Chapter 45
Delaying the inevitable wasn’t his style. Dave was ready to attack the issue head-on. He proceeded to Madeline’s office, mentally preparing for the backlash she was certain to provide.
Her door was open. She was at her desk, writing.
“Excuse me, Madeline. Do you have a few minutes?”
“Yes,” she answered without lifting her gaze from the paper.
He closed the door, which caused her to look up.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“We have to talk.”
“About what?” she asked, showing signs of distress or curiosity. He couldn’t tell which.
“About Andre.”
“What about Andre?” she asked in a stronger tone.
“Andre can’t stay with me, and he can’t stay with you.”
“Dave, I don’t want to talk about this anymore. We’ve beaten this topic to death. Let’s move on.”
“Wait. Please hear me out. I have an idea. Well, actually it’s Frank’s idea, but I think it could work for us.”
“Frank?” she said, grimacing. “I have to hear this one.” She pushed the palms of her hands against the desk.
“He told me about a preparatory school in Colorado. I called them up, and the program sounds like one we might be interested in exploring.”
“Are you talking about sending Andre away to a boarding school?”
Dave’s head bobbed. “Yeah, sort of. From what I understand, the school places a strong emphasis on education and discipline. It’s exactly what Andre needs.”
“Are you kidding me? Andre doesn’t need a parole officer. He needs good old-fashioned love and support. You know, the basics, which should come from his parents.”
“Madeline, we don’t have any other ideas.”
“You’re pathetic. You know that? You’re ready to ship him off to the first school that will take him off your hands.” She shifted her gaze up to the ceiling. “I’m sure this isn’t what Jonathan had in mind for his son.”
“That’s not fair.”
Madeline was a lioness. She was a master at grabbing her foes by the neck and strangling the hope out of them if she felt threatened. “Might not be fair, but it’s the truth,” she said, leaning forward with a riveting glare. “Since you love the truth so much, chew on those words.”
“I’m not here to fight with you.”
“You never are. Quit with the crap and the ‘I’m the victim’ attitude. You created this mess, and now the rest of us have to deal with the fallout. I’m tired of cleaning up your mess, Dave. You know this boy needs to be with you. Look how well he’s doing with you.”
“I don’t deny his progress.”
“But you want to send him away because your woman threw a temper tantrum. So our son has to pay the price for Sherry’s happiness.”
He could tell Madeline that she wasn’t being fair, but why bother?
“How long will my children pay for your shenanigans and Sherry’s whims? Hmm?” she uttered. “How long?”
“I can only keep praying for a peaceful resolution.”
“Stop,” Madeline cried out. “Just stop. I don’t want to hear your canned religious speech. The only one in this family who’s benefiting from your so-called faith is Dave Mitchell, plain and simple. I’m thirty-eight years old. I’m a long ways from the silly, young twenty-three-year- old you married. You can’t fill my head with your religious mumbo jumbo anymore. That’s Sherry’s role now, not mine.” She lowered her voice. “Whatever relationship I could have had with God, your actions ruined. Why should I, or anyone else, for that matter, commit every breath I have to faith when it hasn’t helped you a bit? Look around, Dave. Your life is a mess. You’ve failed me, your children, and probably God too.”
Arguing wasn’t going to change Madeline’s mind. Plus, she was right in some ways. Dave didn’t feel guilt about the past, but he did regret being a poor example. His actions could easily discourage someone’s interest in marriage. He’d failed but thank goodness for redemption. It was his lifeline and saving grace. Madeline might not agree, but God was still God, not just with the good outcomes, but in all things.
Dave couldn’t explain why Andre’s life had taken such a troubled path, but there was a purpose for his son. Dave would never give up on him, but selfishly keeping him in Detroit when there was a better place for him wasn’t the answer. He had to convince Madeline.
“You can’t keep Andre, and I can’t, either. He’s too much for the nannies to handle, and there is no one else we trust to take care of him. I believe we have to consider this program. We have to do this.”
Madeline let her gaze roll around. Finally she said, “Give me the name of the place and a number. I want to do my own investigation.”
Dave perked up, seeing a sign of Madeline acquiescing. “If you’d like, we can visit the campus next week.”
“Okay,” she said reluctantly. He’d take it.
“Good. I’ll have Sharon make the arrangements. Oh, I almost forgot. We have to sign a release form today. The school wants to call Cedarbrook Academy to get feedback on Andre.”
“Oh, boy, that’s not going to be good,” she said.
“No, it’s okay. They assured me there are plenty of students who come in with challenges and leave as new people.”
Madeline snickered. “Sounds too good to be true. And you said Frank suggested this place?”
Dave nodded.
“Heaven help us,” Madeline sighed.