Free Running Dry by Jody Wenner Page A

Bekka.  My mind is a jumbled mess of random cliched words and phrases and I'm incapable of making any of them sound exactly right.  Slowly, I say, "My mom was a runner and I just..." My face begins to feel flushed and I want to do something to make him understand.  Instead he just looks at me in a pathetic manner with his stupid suit and ridiculous hair.  I want to scream.  And cry.  And stand up and shake him until he gets it.  Instead I just sit there, frozen.
    He looks back down at his papers.  "It says here your mother is a cafeteria worker in a building downtown."
    "My foster mother.  My real parents, Agnes and Leo Tyson, died in the line of duty."
    There is a moment of silence that feels like it extends a lifetime.  My heart pounds and the weight of the moment almost crushes me, like this one second could determine everything.
    Finally, he straightens a pile of papers, sets them in a folder and tosses it aside casually.  He clears his throat.  "Yes, well.  While I acknowledge that you've got famous parents, they weren't entirely in the right.  Besides, you know the rules, Ms. Tyson.  Your assignment is final.  I can't change it.  Even if I had that authority, I still wouldn't do it.  Then everyone in that line out there would come in and start demanding they be switched to something else and the whole system would fall apart.  You don't want to be known as the girl who toppled a good city now do you, Ms. Tyson?"
    I nod, but my mind hasn't stopped trying to work out a case for why I am different.  I have known my whole life I was going to be a runner and I've seen it play out that way every single day.  I have seen it in my sleep and in my wake, and lately I've seen Zane there, with me, as a guard.  There is no way that has all been wrong. 
    "Anyway, we are here to discuss your new job," he says in a very chipper way, as if to insinuate we could all just move on and pretend that first part didn't happen.  "I'm sure you will find it very interesting.  As you know, the Espionage Department is lumped under the umbrella of the Government, but it is a large and reaching department and your specific assignment actually falls under the Military branch of operations."
    I have a second to process this.  This means there is a chance I will be living on the base, with Zane.  Maybe all is not lost.  Perhaps I can still salvage this to some extent.  Maybe I will train soldiers in covert operations that involve swiftness and agility.  Yes.  This could work.
    "There are a few different jobs in this area, but you have been given one of the very special ones.  You should be proud."
    I try to smile but I really want to just yell, "Tell me, already!"
    Flatly, he says, "You will go across the river."
    "I will what ?"
    "You are going to be a spy, Ms. Tyson.  Congratulations!"
    My mouth drops open and I just sit, staring at the Dean. 
    "You should receive an envelope by Wednesday at your residence that you will need to study.  It will contain all of the crucial paperwork, a handbook, the like.  Should you have any questions, your new supervisor is..." The Dean digs into his cluttered mess and reveals a clipboard from the pile and finds the information with his pinky finger.  "Jameson.  His contact information will be included in the orientation packet.  Now, do you have any further questions?"
    My eyes begin to flood, but I will not let this disgusting man see me cry.  I can't.  Yet, I can't speak and I can't move.  I just look at him, fighting my emotions. 
    He sighs loudly.  "Listen, Ms. Tyson," he says, lowering the clipboard, "You have been chosen for this job carefully and thoughtfully.  It is a very important job and will help in the war efforts greatly.  I have every faith that you can and will succeed at your new position."  He raises from his seat and nods at his mousy secretary, who comes to the chair and pulls it out a bit for me.  Then she opens the door and calls the next in