Brady Jackson set his beer down on the arm of the bright-yellow Adirondack chair in his parents’ sunroom and grinned. “Oh, there’s going to be some changes folks,” he said. “We young people have voted and you aging hippies are going to have to get used to a new way of doing things.”
“Like what, young fellow?” said Brady’s father Andrew who was enjoying a beverage of his own in a chair across the room. “What new ways?”
“Well for one thing,” said Brady, “now that Canada is going to legalize marijuana, you old people won’t be able to confiscate it from your kids anymore. You’ll have to start buying your own.”
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“Good point,” said Randy from his chair next to the hot tub. “On the plus side there’s new evidence that marijuana has real medicinal value. Experts say that once it’s legalized they expect to see a 90 per cent reduction in the number of people who say they have glaucoma.”
“I still can’t believe that young whipper-snapper, Trudeau, got himself elected,” said Rose. “After two years of Mr. Harper telling us that Justin was just not ready, I expected people to at least think twice.”
“I heard a reporter asked Trudeau about that issue, how young he is and whether he’s mature enough to do the job,” said Brady’s wife Amanda, “and Trudeau said he would make a statement, just as soon as he finished moving back into his parents’ house.”
“Trudeau looks like he’s my age,” said Jackie who was sitting next to Randy. “Which is really cool on the one hand, but kind of worrisome on the other. It’s like if Randy got elected as prime minister. I’d be so excited, but on the other hand, I’d be like, oh my God!”
“Thanks for your vote of confidence darling,” said Randy. “You know you’d vote for me anyway dear, because I’m way hotter than Justin Trudeau.”
“Of course you are honey, of course you are. I voted for Justin in honour of your hotness!” Jackie laughed, and so did the others.
“I’m not sure this idea of voting for people on the basis of their hotness is a good trend,” said Rose. “I mean, look at the city of Winnipeg. They elected that handsome charming mayor, Glen Murray, back in the ’90s, and all they got of that was a restaurant in the middle of a bridge.”
“Well it’s too early to tell whether it’s a good trend or a bad one,” said Brady. “It’s the first time we’ve tried it. I mean geez, we went from Chretien to Martin to Harper. Things were getting out of hand.”
“And the Conservatives went from Preston Manning to Stockwell Day to Stephen Harper,” said Amanda, “and now they have Rona Ambrose. I understand her first official action was to sentence the Conservative Party’s official hairdresser to life in prison.”
“I don’t blame her,” said Andrew. “I wouldn’t let that hairdresser anywhere near my head.”
“Says the guy who hasn’t had a haircut since May and looks like the lovechild of Albert Einstein and Bernie Sanders,” said Rose.
“Winter is coming,” said Andrew. I’m just growing out my winter coat.”
“Your winter coat is coming in faster than winter,” said Rose. “A little trim wouldn’t hurt.”
“Why do conversations about politics always end up in discussions about hairstyles?” said Amanda. “What with Trudeau and Harper, and down south there’s Trump and Sanders and Clinton. All anybody ever talks about is hair.”
“Because there’s no reason to talk about actual politics, sweetheart,” said Brady. “Especially in Canada. Canadian politics is like Anthony Peluso halfway through an NHL season.”
“How’s that?” said Andrew.
“Pointless,” said Brady.
“I don’t think it’s pointless,” said Amanda.
“What isn’t?” said Brady. “Politics or Peluso?”
“Politics obviously,” said Amanda. “It’s important because it affects what kind of world we’re going to leave for our children.”
“We don’t have any children,” said Brady, giving her a little smile.
“But we will,” said Amanda.
Rose looked at the two of them with sudden interest. “When?” she asked. “Just curious. No pressure.”
Brady looked at Amanda, who looked back at him. He gave her an imperceptible nod.
“April 15th,” said Amanda.
There was a moment of stunned silence in the room. Rose got halfway out of her chair, her hand over her mouth. “Oh my gosh!” was all she could say.
Brady and Amanda looked at each other and laughed out loud.
Andrew set his drink down. “You’re serious?” he said.
Brady and Amanda nodded, still grinning broadly. “We’re very excited,” they said in unison.
Andrew looked around the room. “Well,” he said, “I think I can safely say that makes six of us!”
