Page 9 of Powerless

“Bennett, how are you, son?” Mr. Marshall asks when he opens the door, hand out to shake mine.

“Very well, thank you, sir,” I reply as I step into the foyer.

“Jennifer isn’t ready yet. She’ll be down in a few moments. Join me in my office.”

“Of course,” I say as I follow him across the foyer and down a long hallway to the left.

He steps into a room and heads to sit behind his desk. “Close the door.” Ugh, here we go. Once I close the door, Mr. Marshall indicates for me to sit opposite the desk. “Would you care for a drink? Scotch?”

“I’m eighteen, sir,” I say as I stare at him. Though I already know this is a test to see if I’m worthy. And, if I was interested in Jen, and she was interested in me, then I’d understand. But, neither of us wants this.

“Hah! Yes, that’s right.” He stands to pour himself a drink and holds up the glass silently asking me again. I shake my head and sit straighter on the chair. “I wanted to talk to you about tonight.”

Oh no. “I’ll have Jennifer home when the prom is over.”

He softens as he swigs the entire contents down. “Well, if you have a hotel room booked...” God no, not with Jen. “I expect you to use protection.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but there’s been a misunderstanding.”

“I’m not a prude, Bennett. I understand that prom means she’ll be losing her virginity, and if that’s going to happen then I want to make sure it’s with her future husband. However, I don’t want her pregnant until you’re married.” This conversation is wrong on so many levels. “She cannot have a child out of wedlock, and you cannot afford that either. A senator who has an illegitimate child won’t be accepted by the American public.”

“Sir, with all due respect, I don’t think the American public cares about that. I think they’re more worried about how to pay their bills than whether I have a child before I’m married.”

Mr. Marshall’s jaw tightens. “Politics is all about perception, son. And the quicker you learn this, the better politician you’ll become.” Something I’ve heard my entire life.

“All I’m saying is I have no intention of being dishonorable with Jennifer.” Besides, I’m not interested in her.

Mr. Marshall gives me a confirming nod before he looks over my shoulder toward the closed door. “I do believe my princess is ready.”

He’d know this how? The door is closed, and I didn’t hear anything. He just wanted to warn me to make sure I wrap my dick so I wouldn’t bring embarrassment to his family. “I’ll have her home once the prom has concluded, sir,” I reiterate before we leave the office.

Mr. Marshall leads me to the foyer where we wait at the bottom of the staircase for only a handful of seconds before Mrs. Marshall hurries down the steps with a massive smile on her face and her phone ready to take photos. “Bennett, you look handsome.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” I say as I pull my shoulders back.

From the top of the stairs, Jen appears wearing a black gown that poofs out at the hips. She’s definitely pretty, but she’s no Kathryn. “Wow,” I say when she makes it to the last step. I advance toward her and offer my arm. “You look beautiful.”

She looks me up and down and nods. “You scrub up okay, too,” she playfully says.

“Jennifer,” Mrs. Marshall scolds.

“Sorry, Mom.” Jen drops her gaze to the floor. She pulls herself together and turns to me. “You look very handsome, Bennett.”

A sadness passes over her, and I can’t help but feel sorry for Jen. “Shall we?” I gesture toward the door.

“I need photos,” her mom says. “I’m sure your mother will want me to send her some.”

Ugh. “Mom would love that, thank you.”

It takes about half an hour and a million different poses before Mrs. Marshall is satisfied with the pictures she’s taken.

“We should be going,” Jen says.

Her mom gives her a hug and whispers something to cause Jen’s cheeks to flush.

“I’m trusting you to take care of my princess,” Mr. Marshall warns.

“With my life, sir.” He holds his hand out for me to shake.

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