The Tenth Justice - Brad Meltzer [83]
“Who’s on it?” Ben asked, trying to put Rick out of his mind. “Kuttler. Redlich. Who else?”
“Your old friend Judge Stanley is rumored to be on it.”
“It’ll never happen,” Ben said, waving his hand. “That’s the fish he throws to the liberals. I’ll bet a hundred bucks Stanley doesn’t get it.”
“Have you heard any rumors at the Court?” Ben’s father asked.
“Nothing really feeds through there,” Ben explained. “The president’s staff calls some justices for recommendations, but that’s just out of courtesy. Otherwise we hear what you hear.”
“Oh, c’mon now,” Ben’s father said. “You work there. You must hear some rumors. Just this once—feed your dad some inside info.”
“I said I don’t know anything,” Ben insisted. “And don’t put me in that kind of position. Even if I did know something, I couldn’t tell you.”
“Relax,” his father said. “I was only kidding.”
“It was just a joke,” Lisa said.
“Fine,” Ben said, picking at his salad. “It was just a joke. I get it. Har har.”
“Is everything okay at work?” Ben’s mother asked.
“Everything’s fine,” Ben said. “Everything’s wonderful.”
“And what about that firm that’s been recruiting you? Are they still interested?”
“Mom, everything is fine. I’m well on my way to the fast track of the legal world. Nothing can stop me. Now, can we just drop the subject?”
“No. What are you not telling me?” Turning to Lisa, Ben’s mother asked, “What is he not telling me? You can tell me.”
“Mom, leave Lisa alone,” Ben demanded.
“Ben, there’s no reason to raise your voice,” Ben’s father said.
“There is when she won’t mind her own business,” Ben said. “I said drop it.”
“I don’t need that tone at the table,” Ben’s mother said. “Either apologize or leave the room.”
“Leave the room?” Ben asked, forcing a laugh. “Or what? You’ll punish me? Spank me? Maybe you can take away my TV privileges. Or maybe I won’t get a birthday party this year.”
“Benjamin, I’d appreciate it if you’d excuse yourself from the table,” his father said in a low voice.
Ben got up from his seat and stormed upstairs. “I’ll be in my room.”
At eight o’clock, the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” Ben’s father said, pushing his chair away from the table. He opened the door and said, “Hey, fellas! C’mon in—we just reached dessert.”
“Do I smell cretins?” Lisa asked, sniffing the air as Ober and Nathan approached the table.
“Hello, boys,” Ben’s mother said.
“Hello, Mrs. Addison,” Ober said, fighting back a smile. “I hope you’re all having a lovely Thanksgiving meal.”
“We were,” Lisa said.
“What brings you two over this evening?” Ben’s mother asked.
“We just wanted to say hello. It’s been so long since we’ve seen you or Mr. Addison,” Ober said. “And, of course, we wanted to say congratulations on your son’s engagement.”
“That’s right,” Nathan said, patting Lisa on the back. “This is a big day for you. The best to you both.”
“Very funny,” Lisa said.
“Oh, c’mon,” Nathan said. “Don’t tell me you didn’t find it funny—the big picture of you, the fake bio—it was genius.”
“And it cost us almost a hundred bucks,” Ober said.
“It was definitely funny,” Lisa admitted. “I just hope you don’t think there aren’t going to be repercussions.”
“Take it like a man,” Ober said, squeezing in next to Lisa so that the two friends shared a seat. “Speaking of which, where is the groom-to-be?”
“He’s up in his room pouting,” Ben’s mother explained.
Ten minutes later, Ober, Nathan, and Lisa walked into Ben’s room. “Well, I guess my punishment’s lifted,” Ben said, sitting on his bed. “I have visitor privileges.”
“Drop it already,” Lisa said, flopping onto Ben’s bed. “They just want to know what’s bothering you.”
“And if I want to tell them, I’ll tell them,” Ben shot back.
“Listen, don’t get upset just because your parents are still treating you like a twelve-year-old,” Lisa said. “That’s what parents are supposed to do. It’s their job. They can