Page 54 of Deep Daddy

‘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!’ Sammy 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…’

Sammy looked at Harrison.

Harrison looked back at Sammy.

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 Sammy 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. Sammy 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…’

Sammy 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, Sammy 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. Sammy 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. Sammy 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!

Sammy wasn’t sure what Harrison was going to do next. Hoffman was an easy target now, totally helpless and with a despondent, pouty look on his face.

‘I’d offer you a hand up, but you might try and punch me again,’ Harrison said, shaking his head. ‘But thank you, Hoffman. You’ve given me a great idea for how to finish my novel. You’re quite the inspiration.’

With that, a triumphant Harrison took Sammy’s hand and they walked out of the conference room.

With Tucker and Hoffman both out of the picture, there were no longer any barriers for Harrison and Sammy. The path was clear for them both to achieve their dreams and live happily together as Daddy and Little.

It had been a day of good news and celebration so far.