Chapter 25

Winter Term, 1977

Monday morning, school was back in session. The Christmas Break was over. I needed a vacation from my vacation. The uproar surrounding my pending lawsuit had quieted down. There weren’t any reporters screaming out questions or taking photographs around the school or trying to talk to me. Everyone close to me was curious as to how much I was going to receive from my lawsuit. I told them I was not sure. Finals were a week away, I had yet to hear from the school concerning if I would be allowed to test out of the rest of my schooling.

During the first period, I received a message to report to the principal’s office immediately.

I got to the office, and the secretary told me to go right on into the conference room. I opened the door and was instructed to have a seat, so I did as I was told. I sat down opposite of Mr. Hightower and Mrs. Thomas. “Mr. Johnson, we called this meeting to inform you that after finals, we will be implementing the proposal we agreed on. You will be tested on those subjects you’re currently lacking, but require, to graduate. The score of these tests will become your final grade for that subject. If you fail any examination, that grade will be recorded as your final grade in that subject as well. You would, of course, actually have to attend that class and pass it to receive credit for it. We have received an update from the Industrial Trades Department. It appears you are progressing quite well on your independent Study Project.

Mr. Burns believes you will meet the deadline. With those tests and the credits you’ve already accumulated, along with participating in baseball and golf, you’ll have enough credits to graduate with the class of 1977. We would, however, advise against walking across the stage or claiming membership in the ‘77 class as you have not been in it, up to this point. We can and would be willing to arrange a small private ceremony for you.”

“That’s fine; I am willing to go along with that. I think we will all be pleased with the results.”

Mr. Sawyer called later that day and asked me to meet him on Wednesday. The city, county, and the police department had answered my lawsuit. They had made an offer for an out of court settlement. Mr. Sawyer said I needed to take a look at it. I took Wednesday off from school. On Wednesday, I drove to Mr. Sawyers’ office. He got to the point, that’s what I like about him. Michael, The City of Detroit, Wayne County, and the DPD have made an out of court settlement offer. I am required, by law, to inform you of it and to ask your decision concerning it.”

“How much is it this time?” I asked dubiously.

“It’s considerably better. All of the noise in the press and the bad publicity has made the city realize they have a losing hand. The offer is 5 million per entity. Some believe that if this goes to court now, it will bankrupt the city. So, this is an offer to not only make it go away but an attempt to make you look like a greedy kid who doesn’t deserve it. Believe me, they will spin this in a way to make you the bad guy. But it shouldn’t matter once the check clears,” Mr. Sawyer explained.

“So, fifteen million dollars?” I asked in shock. “I didn’t think this would be so big.”

“Yes, or 12 million after my fee. I know it sounds like a lot, but I assure you I am giving you a large discount on my services. I’m only charging you 20 percent. My normal fee is 35 percent.”

I shouldn’t have been shocked by this, but I was still just a bit upset by it. He was 3 million dollars richer, and had not done a whole lot to earn it, I thought.

“So, if I accept this, when should I expect to receive the funds?” I know I said I wasn’t in it for the money. But I needed it to kickstart my companies.

“Probably within 30 days,” Tom answered.

“Ok, do it. I accept the offer.”

“Okay, I’ll send the response this afternoon and record it with the court to begin finalizing this deal.”

I spent the rest of the week studying for finals. I had the girls over and invited RJ to study with us. He wasn’t in any of our classes, but we worked with him and made sure he had the concepts down pat. I knew as long as he didn’t freeze up, he’d do just fine, and would have an excellent final exam grade to help his overall grade for the semester. I expected him to have a solid ‘B’ average this time around. This was going to help him tremendously.

The weekend came at last. Come Monday, it would be finals all week. So, this weekend I was going to blow off a little steam. Eve was stuck at work this weekend, and both Patti and Mary had picked up part-time jobs to have a little spending money of their own. So, I asked Lisa to accompany me to some ice skating at the local skating rink. It was cold, the air temperature was 35 F. So, we didn’t skate very-long. We maybe spent 30 minutes going around the arena and then went into the warming house. Lisa said that Mary told her about what happened between her and me the last time I was here. I asked if she really wanted to make love in a place that might be invaded at any time.

“Michael, as cold as it is, I’m pretty sure we’ll be fine. Please, Michael, take me and love me right here right now.”

I took a folding chair and wedged it under the door handle, making it very unlikely we would be interrupted. Lisa needed this, I knew this wasn’t some race to the blast-off moment. She needed slow and loving, not just sex, but real lovemaking. I took off my parka and hers as well, laid them on the floor to create a pallet, and to soften the hardness of the floor a little.

After we had warmed up, we went to see a movie and then got something to eat at a charming eating place that Lisa always enjoyed going to, then I took her home. I walked her to the door, and I gave her a deep passionate kiss. I moved my hands to her jean covered butt and squeezed it. The smile in her eyes was an awesome sight. “You really do love me, don’t you, Michael?”

“Yes. I do. I love everything about you.”

She had tears going down her cheeks. I asked if she were okay and if I’d done something wrong.

“Oh, Michael, no, you’ve done everything right. I’m crying happy tears. I love you so much, and now I know you really love me. I thought you just accepted me as part of the group, at first, and liked having sex with me. I was ready to accept that if it meant I would still be a part of the group. But after today, I can feel your love for me as an individual as well. I’ve never felt this good before.”

Driving home, I became lost in thought thinking about the girls. How I loved each of them individually and how I now thought of us as a quintet. I concluded I would have to be more attentive to their needs on a more individual level as well as a group. As I approached an intersection, I noticed a blue streak in my peripheral vision. I applied my brakes, stopping at the stop sign just in time. I watched as the blue sedan cruised through the intersection in front of me and breathed a sigh of relief. I waited until my heart started to beat again. I heard a voice say, “That was a close call.” I wasn’t sure it wasn’t mine. I arrived home without further incident.

Sunday morning, I was woken up and told I was going to church. Before I could complain, I was told ‘no arguments.’ I didn’t complain. I got up and got ready, and when I came downstairs, I saw RJ with an unhappy look on his face. I knew Mrs. J wanted everyone to go to church on Sunday morning at the least. Calvin attended church regularly with his parents, but since the accident and my imprisonment, I had not attended. I would go today to keep Mrs. J happy.