“Of course, Mary, Harper, you lookgorgeous. Send me some of your secrets!”
Mary waved then collected the lap trays they’d used for dinner to put them away.
Dot continued, “Hi, everyone.” She wiped her palms on her pants. “So... where in Wisconsin would you want people to live for a year?”
There was a clatter in the kitchen as Mary dropped the trays onto the counter.
“Dot. Are you serious?” she yelled from the other room.
Kitty smiled, like she had a live one on the line.
“Good question. We’ve mapped it all out—to the county level. The most important place for us is in a suburb of Milwaukee called Cedar Falls. That’s a town in the swingiest county in Wisconsin. It’s flipped back and forth from red to blue every election since Bush-Gore. And while in the last cycle they went a little to the left, the rest of the state went to the right. But it’s a growing county, and with just a few more votes for Democrats in that area, we could have won it.”
“And so, in theory, someone volunteers to move there and sends back information and works on the campaign?” Dot asked.
“Precisely. I truly believe a lack of on-the-ground intelligence held us back. The campaign last cycle relied way too much on algorithms. We lost track of what peopleactuallythink.”
There was silence for a moment and Dot stared into the distance, as if she could see Wisconsin from her apartment. Was she nuts to think this would be amazing and maybe just the shake-up she needed in her life?
Kitty jumped back in. “And to repeat, FTW would cover all expenses. Housing, transportation, and a generous living allowance. We have the funds to do it.” Trying to close the sale, she asked Dot, “Are you interested? Wisconsin is lovely in January!” she joked. “But you’d be in the heart of the country—and the ultimate battleground in the election.”
Dot quickly shook her head no. “Oh, I was just curious. It’s a good idea. But obviously not for me. I mean... I’m a New Yorker through and through!” Her voice hit a higher octave. She didn’t want to be rude, but who would leave the city to move... anywhere.
“Well, let me know if you change your mind. It’s for less than a year, and I think you’d find it much more rewarding than...” Kitty’s voice trailed off.
Ouch, Dot thought. But she’s not wrong.
Kitty kept the call going.
“Now, let’s go to Skylar in Arizona. Hi, Skylar.”
Dot put the computer back on mute.
“Is itthatbad with Ryan that you’re thinking of running off to political summer camp in Oshkosh? You know you can’t leave the city!” Mary looked shocked.
“Yeah, you can’t leave me here with all these... New Yorkers.” Harper looked at Dot, trying to read how serious she was.
“Harper, you’re from Brooklyn,” Mary said.
“Exactly. And look where it’s gotten me!”
“I’m not moving to Wisconsin. But I feel like I need to dosomething.” Dot was restless.
“Then let’s go out next weekend. We’re in a rut, and we need to move with apurpose.” Mary liked to organize nights out, and she liked the little dig at Kitty. “Let’s go to the Spaniard Saturday night. I’ll text Jimmy for a rez.” Jimmy was the super-hot bartender that Mary flirted with every time they were in there.
“I’m afraid I’ll only be able to drink water. I can’t afford to go out.” Harper knew that cocktails were about twenty dollars a pop.
“I’ve got you,” Mary said. “Besides, Jimmy will get us the first round.”
“You can’t keep covering me.”
“It’s not for forever. Just shut up and say yes.”
“Okay, yes.”
Dot glanced back at the Zoom. Kitty was poli-girl explaining some more charts.
After Harper and Mary left her apartment, Dot dried and put away the plates Mary had washed in the sink. It occurred to her that she still hadn’t responded to Ryan’s text asking her to dinner.