Chapter 2

Raya Davison

It felt strange being back in Tabiq after ten years. I kept telling myself that I was just going to attend college and immediately return. But that fell through when I got caught up in my newfound freedom. My studies took a back seat to pave the way for my social life. Huge mistake. I fell in love, or as I realize now, lust, with a blonde, blue-eyed gorgeous man. Things moved quickly and within just a few months, I found myself pregnant and married to a man who was far from interested in settling down.

The marriage was over almost as fast as it started. I was crushed, and scared, but the Dean of the college gave me the best pep talk, one like my mother would've had I shared about what was going on in my life. He told me that the past didn't define a person unless you allowed it to. That I should focus on what I saw for me and my son, and not look back.

That was a lot easier to do back in the United States. I had no family or friends there to judge me. But coming back home to Tabiq as a divorced woman, now a single mother, I was going to be looked at differently. People didn't get divorced in Tabiq. Instead, they kept their problems hidden. Not me. I wasn't going to stay married to a man who couldn't keep his zipper closed any time he was around other women. It was not fair to me, and I didn't want my son to think that it was the way to treat women. When I told him I wanted a divorce, he gladly signed the papers and never looked back. Not even to check on his son, Joey.

It was a hard road working full-time, taking online classes, and being a single mother, but I did it. I was proud of what I accomplished without asking anyone for help. Joey was a happy, healthy nine-year-old. He had friends and even played on the local Little League baseball team. In all these years, everything I did was what I thought was best for him. Now I was ripping him away from all he'd ever known and bringing him to a country that might be in his blood but foreign to him. Joey didn't even speak Tabiqian. The move here was going to be a shock for him, so I decided to leave him in the care of my best friend Kathy for two weeks while I got things prepared for us here.

First was telling President O'Connor about Joey because I couldn't, and didn't want to, hide him. We are a package deal. If my being a single parent didn't work for her, then I would head back to the States. It might end up putting her in a lurch, but Joey came first. Always has and always will.

The SUV that picked me up from the airport pulled in through the large iron gates of New Hope Resort. Until I found a place to live permanently, I would need to stay here.

New Hope had just been built a few years before I left for the States. It looked even grander than I recalled, then again, everything about Tabiq seemed to be bigger, brighter and improved since I left eleven years ago. Maybe I wasn't the only one who had changed. Maybe I wouldn't be put under the microscope about what my life has been like since I left.

Even if things had changed, I wasn't about to share the truth about what happened, and I'd need to be careful as to what I said. There was already enough doubt and fear about women traveling outside Tabiq. I didn't want to add any fuel to it. There were plenty of good men out there. It was my fault for falling for his charm and ignoring what my gut had told me. That he was just a player and would always be one.

I knew I should've divulged all of this when I was interviewed for the school administrator position, but she didn't ask, and I wasn't forthcoming either. That probably was because I never imagined that I'd be chosen for the job. I thought for sure that she'd have promoted someone local. Someone who never left Tabiq. Someone who would be staying there longer than me.

Not that I was taking the job because I had to. Of course I had choices. But this was going to be a nice addition to my resume. Hopefully, it could also open doors for me when I eventually decided to return to the States. Joey was going to college someday, and that wasn't going to happen in Tabiq. They don't have such things.

But I couldn't turn this down. It was an amazing opportunity. I had my Master's degree in education, with a minor in child psychology. On top of that, I've been teaching special needs children for the past two years. I was positive that it was a requirement.

Maybe that was what she hired me for. That doesn't mean I completely believed that I was the right fit for Tabiq, even though I was a Tabiqian.

The president has done so many wonderful things for Tabiq. I wasn't doubting her ability. I just worried that her choice could come with some negative feedback if I don't deliver what they expect of me. And from what I remember of Tabiq, it won't take long for people to form an opinion and voice it.

So much could go wrong with all of this. Especially since my situation wasn't exactly one that fit Tabiq's definition of ideal.

It didn't take me long to settle in my room. I quickly showered and was dressed for my meeting. She said she would come to my room. I got it. The announcement of replacing Mr. Moyer hasn't been made yet.

Jet lag was catching up with me, and I was fighting to stay awake. I wish I'd slept on the plane, but I was too worried about how Joey was going to handle this time without me. I'd never left him with a sitter overnight, never mind for two weeks. Kathy assured me that he was fine and even Facetimed me to show he was sound asleep in bed. Funny how resilient kids are. The entire drive to Kathy's house, I was waiting for him to beg me not to go. Instead, he wanted to make sure she had shopped for his favorite foods and that I had packed his video game system in case he got bored.

Kathy was all about fun. While I boarded the plane, she took him on the bike path and then out for pizza for dinner. I should be more worried that Joey would be bored when he came home to live with me again. I don't play video games and I also limit the amount of junk food in the house. Yeah. I'm a mom. We're not supposed to be fun. We're supposed to be responsible.

I thought back to my own childhood. I didn't have much of a relationship with my parents. They were protective, but I don't recall it being fun. But Tabiqian parents were so very different from American ones. Everything about America was.

This was home, or at least it used to be. But home for me now, was the US. Could I adjust to this? Was it possible for me to adapt to the old ways again after experiencing such freedom?

There was a knock at my door, and I looked at the clock. Boy, she's prompt. I went and opened the door.

"Hello, President O'Connor. Won't you come in?"

She smiled and entered my room, and I closed the door behind her. "I am sure you're tired, so I'll try to make this as quick as possible," she said.

"No. I'm fine," I lied. My eyes burned from lack of sleep and if I closed my eyes too long, I knew they would be closed for hours.

"Surprising. I recall having jet lag for days after such a long flight. Guess you travel better than I do. Well, let's sit and chat. My feet are killing me. It's been a long day in the office."

"I could've come to your office," I said, as I noticed she looked as tired as I did. Of course, she runs an entire country. All I did was fly halfway around the world.

"No. Less interruptions here, but thank you," she smiled weakly.

This wasn't a suite, just a room with a table and two chairs. Not complaining since I wasn't paying the bill.

Once seated, I said, "I read all the material you and Mr. Moyer emailed me. It was very detailed."

"I'm glad. I was worried you might feel...overwhelmed," she said as though trying to choose her words carefully.

It was a reasonable assumption. Mr. Moyer obviously loved his job. No one would've spent so much time preparing such a document if they hadn't. It only confirmed that I'm going to have big shoes to fill. Not that I had ever met him in person, but after reading what I could find on the internet, he appeared to be such a serious, stern man. Not one smile in any of the photos that were taken. Even though I grew up surrounded by men with dark eyes, there was something I found very intimidating about his.

I only needed to deal with him for training. Surely, I could pretend that he doesn't scare me for that amount of time.

"No. I am one of those people who enjoy reading, even training manuals," I admitted.

She chuckled. "Glad one of us does because when I opened his email and saw how many pages were on the attachment, I wasn't sure I could get through the entire thing."

"I can't imagine what else he has left to train me on," I replied.

"I'm not sure training is the correct word. You are very capable. He will be available for you and will guide you through the first couple of weeks. Answer any questions that arise. I didn't want you to feel as though you were being just thrown into the position," she explained. "I also wanted to make sure you didn't have any questions or concerns that you wanted to address with me."

This was the time. I needed to tell her.

"Madam President, I'm sure you noticed my last name is not Tabiqian," I said.

"Yes. Davison is not a name we have here."

It would've been easier if she had asked the questions and I only answered what she wanted to know. Now I needed to decide what to tell her. I dreaded this and was as prepared as I could be.

The facts are the facts. No changing them.

"I was married." She said nothing and I continued. "I'm divorced."

"Okay. Is that going to affect your job performance?" she asked.

Taken back, I answered, "No."

"Then I have no issue with it. All I ask is that it not become the focal point. If someone asks, answer how you feel comfortable."

That was fair enough. But there was more. "I...I also have a son. He's nine."

She looked around the room, and then back to me. "I don't see a child."

Nope. And I'm not hiding him in the bathroom either.

"He didn't travel with me."

Raising a concerned brow, she asked, "Will he be joining you or are you leaving him back in the United States?"

My jaw dropped. "No. I could never do that. Joey, my son is staying with a friend until I have found a home for us to live in." And for me to decide if I was staying.

My voice reflected the panic and frustration within me. I knew she picked up on it but didn't let it show in her tone.

"Not much I can do at the moment, but Alex and Ziva Henderson reside here and if anyone can help you find a suitable place for you and your son, they would be the ones. They have three children, a girl and two boys."

I knew of them but had never met them personally. "I don't want to put anyone out. Madam President."

"Trust me, they would love to help. And it might be nice for Joey to have some friends to show him around too," she replied.

"Please, call me Reesa. This is more of an informal meeting," she stated.

Using someone's first name in the States was common. But not in Tabiq. And definitely not while addressing the president. Things really must've changed over the years.

Although it felt uncomfortable, I used her name. "Reesa, it is very kind of you. But...but he knows nothing of Tabiq." Her brows rose, and I knew she was puzzled by this. Now what do I say? The truth was going to be easier than any lie. "May I speak freely? And confidentially?"

"Of course," she replied.

This was what I dreaded most about returning here. The judgment. "When I first left Tabiq and traveled to the United States to attend college, I thought I would be there for a few years, get my degree, and return. But I met someone and got married. Things didn't work out as I expected, and shortly after having my son, we divorced. As a..." I hated the words single parent. Single parent meant one parent doing it all. But it described my situation perfectly. "a single parent, I thought it would be easier for me to raise Joey there."

"Because of the stigma here?" she questioned. I nodded. "Raya, I know you have only been gone for eleven years, but even in that time, so much has changed. Some of the younger couples these days are even living together before marriage. It's not very common but isn't unheard of either."

I could've fallen out of my chair. Never would've believed it if it wasn't coming from Reesa. And this wouldn't be such a surprise to me if I kept in contact with anyone from Tabiq when I left all those years ago. But once I had learned that I was pregnant, I distanced myself even further than I originally had. It's not as though I was totally out of the loop, but the world wide web only gave me limited information on Tabiq. Only what Tabiqian's wanted the world to know, which wasn't much.

If I had known all of this before now, would it have changed anything? Would I have come home sooner? Probably not. I am who I am. Stubborn and independent. Even coming now is on my terms and not because I had no choice. We have a good life in the States. We both did.

And here I am, leaving it all.

"That is a huge change," I stated honestly. "How is the...older generation handling it?"

They were the ones that concerned me most of all.

"It's funny. With our history of all the horrendous things that have happened, I think they are just thrilled to see their children and grandchildren happy. I'm not saying that they are pushing the youth to live together, but it's nothing like it used to be. Tabiq is redefining itself in ways that even I hadn't anticipated. And if the fact that a woman is president doesn't prove that, then I'm not sure what will."

You can say that again.

"You're right. When you were running for president, it was the first time I wished I was back in Tabiq so that I could vote for you. And when I found out that you won, I pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming."

"I did the same thing," she admitted.

"I've heard a rumor that people give the Henderson family credit for the changes. I believe you have had just as much if not more of an impact," I told her.

Reesa shrugged. "Do you know that I wasn't even going to run for president?"

I had no idea, but I'm glad that she did. "What made you do so then?" I asked. Running for president wasn't something that you just decided to do on a whim. Not like, hey, I'm going to change the entire future of a third-world country and do the impossible and become the first woman president today.

"Did you know my brother Jasper was going to run?" she asked. I nodded. "Well things changed, and he talked me into doing it. At first, I thought it was the most ridiculous suggestion he'd ever made. We both know that a few years earlier a woman never could've run, never mind win. No one will forget the condition of women in Tabiq in those years. They received little to no respect and were treated worse than animals. There were enough of those who wanted the status quo to be retained."

"I'm sure." There was money to be made in human trafficking and somehow it didn't matter who got hurt in the process. "But I believe there are more now who don't want to ever see those days again." I know I was one of them.

With a nod, she added, "I figured even if I did win, someone would probably assassinate me before I could do any good."

"That's a horrible thought," I gasped.

She shrugged. "A realistic one, unfortunately. But I had people watching out for me. Bennett Stone has been working closely with our law enforcement. Together they made me feel as safe as anyone can be here."

I didn't miss that. She knew that even now there were people who would do her harm.

And I'm bringing my son here. I got to be crazy.

I told Kathy about my fears, and she reminded me that there is no such thing as a safe place. Every small town who suffers from a tragedy learns that lesson the hard way.

"I'm glad." Hearing the fact that the local law enforcement was no longer corrupt too helped. It eased my mind a little about bringing Joey here. I'd never intentionally put him in danger. He was my world. The only good thing that came out of my marriage.

"Now, is there anything else you want to talk about or share with me before I go?" Reesa asked.

I shook my head. "I am glad you understand and accept my situation."

"I don't see anything that needs acceptance. You were hired based on your qualifications. Marital status or parenthood does not change anything for me. But I will respect your request and I will not say anything to anyone without your permission."

"Thank you. I would like people to get to know me professionally first," I explained.

"I felt the same way when I met my husband, Finn. He's not from Tabiq. And as president, I was concerned that they wouldn't accept him or have faith in me any longer. You know, believe that I'm not capable of putting Tabiq first. That Finn would pull my focus from Tabiq and place it on his homeland, Ireland."

"That's ridiculous. From what I know, you've always put our people first," I stated firmly.

"I try, but it is not always received that way. Thankfully, neither was an issue. I have a feeling, in time you'll feel the same way," Reesa said. She got up and added, "I am going to head home. It's not easy, but I'm trying to keep my son on a schedule. Dinner, bath, story time, and bed by eight. If it is not my job, then it is Finn's that has us working late. But we keep trying. Right now, we've managed three out of seven nights a week to achieve our goal."

"I remember those days. Many sleepless nights before I managed to get a routine that worked for both Joey and me." I was positive that no matter what Kathy said or promised, Joey was not in bed when he was supposed to be.

"So, it gets easier?" she asked.

I followed her to the door and said, "I'd like to tell you that is the case as they get older, but that hasn't been my experience. Joey is nine going on thirty. At times I feel as though time is slipping away and my little boy will have his own life and not need me."

"My fear as well. And that's why I have some personal decisions to make too." That piqued my interest, but I refrained from asking about something that was none of my business. We all have things we want to keep private. Before leaving, Reesa added, "Welcome back to Tabiq, and please, don't hesitate to call me with any questions or concerns. I'm here for you. And I meant what I said. Alex and Ziva are wonderful, and they would be very happy to help."

Smiling, I replied, "I guess I'll take you up on the offer. I'd love their help in finding a place to live. Not that I don't appreciate you putting me up at this resort, but I want to make a routine for me and Joey too."

Reesa nodded and said, "I'll reach out to them tonight, and you'll probably hear from them in the morning. Good night, Raya."

"Good night."

When she was gone, I walked over and grabbed my cell phone. It was the middle of the night where Joey was. Kathy would be sleeping as well. Even though the sun was still out, and it would be hours before it set, I had no problem with calling it a night too. From the sounds of it, I was going to need my rest for the morning.

After speaking with Reesa, I felt as though a huge weight had been lifted. If she could accept everything, I told her, then I was sure others would as well. And she also reminded me that it's not like I was going to be on my own. The former administrator would be available for any questions I had. I might be confident in my skills, but not ignorant of the fact that there still was going to be plenty of things to learn. Hopefully, he wasn't going to grow tired of all my questions.