“No,” Parker disagrees. “This way, no one can say he cares about the campaign more than he does America. He’ll show up only to the big things. Plus, she’s more approachable than him.”

There hasn’t been a day in my life I found Candice Montgomery approachable. Somehow, I’m not so sure that she knows how much a gallon of milk costs or how insane gas prices are. Neither do I though. If anyone in this room might be able to relate most to every day Americans, it’s Parker.

“When my husband was senator in this very state, school literacy rates soared among public school students, and do you know what subsequent studies later showed? That there was an increase in enrollment in higher education programs amongst high school diploma graduates. That’s because the Montgomery family has always understood that investing in education is something that benefits us all…”

I tilt my head against Parker’s. “Who’s going to tell the crowd that your mom and dad sent both their kids to private school?”

Parker’s cheeks puff as she stifles a laugh.

“I’m serious,” I hiss. “There isn’t a better talking point?

“Politicians are the world’s greatest bullshitters. You’d think she was the Montgomery, not my dad.” Parker sighs. “She’s built her entire image on being the people’s lady. Madeline told me that will be the title of her official biography whenever my father’s run ends. I suggested Wicked Witch of the West Wing, but that got vetoed.”

“The opposition often criticizes my husband’s enthusiastic budgeting when it comes to education. They’d rather see your tax dollars be funneled tightly into military contracts or spending you will never reap the benefit of in your lifetime,” Candice continues. “That’s because the value they place on children has a monetary limit. For my husband and me? It’s priceless.”

Parker’s body tightens against me.

“Their value knows no bounds, and with proper education, with intense funding of charter schools exactly like this, we’ll see a return on our investment in just a few years. A future president, after all, could be sitting in this very room…”

Parker seethes. “She’s so full of it.”

As the room erupts in applause, Candice holds out an arm, motioning for Parker. She squeezes my hand at her waist before moving to the center of the stage.

“They’ll just be doing a walkabout next.”

I turn, finding one of Candice’s aides. “A walkabout?”

“A walk from the school to a local coffee shop. We’ll depart from there in approximately forty minutes.”

The aide makes conversation, throwing numbers out at me, citing polls and counties, how the Montgomery campaign will be pounding the pavement in swing states in the next few weeks. I nod as if I understand as much I do an offensive spread.

“Fitz.”