Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 3
“I expected that after high school was over, you’d stop spending time with that crew of yours,” Beau’s father pronounced at breakfast a month after graduation.
“They’re my friends, Dad,” Beau answered evenly.
“It’s time to move on from school chums, Beau. You have a potential career ahead of you in politics. Everyone will watch your every move now. What you do. Who you associate with.”
“I appreciate the warning, Dad, but I’ll be honest. This isn’t a negotiable item. I’ll go to the school you’ve picked out. I’ll participate in the right social events. But I won’t abandon my friends.”
The look on his father’s face hardened as Beau thought about what he knew his family expected of him and his own needs and desires. He took a deep breath and exhaled silently as his father considered him, letting the time stretch between them to increase the pressure on his son.
“I would like you to reconsider, Beau. There are certain standards that are expected by people at our social level.”
“I understand that, Dad.”
“The girl who’s going to nursing school—she’s a good constituent to interact with. The others will not help your base. Especially that homeless girl.”
“None of my friends are homeless, Dad. If you’re talking about Maisie, she’s brilliant. It is very possible that she will revolutionize science in the future. That sounds like an excellent person to stay in contact with,” Beau pointed out, knowing that any argument was futile.
“Good for her. I’m glad she’s used her brains to grab a scholarship. Family background never changes, son. She’s not at your level… socially. And that’s what people will judge you for.”
Beau shook his head and watched anger flare in his father’s eyes before the senator reined it back under control. “I’m sorry, Dad. This isn’t a negotiable item with me. Maisie is my friend. I plan for her to be more than that in the future. You can hope my relationships with my friends will disappear as we scatter away from Avondale, but I’ll fight against that happening with every fiber of my being.”
“Beau, listen to your father. He is simply trying to guide you so you don’t make any mistakes that endanger your future career.” Beau’s mother spoke for the first time.
“Thank you, Mother. I understand that,” Beau answered without changing his mind. Nothing his parents said could make him lose his friends.
“I don’t understand your attitude, young man. I’d hoped your mother and I had raised you better. Time will tell. This conversation may have been totally unnecessary. School day friendships don’t survive as time passes,” Senator Granville advised.
“I’ll keep that in mind, Dad,” Beau answered politely as he stood and placed his napkin on the table next to his half-eaten breakfast. Somehow, he wasn’t hungry anymore.
“Harrumph.”
At the sound of his father’s disbelief that he had taken to heart the warning, Beau maintained his pleasant expression and exited the room. Once away from his parents’ observation, he headed for the garage, shaking his head. At the back door, the cook handed him two hastily made breakfast sandwiches and bottles of water.
“Thanks, Adele. You’re the best.”
“You tell Maisie ‘hi’ for me.”
“I’ll do that.”
Smiling at how much the long-time cook understood about their household, Beau headed for his convertible. He didn’t have a date with Maisie, but he knew she’d spend her time at the library today. It was the best place for her to study now that graduation had passed. To his delight, he ran into her only a couple of blocks from her house.
“Hey! Want a ride?” Beau called, pulling next to the curb.
“Don’t you have world domination to take care of?” she asked, holding a stack of tattered books in front of her.
“That’s on my planner for later. Now, I get to spend time with my girl.”
Maisie rolled her eyes and got into the car. “You are so full of it.”
“What adventure do we want to go on today?” Beau asked as he passed her a sandwich. “Adele says hi.”
“Thank her for me. I want to brush up on advanced statistics and I have the reading list from English class required of all freshmen. I figure I’ll read them here and then I’ll have more time for other subjects,” Maisie shared.
“You could just take a day off. We could spend some time together away from everything. There’s a fair in Springfield. I know you love cotton candy,” Beau tempted her.
“Yum.” Maisie looked like she was going to cave.
“I’ll even go up on the Ferris wheel.”
“Beau, I don’t have any money. I can’t buy tickets.”
“We don’t worry about stuff like that on an adventure. What do you say?”
Maisie looked at Beau and smiled. “One day to remember. Then we study tomorrow?” she asked.
“It’s a deal.”
“Let’s go.”
Two years later
Maisie looked at her computer screen and smiled as she opened a very light package. “What did you send me?” she asked the handsome man.