“As you can see, now that you have all the facts, there was nothing treasonous about Joshua’s actions,” Matt said as he wrapped up the events of the week for the President. “If anything, he was helping a few underprivileged students earn deserving scholarships.”
The room fell silent for a long moment. J.D. turned to James. “I’m satisfied with the explanation. The issue on the table comes down to how much backlash will come from Queen Akande.”
“Akande?” Joshua questioned. “What does she have to do with this?”
“Your reaction to the situation, which was recorded by many, put her daughter’s parentage into question,” Royce explained. “Before the incident, Theodora was the merging force between Ashmere and Emure. Her birth is what united the countries. Now, the stability in that area is uncertain.”
“It was the marriage between Rasheed and Akande that merged the countries. Not the birth of the child.” Adam corrected.
“Well, thank you, Adam,” Royce replied. “Would you be kind enough to share that wisdom with King Ahmed, who was at his boiling point when the news that Theodora is not his brother’s child was made known.”
“If the birth of a child is so important to him, tell Rasheed to get Akande pregnant,” Joshua suggested.
J.D. cleared his throat. “Mr. and Mrs. Lassiter, Matt, this conversation is treading into confidential territory.” He stood. “I don’t see where anything I’ve heard will cause Joshua to lose his position with us or be charged with any crime. We will have to find….” he glanced at Royce, “and we will find, a diplomatic means to handle this situation.”
“Mr. President, Theodora is my grandchild,” Sally stated. “Whatever your diplomatic remedy is, make certain it does not include any agreement to keep my grandchild away from me. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, ma’am, you do.”
Sally held his eyes for a long moment, then nodded her head. “All right. I will take you at your word.” She then glanced at Joshua and Adam. “Don’t make me come back in this room.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Adam replied.
“Joshua?” Joe raised an eyebrow as he looked at his son.
“I hear you, Pop, but if he….”
“No buts, Joshua,” Joe said.
“Yes, sir,” Joshua conceded.
“Matthew, I would like an opportunity to meet your students.” J.D. shook Matt’s hand.
“Mr. President, there is something I would like to request.” He took J.D. aside and whispered his request.
J.D. smiled. “I will make it happen.”
“Thank you, sir.” Matt turned to his brothers. “It’s nice to get a chance to save you two for a change.” He hugged Adam. Then did the same to Joshua.
Matt followed his parents out to the helicopter. “This is the way to travel from DC to Richmond.”
“Not bad for a high school coach,” Joe laughed as he patted his son on the shoulder.
“Since I have you captive for the next thirty minutes,” Sally began, “what are you plans for Leah?”
Matthew smiled as he turned to look out the window as they lifted into the air.
An hour later, Matt was in the school board’s office doing pretty much the same thing he just did for Joshua, explaining what he could to members of the school board. Some of them were attempting to have Terry removed for several violations. Matt was determined not to allow that to happen. As a precaution he called in some reinforcements to ensure Terry remained at Marshall.
“You violated the school board rules on field trips. You placed students on a bus that was not approved and to top things off, your students caused an international incident. I believe those students should be expelled and the scholarship money returned,” one of the school board members stated.
“I see all of this a little differently.” Another board member shook her head. “The three students presented a project that outshined the others. They should not be punished for anything that was out of their control. How could they have known the child was a diplomat? They did not cause the explosion, an adult did that. While Principal Ballard did violate the trip procedures, her intent was good for the children.”
“The path to hell was paved with good intentions,” a member stated.
“The road to heaven was as well.”
“We seem to have a debate of biblical proportions happening here,” Mayor L.T. Palmer said as he entered the room.
“Mr. Mayor,” the members of the board spoke as they stood.
“Please be seated,” Mayor Palmer instructed. “Principal Ballard, I want to thank you for the remarkable job you are doing at Marshall. The students there love you. While a few of them are afraid of you,” he laughed. “All indicate you are fair when dealing with them.”
“Thank you, Mr. Mayor.”
“The project presented by the students from Marshall was recorded from inception. I have no reason to withdraw the scholarships offered to the students. They did the work; the presentation was outstanding, and they cannot be held responsible for the actions of the adult who created the explosion. Let’s put those two points to rest.” He looked at Terry. “As to the violation of trip protocol. Principal Ballard, it is my understanding that you are claiming responsibility for that action. Therefore, you will be suspended without pay for one month.”
One of the board members stood. “I cannot agree with that.”
“Don’t agree, don’t sign off on it. Since I am the Mayor, I do not need your approval.” He sighed. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have students who need administrators like Principal Ballard who can see beyond their faults. She has been able to tap into their dreams, their hopes for the future and make them a reality. There is no way I’m going to fire or move a principal with a 92% graduation rate. I’m just not willing to do that. My decision has been made. I will take my leave and, Principal Ballard, I suggest you do the same. This will give some members of the board an opportunity to discuss how they will blame this decision on my personal life.” He held his hand out. “Shall we.”
Terry walked out into the hallway to find Matt, Leah and Phire waiting.
Leah jumped up. “What happened?”
“Docked pay for one month.” Terry breathed easily then turned to L.T. “Mr. Mayor, thank you for coming to my rescue. I knew some of the members were ready to throw the book at me.”
“They throw books, bricks, accusations and just about anything else they can find at me all the time.”
“How do you deal with that?” Terry asked.
“I duck and let all of it hit Phire,” L.T. laughed.
“I pick up the bricks and throw it back at them.” Phire snapped her fingers. “If they can’t take it, I politely suggest they don’t dish it. I’m just saying.”
“Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Matt. I’m looking forward to my meeting with Lincoln MacKenzie. I need to know how he broke that code.”
“I think he will be an asset to your internship program, L.T.” Matt nodded.
“Blayne is going to be working with me over the summer,” Phire added. “She really has a presence that may entice a few new viewers to the show.”
“What’s happening with the third student?” L.T. asked.
“Coco has been named the captain of next year’s football team at Marshall. He will be spending part of his summer working out with Luke at camp.”
L.T. nodded. “You are exposing your students to positive role models. I can’t ask for anything more than that.”
“Sounds like a win-win all around.” Terry smiled.