Page 82 of Powerless

“You’d rather be homeless and happy than angry and rich?”

“Why can’t we be happy and rich? Why do we need to be one or the other? But happiness comes first. I honestly believe if we supported families and made it less stressful for them, then maybe more people could achieve happiness.”

“Interesting.” I smile at Jamie.

“Are you mocking me, sir?”

Fuck, I really like him. “What do you think about gay marriage?” I’m pushing him now, because I want to see if he’s truthful with his responses.

“I think love is love, and who am I to judge someone for who they love? As long as it’s sane, and consensual, then it’s not my business who someone wants to lie beside.”

I’m a fairly good judge of character, and I know he’s being honest. His conviction is refreshing. “What if that gay couple wants a child?”

“Great, because a child who may have had an unfortunate life now has the chance they deserve to be loved.”

I really like him, but I want to push him to see how he handles whatever may come his way. “I think gay people are an abomination, and they shouldn’t have the rights we do.”

“By we you mean, you?” He slightly tilts his head to the side.

“Are you gay?”

“Does it matter what I am?”

“Gay people don’t deserve to have equal rights.”

“I mean no disrespect, Mr. President, but that’s an archaic way of thinking. In today’s society, to think like that can be quite dangerous, especially for the leader of the free world. Because if you think about it, how free can the world be if the person everyone looks to is so narrow-minded? Love is love, sir.” He rubs his hands down his pants and lowers his chin for a split second. “I’m not the right man for this job, sir. I couldn’t serve at the pleasure of my president knowing he’s so...” He gulps long enough to regain his thoughts. “This position isn’t for me, and if you want me to resign from my internship, I’ll understand. This isn’t the presidency I signed up for.”

There’s a knock on the glass door from behind, and I look over my shoulder to see Kathryn waiting for me. She opens the door and walks into my office. “Hello,” she says to Jamie.

“Mrs. Adams, how are you?” Jamie asks as he stands and extends his hand to her.

Kathryn looks to me, then to Jamie, then back to me. “Should I come back?” she asks.

“Actually, now’s a perfect time. I’m about to offer Jamie the job as my personal aide.”

“What?” Jamie asks, his voice slightly elevated.

“What?” Kathryn echoes at the same time. “You’re the intern?” She looks over to Jamie.

Jamie runs his hand through his hair while his brows knit together in confusion. “I’m not—”

“I asked you those questions because I wanted to see how you’d respond.” His forehead crinkles and his mouth opens slightly. I look to Kathryn and see her smiling. “I like you, and I want you to work for me.”

“But...” He stops talking and flexes his jaw while still staring at me. “It was a test,” he says when he figures it out.

“We have a lot of things to do in this administration, Jamie, and I need someone I know I can trust. I don’t want someone to agree with everything I say when they don’t believe in the same thing. I want you to work for me, but there’s got to be an understanding.”

“Which is what?”

“You don’t drop school.” His blank expression pushes me to clarify. “College is important, and I’m in office for four years, maybe eight if we’re lucky. I don’t want you leaving school for this job, and when you need the time for exams, then you’ll tell me and you’ll take the time to study for them.”

Jamie glances between Kathryn and me several times. “I can do that, sir.”

“Good, you start tomorrow. Unless you have any more exams?”

“No, after today I’m done for a while.”

“Perfect.” I hit the intercom on my phone and call for Esther. She’s in my office in a few seconds. “Cancel the rest of my interviews, and set Jamie up out there with you. Also, make sure he’s ready to go for tomorrow.”

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