Back in the Old Times

Chapter 20

-1797-

Alexander's POV

I held my stack of papers close to my chest and I rushed to Washington's office. I was running a little late and I had so much work to do. I quickly opened the door and I sat my papers down on his desk.

"Mr. President, you asked to see me?"

He was standing in front of his window and he looked back at me.

"I know you're busy."

I picked up one of my papers and I started reading the words I had written down.

"What do you need sir?"

"I want to give you a word of warning."

I sat my paper down and I looked him in the eyes.

"Sir, I don't know what you heard, but whatever it is Jefferson started it."

He handed me a slip of paper and looked at me with a concerned face.

"Thomas Jefferson resigned this morning."

I was so happy. He was finally leaving! "You're kidding."

I opened the letter and I started to read his resignation when Washington pulled the letter away from my eyes.

"I need a favor."

"Whatever you say, sir, Jefferson will pay for this behavior."

Washington hushed me, "Talk less."

I ignored him and kept talking.

"I'll use the press. I'll write under a pseudonym, you'll see what I can do to him."

He tried to slow me down. "I need you to draft an address."

I was so happy I couldn't stop talking.

"Yes! He resigned. You can finally speak your mind-"

He started to pour a drink for himself. "No, he's stepping down so he can run for president."

I grabbed a glass and poured myself a drink.

"Ha, good luck defeating you sir."

I took a drink from my cup and Washington looked over at me.

"I'm stepping down I'm not running for president."

I spit my drink all over the floor and I started to cough. After a few more coughs I looked up at Washington. "I'm sorry what?"

He laughed at my outburst with the drink.

"Relax have a drink with me one last time. Then we'll teach them how to say goodbye."

He took a drink from his cup and I just stood there dumbfounded.

"No, sir, why?"

He sat his cup down onto his desk and he picked up one of my papers and started to read it.

"I want to talk about neutrality."

I picked up another paper about the war with Britain and France and I handed it to him.

"Sir, with Britain and France on the verge of war, is this the best time-"

He took the papers and let them fall to the ground.

"I want to warn about partisan fighting."

I bent down to pick up the papers. "But-"

When I looked up I was faced with a pen.