CHAPTER 12

The election was a record turnout easily. Previous elections few bothered to even turn up to the debate or polls, the opinions between political opponents rarely differed in Moralton, but the upset of Forghetty being oddly progressive all of the sudden led the masses out in droves almost as if to make an example of those who stepped out of the common folks handed down morals and beliefs. One could say it was more complicated than that, and it was...But the clear truths in Moralton are black and white, right or wrong. Often times the in between grey areas of certain issues or personal affairs are swept under the rug. Moralton a "true utopia" of morals sees no reason to get into the more finer parts of certain issues. Of course updates needed to be made every so often to attune to national politics and what not, but never anything too drastic. Mayor Forghetty was seen as a radical, rightfully so by most, given the history of the town perhaps he'd fared better if he had eased into the progressive age. Censordoll had been deep in thought barely paying attention to the actual numbers, she had Putty pay attention to that but she knew what was going to happen, she only needed Putty to confirm it without a doubt...

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Clay at the behest of Censordoll was stationed at the school shaking hands, telling people to vote for him, Bloberta attempted to tag along but Censordoll had recommended against her inclusion as being a distraction. Clay felt miserable. Whenever he wasn't talking to someone to vote for him his face turned to a sadness looking past everyone. Bloberta's innate curiosity had her walk throughout town observing the polls, the obvious victor being Clay really confused her heart and mind. Sure she had come to...lov-like him she couldn't believe the flocks of people ready to support him. Of course she did know Censordoll and Putty had a part to play in all of this...Perhaps it was just his pretty face in the sunshine she had seen, that man could say anything and everyone would believe it... In a way it further disillusioned her to what those two were in town. They only wanted a pretty face in charge...Should she try and get Clay out of being the mayor? Curling herself up into a ball outside of the school she thought deeply about the ramifications of the outcomes. She still did like Clay and didn't want him to completely be controlled by the 'higher ups'. On the other hand she had begun a bond with a fetus almost 2 months old that needed nutrients. Bloberta couldn't find a reasonable in between so ultimately she needed to comply with Clay's 'higher ups' in order to secure a good place in Moralton. A child...A first child at that, had meant the whole universe to her. Whoever the fetus ended up becoming they needed a strong home life. A strong home life starts with a stable living situation...

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Clay arrived outside the school as Bloberta had been pondering the endless possibilities of various futures was shaken by Clay's hand. Clay spoke up: "Hey what are you doing here? I thought I told you to go back home?" Bloberta awoke from a dream like state. almost seeing a future son in her husband's visage. She regained her composure and responded:

"I didn't want to go back until you did." Clay looked off to the side looking at the night sky and simply asked:

"Why?" At first Bloberta didn't understand the question. Why wouldn't a loving partner wait for her knight in shining armor? But then she quickly realized it was Clay she was talking to...

"I...I don't know why..." Clay noticed the hesitation and sat beside her.

"I know all this election stuff must be stressful to you too, huh?"

"You could say that...Look I need to tell you something." Clay's face quickly turned to her not prepared for the news coming to him: "I'm pregnant. With your child." Clay knew it was coming but he was so focused on other things it was like a curve ball. Clay regained his composure and tried to come off as cool.

"I- I think- I mean that's great! When are we expecting the new mouth to feed?"

"Doctor Secondopinionson said sometime mid June." Bloberta wrapped her arms around herself as Clay offered a hand on her shoulder. Clay decided to go into a playful mode to offset his overwhelming anxiety.

"What should we name the little one?" Bloberta was a little bit surprised by Clay's support, rarely he tried to be supportive.

"Well... I was thinking if its a boy I'd name him: Thomas." Bloberta proudly exclaimed.

"What the hell kinda name is that?" Clay retorted. Bloberta scoffed. Clay offered his suggestion "I'm thinking: Model is a good name for a boy."

"Or if its a girl I'd call her Rae!" Her eyes sparkled in pride.

"Pfft whatever if its a girl you can name it whatever you want toots." Clay said apathetically. Bloberta glared but she also indeed hoped for a boy. A child at all would be nice but a boy was always more favorable in the world and at home. Plus she just wanted one, that's what her mind conjured up in her dreams. She didn't want to be reminded of her relationship with her mother. She'd rather have a fresh horizon.

"We'll come up with a name when they are born..but lets keep talking about our plans for..the baby." Clay cringed, this was getting really serious now.

The idea of a child he was responsible for...That was a lot to take in. He thought back to when his mother told him about her miscarriages before he was born. Deep inside a dark part of his mind wished for the same fate for Bloberta. But his conscious mind quickly and fiercely casted out that desire with rage. The desire to be a better father overtook his desire to be alone. And of course he cared somewhat for Bloberta's feelings in being a mother. Whether he liked it or not he needed this son in his world. At this point it was the only thing to truly look forward to.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." - Psalm 127:3