“Tomorrow night Aunt Miriam would like you to come to supper and then stay a while.  She’s going to tune into the Democratic Convention on her television.  She says there’s going to be a very special speaker and she thinks you and I should hear the speech,” Bette said.  She had sat up now and was leaning against the wall watching Tina as the girl lay content and relaxed on her back.

Tina shrugged.  “I ain’t much for politics, Bette.  And I can’t say the thought of listenin’ to a speech sounds too exciting either.  Tell her thank you, but I’d rather not.”

“She’s going to take me grocery shopping tomorrow morning and says if you want to plan the menu that you and I can cook together, make the supper,” Bette offered.

Tina turned and then sat up and looked at Bette.  “You mean we can plan a whole meal and she’ll buy the fixins?”

“Yes.  Don’t you think that would be fun?  To cook together?”

“I do, but would I have to stay for the speech?”

Bette chuckled.  “Yes, you would.  Now come on, Tina.  It’s important to know what’s going on.  You need to pay attention to politics and to what’s happening in the world.”

“Why?”

“Because you do.”

Tina scooted over and leaned against the opposite wall and shook her head.  “Ain’t like I can do nothing about nothing.  I’m just a kid and can’t even vote.”

“But someday you’ll be old enough to vote.  So you need to start now understanding how our country works, what ideas are out there, what’s happened before that hasn’t work and the things that have.  You have to educate yourself so you’ll know how to vote, whom to vote for,” Bette said impassioned.  Her father had given her a similar speech when she was younger.

“I guess.”

“You guess?  Tina, didn’t you tell me that the Tennessee Valley Authority brought men work, saved a whole generation from starving?”

“I did.”

“And didn’t you tell me that it was those ‘boys’ in Washington that saved your state?”

“Sure.”

“Well who do you think got those ‘boys’ up there in Washington?  They were elected by people, people like you and me and Aunt Miriam and Sandy and your father and all your neighbors,” Bette explained.