Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 131459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 526(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
They weren’t about big graphics, streamlined dresses and lots of makeup for the women, and thick mustaches and that I’m-like-you middle-aged paunch for the men. And they had no commentary shows, also no guests.
It was simply news and professional journalism that didn’t take sides.
Tom frequented the site because he was a fiscal conservative with liberal tendencies on social issues, and The Worldist seemed to be that. But he had many friends who were liberals, or even progressives, and they felt The Worldist shared their point of view.
The alt-right was the only perspective that got little screen space on The Worldist. However, that was mostly due to the fact that most of the “news” from that side of the spectrum wasn’t factual and therefore wasn’t news.
In other words, more and more, especially in the past few years, people were turning to that site for bottom-line, no-nonsense, accurate reporting.
Which was what news should be.
If there was a news organization he’d want breaking that story, it would be The Worldist.
“Yes,” Mika answered.
“We’re going to see to those women,” Georgiana replied. “As a woman, this is about justice for me. However, I have to set that aside because that’s not my role. As a journalist, this is an important story. Parents who buy their kids Core Point gear need to know the practices of the company behind the logo. Athletes who wear it should know. And other organizations who adopt these policies need to be put on notice. Most importantly, these women should be free to speak and be heard. And to do that, they need to feel safe. That’s my primary objective with this story, Mika. And it’s not to make those women feel safe. It’s to make them genuinely safe.”
He felt Mika relax after Georgiana said her piece.
“Hale and I target CP. You and Judge create a strategy around professional organizations and players. Kateri will dig up dirt. And Georgiana will write the story,” Jamie broke it down.
Tom looked to Judge. “I think I know one big-name player in most high-profile sports who I can trust to take this ball and run with it.”
“That would have been my call,” Judge said.
“We’ll need to sit down with them. This should be face to face. We’ll talk more,” Tom replied.
Judge nodded.
“And I shall…what?” Mika asked.
“Be the first to validate them when they come out,” Kateri told her. “Your word holds weight. You’ve been no bullshit from the beginning. If Mika Stowe adds her voice behind them, the liberal feminists of three generations will lose their minds and start waving their banners before the ink’s dry.”
“How would I do that?” Mika inquired.
“Come out on social media in support of them,” Kateri said patiently.
“I’m not on social media,” Mika shared.
Georgiana blinked.
It was the first time Kateri smiled. It was small, but it was there.
“Smart,” she murmured.
“I know,” Mika replied.
Kateri’s smile was bigger that time.
“TikTok is life,” Georgiana muttered.
Kateri ignored her and said, “If that’s the case, there’s really nothing you can do. At this juncture, it’s up to Georgiana, the survivors, and the lawyers. Even the things Jamie and Tom will be doing are incidental. This isn’t about them. Or you. Or me. It’s about these women having the opportunity to speak their truth. The rest is just consequences.”
Now Mika was smiling. “On that we can agree.”
Kateri abruptly stood. “I have things to do. Jamie.” She nodded to him. “Gentleman.” She nodded to the table at large. “Mika,” she finished.
Georgiana had gotten up with her, but she put several business cards on the table, and said, “If you need anything,” before she smiled then said her farewell, “Nice to meet you.”
The men stood again as she and Kateri left the room.
They sat when the door closed.
Mika reached for a Danish, noting, “Well, one can say that’s well in hand.”
“Jesus, those women could run the world,” Hale noted.
Tom saw Mika munching her Danish through a massive grin.
“Don’t give that idea to Kateri, she’ll go for it.” Jamie shook his head. “Scratch that, she already has that idea. So just wait for it.”
Tom touched Mika’s leg.
She turned to him.
“You sure you’re good?”
“I want to live in a world Kateri True Arrow runs. I think that’s a world I’d like to see.”
Tom sat back.
Because he was good.
Since she was.
CHAPTER 17
THE HONESTY
Tom
Mika invited Chloe and Judge, Jamie and Dru, and Nora as well as Hale to dinner that night.
But it was Cadence who was holding court.
And Tom loved how Mika sat back and let her daughter’s bubbly personality lift up the room, giving her space to shine.
Mika had a round dining table (because, of course she would, it was easier to have more inclusive conversation). She’d painted another mural in there (and the murals were all her work, he’d learned). The one in the dining room was situated above green wainscotting, and it was a surfeit of leaves and branches, giving the impression they were eating in a treehouse.