I I like my mornings to myself so it has been a bit of an adjustment to flip flop my way into the kitchen and find people there…people who are wide awake, smiling, and chatting. I do kind of like being greeted by a chorus of “Morning, Lilly,” but I find that I frequently forget to respond.
This morning I remembered. “Hi, guys. How’s it going?”
Pen wasn’t up yet. Ryan was headed back to his room. “Good, thanks,” he said after a moment’s thought.
That left Harriet and ML. “Get you coffee and toast and join our conversation,” ML said in a way that sounded more like an order than an invitation. But I’m sensitive about being told what to do.
“She doesn’t eat toast,” Harriet pronounced.
Who was I going to prove wrong? I glanced at Harriet then ML. I plunked two pieces of bread in the toaster and warmed up a mug of coffee in the microwave.
They went back to their conversation. It was about the adventure sub that went missing. How come five rich people get the Coast Guard and international rescue ships while hundreds of migrants in the Mediterranean get nothing? was Harriet’s point. People are people was ML’s point.
I chimed in. “I don’t think we should do less for the rich. I just think we should do a whole lot more for the poor.” I was a little surprised I was so succinct. “Solving societal problems doesn’t happen by taking away from one group to bolster another,” I added while plastering the semi burnt toast with peanut butter.
“What do you think taxes do?” ML shot back.
Harriet answered before I could. “They are meant to be an equitable contribution to the community pot. Both the rich and poor benefit from good roads, safe air and water, good schools, strong military, safe air space…the list is practically endless.”
“What she said,” I said, taking a big gulp of coffee. We high-fived each other.
ML laughed. “You have a glimmer of a good point.”
I like this about our little group. We talk. We listen. We gang up on each other and we don’t beat each other up for our differences. At least this has been true to date! I’ll let you know if any bad feelings linger.
Comments