Jon hopped off his skateboard and approached the bench from behind. He could see the three of them sitting side by side. As he got closer, he could hear talking and …
Wait, was that the sound of a gavel?
As he walked around the bench, he could see an old TV had been placed on a grave marker. “What are you guys doing?!”
Through a mouthful of pie, Basil said, “We’re watching the impeachment trial.”
Without taking her eyes off the screen, Gladys said, “Shhhh!”
Margaret whispered, “Grab a piece, dear, and join us. There’s room. Scoot to the edge, Gladys. Make some room.”
Jon grabbed some pie and perched next to Margaret. He whispered, “I wondered where you guys were. This isn’t the usual bench.”
Basil said, “We had to find a bench next to a plug-in.” Jon said, “Cool! Where’d you get the TV?”
Gladys scowled at Basil, “Shhhh!”
They sat for awhile and watched. At one point, Basil got up to get a second piece of pie. Margaret had made French Silk that day. Jon walked over and asked if Basil had any more coffee. “I brought an extra thermos because I knew we’d be here for awhile.” Jon said, “Great. So, Basil, why are we watching this?” Basil unscrewed the top of the thermos, “It’s the impeachment trial for Trump, the former president.” Jon held out a cup. “Why do we care?” Basil laughed, “We don’t, but it’s interesting to see how they conduct themselves, and why they all find this so important.”
Margaret approached. “They’re done for the day. Good time to stretch the legs.” Jon took a fork full, “I’d have thought you’d make an apple pie today, Margaret. You know, kind of an American pie.” Jon laughed at himself. Margaret wiped her hands on her apron, “I’m a little disgusted with America right now, Jon, so I opted for something else.” Jon looked at Basil, “Apparently Margaret cares about this trial.”
Gladys walked over, shaking her head. “Don’t you find it fascinating that they even have to have a trial for that guy? Shouldn’t he already be in jail?” Basil looked at Jon as he pointed at Gladys, “Tread lightly near that one.” Margaret shook her head, “Seems a waste of time when everyone knows how the vote will go. You could have all the evidence in the world, but the other side made up their minds before they even began.”
With both hands on her hips, Gladys said, “What are they supposed to do now? Are they supposed to move on and pretend none of this ever happened? Do they just let him get away with it?! Doesn’t this pave the way for this to happen again? Do ANY of them read history?”
Jon backed away and looked at Basil. “I thought you said we didn’t care?” Basil laughed, “Well, I guess I meant that I don’t care. I came for the pie.”
Now Margaret put her hands on her hips. Both Gladys and Margaret faced Basil. At the same time, they both said, “Why don’t you care, Basil?”
Basil put his plate down and leaned against a tree. He took a breath and said, “First of all, I’ll remind you that we don’t have to care. We can view this from a distance. Fortunately.” Basil crossed his arms, “I would suggest that the living do the same thing. Other than those on the front lines fighting the fight, what can most of them do? Can all those watching TV or listening to the radio …” Jon interrupted and said, “Or checking their social media!” Basil said, “Right, Jon. That, too. Can any of them really make a difference other than elevating their blood pressure? Shouldn’t they focus on what they can do? They can improve their own lives and focus on their families. They can make progress in their corner of the country.”
Gladys leaned in, “They could focus on truth! They could stop spreading lies! They could do their homework and read and quit jumping to conclusions.”
“True,” Basil said, “but that has to start in their own home.”
Margaret relaxed and said, “Basil is right. There are warriors who are cut out for this. Not everyone is cut out to be a warrior. The rest could clear the way to let those warriors do the work, but back them up by cleaning up the messes in their own backyards. They could fight in their own way. They could start by making sure their neighbors have enough to eat.”
Gladys said, “And making sure their neighbors have a roof over their heads, while they are at it.”
Basil said, “I agree with both of you.”
Gladys said, “Isn’t it also the government’s responsibility to feed and house the masses?”
Basil laughed, “That depends on who you ask.”
Gladys said, “Fine. But when the masses lose trust in their government, won’t they lose hope in the process? And when they lose hope in the process, what’s next? Anarchy?”
Basil said, “Whoa, Gladys! History proves that the process prevails.”
Margaret said, “History also proves that the top rarely looks out for the bottom. And while they are busy repeating history, who makes sure there’s enough food and shelter? And, Basil, you know better than to say, ‘Whoa, Gladys.'”
Basil smiled, “That’s right, Margaret. Gladys, I apologize. What I mean to say is that if they focus on their own stories and work on change in their own part of the world, the process can prevail. The top will only ever care about power.” With a mouthful, Jon said, “And money.” Basil, said, “That, too, Jon. The top will never concern itself with the story of the common people, other than to give their story lip service in order to gain more power. It’s up to the masses to look out for each other.”
Jon said, “And they can vote, Basil. That’s where they can make a difference. They can vote.”
Basil patted Jon on the back, “You’re absolutely right about that, Jon.”
Gladys huffed, “That’s all fine, until the top takes away their right to vote.”
Margaret put her hand on Gladys’ shoulder, “Then they make darn sure they don’t vote for the ones who take away the votes of others, dear. And in the meantime, they make sure their neighbors have enough.” Margaret re-tied her apron, “Meet back here tomorrow. I’m making German Kuchen.”
Basil laughed. “See you tomorrow. I’ll bring another thermos.”