“I know, buddy. It’s horrifying, and I hate that you have to be aware of this kind of stuff when you’re just a kid. But unfortunately, we live in a world where people prey on kids, and I want you to keep you safe. That means staying away from anything that reeks of toxic masculinity. Do you know what that means?”
“Guys who hate women?”
“That’s part of it, but it goes much deeper than that. Women owe us nothing, but not every guy thinks that way, and they become dangerous when they start to feel entitled to things they have no right to. Do you understand what I mean?”
Scotty pulled back. “We’re talking about sex here, right?”
His facial expressions were priceless. “Among other things.”
“You don’t need to worry about me growing up to be the kind of guy who thinks women—or the world—owe him anything. I know I have to work for anything I want, because that’s what you and Mom had to do. Just because you ended up in the Oval Office doesn’t mean you think you deserve it or anything.”
“That’s right. No one ‘deserves’ anything. It’s all about hard work and dedication, and with girls and women, it’s about treating them with kindness and respect, never with a sense of entitlement.”
“I get it.”
“I know you do, and I’m enormously proud of the young man you’re growing up to be.”
“That means a lot to me. That you’re proud of me.”
“Oh, buddy, I’m so proud. I look at you every day and can’t believe I got lucky enough to have such an amazing son.”
“I’m the lucky one. I still think about that day we met, when you came to where I was living in Virginia… That was the best day of my life up to then. It’s only gotten better since.”
“Same goes, pal. That was right up there as one of the best days of my life, too. And I’m glad you think it’s gotten better despite being under Secret Service protection and having to live in the White House.”
“Are you kidding? I’m the coolest kid in school because my dad is the president and my mom is the butt-kicking FLOTUS cop. Everyone wants to be me cuz their parents are boring compared to mine.”
“Is that right?” Nick asked, endlessly amused by him.
“Oh yeah. There are a lot of advantages to being the president’s kid. For one thing, everyone thinks I’m smart because you are.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.”
“It’s true. I just have to fake it till I make it because people already think I’m going places just because you went to all the places.”
Laughing, Nick gave him a one-armed hug and kissed the top of his head. “You’re a dope.”
“I know! But they don’t know that.”
Ah, this kid… What a treasure he was. “You’re too much.”
“I only speak the truth.”
“And you promise you’ll come to me if you ever have questions about anything—good, bad, ugly, disturbing. No matter what it is, come to me.”
“I will. Always.”
“Love you.”
“Love you, too. Now about that sick day tomorrow…”
“Dream on.”
* * *
After leaving Scotty to finish his homework and the twins snuggled up to watch a movie with Celia, who’d been greeted like returning royalty with gifts for everyone, Nick went into the residence for a video meeting with his senior advisers. Terry had requested the late meeting after they’d tried all day to find time to fit it into an already-packed schedule.
Nick’s conversation with Scotty had been the highlight of his day. He truly was the luckiest dad to have Scotty, the twins and Eli as his kids, and was looking forward to soon finalizing the adoption of Eli and the twins.
