I think Mom’s cardiologist nearly had heart attack during her checkup.

Mom and Doc always chitchat during visits, usually about his growing up in Detroit in the ’60s and their shared appreciation of Sam Cooke.

But then Donald Trump’s name came up and I chimed in. I challenged his assertion that “there’s no way, NO WAY” Trump wins the election. When I mentioned “Brexit” and the populist similarities in U.S. politics, the usually laid-back jazz-lover got flushed and started scooting his little wheeled doctor’s stool in a back-and-forth motion.

“It’s not going to happen. Never. NEVER,” Doc said. “I’ll get you any bottle of wine you want if he wins.”

I would have loved to have seen what his heart rate was doing during what turned out to be a long political conversation.

It’s amazing to me at this point in the election season that people are still applying logic and conventional wisdom to the presidential race. It’s foolishness, a complete disregard for the reality that so many Americans are in a foul mood about a changing nation and politics as we know it. For the first time, a presidential campaign speaks truth as they know it, as they want it. A vote for Trump is their middle-finger salute and they can’t wait to show it at the polls.

The disgust for politics will cause another large cohort of voters to stay above an increasingly ugly fray and stay home on Election Day. The end of a story in the New York Times about Trump’s visit to Scotland the day after the Brexit vote spoke to a particular kind of apathy.

“Frank Cruickshanks, 52, who is a caddy at Mr. Trump’s property, including for Mr. Trump’s son Eric, said he appreciated the work Mr. Trump had put into overhauling the golf course.

“Having caddied for the last three weeks, mostly for Americans, I have yet to meet one who’s voting for Hillary Clinton,” Mr. Cruickshanks said.

“Asked if those American tourists were voting, then, for Mr. Trump, Mr. Cruickshanks paused. “No, I didn’t say that,” he said, with a mischievous grin.”

Some American voters, including those who love jazz, drink wine and play golf, may feel like they can afford to sit this one out. But it’s a luxury America can’t afford.

I get that Mom’s heart doctor can’t stomach Trump. But he refuses to see a plausible path leading to a President Trump. Look, Doc, despite a miserable few weeks as the presumptive Republican nominee and with very little campaign money, polls have Trump even with Clinton in key states like Pennsylvania and Ohio. Conventional wisdom about national campaigning says it shouldn’t be close. Don’t be naive.

I’m partial to pinots. A friend suggests I ask for a bottle, or perhaps a case, of Benovia Pinot Noir if Trump wins. Wynton Marsalis sounds good with that.

And, oh yeah, Mom’s checkup was good.