The president shook his hand.
“Patsy Gatsby,” said Patsy. She was the first person in Marvin’s row. “Are there ever days when you wish you weren’t president?”
The president had to think a long time before answering that one. “I know there are days when other people wish I wasn’t president,” he said.
“Like Travis’s parents,” said Patsy.
The president smiled. “It’s not an easy job, Patsy,” he said. “There are times when it would be nice to take a hike, or just watch TV, or something. But I don’t think I’ve ever wished I wasn’t president. I feel very proud to have been elected to serve the citizens of this country.”
Patsy shook his hand, then returned to her seat.
“Nick Tuffle. When you go to another country, do you ever have to eat really weird food and pretend you like it?”
The president nodded. “It happens a lot. I try to spread it around on my plate, so it looks as if I ate more than I really did.”
“I do that, too,” said Nick.
“What’s the weirdest thing you ever had to eat?”
“Probably jellyfish.”
“Oh, gross!” said Nick.
Nick didn’t seem at all nervous talking to the president. They shook hands, then he returned to his seat.
Marvin was getting very nervous. It was Melanie’s turn, and he was after Melanie.
Mr. President. Are we going to get into a war anytime soon? Marvin Redpost.
Melanie asked her question. “Is there going to be another war?”
Marvin couldn’t believe it.
“I hope not, Melanie. It’s just like being a good citizen. You shouldn’t fight. Our country is a citizen of the world. And we shouldn’t fight either.”
Melanie shook the president’s hand.
Marvin slowly walked to the front of the room.
“Hi, Marvin,” said the president. “I’m sure you’ve got a real good question.”
Marvin didn’t know what to do. All he had left was his shoe question. “Marvin Redpost,” he said. He looked at the president, who was looking at him. Marvin was impressed by how kind and smart he was, and how he remembered everybody’s name. Marvin hoped to be president someday, too, and he wanted to be just like him. “Is there something we should be doing now if we want to be president someday?”
The president nodded and smiled at Marvin. “I think you’re already doing it, Marvin,” he said. “Work hard. Listen to your teacher. Be a good citizen. All those things we talked about earlier. If you do that, then any one of you—Casey, Travis, Nick, Patsy—might be president someday.”
The president put his arm around Marvin’s shoulders. “Take a good look at this bright young man here. You may be looking at a future president.”
Marvin could see all the cameras were pointed at him and the president. He tried not to smile. He didn’t want to look goofy.
8
The president left. The television crews left. Mr. McCabe returned to the principal’s office.
“Well,” said Mrs. North.
That was all she said.
Everyone waited for her to say more.