Page 3 of Powerless

I hold my hand up for Dad to stop talking while I wrap my head around his ridiculous words. “I’ve met Jennifer only a handful of times, and you’ve already married us off with children? I don’t know her, what if we don’t have anything in common? Or worse, what if we hate each other?”

“We all have a role to play, Bennett,” Mom says.

“At what expense?” I argue. “If I have to marry someone, then I’m going to marry for love. Not someone who can advance my career.”

“Jennifer not only looks good on paper, but she also understands what’s required to be a senator’s wife.”

There’s a prickly feeling in my chest. “No, this isn’t right.”

“Son,” Dad starts.

“Honey,” Mom says as she reaches out to cup her hand over mine. “We have to make sacrifices if we want our best foot forward when we present you to the country. And Jennifer is part of that image.”

“No.” I shake my head in disbelief.

“Enough!” Dad raises his voice just as this ridiculous argument is becoming heated. “This isn’t up for negotiation, Bennett. This is what must be done if you want any chance at a future in politics. Your mother and I know what’s best for you, and Jennifer Marshall is in your future. She’ll give you two children, and you’ll go on to have a successful career in politics. End of discussion.” Dad sits forward and continues with his dinner. “Eat.”

“Screw this,” I say as I jump to my feet. “I’m not marrying a girl just because you think it’ll do me good. I barely know her, and I won’t leap into something so monumental.”

“If you want a career in politics, these are the sacrifices you need to make. If Jennifer Marshall can make them, so can you.”

“Does she even know she’s been pimped out?”

“Stop being overly dramatic, Bennett.” Dad huffs with his own frustration.

“Mom.” I look to her for some kind of reason. But Mom is a politician’s wife, and she knows how to behave when things get heated. I shake my head, disappointed that Mom doesn’t tell me what she really thinks. “I’m going to my room,” I say as I leave my unfinished dinner.

“Bennett!” Dad’s bellow carries through the entire house. “Bennett!” I hear as I take the stairs two at a time heading toward my room.

I slam the door shut when I hear Dad’s roar again. “This is bullshit,” I grumble to myself as I collapse on my bed. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I start to scroll social media. But my annoyance isn’t settling. “This is fucked.” There’s a knock on the door and I glance over at it with fury before returning my attention to social media. “What?”

The door creaks open and Mom sticks her head in. “Can we talk?” she asks gently.

“Sure.” I make no attempt to move as Mom advances toward me and sits on the edge of the bed.

“Can you put the phone down and talk to me?”

“Why? You’re on his side, aren’t you?” I refuse to look away from my phone, although I’m not taking in anything from it. I’m too wired.

“I’m going to ask you a question, and I want an honest answer.”

I purse my lips together and take a deep breath. I lower the phone and sit up on the bed. “Okay, ask.”

“Do you want to be in politics?”

“More than anything else in the world.”

“Then you have to consider that everything you do will reflect on your future prospects. If you want to be a politician, if you want to be a senator or the governor, then every part of your life will be scrutinized. Everything. Including the woman you marry.”

“Mom, I know this. But I just turned eighteen, and I’m nearly done with high school and haven’t even started college. I’m going to Yale because that’s the college that generations of Adams men have attended. I’m doing everything you and Dad want me to do, because I trust that you know the right path for me. But...” I pinch the bridge of my nose as I shake my head. “Marrying someone because she’s right politically? That’s crazy. I’m ready to serve the people, and I know that I can’t do it alone. But if I’m with someone I don’t love, then I may as well not get married.”

“That’s not an option.” She shakes her head. “Not being married could lead to a whole different playing field. Then the rumors might start that you’re a homosexual, or God knows what else.” Mom runs her hand through her hair as she straightens.

“I don’t care if people think I’m gay. What I care about is finding someone to share this journey with. Someone I don’t love isn’t what I want.” Mom takes in a sharp breath. “Could you do it?”

“That’s different,” she says, her voice cracking.

“Why did your voice quiver, Mom?” She lifts her chin and looks ahead. “You and Dad married because you loved each other, right?” Mom rapidly blinks as she avoids the question. “Wait,” I say as I move to sit beside her. “You didn’t marry Dad because you loved him?”

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