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‘It sounds perfect, Daddy,’ Benji said. ‘Please can I have three deserts? They all sound so good!’
‘Three deserts? You can have one,’ Harrison said. ‘We’ve got a long day and night ahead of us, I don’t want you having a total sugar crash!’
The three of them laughed and as they ate their food and talked, spirits were high. But Benji could sense that Harrison wasn’t entirely relaxed – and he knew why too.
‘It’s Dean Hoffman, isn’t it?’ Benji said.
Harrison nodded. As stoic and controlled as Harrison was, Benji could see that the problem with Hoffman wasn’t getting any better. In fact, when Harrison did begin to speak on it, it became clear that the situation had only gotten worse.
‘That’s not fair! He’s the worst Dean in the world!’ Benji said, stomping his feet on the shiny, super-polished floor underneath the table.
‘Ah… Hoffman,’ Chris said, a knowing look on his face. ‘I might just have some news for you on him too.’
‘Yes?’ Harrison said, arching his eyebrow.
‘I’d heard on the grapevine that you two were having some issues,’ Chris said. ‘You know me, I hear everything. Well as it turns out, Hoffman has been bullying and sleazing onto colleagues for years. He’s a bad egg and exactly the kind of bully that has no places at colleges – or anywhere for that matter.’
‘Okay, I’m listening,’ Harrison said, intrigued as to where Chris was going with this.
‘I’ve got some contacts on the college board of directors,’ Chris said. ‘Trusted people. The kind of long-term friendships where the trust goes both ways. I told them my concerns and they were disgusted. They’ve done some digging and have decided to remove Hoffman from his position.’
‘Wow! Daddy! That’s awesome!’ Benji squealed.
‘He deserves it,’ Harrison said. ‘I came so close to quitting. I love inspiring students, and he nearly took it all away from me.’
‘But here’s the thing,’ Chris said. ‘Hoffman doesn’t know yet. He’s actually speaking at an academic conference in the city today. Perhaps you should pay him a visit and break the good news…’
Benji looked at Harrison.
Harrison looked back at Benji.
This day was going from strength to strength. It was time to pay Dean Hoffman a visit – but only after desert had been served!
The conference room was packed with all of the leading Deans and college board members from across the country. It was exactly the kind of environment that Dean Hoffman enjoyed being in – it was a perfect place for him to luxuriate in his sense of self-importance and power.
But Benji knew that Harrison was about to put a stop to all of that.
‘Harrison? What on earth are you doing here?’ Hoffman said, the arrogance in his voice palpable. ‘Shouldn’t you be struggling away with that manuscript of yours?’
Hoffman laughed, but his attempt to impress the fellow Deans didn’t go down well. Benji saw that they were not impressed by Hoffman and his cruel, dismissive tone.
‘With respect, I think I’m doing just fine,’ Harrison said. ‘You, on the other hand…’
Benji stood and listened as Harrison explained to Hoffman exactly what the situation was. Harrison could have been a lot crueler than he was. In fact, Benji was shocked to see just how calm Harrison was being. This may have been his chance for revenge, but being a true Daddy, Harrison still had his standards to maintain.
The same could not be said for Hoffman however…
‘You think you’re so smart,’ Hoffman said, his voice teeming with fury. ‘Well, let’s see how smart you really are!’
With that, Hoffman launched a punch in Harrison’s direction. Benji gasped, but he needn’t have worried. Harrison simply stepped out of the way of the punch and watched as an off-balance Hoffman crashed into the drinks table, covering himself in horrible mixture of white and red wine.
Hoffman was soaked, his white shirt stained, and sitting on the floor in disgrace. Benji giggled in delight and watched on in awe as Harrison stepped toward a flattened Hoffman and towered over him.
Daddy’s so big and strong.
But he’s smart and creative too.
He’s like a superhero!
