A Child's Haven - 67. Chapter 67

Morning finally came. I looked at myself in the mirror; you could tell I didn’t sleep well. I pushed myself to shower, shave, and dress. I hope I have good news today, any more bad news, and I’m not sure I can handle it.

Walking into the dining hall, everyone was cheerful, especially the kids that came from the boat. I got many hugs and hugged them, and my usually kiss on the head. Pat went and got me a cup of coffee. I wonder who’ll get me coffee next. I sat down with Pat on one side and one of the new kids on the other side. Soon I was surrounded by the new kids. Pat whispered in my ear, “They are glad that you saved them, Dad.”

I looked at Pat and squeezed him. “Pat, I’m glad you’re my son.”

You would’ve thought I just made him king of the world. I’m more than convinced Pat will take over Sanctuary someday. I saw Murray come in and head for the coffee, “Pat, I need to go and talk to Officer Murray for a few minutes, OK? You can help the new kids through the breakfast line. Later this afternoon, we’ll go and check out your trees.” I got a smile and a squeeze from Pat.

I went and refilled my coffee and sat down next to Murray. “I think you have a story to tell me?” He didn’t say anything but handed me the newspaper. I don’t know how the news gets to this paper so fast unless Murray has someone working there.

“Murray, is this true? He’s a big politician in the city, next to the Mayor. This will cause a major reorganization, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the people demand the Mayor’s resignation.” Murray pointed to another story. I read it, and as I did, my worries began to increase. I tried hard to keep our name from the paper, but there it was Sanctuary.

I think I had tears in my eyes when I looked at Murray. “I know Brad, but it was bound to happen sooner or later. Now the real battle begins, Child Services, State education boards, and who knows what else.”

Seeing Tony, “Tony, we need to have an emergency Board meeting today. Can you have your secretary set it up? Murray, we now own the boat. Do you think I should hire some guards until we get it to a boatyard?”

“You don’t have to worry about that. The FBI has it staked out.”

“This must have been a major bust.”

“From what I know, it is. Some high-level people are involved. The FBI is staking out airports, buses, and trains, particularly in areas where they can drive to Canada or Mexico. From what I’m being told, any man who is traveling with a kid is being held. I think they are holding all kids unless the person traveling can prove they are their legitimate children. The FBI is at all border crossing.”

“I think it’s time to take the kids to the island. I’ll have Tony arrange it. Do you and O’Shea want to go? Sure same deal as last time, bring the wives.”

After breakfast, I called Terry and said I was coming over with Aaron. I told Tony to prepare for a trip to the island, “Give the staff time off with pay.”

I called dad and explained about the article and also about the Board meeting tonight. I told him I wasn’t happy because everything I was afraid would happen will now occur. The agenda tonight will be to discuss the next steps. “I’ll need Grace there.”

As soon as Aaron was ready, we left for the hospital. We went to the security sections, I tried my fingerprint, and the gate opened. We entered, Aaron went to talk to the nurse on duty, and I headed to the room where I heard someone talking. I knocked, and Terry opened the door. I noticed the boy looking around for someone. I knew who it was he was hoping to see. I told Terry that I’m sorry, but I’ll bring him this afternoon if I have the chance. Terry said I didn’t have to do that because he was ready to go as soon as the nurse gives us the papers. I was surprised, and for the first time today, I had some good news. Aaron came in and said, we’re ready to go. He went and got a wheelchair and wheeled him downstairs. I pulled the car up to the entrance, Aaron and Terry helped him into the car, and then we were off. Getting home, I pulled into the back; Aaron got out and helped the kid to the infirmary. “He needs to stay in bed for a few days to build up his strength.” Terry went somewhere until I saw him coming back with a certain young man. I smiled as I saw him run up the steps.

I went to my office and started to look for a shipyard close to where the boat was docked. I found two, I called them. One would come and take the boat to their yard; the other said I’d have to arrange to bring the boat to the yard. That made my decision easy, so I called the first one back and scheduled them to pick up the boat the first week. I made a note to tell Murray so he could notify the FBI.

Once the boat was painted and the new name placed on it, I’d see if they have someone to do the interior. I need to arrange for the flight to the island. I’ll send Tony and the staff ahead, and I’ll join them later. That way, the kids will be out of harm’s way.

I pulled the article from the newspaper that Murray gave me this morning. I read it over and over again. Whoever wrote it didn’t quite like the idea behind Sanctuary. There was no byline, which is also strange. Something wasn’t right, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

That evening at the Board meeting, I showed the Board the article. “Grace, I’m concerned that this article might start Child Services to start investigating what I do here. Not that I’m afraid of what I do being public, but I don’t want them to start taking the kids and trying to place them in foster homes. I know that they’ll run away and head right back here. If the people who threw them away now think there‘s money to be gained, they’ll try and take them as well. I’m not even thinking about the perverts who have tried to buy these kids. The problem is that these perverts are in high public positions, council members, assistants to the mayor, they are in the police department, even the US Congress. They will use their powers to destroy Sanctuary. If you look carefully at the article, there is no byline. This tells me that whoever put that article in the paper to discredit us must have an ulterior motive. Could it be one of the perverts who have used these kids? Dad, is there any way we can find out who wrote this article?”

“The freedom of the press is protected. But slander is not. I’d suggest we file a slander suit against the paper. They’ll have to defend their comments, which will be hard to do. If you want, I’ll ask Allen to take them on.”

“Can we refute this in another paper or through some other media?”

“I may be able to help, Brad. I can have my office investigate Sanctuary. That will keep the Child Welfare people away. I also think I can get the Governor to make a statement about Sanctuary. We can arrange for him to drop in unannounced with his team. That should carry a lot of weight.”

“Grace, that’s a great idea; I was planning on taking the kids to our island until this blows over, but if the Governor is going to make an unannounced visit, I won’t do that until after his visit.”

“I feel much better now that we have had this meeting. You should also know we now own a boat thanks to the FBI. They confiscated the boat this last group of boys came in. They didn’t want it and asked me if I wanted it. I have made arrangements to move to a boatyard where it will be painted, and the propulsion system checked out. When that’s done, I’ll have the interior refurbished. I’m thinking of installing cocoons. I’ll keep you all posted.”

“Have you thought up the name for the boat?”

“Yes, the SS Sanctuary II, I’ll have it registered as soon as the boat is finished. The first cruise is to the Bahamas, and you are all invited, including family.”

“Brad.” “Yes, Mom.” “Do you have any idea who’s doing this?”

“I have a suspicion. We already caught one of the men who paid in advance for one of these boys from the boat. He tried to get into the hospital to take the kid. We beat him to the punch, and he’s now in jail. He was the assistant to the Mayor. If they can shut us down, the boys will have to go back on the street. That won’t happen for two reasons, the island, and the boat. I can build a school on the island and restrict people from going there, and I can start a school on the boat. Once the kids pass their GED, they’ll be in college, and it’ll be hard to trace them.”

“You’ll have to brave the storm. You know your dad, and I will fight with you. I think the Board will fight this with you as well. You have a powerful ally in Grace.”

“Thanks, Mom. You always make me feel better.”

I walked my parents to their car. I hugged dad and kissed my mom on the cheek. Saying good night, I was thankful I had good and caring people around me. Now I need my friends, and I found them in the cook shack drinking coffee. They wanted to know what happened, Tony already knew, but Aaron, Mario, Terry, and Diane didn’t. I told them about what was discussed and that the Governor was going to make a surprise visit, so we must be on our toes. I told them not to tell the kids, for them, this has to be a surprise; that way, they‘ll act normal. Grace will have her department make an inspection as well, and that’ll keep the Child Services people away. I told Dad to file a lawsuit against the newspaper for slander. So that may bring to light the motive behind the article. The people who put that article there are trying to flush the kids back to the street. But mark my word, that will not happen.

We’re going to build a schoolhouse on the island; I will install a peripheral monitoring system with alarms. As a backup, I’m going to have the boat equipped for classrooms. By the way, the ship goes to dry dock next week to start the painting and refitting. I’m thinking about putting cocoons on the boat for the kids. I’ll have some staterooms for the adults and the crew. Our first cruise will be to the Bahamas. I’ll keep you all informed about the status and plans. Maybe we should have this as a means for all of us to share problems and successes.”

I got a round of agreement on that from everyone. “Brad, may I see you for a moment.”

“Sure, Mario, what can I do for you?”

“I’d like to rent a one-bedroom apartment.”

“That’s no problem. When do you want to move in?”

“Is the first of the month too soon?”

“No, in fact, why don’t we go over there after breakfast and check one out. I’ll even help you furnish it as a pre-wedding gift.”

That night I did sleep a little better. When I woke up, I had a feeling that everything was going to be ok. I was smiling at breakfast. “You seem to be in a good mood today.”