I think this is what you'd call a cautionary tale.
Two weeks ago my 11-year-old daughter invited her best friend Elly over to our house. Having been born a few weeks apart, they've known one another since infancy.
The two families have partied, vacationed and mourned together. I've been their son's teacher. We've celebrated our Thanksgivings and Easters together. If they aren't our best friends, they are among our oldest and dearest.
As my wife and I ate dinner with the two girls I made a joke about Ben & Jerry's plans to make "Barocky Road" ice cream. That was the extent of our political discussion. Mostly we talked about school and music.
Later that evening my wife drove Elly home.
When the phone rang, my caller ID told me it was Elly's mother Jennifer. I answered expecting to learn that Elly had left her jacket or socks or something. Instead it was about the end of a decade of friendship.
Without a hello, Jennifer said, "I heard you told Elly about Ben & Jerry's ice cream."
I laughed.
"I don't appreciate that."
I knew she was a Clinton supporter, but thought she was joking. I laughed again.
"I'm serious."
I still didn't believe her to be in ernest, but answered, "I'm sorry." I expected my friend Jennifer to laugh and say "gotcha!"
Instead I got an earful. She told me that Obama was a fraud; a cult figure. She compared him to Bush. She hated him. She hated his supporters. She told me about Hillary's experience, toughness and overall greatness. I just listened.
"And I've decided," she said, "that if Obama is the nominee, I won't vote for him."
I didn't want to say anything, but she left a huge hole in the one-way dialog. She was picking a fight, I knew, but I didn't want to fight with her. It wouldn't do any good. Finally, I answered, "I'm sorry you feel that way."
She went into another diatribe, ending with, "I will never vote for Obama."
I nibbled her bait this time. "But McCain would be 10 times worse than any Democrat. Our daughters could be drafted into one of his wars."
"I won't vote for McCain either. We just won't vote."
I said, "You sound emotional. I hope you change your mind." Yes, I know I should have just shut up.
She kept trying to get me into an argument, taking it up notch after notch. At last, I said, "I don't want to talk about this any more." She kept ranting, so I said, "I'm going to hang up."
She laughed, but there was no joy in it.
Since then I've tried phoning, but she hasn't picked up. I've emailed with no answer.
Last night my daughter asked if Elly could have a sleep over. I tried calling again, but once more got the voice mail. I had to tell my daughter "no," her best friend could not come over.
Before slamming her bedroom door she shouted, "I hate politics!"