Page 80 of Powerless

But for now, I’m tired and I’m going to have a nap. This whole election thing has really taken its toll on my body. It’s all catching up to me. I think I could sleep for a week, and I still won’t have caught up.

7

BENNETT

I’m up, dressed, and down in my office by five in the morning. There’s so much to do today if I want to keep my date with Kathryn for the ballet tonight. Ballet isn’t something I’m particularly fond of, but Kathryn has always loved Swan Lake. So whenever it’s possible, I always make sure to have seats for it.

With my laptop open, I’m lost in my work when I hear Esther say, “You’re here early, Mr. President.”

“Good morning, Esther.” I look at the time on my laptop. “I could say the same thing about you too. The clock has just ticked over to six.”

“I’m an early riser, sir. You should know that by now. No use in sleeping when there’s a whole day waiting for us.” She places another stack of papers down on the desk. “Can I get you a coffee?”

“That would be terrific, thank you.”

She leaves the papers on my desk and returns to her office. The moment the door is closed, the other door to my left opens. “Good morning, Mr. President.”

“Good morning, Liam.” He walks over and stands in front of the desk. “Do we have a meeting this morning?”

“We do, but not until ten. We’re meeting with the Secretary of Homeland Security. Until then, you have all the candidates for your personal aide.”

“Did that kid make the cut? The intern?” I glance up from above my glasses before returning my attention to my laptop.

“Jamie? Yes, he did.”

“Good, am I seeing him today?”

“He’s on the list. He was hesitant though.”

I abandon my work for a few moments and sit back in my chair. “Why?” I cross my arms in front of my chest.

“Because he has an exam at nine, and his interview with you is at nine,” Liam pauses and lifts his brows.

“So it’s either me or an exam?” Liam nods. “And he was hesitant about that?” Liam nods again. “What time is my first interview?”

“Seven.”

“Why didn’t you schedule him at seven so he has time to make his exam?”

“He was last minute, Mr. President. I had to squeeze him in.”

I tap my fingers on the desk and stare at Liam. “Call the seven-thirty interview and change him to nine, then call Jamie and tell him I’ll see him at seven-thirty.”

“Mr. President—”

Liam is about to argue, but I lift my hand to stop him. “College is important and I’m not going to stand in his way. Swap them around.”

Liam takes a step back and nods. “Yes, sir.”

Liam leaves and I return to my work.

* * *

“Mr. President, Garry Smith for you,” Esther announces. Who? That’s right, my seven-fifteen. I lift my hand and gesture for her to show him in. “The President will see you now,” Esther says.

“Garry, thank you for coming in.” I gesture for him to sit opposite me.

“Thank you, Mr. President.” A man who appears to be my age, dressed in a suit, sits opposite me. I open the folder on him that Liam handed me before the interviews began. “You were a Marine?” I scan his folder and find it quite impressive.

---