-Free Endstate: Economic Soft Landing
A million competing thoughts ran through Juan’s mind. What do I think about the American elections? He recognized his habitual way of viewing the subject and now had to adjust his thinking. What do I think about OUR elections? I’m an American now.
He bit into the tortilla, savoring its texture and warmth. Finally, he said, “I don’t know… maybe it’s like Tio Pablo says. Maybe it’s all a big game. If so, then I guess that’s just the way of the world.”
Maria looked sad.
“What?” Juan turned in his chair, “Did I say something wrong?”
“It’s nothing,” Maria replied, turning back to her cooking.
But Juan could tell something was bothering her. “No. Tell me, cariña. What’s the matter?”
Maria remained silent for a long time. She stirred the contents of her frying pan furiously, something she did when Juan was in trouble. “You made me come here all those years ago,” she said. I miss my mother. I miss cooking together.”
Juan’s eyes widened, and his mouth hung open. He had no idea what she was talking about. But decades of marriage had taught him to hold still and keep silent when Maria started talking like this. He knew that if he just waited and listened long enough, he’d find out what he had done wrong this time.
“I don’t want America to be just like every other country!” She turned and stomped her foot as she met Juan’s dumbfounded gaze. With one hand on her hip, she slid the pan off the heat and then pointed an accusing finger, “You told me America was more than just a place to make money! You said America was a dream, an idea. Now, you tell me it’s just like every other country? Then why are we even here?”
Oh, now I understand. Juan’s chin lifted in silent recognition of Maria’s argument, and he held out his hands to forestall more accusations. “I didn’t mean that,” he tried to soothe her with his words. He’d never been very good at that, and it didn’t work this time.
“Then what do you mean?”
The question made Juan hesitate. “I still believe in America,” he said at last. He furrowed his brow, “But it seems to me that a lot of people don’t take them seriously. They act like they don’t care.”
“Now you think America is no different than home?” Maria challenged him.
Juan crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat. He was starting to get angry, but there was something on his heart, and he wanted Maria to understand him. So, he ground his teeth together and tried to give her an earnest reply, “You remember what it was like back then.” He could tell by the way she dropped her baleful stare that he’d scored a point with that comment. She remembered. “We didn’t have any kind of future there.”
Maria nodded.
“Look at everything we have now,” he waved his hands around the room. “We’re rich now. Maybe not by American standards, but in Mexico, I would be a king and you would be the queen.”
“So, it’s all about the money,” Maria was down, but she wasn’t out.
Juan momentarily lost his cool, “No! that’s not what I’m saying.” He nearly shouted, “I’m talking about leadership. In America, the leaders are not corrupt like back home. Here, you don’t have to make a bribe to get something done. Here, I’ve had the chance to make something of my life. We never could have had any of this back home, you know that!”
Maria won every fight when she started to cry. And she always cried when Juan raised his voice.
He stood and embraced her. She folded into his arms, and he caressed her hair. “I’m sorry, mi amor. I’m not mad.”
Maria sniffed and wiped her eyes, “You’re a good man, Juan. I thank God for you every day. I won’t talk to you about the elections anymore. I don’t want to upset you. You don’t have to vote if you don’t want to. I don’t mind.”
“I’m still gonna vote,” Juan objected. “I just don’t know that it’s gonna make any kind of difference anymore.” He opened a drawer and rummaged around until he found the large envelope containing the Presidential Preference Election information. “Look, I’ll just fill this out right now, OK?”
As he sat down to start filling out the unfamiliar document, Juan worried about the choices he was making. He didn’t recognize many names, but that didn’t matter much. Juan knew he would check the box for Donald Trump to be the Republican nominee. He’s a strong leader. They're all going after him, but no matter what they do, he's gonna win.
Technically, this was Juan’s first vote as an American. He didn’t know how he was supposed to feel, but he didn’t think it was supposed to be as bad as this. Perhaps it was the argument he’d had with Maria, or maybe just the act of filling out paperwork, but a dark foreboding plagued his heart. This county is falling apart. Business is getting better, but people are doing things that are not right. They’re fighting against religion, fighting against God.
What’s Got Juan Worried Most?
Choose Option 1: The Fight over Abortion
Choose Option 2: Transgender Rights