Page 48 of Power
“Yeah, some guy named Bennett Adams.” Emily shoves more pizza in her mouth, but she chews it slower, like she’s thinking. “What did you say your name is again?”
“Bennett,” he replies.
“Oh. Like the president.”
“Emily,” I say, not believing the words that are about to come out of my mouth. “This is the president...” I pause waiting for it to sink in. “Bennett Adams.”
Emily squints and stares at Bennett. “Are you sure?”
It’s Tash’s turn to laugh out loud. “Yeah, it’s him.”
Emily appears as confused as a ten-year-old girl can be. “How do you know one another?”
Yeah, I should’ve prepared for that question, but I had no idea this was going to happen. “I met him at the restaurant where I work,” I say the first thing that comes to mind.
“Yes, your mom was the server on duty, and she serviced me.”
Dirty bastard. I narrow my eyes at Bennett. Tash is holding in the smirk. They’re both dirty bastards. “And we’ve been friends ever since.”
Emily nods slowly, then turns to Bennett. “Should I be calling you Mr. President?”
“I prefer you call me Bennett.”
“Huh.” She takes another bite and nods. “Okay.” Emily is unfazed by him, and I like that about her. “Want pizza?”
“What toppings did you get?”
“Mom likes cheese, so there’s a cheese one, and a pepperoni and mushroom pizza.”
“Can I have a piece of cheese please?”
“Sure.” Emily takes the box and opens the lid offering it to Bennett. “Want to play?” She looks at the game we’ve already started. “You’ll be behind, but it doesn’t matter because Mom will beat us all by the end of it anyway.”
“I don’t always win,” I say as I sink to the floor to sit in front of the game board.
“Oh no.” Emily shakes her head. “We’re in for it now. When Mom does that.” She points to me sitting on the floor. “It means she’s out for blood.”
“Is that right?” Bennett asks. “Well, I’ve been known to win at Monopoly. Why don’t we make this more interesting?”
“What have you got in mind?” I ask. My competitive diva is poking her head out, ready to take on any bet he wants.
“Emily, want to be on my team?” he asks arrogantly.
“Are you good with money?” Emily asks innocently.
Tash and I both lose it, laughing hard. Bennett silences me with a glare, but I can’t help but snicker. “The GDP forecast looks to be up by four percent by year’s end, and unemployment is shrinking to a modest two-point-five percent.”
“What?” Emily questions. “None of that makes sense to me. Are you good with money, or not?”
“I think I’m doing okay.”
Emily looks to me and shakes her head. “Can I be your partner, Mom, I don’t know what he’s talking about.”
“Most of us don’t,” Tash says.
“Okay, you can be my partner, but please don’t use words I don’t understand. But I have a question for you.”
“What is it?”
