Larry Thomas was new to Jefferson Elementary School, his family having just moved into town from out of state. He was assigned to Miss Ellison’s sixth-grade class. She introduced him to each of her students, twenty-six in all, and when he met Halle Thomas, his heart skipped a beat. She was very pretty, and when she shook his hand, he was nearly breathless.
Larry and Halle bonded almost immediately. They were both academically gifted and participated together in numerous extracurricular activities. During morning and lunch recesses, they hung out together on the playground. On the swings, they challenged each other to see who could reach the highest. In art class they drew each other’s portrait in charcoal, and the results were astonishing. The likenesses were easily identifiable by their classmates.
Six years later Larry and Halle entered their senior year, and had been going steady ever since ninth grade. They were active in numerous extra-curricular activities, including glee club, dramatics club, and chess club. Halle’s claim to fame was being selected as class valedictorian, with a perfect grade-point average. Larry gained fame by winning first place in the chess club’s year-end tournament.
What now? After graduation would their paths go in different directions? Yes, they would. Halle entered Stanford University, majoring in political science, while Larry entered Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania. Now they were at opposite ends of the country, but that would not end their relationship. They were in constant touch by emails, phone calls, and getting together during vacation breaks.
After graduating from their respective schools, on June 14th, 2031, Halle became Mrs. Larry Thomas, and a year later, she was elected to the California State Legislature. Larry assumed secretarial duties for his busy wife. Three years later, Halle was elected, by a landslide vote, to the U. S. Congress on the Democratic ticket. Finally, on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2048, history was made when Larry Thomas became the first First Gentleman in U.S. history.
