Page 2 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

“First of all, I apologize for not having you over before now. We meant to, but time seemed to pass by too quickly,” she stated.

“No need to apologize. What is it you wanted to speak to me about?” Please say the sponsorship.

“I need you to understand that this conversation is confidential. No one can know what we are about to discuss. Is that clear?” I nodded and she continued. “Finn and I are expecting another child.”

“Congratulations.” I still had no idea what that had to do with me.

“Thank you. But I need your help.”

“Not sure what I can do for you.” Diapers are not my thing.

“I would like you to be my vice president.”

Her words echoed in my head. Vice-president. Nope. I didn’t see this coming at all for several reasons. First of all, we didn’t have a vice-president role. I hated to be the one to remind her of such.

“President O’Connor, I...”

She raised her hand and stopped me. “Call me Reesa. And I know what you’re about to say. We don’t have such a position. But as president, I see the need, and therefore, I’m making such a position.”

Reesa had the right to do so. She ran the country. But what changed? And why me? “You are in your second term and doing an amazing job.”

“But with two children, I’m going to need help. There is no one better for the job than you. I’ve seen what you have done with the school system.”

“And there is still so much more to do at the school.” I shouldn’t have to remind her, but my list of wants for the school hasn’t changed. And I’m not willing to walk away and pretend it didn’t exist.

“There is. I’m not asking you to give up on your dreams. Just asking you to do it from a different seat,” she said.

“You want me to do both? Be the Vice President and the school administrator?” She shook her head and I asked, “Then what exactly are you asking me to do?”

“We would hire someone to fill the school administration position and you would be the vice-president until...until you are ready to fill the role as president.”

What the hell! There is no way I was awake. This couldn’t be happening. She is talking about stepping down?

“Pres...”

“Reesa,” she corrected.

“Reesa, I want to help, but I’m not sure I am the right person. You are...what this country needs,” I stated.

“So are you. You love this country. You’re honest. And you have the same hopes, dreams, and most importantly the drive to make Tabiq greater than anyone ever imagined. I know this because of all you have done to invest in the youth. You have planted the seeds, now you can sit and watch them grow in a role that will benefit them even more. Help me open doors for them, not just here, but overseas. And who knows, maybe one day you will be having this same conversation with one of them,” she smiled.

My head was spinning. President? “Reesa, I...I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes.”

I wanted to, but I was worried about disappointing people. They were not going to like it. This I knew. “You couldn’t think of anyone else who would suit this position better?”

Reesa shook her head. “Orion, I don’t ever make rash decisions. This is something I’ve been thinking about for some time.”

And yet you want me to give you an answer now?

I would be a fool to turn this down. She was right. I could do even more as President. It was my students that I worried about. Then I needed someone who valued them as much as I did.

“Before I answer, I need to know what the plan is for filling my current position. I don’t want just anyone stepping in. And I can’t think of anyone who reports to me who is ready to take on such responsibility either,” I stated.

“I agree. There is someone who has been studying overseas for the past eight years. I spoke to them, and they agreed to return to Tabiq and assume the role. They would be working closely with you for the first few months. During that transition time, you would also be working closely with me to learn everything you need to know.” She held her head up and added, “As I said, this has been in the works for a while.”

Seems as though I wasn’t going to be given a way out of this. “I guess there is only one thing I can say. Yes. I accept your offer.” And hope all of Tabiq doesn’t hate me for it.

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