“For example, I shudder when I realize how much in common our decision to invade Iraq had with the Bay of Pigs decision. And how much our strategy of occupation resembled the strategy used in the Vietnam War. Iraq cost this country and its people how many trillions of dollars, and how many lives? And for what result?”
I wasn’t sure what to say about that since both Vietnam and Cuba happened before I was born. Maybe learning history wasn’t all bad. For that matter, the reason we went to war in Iraq occurred when I was in diapers.
“That makes sense,” Brook said.
“I would also strongly suggest that you pursue an internship with either a senator or a congressman. You might even consider a year-long internship, which, with your AP credits, you can do and still graduate with your class. I might be able to help you get one.
“After you get your undergraduate degree, I recommend you consider getting your master’s in economics, business, or international relations. I have some ins with the folks at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and the Fletcher School at Tufts who may be able to help. It’s very prestigious,” Grace said.
“Princeton
They both ignored me.
“If I go the internship route, I’d really rather do it on my own merit,” Brook began, only to be brought up short by Grace’s swiftly raised hand.
“Brook, you have always impressed me with your intelligence and common sense, so I’ll ask you to listen a bit more and use them both now. Do you honestly believe anyone having a congressional or senate internship in Washington got it purely on their own merit, simply by mailing in a résumé?
“Consider this Chinese saying: ‘The smart man knows everything. The
“If I were to recommend you to someone in DC, they would know that I personally believe you have what it takes. They will be placing their trust in what they know of me. You would then be in an entry-level situation where they could observe you and draw their own conclusions from that point on. That’s the way it works in Sodom-on-the-Potomac.”
Grace shook herself slightly and continued.
“Once you graduate, you have another set of options. People with an MA in either IR or economics often wind up in administrative positions in the international or national sectors. Or they work for think tanks, politicians, or campaigns,” Grace continued.
“Some of those positions can be quite influential, and those careers can be quite personally satisfying.”
“You would be good at managing a campaign or running for office yourself,” I said, and suddenly had an inspiration. “I can see you talking about politics on TV.”
“As a reporter?” Brook asked.
“No. As an expert, the person the reporter asks to explain it to them and their audience.”
“Really?” Brook asked.
“Think about it,” I suggested. “The camera would love you.”
“I could see that,” Grace agreed. “You’re photogenic and articulate, and you’re both smart and level-headed. Far more level-headed than most of my grandkids.”
“Someone is buttering you up to come work for her,” I faux-whispered to Brook.
“I would love to have her work for me,” Grace admitted and then smiled at me. “I would love for you to, as well.”
Damn, did she look predatory at that moment, but I fired back.
“I know. Brook and I could get married and take over your vast empire.”
“I would need someone to rub my feet when I got home,” Brook teased.
Sounded like I was relegated to being a kept man. Grace was a smart woman; she didn’t say a word. She just got up, smiled, and left us alone.
“I expect your grandmother would be happy if that happened,” I said half-seriously.
“David, I doubt that’s in the cards. We need to move on and not hang on to what we had. I will always love our time together, but we both need to live our lives,” Brook said.
Suddenly, I had a mouth full of ashes. I’d made the mistake of mentally falling back into having Brook at my side. I just nodded and started to get up.
“David, don’t be like that. I don’t want you mad at me,” Brook pleaded.
“I’m not mad,” I said and left the room to go pack.
◊◊◊
When I got back to my room, Dare still lay in bed.
“Get up and take a shower. You stink,” I said.
“I don’t feel good.”
“Dare, if you don’t get moving, I will leave you here, and you’ll have to take a bus home.”
I’d figured out that Dare had hung out with me after school because he’d had bad experiences riding the bus home at his former school. He’d talked Cassidy into giving him rides home this semester, which she gladly did because it meant driving my Dodge Demon. The bus comment sufficed to get his skinny derrière moving.
When we got downstairs, everyone was loading into the van that would take us to the airport. Brook was talking to Dare and Cassidy. I tossed my bag into the back and got in on the far side of the van. I didn’t feel like talking to Brook right now.
“Everybody out,” Brook said and then pulled the far sliding door shut.
Grace’s driver, Fritz, and Dr. Rossetti got out, so it was just the two of us.
