In Which I ask Jerry Jenkins to Sign My Bill

Ever since I lost little Friedrich, I have been constructing a plan to get him back. My plan is to be like the persistent in the Gospels and just keep hounding Student Development until they give in.

So far I have written a letter addressing the issue that parakeets are not really considered "pets" and should therefore be allowed in Jenkins Hall apartments. I'm calling it "Friedrich's Bill" and trying to get it passed. I've revised it about a dozen times and am finally ready to send it off--I just need one thing.

Pops suggested it might be handy to have a professor or advisor co-sign with me. You know, give me a little more credibility. I thought this sounded like a good plan. And then I got the e-mail inviting me to a writer's luncheon with famed author Jerry Jenkins. An idea popped into my head: what if I could actually get Jerry Jenkins himself to sign my bill? I mean, he bought the building for Moody and his name is on it...how could they say no if he signed it??

Butterflies began taking flight in my stomach at the very idea of asking him to sign it. But I knew what I had to do.

I wrote and re-wrote the letter, edited it more, asked more opinions, and finally printed it off with Jerry Jenkins' name at the bottom and a place for him to sign. This is ridiculous, I thought. He's never going to sign this. And I probably won't even get a moment alone with him to ask him anyway. But for Friedrich I had to at least try.

I left about 15 minutes early to turn in a paper for the class I would be missing, but because I had re-drafted the letter so many times, I was running out of time and booked it across campus. I walked in with a friend of mine, completely out of breath and ready to head upstairs to the luncheon when I saw him.

Not fifteen feet away stood Mr. Jerry Jenkins, staring out the window, apparently waiting for someone. My heart stopped. If you're going to do it, you better do it now! I thought, panicking at the very thought. I was still walking with my friend so I walked past him a bit, let her go, and stood stock still behind a pillar. I tried to calm my breathing, but it would not be calmed. The deskworker and couple of other people began giving me strange and concerned looks as I stood there indecisively. I realized I had forgotten my ID. They probably think I'm some sort of vagrant! I thought miserably. I had a mental argument with myself over the pros and cons and finally, without allowing myself to think about it any longer, I turned on my heel and walked resolutely up to Mr. Jenkins.

He turned as I approached him. I put on my professional voice and said "Mr. Jenkins?"

"Yes," He answered, smiling and extending his hand.

"I'm Ashley Willcox. I entered your writing contest and will be upstairs at the luncheon in just a few minutes, but I wondered if I could talk to you about something rather non-writing related?" My words were coming out in a torrent and I still continued to gasp for breath.

"Why, sure" He replied graciously. He thinks I'm insane, I thought encouragingly. I then began pleading my case. He nodded, commented "Hmm, birds, yes, okay" throughout my spiel, and when I was done with whatever it was that I said, I spoke the fateful words "And I was wondering if you would be willing to sign it for me?" Pathetic! You sound pathetic!

"Well, sure, may I look it over first?" He reached for his briefcase to find a pen.

"I actually have it with me," I stated, thrusting the letter out in front of me.

He took it from me and glanced over it. "May I take this?"

"Of course!" I said, probably too eagerly.

"Well sure, I'll just look at it and get back with you."

I beamed. "Thank you! I'll see you upstairs" I darted off quickly, not even looking at him again and ran upstairs. Whew. The deed was done. And it wasn't even that hard.

So there you have it. He may or may not sign my Bill, but he has it in his possession. And the bigger deal is...I did it. I actually got the nerve up to approach Jerry Jenkins and ask him to plead my case for my Friedrich. Let's just hope it works.