The meeting was to be held in the school staff room and Sadie arrived early just to ensure that everything was ready. Her secretary was waiting with a report; everything was in place – the caterers were already setting up in preparation for tea and then later, lunch. All accompanying literature for the meeting was printed out and set up ready for the board members to arrive. There was also a visitor awaiting her in her office…
Sadie frowned; she knew her schedule was cleared for the day; there were no meetings scheduled. Her secretary, Leandra nodded her agreement on this observation but said that the man would not be deterred and insisted on seeing her right now. She walked curiously to her office, wanting to see this audacious human being with no manners who was waiting for her. She stopped short when she caught sight of him. The dreadlocks were loose today and he was wearing garish gold jewelry on his fingers and around his wrist but it was definitely him; the preacher from Ben’s funeral.
“Mr…” she said eyes wide in inquiry.
“Pastor Mike is my name. I believe we met recently?” he asked frowning as if he was trying to place her.
“Pastor Mike, what can I do for you?” she asked.
“I’m sorry your secretary said you were occupied this morning but I can’t wait. I have to be on the 1:30 flight to Chicago and this is the only free time I have. I need to talk to you about admitting my daughter to your school.”
Sadie’s frown deepened, “I’m sorry, Mr…er Mike, but our classes are all full. I don’t have any vacancies.”
The pastor took a step toward her, “Ms. Alexander you don’t understand. My daughter needs to be in this school. I will do anything you ask. You get me? Anything.”
Was this gangsta wannabe pastor trying to bribe her? Sadie could feel her ire rising.
“I’m sorry but we have no vacancies,” she said shortly turning away from him.
“Ms. Alexander! Wait!” he called leaping forward to close his hand around her arm.
“No, I don’t think you understand what I’m saying to you Mr. Mike. We do not have the space.”
“I don’t think you understand what I’m saying Ms. Alexander,” the pastor said.
Sadie wheeled around to get right in his face, “What are you saying Mr. Mike because from where I’m standing it sounds like you’re trying to coerce me into letting your child in this school through bribery.”
“Mike Sanderson that’s my name. And I’m just trying to find out what it will take to get my child a place here.”
“We are full Mr. Sanderson. Which part of no don’t you understand here?”
“I don’t take no for an answer Ms. Alexander. So what’s plan B?”
Sadie sighed in exasperation; she really hated the arrogant overbearing types. “No plan B or C or D Mr. Sanderson. Find another school.”
“Ms. Alexander, I do not want to go above your head about this. But I will if you force my hand.”
“Do whatever you like Mr. Sanderson. This conversation is over.”
*****
“You have to understand that Mr. Sanderson is a pillar of this community. He is well known and he has the platform to really elevate and extend the reputation of this school. We are giving his daughter a place,” the chairlady of the board informed Sadie during the meeting.
“Mr. Sanderson is an arrogant SOB, excuse my French, who thinks he can use whatever money and position he has to arm twist us into giving him a place here. What is it saying about us if we give in to his strong arm tactics?”
“Ms. Alexander that is quite enough,” the vice chair interjected. “Pastor Mike is none of those things anymore and it is unfair for you to hold his past against him like this.” He scolded.
Sadie had no idea what he was talking about so she decided to say nothing. The decision was out of her hands anyway. Pastor Mike Sanderson had gotten his way with no help from her.
*****
Little Michaela Sanderson turned up on the first day of school looking small and lost. She had been put in Jaden’s class and when he saw her standing in the doorway hesitant, he immediately stood and came to take her hand. Class hadn’t started for the day and Mrs. Stevens, their class teacher, had not yet arrived. Jaden led Michaela to her seat, asking her name in a low soothing voice as if she was a skittish horse.
“You can sit here next to me okay. Don’t be scared,” he said to her as he helped her to arrange her stuff.
“Okay,” the little girl whispered, hardly able to even look at Jaden.
“You’ll like this school. It’s great. My mother’s the headmistress and she’s the best,” Jaden said. Michaela nodded her head but didn’t look in the least reassured.
Sadie was painfully proud of her son; his father would have done the same thing. Sadie was a lot more petty than either her late husband or her son and couldn’t help resenting the little girl a little for how her father had gotten her into the school.
She’d taken time to look up Pastor Mike Sanderson and what she’d found out hadn’t exactly filled her with awe. He’d been a drug dealer on the streets of Chicago ten years ago when he was involved in a shoot out. A friend of his had died while he’d sustained a bullet wound to the chest. His daughter, Michaela, who was just an infant at the time, had been with him. She had been unhurt but the close call had been a wake up call for Mike Sanderson. He’d cashed out his billions from the drug trade and gone legit. Attended theological college and was now a certified Pastor with his own church. Very popular with the Hollywood crowd. A former sinner who understood the seedier element and didn’t seek to judge them but instead tried to enhance their relationship with the lord. Sadie could see that he hadn’t left all his strong arm tactics behind if the way he’d gotten his daughter into the school was any indication.
*****
Sadie and Sarah were clearing up Ben’s things, packing his clothes, sorting out his documents in his tiny apartment over the weekend. Sadie didn’t speak much, what was there to say?
“You’re so quiet,” Sarah said smiling wetly at her. There were tears rolling down her face. Sadie didn’t know if she was aware of it or not.
“Just thinking,” she replied.
“About?”
“Everything. Ben killing himself. Jaden trying to manage everyone; looking after us in his own way…I’m just sad that he’s had to deal with so much loss so fast in his life.”
Sarah nodded, “Yes, he’s been a little rock hasn’t he? Always trying to cheer us up,” she laughed tearfully.
“Yes. It’s crazy huh?”
“I hear he has a new friend at the school?”
“Yeah. Her name is Michaela. Her father is a major douche.”
“Oh? I thought she was Pastor Mike’s daughter?”
“Exactly,” Sadie said sardonically.
“I go to his church. He’s a pretty articulate preacher with a very hopeful message. I am surprised at you Sadie, holding his past against him.” Sarah’s brows were raised high.
“It’s not his past I have a problem with.”
“Oh? Then what is it?”
“He just…he strong armed his way into the school. And he’s rude.”
“Well that doesn’t sound like him. Are you sure you haven’t misjudged?”
Sadie shrugged glancing sulkily at her mother in law, “I’m sure,” she said shortly.
Sarah straightened up from where she was folding Ben’s underwear, “Tell you what. Come with me to his service on Sunday and see him at work.”
Sadie thought about it. She really wasn’t interested in anything Mike Sanderson had to say. But she didn’t want to be rude.
“Okay then,” she said hoping she could find a reason to bow out before then.
“Excellent,” Sarah said and went to pack up the kitchen.