The Longer The Fall by Aviva Gat (best new books to read txt) 📗

into full-time parents, they put in the same effort they did in their careers, trying to excel in parenting as though it were just as competitive as political elections or the technology industry. They always wanted to be the best, no matter what it took.

Madeline immediately started wiping down the orange juice on the counter. Then she poured glasses for the four of them and took out plates and syrup for the pancakes. When Brandon finished cooking, he brought a steaming plate to the table and the boys abandoned their Cheerios for the hot pancakes. They ate as a family, the boys telling them about their week. Adam had learned how to play basketball at school and had now decided that when he grew up he would be a professional basketball player. He’d been practicing all week during recess and lunch at school! Noah, on the other hand, had been home with Molly, finishing up his suspension. Molly had forced him to clean his room, help organize the living room and dust the bookshelves. She hadn’t even let him turn on the TV once, not even once! They ran errands or cleaned, Noah complained. Even being at school was better than being stuck home with Molly, he admitted reluctantly. Madeline was happy that Noah hadn’t enjoyed his suspension. She hoped it meant he would avoid further punishments at school, but she decided not to bring up the subject of the recent bullying incident, especially not in front of Adam who didn’t seem aware of his older brother’s behavioral issues.

After breakfast the boys brought their dishes to the sink and disappeared to get dressed and steal a few moments of television while Madeline and Brandon prepared for their picnic. Madeline washed dishes while Brandon packed a basket with bread, cheese, fruit, crackers and other items they had in the house that would make for good picnic food. When they finished, they got dressed and finally got the boys into the car.

They drove to a nearby park where there was a playground with big slides and plenty of things to climb. Brandon lay down a blanket on the grass where they could watch the boys play. Once the boys were running on the playground, Madeline and Brandon sat down on the blanket and opened a bottle of sparkling water. Madeline leaned into Brandon’s shoulder as she sipped her drink.

“Madeline Thomas!” Someone said from behind them. The voice had the hint of a snicker filled with satisfaction as though it said I caught you. “Look at you just lounging around!”

Madeline and Brandon turned their heads to see a woman in dark jeans and a t-shirt standing above them with her hands on her hips. “Even senators get some time off,” Brandon responded with a polite smile.

“Senators maybe, but not mothers,” the woman replied. She had a smug smile on her face, still holding the I caught you look. Madeline was used to people looking at her this way. For every person who admired her, there were at least three who hated her—for being a republican (she was from California after all), for not being a good enough mother, or for the most absurd reason of all, for being a woman. This woman, no doubt, fell into the second category.

“That’s why we’re here spending Saturday with our boys in the park,” Brandon again responded politely. “Can we help you with anything?”

“Oh, yes I can see how much time you spend with your boys,” the woman said. “You don’t know who I am, do you, Madeline?” The woman addressed Madeline as though it wasn’t Brandon who had been speaking to her. Madeline pushed herself off of Brandon to sit up a little straighter.

“I’m sorry, you’re right, I don’t know who you are,” Madeline now took control of the conversation. She needed to appease this woman, make her feel important. Then, she could even turn her into a supporter if she felt like she had the Senator’s ear. “Would you mind introducing yourself?”

“I’m Mrs. Albertson,” She responded, as though that should ring a bell for Madeline. Madeline’s brain started filing through the folders in her mind for Albertson. This woman hated her for her mothering, and believed Madeline should know who she was. That made it simple enough for Madeline’s brain to zero in on the right folder right away.

“Jamie’s mother,” Madeline said. She stood up to face this woman eye-to-eye, although Madeline was a few inches taller than her. This extra height helped her in these situations, people were forced to look up to her, which subconsciously had a desired effect. “Hi there, so nice to meet you.” Madeline extended her hand to shake Mrs. Albertson’s.

Mrs. Albertson returned the gesture, shaking Madeline’s hand. The first step toward turning from hating Madeline to supporting her. “You would have known who I was already if you had been to Parent’s Night at Highland.”

“You’re right, I felt awful that I missed it,” Madeline responded, still shaking the woman’s hand. “Brandon was there though, did you have a chance to speak with him?” Madeline motioned to her husband, still lying on the blanket.

“I wanted to speak to you,” Mrs. Albertson said. “Your son is bullying mine.” She said this as though she were revealing a devastating secret to Madeline. “You would know that if you were around more.”

“I am aware of the situation and we’re working on it,” Madeline responded. “I apologize for Noah’s actions.”

“What are you doing about it?” the woman asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “You know this is a very serious issue and it can’t be taken lightly. Maybe in your line of work bullying is used to get what you want, but in school it is a serious problem. I’m not sure what you are teaching your boys, but…”

“I assure you, we take this very seriously,” Madeline responded, mirroring the woman’s stress on the