Page 49 of Powerless

“I’m good and college is full-on busy. How are you?”

“I must admit, it’s much quieter without you here. I clean your room every week, but it’s never dirty enough for me to do much.”

I chuckle, then look toward Dad’s office. “That’s gotta be a plus, right?” I point to Dad’s door. “Are my parents home?”

“Mr. Adams is in his office, and Mrs. Adams is in the greenhouse.”

“Thank you.” I head toward the back where Mom is in the greenhouse tending to her seedlings. “What are you growing?” I ask.

Mom startles but when she turns, her face erupts into a massive smile. “Darling, I didn’t know you were coming home. Wait, don’t you have exams?” She wraps her arms around my tall frame and gives me a tight Mom hug.

“They start on Monday.”

She steps back as her hands run up and down my arms. “Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be studying?”

“I’m only here until tomorrow morning, then I fly back.”

“I have you until tomorrow? Oh, damn it. What time is your flight?”

“Early. Too early, like eight in the morning.”

“At least I have you tonight.” She drapes her arm around my middle as we exit the greenhouse. “So, what are you doing here?”

The lump in my throat grows and my heart vibrates with the nervousness in my chest. “I have something I need to talk to you and Dad about.”

“Oh, no. I don’t like that tone.” She shakes her head. “Is everything okay? Jen? College?”

I slide the back door open and wait for Mom to enter before I follow and close the door. “Let’s go see Dad.”

“I feel sick, son. Is everything alright?”

“Mom, can we go see Dad?”

She stops and turns to carefully scan me. She searches my face, hoping for some kind of hint as to why I’m here. “I take it whatever it is, is big news that you couldn’t tell us over the phone.”

“It’s best I do this in person.”

Mom places her hand to her stomach. She gulps and gives me a tense nod. “Then, let’s see your father.”

We advance toward Dad’s office door. Mom opens it and enters. As usual, Dad’s on the phone, but the moment his eyes land on me he tells whoever he’s talking to that he’ll return their call. “Bennett,” Dad says happily and standing to his feet, he walks around the desk and gives me an awkward hug that leads into a handshake. “To what do we owe this impromptu visit?”

“He has something he wants to tell us, Titus.”

“Yes? What is that?” Dad leans against the desk and crosses his arms in front of his chest. “If you want to return to Yale, then say no more. I’ll call the college and get your transfer started.”

“Ah, no, I’m not returning to Yale.”

“Then what...” Dad looks to Mom. “Is she pregnant?” his voice lowers in disappointment. “This is the wrong time for Jennifer to be pregnant.”

“Actually, Jennifer is the reason why I’m here.”

Mom gasps and lifts both her hands to cover her mouth. Her eyes are wide, and her cheeks are plump with happiness. Yeah, about that... “Am I going to be a grandmother?” Funny how their responses are so different.

“Um. No.” I swallow the anxiety pulsating at the base of my throat. “Jennifer and I have decided to break up.”

“What?” Dad shrieks and stands tall. “No. Jennifer comes from impeccable breeding, Bennett. If you want a shot at the White House, you need to make sure everything is lined up. And Jennifer Marshall is the perfect woman to have beside you for that.”

“We’ve already broken up.”

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