Adam Blake - 46. Chapter 46

I smiled and as we entered the cafeteria, I was met by James and Jane. they wanted to know what happened. I told them nothing yet, the Board needed time to deliberate. James looked at me and pinned a Knight’s pin on my jacket.

“Should I give one to the teachers, they are asking if they can have one?”

“Tell them to ask at the Square Table tomorrow. It is up to the Knights who they let into their group.”

The Ambassador looked at me, “They need to learn to make decisions.” Laughing, we went for our coffee.

While sitting at a table, two of the boys came up to me, “Sir. we were wondering if we could get something to snack on between classes.” I knew how the class schedules were devised with a lot of breaks.

“Do you think if you were able to come to the cafeteria for snacks between classes, you won’t fall asleep in class?”

“No sir, we could work on our homework.”

“Are you allowed to have snacks in your rooms?”

“No sir”

“Can I have until lunchtime tomorrow to think about it?”

“Yes sir”

“Good, I’ll give you my answer then.” After the students left, “I have no problem with that I just need to make sure the cafeteria staff can handle it.”

“James and I can check that for you.”

“Thank you, Jane, it’s good to have you back.”

“I’m not sure for how long.”

After finishing our coffee, we went back to the Board meeting. Once we were all seated, Arlene called the meeting to order. “Dr. Blake, if you resigned, we’ll give you a good recommendation.”

“Director McMillan, I will not resign. If you want me off your staff, you’ll have to terminate my contract. I don’t need your recommendation, I have people who know me, know my work, and know my teaching methods. I was on the faculty of a university before I came here, and if I choose, I can be on the faculty of several universities but Ambassador Damon’s offer may be too good to pass up once you terminate me.”

The Director of Music must be close to Arlene, she stood and called for a vote. “In view of our discussions, I think it best I leave while you vote. I’ll await your decision Director McMillan.” I left the room but the Ambassador stayed. I went to my office.

“Doc, what happened?"

"They offered me a recommendation if I resign. I told them to shove it, if they want me gone, they will have to terminate my contract.”

“What about the medals, should I stop the work?”

“Absolutely not, I’ll be here tomorrow and the next day or until the next directors meeting.”

Just before I was ready to leave the Ambassador came to my office. “Well, Ambassador do I have a job or not?”

“Oh you have a job, you’ll be the new President of this school.”

“What!!”

“When this school was first started there was a President to whom the Directors reported. The original President died and one has never been appointed. It appeared to the trustees that the school was doing ok without a President. After today and the reports that went to the various trustees, they thought it was time to institute that office again. It’s yours by the unanimous vote of the trustees.”

“How could this happen, I don’t know any of the trustees?”

“No, but you know their sons.”

“The students called their parents? How did they know what was happening? I never told anyone about the Directors meeting agenda.”

“You didn’t have to, I think Richard told them.”

“How did he find out? This is confusing, I try to keep school politics away from the students.”

“I have a theory that someone thought if several students knew they would pass the word on to their parents. Unfortunately for those people, the students are very loyal to their King Arthur. The forming of the Knights of the Square Table was brilliant no matter for what purpose, and the pins, a great idea.”

“The pins were the result of a collaborative project. My nephew, one of the students and my secretary really should take credit for making it happen.”

With perfect timing, “Dr. Blake, the company sent over a prototype of the medal with the chain. They need your approval to begin.”

I took the prototype and noticed the Ambassador’s eyes when he saw it. “I’m having these made for my Knights. The pins are ok as a temporary solution, but hopefully, they will keep these medals a lifetime.”

“You're making them out of gold?”

“Yes, 18-carat gold, I want them to be proud to wear them and for them to last. The pins are ok but these will be something that hopefully will be passed on with the stories of the Knights of The Square Table.”

“Is there anything you wouldn’t do for these students?”

“No sir, they are the future and the future of the world.”

“I have to be going, my copter will be here soon. Keep up the good work, Mr. President. If you need me, just call.”

I went to share his hand and instead I got a hug. He smiled and left the school. James came into the office, “Here”

“What is this?”

“The Ambassador gave me that to help pay for the medals. He likes you, Mr. President.”

“Wait stop how do you know about that?”

“Jane told me. Arlene came back from the meeting yelling about a bunch of dumb people. From what Jane told me after you left their phones rang like crazy. Did you know that this school has a group of trustees?”

“Not till the Ambassador told me, why what happened?”

“Evidently, the trustees called and said that they have voted to re-institute the office of president and have selected you to fill it. Jane said Arlene went berserk.”