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I can't find the words to engage with them. My mother sets dinner on the table, roasted chicken and vegetables staring back at me as Mason takes a sip from the glass of Bourbon my father poured for him. He's treating Mason like a colleague, and it's driving me insane.
"Tell us how Maddie is doing," my mother insists, nudging me in the side to stop spreading food around my plate and pay attention.
Mason takes another sip. "She's willful and determined to pass this English class, by any means necessary. I'm here because I have some concerns about Madison's plan after graduating."
"You and us both." Dad laughs. "I've been trying to tell her to focus on school so she can pick a college of her choosing."
"Ha." I scoff to myself between small bites of food.
"Maddie," my mother chides.
"Actually," Mason says, "Madison's indecisive about her plans. It's a direct contradiction to who she's shown herself to be. I understand she feels pressured to fall in line with your plans, and I'm here to offer a solution."
"I don't need a solution to deal with my daughter's future," Dad says with his nostrils flaring.
My mother jumps on my father's side. "Yes, we know what's best for Maddie, and if she just agrees to apply herself, everything will work out fine."
Mason sets his drink down and laces his fingers together on the table. "I understand and agree with you, which is why this is more of a proposal than a solution. My father runs a rigorous internship training program for undecided high school graduates who aren't sure about their future. I've been through the program myself."
"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."
