“No, it became known as the Soviet Union.”
“Was Stalin bad?”
“Yes, very bad.”
“Why?”
“He was a paranoid psychopath.”
“Stanley Burnham was a psychopath, wasn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“And Stalin was like him?”
“Yes, but on a much larger scale.”
“What does paranoid mean?”
“People who are paranoid think someone or everyone is out to get them.”
“What did Stalin do that was so bad?”
“He thought people were trying to assassinate him so he conducted purges.”
“What’s that?”
“He would have his secret police arrest people by the thousands all over the Soviet Union and have them executed.”
“How many?”
“It’s hard to know for certain but estimates are as high as sixty million.”
“What? How is that possible?”
“It’s possible.”
“All those people murdered so, he was a bad man?
“Very bad.”
“Then why would he be liked by people today?”
“That’s a great question, Miss Belinda and I can only answer it by saying that Russia is different than the United States.”
“Because we’re good and they’re bad?”
“No, it has to do with their history and ours.”
“What do you mean?”
“In America we fought the British for our independence and the British invaded the East coast in 1812 but other than that no country has ever attacked the United States, at least the continental United States.”
“What does the continental thing mean?”
“There are forty-eight states that make up what is called The Continental United States. Alaska and Hawaii are states but Hawaii is in the Pacific Ocean and Alaska is way up northwest of Canada.”
“So, does that mean that Alaska or Hawaii were invaded after 1812?”
“Yes, during World War II, Japan attacked Hawaii on December 7, 1941 and they attacked Alaska on June 4, 1942.”
“Is that all?”
“That’s it.”
“Okay, go on about Russia.” Little Wolf looked over at Julieta who grinned that meant go on Brave, your student is clamoring for more. Little Wolf took a deep breath and continued the crash course in Russian history.
“So, the U.S. has a few instances of being invaded. Russia on the other hand has a long history of being invaded by other countries and thousands of civilians were killed. Cities were burned, churches, schools destroyed and whole towns were devastated. On occasion the violence came from within Russia and the Tsars had to restore order. The Tsars used extreme violence to keep the peace. The people liked that because there was order and they didn’t have to be afraid anymore. It was said that the Russian people longed to feel the whip. They wanted the government to take charge no matter how they did it. After the Tsars, the Communists did the same thing especially Stalin. After the Communists lost power in 1991 the old Soviet Union broke apart and places like The Ukraine achieved their independence. Many Russians want to get that territory back and they long for someone like Stalin to do that.”
“I see, I think I understand it better now. Thanks, Little Wolf.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Belinda.
“Nice of you to see me, Madam President,” Brian Lexington said as he sat on the couch in the Oval Office.
“I’ve been busy with pressing matters.”
“More important than your family… I get it.”
“No, you don’t get it and that’s the problem.”
“I know, you’re the President and have enormous responsibilities, I should stay in the wings and be a model son so you can worry about the things that really matter. I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed you, Mommy.”
“You can stop the wise remarks.”
“What will you do throw me in a military prison, put me on the no-fly list?”
“Why are you doing this, Brian?”
“Doing what?”
“Whatever you can to make my life miserable.”
“Because that’s what you’ve done to me and Shelly though she won’t say anything.”
“What exactly, have I done to you?”
“You made us both prisoners. We have guys crawling all over us wherever we go. We can’t have a normal life and have friends. I can’t go to the movies or a concert.”
“Sure, you can.”
“Yeah, with fifteen people all around me.”
“Would you like to be unprotected?”
“Yes, I would,” Brian snapped defiantly.
“Well, that’s not an option. The secret service won’t allow it.”
“Like I said, we’re prisoners.”
“I wish it were otherwise.”
“It could’ve been if you’d refused the ticket with Amos Clark.”
“The party needed me.”
“Your family needed you, what about us. Why couldn’t you just be satisfied with being governor of Maine?”
“I wanted more so I went for it. Sorry if that inconveniences you.”
“No, you’re not.” Ellen sat back and drew a breath then picked up the paper sent by the academy.
“The principal, Mr. Miles says you called your English teacher a bitch and threw your notebook at her.”
“That’s right.”
“I assume you have a reason.”
“Not a good one.”
“A bad one then.”
“She gave us an assignment and I didn’t like the idea of writing a paper.”
“So, you called her a name and tried to hit her with your notebook?”
“That’s right, Mommy.”
“Well, you’re kicked out for ten days.”
“Good, I hate being there anyway.”
“You have to make up all your homework.”
“I’d rather go back to Maine for ten days.”
“No, you’re staying here.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re acting like a jerk.”
“It’s not my fault, you put me in this situation.”
“Tough, get over it and stop feeling sorry for yourself.”
“I’ll go to the movies and the mall while you’re gone.”
“No, you won’t.”
“All I have to do is tell the secret service and they’ll run a detail with me.”
“Not this time.”
“Why not?”
“Because I left strict orders that you’re not to leave the premises under any circumstances.”
“That’s not fair. Can Shelly go places?”
“She can.”
“Why are you so arbitrary?”
“I’m not being arbitrary at all. She was good and you were bad. She gets privileges and you don’t.”
“You can’t do that.”
“I can do anything I want, I’m the President. You can go to your room now.” Brian left in a hurry mumbling under his breath and Ellen went back to her desk.
“Ma’am, it’s the First Gentleman,” Bonnie said as she peeked in the door way.
“Send him in, Bonnie.”
“Hi, I heard an earful from Brian, he’s full of anger,” Don said as he sat down on the couch.
“He’s full of it alright,” Ellen said and Don chuckled.
“Yeah, that’s for sure. He’s so bitter these days.”
“I don’t know what to do,” she said as she walked over and sat next to her husband.
“You knew that high office would bring on family complications.”
“Yeah, I knew… wait are you upset too?”
“No, I expected it. The first gentleman job is easy but taxing at the same time.”
“Do you feel emasculated?”
“I always felt that way with you.”
“What?”
“Kidding.”
“Do you get grief at the firm?”
“No, they understand. They’re all cold-hearted, cynical, heartless psychopaths. You know, lawyers.” Ellen laughed and she needed that. It was hard to juggle leading the most powerful nation in the world with family.