Contenders

Coming of age

Part 7

by Michael Crowley

When it's time for Joe to leave the Pig-N-Whistle, Charlie, the manager, refuses Joe's money, and urges him to bring the kids around again soon.

Joe nicetaseeyas everybody, ventures into the wicked slush storm outside, and dives into his blue van. Asked whether he'd vote for Joe for governor, Charlie doesn't pause.

"Sure!" he says.

Why? What about taxes? What about experience? What about balance?

"Why not?"

How do you argue with that?

Michael Crowley can be reached at mcrowley[a]phx.com.