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.”I thought about what the governor had said to me the day before, how the other candidates talked too much and never really listened.“But who’s going to listen to me?”“I don’t know, but I guess some people are, Mr.Clarinet Hero.Look, this is a chance of a lifetime.You might be able to change some things, or at least put us on the map.You’d be helping the town.”Only if I don’t mess up, I thought.“Think of how much it would mean to your mom,” he said.The fact he wanted to make my mom happy—I couldn’t resist that.His eyes had dark circles under them, and I realized that no matter how tough things had been lately, he’d hardly ever complained.What if I could do something to help everyday workers like him? The company, or the town?“We’ll miss you,” he continued.“But I bet it’ll only be a week.Knowing this crew and the way candidates change their minds, maybe only a couple of days.You won’t miss summer—don’t worry.”“But you don’t even want to vote for her,” I said.“Not yet,” he agreed.“Maybe she’ll say something to make me change my mind.Maybe you’ll help her sort out the issues.Maybe you’ll be the one who convinces me to vote for her.”“So … you think it’ll be okay?” I asked.“For real?”“Definitely.” He nodded.“It’s a gut feeling I’m getting, just so you know.I usually rely on those.I think these are good people.I think you’ll be safe with them.”“Okay, then.I’ll do it,” I said.We both turned around, ready to go tell the group our decision.Before I could say a word, the general said, “Listen, kid.We’re getting nowhere here, and we’re out of time.What’s something you really, really want?” The general sighed, as if he was running out of steam.I could tell him I was already planning to say yes, or I could hold out for something good.I had to think for a minute.I had a long list, but there was one thing I’d been dying to do for years.“I’ve always wanted to go to a Yankees game.At Yankee Stadium,” I said.“Done.We’ll get tickets for your whole family, we’ll fly you to New York—”“And my friend Simon,” I put in.“He needs to come, too.”“And your friend Simon,” the general said.“Fine.Done and done.But hurry and pack.We’ve got to strike while the iron is hot.Everyone, meet us outside FreezeStar in an hour.”“What—what do I bring?” I asked, but they were already gone, out the door, off to their waiting taxi.Mom, Dad, Christopher, Sassafras, and I stood in the doorway, watching them go.Before he got into the cab, Stu turned back toward us.“Oh, and Aidan?” he yelled.“There’s just one thing Governor Brandon wants you to promise you’ll bring with you.”“What’s that?” I asked.“Your clarinet!” he called.Then he slipped into the taxi and closed the door, and the car flew backward out of the driveway.What had I gotten myself into?“Now, you’ll call us, right? So we know you’re okay?” my mom asked me as we got out of the car at the giant gray FreezeStar plant.Either we were a little early to meet the bus or the bus was late, as it had been the day before.Either way, it was fine with me.I wasn’t sure I was ready to leave yet.Whenever I stand anywhere near the FreezeStar plant, I feel like a tiny bug.It’s so huge that it takes up at least fifteen acres.There was a large, random group of people gathered outside the huge main parking lot to see me off.Word had gotten around quickly, and I blamed it on Christopher.He and his friends were always texting, arranging last-minute parties, and he’d been at it for the last hour, while I was packing.“How am I supposed to call you? I don’t have a phone,” I said.“You’ll borrow one from that Stu guy.Did you see him? He has about twelve going at a time,” my dad said.“I still can’t believe they want you and not me,” said Christopher, shaking his head.“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.Instead of answering, he disappeared into the crowd to find his friends.I couldn’t believe he’d take off at a time like this.No, not because I was leaving.It was that he was missing the chance to be photographed repeatedly.Knowing him, he’d be back as soon as the reporters arrived with the Fresh Idea Party bus.“Well, then, call us as soon as you get a chance,” my mom said.“Check in at least three or four times a day.”“Do we want him spending his time seeing the world or calling us?” asked my dad
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