Page 53 of Powerless

I take a sharp breath, lift my chin, and reach for Kathryn’s hand. I open the door and with Kathryn, walk into Dad’s office. With laser focus, Dad sees us holding hands. His jaw jumps and he arches a brow. Dad clicks his tongue to the roof of his mouth. “Well,” he says.

“Hi, Dad,” I start.

“I thought only you were coming home.”

I glance over at Kathryn who’s staring at the ground, worrying her lip between her teeth. “So, I came home because there’s something I wanted to share with you and Mom.” Mom waltzes in and sits opposite Dad. “I’d like to formally introduce you to Kathryn, my girlfriend.”

“Weren’t you here two weeks ago telling me you split up with Jennifer?” Dad’s voice elevates as he flicks a cautious, hard glare toward Kathryn, then back to me.

“It didn’t work out with Jennifer.” Kathryn squeezes my hand, silently telling me not to go into the why.

“Why not? Jennifer comes from an impeccable lineage, and she would’ve been a good fit for you.” Kathryn squeezes my hand again. This time, I have a feeling she’s hurt by Dad’s fierce words.

“No, Dad, she wouldn’t have been. Because although we tried, we both knew it wasn’t going to work.”

“So what?” Dad flicks his hand up to gesture toward Kathryn. “Were you screwing her while you were dating Jennifer?”

A small whimper escapes Kathryn. “Don’t speak like that,” I say and step in front of Kathryn, shielding her from Dad’s angry eyes and spiteful mouth. “It wasn’t like that, Dad.”

“She’s not going to get you to the White House like you want. She doesn’t come from a political family, and she has no idea how to play the perfect wife.”

“You’ll watch your tone when you’re speaking about Kathryn,” I warn.

“Is she the reason you wanted to go to Stanford? Did Liam and Jennifer even have a choice?”

I open my mouth to argue with Dad, but Kathryn places her warm hand to my chest as she steps in front of me. “Bennett will make the White House, and not because of the person standing beside him, but because he has the drive and he’s a kind and compassionate man.” She lifts her chin as her lips tighten. “Unlike yourself.”

Dad’s eyes widen and his head tilts to the side. “You come into my house and disrespect me?”

“You’re doing a good job of disrespecting me,” Kathryn returns his argument. “I’m treating you the way you’re treating me.”

Dad glances between all of us, and finally settles his steely eyes on mine. “You’re going to allow your girlfriend to speak to me like that?” he spits the word with revulsion.

“Let me? I might not come from a political background, but I know what’s right and wrong. You’re angry that your son isn’t following the plan you’ve set out for him.”

Dad stands and places both his palms on the desk. He leans his body forward and says with a bitter tone, “He’ll never reach his potential with you.” He looks her up and down and adds, “You’re not First Lady material. You’re not good enough for my son to make president.”

“Hey,” I snap toward Dad.

Kathryn pulls me back and stands with her head high. She releases my hand and steps even closer to my father. “The saddest part of this is you’re acting like a politician. An old white man who doesn’t have a clue how real people live or what they think. You don’t even care that I make Bennett happy. Instead, your dislike of me reflects only an obstacle to your political agenda.” She scoffs at him and shakes her head. “What a shame, because Bennett is brilliant and fun, and caring and loving, and he does what he promises he’ll do. Pity you can’t see that in him, and you think he needs a wife who’s been told her entire life that she needs to play a part.” Kathryn sneers at Dad, and I couldn’t be any prouder of her. “He’s amazing and you don’t think he’s enough.”

“I...” Dad closes his mouth and looks between Mom, myself, and Kathryn. “That’s not what I was saying.”

“Darling,” Mom starts. “Perhaps you and Kathryn should both head out. The garden is lovely. Pass by the kitchen and ask the chef to prepare a cheese platter.”

“Mom, I—”

Mom ushers Kathryn and me toward the door. “Your father and I need to have a conversation.”

“But—” Mom lifts her hand to stop me from talking.

“Your father and I will be out soon.” She nearly pushes us out the door and closes it behind her.

“I’m sorry,” Kathryn says.

“Don’t be. You were amazing.”

“I just couldn’t let him speak to you like that.”

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