“What time is it?” he asked.
“Time to get up, we have to talk.”
“All right, give me a minute.”
She rubbed across his shoulder again. “No, come on, I need you to get up now, otherwise, the time will run out and we won’t get to talk until tomorrow morning.”
“All right,” he said, rolling over so his back was flat on the bed and hands clasped under his head. “I’m up. Let’s talk.”
“Dave, I’m at my wit’s end.” She paused, careful not to say something that could be hurtful or misinterpreted.
“I was afraid this was going to happen. Let’s get you some help today.”
Madeline cackled but not in a ha-ha way. “How are we going to get help just like that?” she said, snapping her fingers in the air. “If the solution was that simple, don’t you think I would have fixed it? We certainly wouldn’t be having a four A.M. discussion. Come on, Dave, you know me better than that.” Her dissatisfaction with his curt response simmered.
“Madeline, I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to offend you. That was not my intent,” he said, drawing closer and resting his hand on hers.
“What can I do to make this better for you?”
There were a thousand tasks he could take on around the house but that wasn’t going to get at the problem. “I need you present in my life.”
“What do you mean? I’m right here,” he said, caressing her hand.
“You’re not here most of the time.” Before he could say a word, she raised her voice and continued. She was finally getting his undivided attention and was intent on commanding the stage. He was going to get an earful. “When we agreed that I would stay home with the children, it didn’t mean that I would become their only parent.” Dave tried to interject but she kept talking faster and louder. “I love my children and I’m okay with staying at home to give them what they need, as long as you are giving me what I need. And right now, you’re not.”
“Okay, what do you need, another nanny, another housekeeper, cook, what? Just tell me and it’s done.”
“Stop, Dave,” she shouted. “How many times have I told you that I don’t want my children raised by nannies? They have two parents. They have us. That’s our job, and I’m the only one who’s doing my job,” she said. Dave sat up. She appreciated him being smart enough not to interrupt. A wise listener was what she needed him to be. “I miss our interaction in the office.” She didn’t consider herself the crying type. If she were, this would have been the moment for tears to flow. Her eyelids were dry and she continued purging. “I didn’t realize how much I’d miss my work at DMI. It’s hard for me to have a meaningful adult conversation. I really miss that.”
“Are you saying that you want to come back to DMI and get someone else to take care of the kids?” “I’m saying that I totally underestimated the effort required to take care of four children and a household without my husband.”
“But you know I’m doing my part at the office.”
“Are you kidding me? DMI is a thousand times easier to manage than this bunch. Andre alone is a handful. Remember him, the boy who has already lost one father? He can’t lose you too, and I’m sure that’s what it feels like to him since he never sees you. Heck, I never see you. If nothing else, you’re going to have to make plans for him. I can’t help him. He needs you. Sam needs you. Don needs you. Tamara needs you, and I need you. If you can’t make the time for me, at least do it for them.”
“You know I love my family, and I want to be present for them. You know that,” he said with his voice deepening. “My hands are tied. Somebody has to keep the company running. Don’t think I’m sitting at the office twiddling my thumbs. Between the expansion efforts and constant attacks from lawsuits, the IRS, and competitors, I’m constantly on the defense dodging bullets. With you out of the office, it’s even more intense. Thank goodness Frank is handling the finances and operations; otherwise, we’d be in a pinch.”
Madeline had yielded her position to Dave’s calling years ago, which was why being his partner at the office meant so much. In a sense, his calling and vision had become hers. Honestly, DMI deserved proper attention, but she wasn’t going to let Dave forget that they had a partnership. She was willing to spend 80 percent of her effort taking care of their home. The other 20 percent of her passion was reserved for DMI. If she could split her priorities, he could too. “I don’t want you to take me for granted. What I’m doing here is just as important as what you’re doing. As a matter of fact, it might be more important, because what I do frees you up to do what you do. This is a one hundred percent partnership.”
“Agreed.”
She appreciated Dave swallowing his words during their talk. The slightest offensive comment might have heated her mounting discord and sparked an argument that neither wanted.
The clock sitting on the nightstand displayed four forty-five. Dave got up from the bed and she didn’t stop him. She’d stated her case. The bottom line was that Dave couldn’t continue being a hands-off father, not if he valued his children’s stability. She didn’t know how he was going to do it, but he had to find a way. The strength of their relationship depended on him.
“And don’t forget that Andre is probably waiting outside the door for you. He refused to go to sleep last night until you got home. Seeing that you didn’t get home until who knows when, I suspect he fell asleep,” she said, shaving some of the thorns from her words, not wanting to argue.
She heard Dave’s voice as he moved toward the bathroom. “He was lying by the door last night and I took him back to his room and put him to bed. You’re right, I’m sure he’ll be at the door this morning, and I’ll carry him back to bed like I’ve done every day,” he said, closing the bathroom door.
“At least one child is getting some of you,” she muttered and pulled the pillow tighter to her head.
Chapter 21
Dave was supposed to be finalizing a new proposal, but he hadn’t gotten very far. Home had him bound.
Frank walked in. “I knew you’d be here. Is there ever a time when you’re not?” Dave gave him a rapid glance that didn’t stick. “Don’t the long hours ever weigh on you?” Frank asked.
Dave shrugged his shoulders and wrenched his hands. “I don’t like it, but what can I do?”
“You’re the chief. You call the shots in here. Go home whenever you want.”
“I wish it were that easy.”
“Make it that easy.”
Dave understood his brother’s perspective, which was seen through the eyes of self-reliance. Dave had chosen a different path, one guided by faith and trust in the almighty God. Dave’s choices weren’t always right and by no means perfect, but he could accept the outcome, knowing that he was trusting in God to make up the difference.
“I didn’t choose this path on my own. It was selected for me. Because of that, I have to succeed.”
“Better you than me,” Frank said, shaking his head.
“I don’t know why you’re talking. Many nights you’re here late too, so don’t act like I’m the only worker bee sitting in this room.”
“Yeah, but I don’t have a wife who wants to be around me,” he said. “Anyway, how is that adoption situation going, any problems?”
Other than Andre taking time to get adjusted, there were no problems. “We had to take the guardianship step first and then the adoption comes next. Surprisingly, the paperwork has gone pretty smoothly. The legal aspect was a piece of cake since Jonathan designated me as Andre’s guardian in his will. Since there aren’t any other relatives to contest the will, we’re sailing through the process. In a couple of months he’ll officially be my son.”
“Wow, I have to give it to you, that’s all right. I honestly don’t know if I could do it. Those two I have are plenty. Another three years and the last one will be in college. I can’t wait to get them out of the house.”
“You don’t mean that,” Dave said, laughing.
“You bet I
do, most definitely. ‘Bye’ is what I’m waiting to say. I already have the good-bye speech rehearsed. I practice it every now and then to make sure I’m ready when the time comes,” Frank said, laughing too. “When that last one is gone, I’m not adding any new ones. That’s some of the reason my wife is so mad at me. She always wanted more kids. Two is good enough. Maybe one of them will bring me a cool drink of water in my old age but there’s no guarantee. With two, my odds are doubled.”
“Why not have three and triple your odds?”
“Oh no, three is when the cost starts to outweigh the benefit. Taking care of three kids, I can afford to get my own cool drink of water with that price tag.”
“You’re something else,” Dave said as the brothers roared in amusement.
After a good chuckle, Frank asked, “You’re cool with this, but what about Madeline? How’s she doing?”
Humor was sucked out of the room as Dave thought about the sacrifice Madeline was making for him and their family. “She’s amazing. What else can I say?” Dave wouldn’t elaborate by telling Frank that his wife was stretched with running the house and managing Andre’s emotional challenges. Based on what Dave saw, though, Madeline was gaining control. Frank didn’t need to know details. “Without her at home, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do here, that’s the bottom line. She’s my anchor at home.”
“She was your anchor here too. When’s she coming back?”
“I don’t know.” He hadn’t spoken to his wife about DMI lately. Actually, if Dave discounted the constant arguing, they hadn’t spoken much at all. “She’s thrown herself totally into the kids and their schedules. There doesn’t seem to be any time or interest left for DMI.”
“That’s surprising. She loves this place. Even I know that much.”
Dave hated admitting that Frank was right, but he was. “I know,” he said, taking on a somber feeling. “She’s making a sacrifice for the kids.” Dave pulled his seat up to the table and grabbed a pad of paper. “I owe them some of my time.” Perhaps he could speak it into existence, although realistically it was wishful thinking at best. Neglecting his family wasn’t his heart’s desire, but what else could he do during this phase of DMI’s growth? Every time he got a break between expansion opportunities, there was a frivolous matter scarfing down the free time he was expecting.
Frank slid a folder to him. “Good luck with that,” he said with a strange look on his face.
“What is this?”
“More of the same, but don’t worry about this lawsuit. I got it. I’m just letting you know so you won’t be blindsided if someone asks you a question, Frank said.”
The lawsuit didn’t generate a reaction. It would be taken care of like the others had, but Madeline and the kids resonated. His thoughts were troubled.
In the end, his family was paying the price of keeping his ministry on track. His hope was that DMI would settle down and soon he’d be free to go home at a decent time each night. The notion of being at home with Madeline and the kids, eating dinner together, playing games, and talking until they fell asleep on the sofa was soothing. Normally, this would be the time to pray for confirmation and direction, but he’d wait until later, since Frank was there. In the meantime, he believed that God had a plan for his family, had to; otherwise, Dave wouldn’t be able to continue. He pushed family aside as he got to the pressing business sitting before him.
“Thanks for stopping in, man. It was good being able to talk,” Dave told Frank.
“That’s what I’m here for.”
Dave checked the wall clock. “I have to get going. I have an arbitration hearing at eleven.”
“Really, who’s representing you?”
The latest general counsel had resigned—number three in two years. The constant barrage of legal issues seemed to run them off. “I’m going solo.”
“Are you sure? Because it doesn’t sound wise to me. You know they’re gunning for you every time you set foot in the courtroom. Ask for a continuance and get an attorney. If we can’t hire one, we’ll rent one.”
Dave didn’t find the comment funny. He didn’t mess around when it was time for battle. He was focused, able to completely block out distractions. “I have no fear. My lead counselor is always with me.” He went to the closet and grabbed his suit coat.
Frank stood. “Well, your record does speak for itself. You’ve won the other cases decisively. When you think about it, those don’t count as legitimate fights. Each one was over before it got started.”
Dave agreed as he adjusted his collar and cuff links on his sleeves. He pointed up toward heaven with both index fingers. “It’s not me. It’s Him, all the way.”
“Like I often tell you, I might not be as religious as you are, but I definitely respect your game. Do me a favor and keep those prayers going and remember to mention your big brother once in a while. Maybe God will let some of what you have rub off on me,” Frank said. “What is this case about anyway?”
“A church in the southern region is claiming that DMI mismanaged their funds, although we didn’t have direct access to their money. It’s a clear case of extortion, and they’re not getting away with it.”
“A bunch of crooks hiding behind the name of the church,” Frank said.
“Well, that’s why God has called us to this ministry. Their kind of stinking thinking and fiscal mismanagement have to be rooted out of churches.”
The brothers walked out of Dave’s office together. “Hang on while I run to my office and grab a few things. I’m coming with you.” Dave was preparing to respond when Frank cut him off. “Don’t bother telling me to stay here. I’m coming with you. I know you have God, but you’ll have me there too.”
Dave didn’t argue. Once Frank made up his mind, that was pretty much it. His brother and wife were alike in that way.
Chapter 22
Dave and Frank sat on one side of the table in a cramped office. They were in an older wing of the courthouse, the part that sat below the jail. It felt like a dungeon to Frank. He couldn’t wait to escape. An hour was as long as he wanted to be that close to a jail. His thoughts were scattered but he could tell Dave’s were not. On the other side of the table were the church’s pastor and at least two attorneys he figured. He wasn’t sure who the fourth person was. It didn’t make a difference; they’d all be dealt the same loss equally. Frank relaxed and waited for the fireworks to begin.
About ten minutes later, the judge came in. Both sides of the table prepared to rise as he said, “No need to stand. We’re going to be informal as long as everyone plays nicely.” Chuckles circled the room.
Once the hearing got underway, it moved with lightning speed. Both sides pleaded their cases.
“Your Honor,” Dave said, “we had no access to the church’s money. This case is a scam.”
“Wait a minute, mister,” the pastor rose up to say.
“Hang on, everyone,” the judge said, extending his hands like an umpire calling the runner safe. “Mr. Mitchell, are you telling me there’s no merit to this case?”
“That’s exactly what I’m telling you.” Dave plucked a file from his briefcase. “I have the contracts and the checks we’ve received from them. I also have the DMI financial records showing transactions in and out of our corporate account as far back as six months before and up to five months after the alleged funds were taken.” Dave opened the folder and placed it in the center of the table, as if to say that DMI had nothing to hide. “Ask them to produce records for the same timeframe. We’ll soon see who’s lying.”
Sparks didn’t flare until the judge asked for the church’s bank statements. It turned out that the fourth person on the other side of the table was an attorney too. They fumbled among a mound of papers before huddling in a muttered conversation. The pastor appeared concerned. Frank was licking his lips. He could smell the fireworks getting lit.
“Excuse me, Your Honor, but we seem to have misplaced some records.”
Frank couldn’t r
eact openly. He’d wait.
“How can you come to an arbitration hearing and not bring critical documents?”
Frank knew why. They hadn’t expected to be put under the spotlight. Their plan was most likely to roll in with a team of high-paid attorneys, talk a good game, and run away with a payday. Frank smirked. Clearly they hadn’t heard about his little brother and his personal counselor. There were a few details that had to be finalized, but Frank wasn’t paying much attention. His stomach was growling. He’d moved on to lunch plans. That was more interesting than watching the pastor and his entourage grovel.
“We’d like a continuance.”
“For what?” the judge barked.
The look of concern flushed across the faces of Dave’s accusers. “We need to get the proper documents.”
“This was your day in court. If you didn’t come prepared, that’s your fault. I won’t let you waste the court’s time with your incompetence, counselors.” The judge set the pen down on his pad of paper. The judge was mad, regaining Frank’s interest. He could tell something good was about to happen. The other side must have sensed it too because they squirmed and fidgeted relentlessly. The pastor sitting closest to the judge was fuming. Dave was calm. “After careful consideration, I find there to be some truth in Mr. Mitchell’s claim that this is a frivolous lawsuit brought before this court, with little shred of solid evidence.” He hurled his words directly at the plaintiffs. “I find this to be an egregious abuse of the court’s time. Therefore, I not only find in favor of the defendant, I’m also awarding damages for defamation of character in the amount of one million dollars.”
“What, Your Honor? There’s no precedent for your decision,” the lead attorney said in a raised but controlled voice. His outrage was quite visible.
“Then consider it an unprecedented act.”
“Your Honor, that’s absurd and extreme,” another attorney yelled. The others conversed among themselves. “The original claim was only for six hundred thousand. How can you award them more than we were asking in the first place?”
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