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

Albertson, the woman who they had run into at the park the previous week. The mother of Jamie who had been the victim of Noah’s bullying—Madeline’s brain immediately started outlining the facts about this woman.

“Mrs. Albertson, so nice to see you,” Madeline responded, as Noah took his seat and she found a place at the front of the classroom with the other parents. “What did you say your first name was?”

“Bonnie,” she responded. “But I prefer Mrs. Albertson. What a treat that you joined us this year! Although I am sure everyone misses Brandon! He’s such a great addition to our parents’ group.”

Madeline smiled. “How’s Mr. Albertson? Has he had the privilege of attending Career Day?”

Bonnie scrunched her face together as though Madeline’s question was endearing. “Oh, Pete would just love to come, but you know, surgeries just can’t wait! He’s needed at the clinic all the time.”

“Of course,” Madeline responded with a smile. Pete Albertson was a well-known plastic surgeon. His clinic had even contacted Madeline’s office several times offering discounted services for the senator. Madeline could not, nor would not ever accept his offers. Not only could they be seen as bribes, but she was also fundamentally against plastic surgery. Wasn’t her cream regimen enough? Was plastic surgery also recommended to male senators?

When the bell rang, Noah’s teacher introduced Career Day and thanked all the parents for joining. She then explained that each parent would get 10 minutes to talk about their career and then the students would get five minutes to ask questions. They had many parents to go through, so there would be no going over the allotted time! Madeline listened as a mother talked about her career as an accountant. Then Bonnie stepped forward to talk about her choice to give up her job in marketing to be a stay-at-home-mom. She talked about how many of the skills she learned in college and in her career were so important in what she did at home every day. As she spoke, Madeline couldn’t help but notice most of the parents in the room were women. There were two fathers waiting to speak, one wearing a green polo—Mark, Engineer—and the other in a suit—Dan, Lawyer. She also looked at Noah, sitting in the back of the classroom, studying his hands. She worried about him, his engagement at school. Whether his behavioral issues were her fault as Bonnie less than subtly believed.

After Bonnie spoke, Madeline was offered the front of the room. She began by talking about why she became senator, how she wanted to help people and make America a better place. She talked about her daily life, which included a lot of meetings, talking to people, giving speeches, and her favorite part: thinking about solutions to the country’s problems. When her ten minutes were up, the teacher notified the students they could raise their hands to ask questions.

“Have you met the president?” a kid in the front row asked.

“I have,” Madeline responded. “A very honorable man.”

“Do you want to be president?” a kid in the back asked. Madeline could hear Bonnie tsk her tongue.

“It’s not about whether I want to be or not, it’s about whether the citizens think I can help them in that position. I would love the honor if it’s possible.”

“Can a woman even be president?” a girl called out without being called on. “My dad says that would be a disaster!”

“Gemma!” the teacher snapped. “Raise your hand!”

“Of course a woman can be president,” Madeline responded, ignoring the teacher’s outburst. “It just hasn’t happened yet.”

“Why not?” the girl questioned, again without raising her hand.

“Gemma! It’s someone else’s turn!” the teacher yelled out.

“There are many reasons, but it’s much more difficult for women,” Madeline responded.

“Couldn’t you pass a law that it has to be a woman every other time?” Another girl called out.

“Ava!” the teacher screamed. “Raise your hand!”

“That would be a great idea,” Madeline said with a smile. “I will look into that.”

“I think we’re out of time and the students are forgetting to behave!” the teacher said. “Mark, I think it’s your turn. Tell us what it’s like being an engineer! So fascinating!”

Madeline thanked the students for listening and left the classroom. She walked through the halls to Adam’s class where another mother was standing up talking about being an interior decorator. This time, when Madeline was called to speak, she gave a similar talk about being a senator. When it was time for questions, all the hands shot up. She called on a small boy in the middle of the classroom.

“My dad said you’re ruining our country,” the boy said in a soft voice that seemed incongruent with his words. “Isn’t your job to fix things instead of making them worse?”

Madeline was used to hearing from people who were against her politically, but not used to hearing these things from sweet eight-year-olds in glasses. The question took her aback a moment and she placed an armored smile on her face. “My goal is always to fix things, but some people have different opinions on how to fix things. Your dad probably has different opinions than I do.”

“My dad says you’re a bitch and you’re going to get what’s coming for you,” the boy said in his sweet little voice.

“Clark!” the teacher called out. “Language! Mrs. Thomas I am so sorry!”

“It’s fine,” Madeline responded. “Clark, I’d be happy to talk to your father. You can tell him I’d love to hear his opinions about how I could be better at fixing things.” The boy nodded and Madeline answered a few more questions before stepping back to the edge of the classroom to listen to the Director of Creative at an advertising agency begin his talk.

Chapter 11

“Sorry about the confusion last time,” Officer Austin said as he stepped into Madeline’s