Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 13981 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 70(@200wpm)___ 56(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13981 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 70(@200wpm)___ 56(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
"What?" I ask him.
My father nods. "I've heard of the Scholar to Power program and its success over the past six years. How did you enjoy it?"
Mason shrugs. "It's okay. I'll be 25 in a few months and have been testing out a similar program for post-degree applicants. Right now, I'm a teacher, substitute at first, and now a more permanent role."
"How would Barron feel about you staying a teacher?" Dad asks with disappointment and his gaze shifts toward me. But Mason being 25 is news to me. No wonder he's hot.
Mason laughs. "He'd want me to teach at private schools or an Ivy League. But, overall, the decision's up to me. Also, I do have some side obligations I've agreed to fulfill since Barron's loosened the reins on the direction of my life. That's why Madison's situation encouraged me to reach out."
"Well, thank you, Mr. Montoya. It's wonderful when young teachers take an interest in their students. Isn't this good, Harold? Yeah, so tell me more about it."
Mason takes another swallow of his drink. My eyes can't stop following the way his mouth and throat move as he speaks. "The program is run by Barron Industrial. Because the company deals with energy and a bunch of other products and services, interns get to spend two years working in various departments. There's everything from janitorial to digital marketing and social media."
"I don't know what I want to do. I don't understand how many times or how many ways I can tell all of you adults that I don't know…" I have to take a breath from the frustration. "Listen, Mom, Dad, I love you both, but I don't want to be a lawyer. I don't know what I want to do and that has to be okay."
"It is, Maddie," Mom tells me with a weak smile to Mason. She's obviously trying to stop me from having one of our blow-out arguments regarding my life. She says, "What if there's a compromise here? Harold, let's just hear Mr. Montoya out. How did the program serve you?"
"My folks were just like you all," Mason begins with a nod to my parents, acknowledging their commitment to my future by reflecting on his own. God, I want him so much.
Mason continues, "I wasn't sure about my talents lining up with my interests. For example, Madison here knows how to persuade others to see her way of thinking."
Liar.
I couldn't get him to give me a passing grade to avoid this shit.
"It would seem she'd be a fantastic lawyer," Mason says with a nod.
"Right. See? Tina, I told you we were on the right track with this." Dad chuckles, elbowing my mom lightly.
Mason lets out a huff. "Madison is phenomenal at arguing the side of her argument that ends in getting whatever she wants. However, when it comes to actual work, deadlines, submitting contracts or reports on time, she falters. Perhaps, she might find her stride in sales or client management. What I'm proposing is that she go through a proprietary program with Barron Industrial. As long as she graduates, she'll participate in the paid internship. However, she'll be occupied within the company for the next two to three years."
"You said, 'paid'?" I ask him.
The slight upward curve in the corner of his mouth tells me enough.
My parents look at each other, and my father turns to Mason. "She's over 18, so neither of you actually need our permission."
Mason tips his head. "I understand that, but it's clear to me that Madison values your opinion in the direction of her life. I want to respect that and make sure she gets every opportunity available to her as my student."
"Oh. This is being offered to every student?" Mom asks.
"No, Mrs. Nichols. I have a select group of individuals that I'm pushing into the program. They'll be a reflection of me, and I don't want to send in anyone who'll reflect badly on myself, Barron Industrial, or themselves."
My father begins to speak when his phone rings. He politely takes the call out of the room. My mother doesn't have time to ask any questions before we hear my father yelling into his cell phone. We remain quiet for the next few minutes before he returns in a panicked hurry.
"I have to fly out to L.A. tonight. My client is being raided, and we need to get out there. Babe, come help me get ready. Uh, Madison, show your teacher out. Thank you, Mason, for coming. I think it's a wonderful idea. We'll leave the final decision up to Maddie." My father doesn't wait for Mason to respond before leaving the table, and my mother follows him away from the dining room with a worried look etched into her face.
Alone with Mason, my English teacher, is unnerving in my house.