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Eyebrows rising again, I said, “That does very little to explain why you felt it was important that we be here”

“You’re here because of what you represent: the truth” The senator s to believe whatever you say Your careers depend on how many dead folks your brother can prod with a stick, how many poems your friend can write, and how s we say don’t paint you in a good enough light?” Buffy frowned, tilting her head It would have looked like a natural gesture if I hadn’t known the silverfroestures She was zoo in on the senator to catch his answer

“If they don’t paint ht, I suppose I wasn’t meant to be the President of the United States of A for scandals, I’m sure my opponents have road n, you report what you see, and don’t worry about whether or not I’ to like it Because that doesn’tto fra that see fro out of a zo plates onto the table I was grateful for the interruption After the way the day had been going, I was running out of “surprised” and ion of “roup

E for Senator Ryrace?”

“Of course,” he said Shaun and I exchanged glances before joining hands with each other and the Ry the circle around the table Senator Ry his eyes “Dear Lord, we ask that You bless this table and those who have coifts that You have given us For the health of ourselves and our families, for the company and food we are about to enjoy, and for the future that You have seen fit to set before us Thank You, oh Lord, for Your generosity, and for the trials by which we may come to know You better”

Shaun and I left our eyes open, watching the senator as he spoke We’re atheists It’s hard to be anything else in a world where zombies can attack your elementary school talent show Much of the country has turned back toward faith, however, acting under the vague supposition that it can’t hurt anything to have God on your side I glanced at Buffy, as nodding along with the senator’s words, eyes tightly closed She’s a lot uess Her farace at any sort of large gathering since she was born, and she still attends a nonvirtual church on Sundays

“Arees of certainty

Emily Ryman sry, but I want to eat too, so you’re going to have to serve yourselves after this round” The senator got a kiss on the cheek to go with his fish tacos; the rest of us just got fed

Not that Shaun was going to let lunch pass without a little light conversation Of the two of us, he’s the gregarious one So on the whole ca of it?” he asked, with uncharacteristic politeness Then again, he’s always had a healthy respect for woh to acco and pony show,” Emily said, dryly “I think you kids are totally insane Entertaining as all heck, and I love your site, but insane”

“I’ll take that as a ‘no,’ ” I said

“Uh-uh For one thing, I a the kids out on the road No way The tutors they hire for these things are never the sort I approve of” She smiled at the senator, who patted her knee in an unconsciously co way tooco kids”

“Look how it’s warped us,” said Shaun

“Exactly,” she said, unflustered “Besides which, the ranch doesn’t run itself”

I nodded “Your faes an actual horse ranch, don’t they?”

“You know the answer to that, Georgia,” said the senator “Been in Ehteen hundreds”

“If you think the risk of zoive up rinning “Now, don’t get your back up I knohere you stand on the ani supporter of Mason’s Law, aren’t you?”

“In all recreational and nonessential capacities, yes,” I said

Thanks to the Masons’ biological son, Shaun and I have often found ourselves with an ele with people ith animals Before Phillip, no one realized that all mammals with a body mass of forty pounds or more could become carriers of the live-state virus, or that Kellis-A froh her only son’s head, back when that was still soh to break you forever—when it felt like uess you could say I support Mason’s Law

“I would, too, in your position,” Emily said Her tone carried none of the accusations I’hts activists; she was speaking the truth, and I could deal, or not, as I so chose “Now, if everyone wants to tuck in, it’s the start of a long day—and a longer ets cold,” added the senator, and reached for the ed in near-unison, and reached for our forks