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“This is comfy, Daddy.” Michael sprawled on the sofa, and Mark settled in a chair. “We can watch TV here.” They pointed to the large screen on the wall.
“You even have a bar, a dining table, and chairs. This is so luxurious and comfortable. I love it,” Madison exclaimed.
Relieved, Rick exhaled. Madison might ultimately become his sailing companion or even first mate.
“Wait until you see the rest of it. Let’s continue the tour. On this side of themain room—that’s what we call the sitting room-dining area—that door leads to the master bedroom with its queen bed, closet, and separate bathroom with a shower. At the other end, there are two more bedrooms, each with a double bed, a night table, and a closet. Outside at the front end, there’s another sitting area with sofas.”
After the children had switched on the TV, stretched out on the beds, and explored the front deck, Rick surveyed his audience. “So what d’you think?”
“I love it, Daddy,” Michael squealed.
“It’s a great boat, Dad.” Mark grabbed his arm. “Can I be your first mate, please Dad?”
“Sure. During the vacation, you can enroll in a summer sailing camp. Madison, what do you think?”
“It’s a beautiful boat. I don’t know much about boats, but I think she has everything you need for a day at sea.”
A horrible thought hit him. “You’re not seasick?”
She chuckled. “No, I’m not. I’ve been on cruise ships several times, but not on private boats. I’ll be thrilled to sail on yourboat, but don’t expect me to cook.”
“Not to worry. We’ll bring the food with us and keep the kitchen clean.”
With the children’s enthusiastic agreement and Madison’s subtle blessing, Rick shook hands with the manager. “We’ll finalize the deal in a few days.”
They left the marina by six and drove Madison to the boardwalk where she picked up her car. “See you later,” he texted as soon as she slid behind the wheel.
***
Determined to discuss the school problems before melting into Rick’s arms, Madison changed into a lounge dress and prepared a pot of coffee. By the time he arrived, she had swallowed two full cups and eaten dinner.
As soon as he arrived, Rick pulled her into his arms for a deep kiss. “I missed holding you, but first I’d like to hear about this morning’s events at school.” Apparently, Rick had reached the same conclusion.
She poured him a cup of coffee and related the whole story, Mark’s call, the principal and parents’ accusations, the classmates’ lies, the teachers’ twisted explanations, and his sons’ emotional turmoil. “I couldn’t leave them there another minute. Besides, the principal was about to expel them. Can you imagine?”
Rick huffed, staring at his cup. “My boys grew up in a different culture with different values. I wanted them to absorb the local habits from other kids, to learn to be Americans. My lawyer recommended this school, an excellent one in a great neighborhood. I was hoping they’d adjust in time. See what happened? After two weeks at school, it got worse and worse. Will things be better in another school?”
“I don’t know, Rick. I guess things are the same in all publicschools. You need to choose a private school or a parochial one.”
He snorted. “There are bullies everywhere.”
“Right, but now you know the root cause of the problem. You can explain a few things to the new school’s principal and teachers. We can also instruct Mark and Michael on what to do in difficult situations and what to avoid.”
He rubbed his forehead in a tired gesture. “It’ll take time to hunt for a good school. I can’t keep the children at home.”
“Two of my neighbors have grandchildren in parochial schools. Tomorrow, I’ll call them.”
“Call them now.” He sounded desperate.
“Now? Okay. The Stevens live down the hall. I’ll go knock on their door. Meanwhile, have a drink and chill out while I speak to them.”
She left him in her dining area and returned ten minutes later.
“The Stevens recommend All Saints School a fifteen-minute drive from your house. The principal is Dr. Gloria Fernandez. Apparently, the parents are very pleased with the way she runs the school. Mrs. Shirley Cohen who lives two floors above them was visiting Nancy Stevens. Her grandkids attend an excellent charter school in Coral Ridge, but that’s fifty minutes away on the highway.”
“Too far. I don’t mind driving twenty minutes in the morning, but fifty is out of the question. I want them close by, in case of problems.”
“Nancy knows Dr. Fernandez personally. She can tell her to expect you.”
