4. The Ultimate Forgiveness

“You don't deserve it but I would rather not be like you. There will be no difference between us if I cause your children and wife to mourn. On this note, I reduce your punishment to compulsory retirement. You will get all your entitlements.”

“Wonderful!”

“Excellent!” 

“This is godly.”

“I don't know if I can forgive a known enemy like this.”

The soldiers complimented Tim's judgment one after the other. Likewise, Gen. McDonald was most grateful and he dried the tears that had formed in his eyes while everyone focused on him. Although he was seventeen years older than Tim he was aware that his promotion had nothing to do with age but merit.

“You are a worthy comrade, Gen. Williams and you surpass me in wisdom. For sparing me, I owe you my life. I'm ready to support you any time you need me,” he appreciated Tim and promised.

The house clapped for him and immediately, he faced the Head of State and appreciated him, “Thank you, for this chance, Your Excellency.”

He faced the entire house and appreciated them too, “Thank you, the Supreme Military Council for the privilege to serve and I promise that I won’t bring disgrace to the military in particular or the country in general. On this note, I take a bow.”

He bowed, handed in the equipment in his possession and the officers clapped for him. On that note, the Head of State accepted his retirement and concluded with, “I wish you more grace in your future endeavors. Gen Sydney McDonald (Retd.).”

“Thank you, Your Excellency, for your wishes,” he accepted and the others commented joyfully. 

After the passing of the baton, the Media Department prepared the studio for the Head of State's National Broadcast beginning with the National Anthem. Without minding what the media reported about Tim on domestic violence or Laura's father's comment about him, he went straight to the point.

“Fellow Citizens, I, Gen. Felix Richmond, the Head of State and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. After consulting the members of the Supreme Military Council, I announce the change in my cabinet.”

At Laura's House

They were about to have lunch after the jubilation over the elimination of the bad egg when the National Anthem came up on the television. They were startled and wondered if there was a coup. Nevertheless, they calmed down and waited. Their happiness hit the sky when the Head of State said …. I announce the change in my cabinet.

“Wow! Hubby, you are rewarded. He recognized your support for his administration," Madeline congratulated her husband in advance.

In like manner, Laura smiled broadly and added, “So soon? That is good news.”

Now, they waited enthusiastically for the good news. 

The Broadcast

“I want to gladly inform you that Gen. Sidney McDonald, the Third in Command and the Chairman of the Auxiliary Armory PLC, took a bow this afternoon. He had gallantly served this country. We delightedly welcomed his retirement and wished him success, grace, and a peaceful retirement.”

“To take over from him is one of us. A dedicated soldier who has the interest of our country at heart. He had been with us through thick and thin. He is the rightful person to fill the vacuum that Gen. Sidney McDonald (Retd.) has left behind. 

Fellow citizens, I present to you, Gen. Tim Williams and his work begins with immediate effect. Thank you for listening.”

At Laura's House

A butterfly would always think himself to be a bird. Just because Laura was fortunate to get a job at Auxiliary Armory PLC gave her father the right to think that his foot was inside the corridors of power. Their happy faces failed at once and were replaced with dirty ones.

“Did he not see the speech?” Mr. Dickson asked sadly. 

Madeline who did not see her husband as a lazy man, comforted him, “Don't let it bother you. Laura will talk to her boss on your behalf tomorrow.”

“Yes. I will do that but not tomorrow. I will allow my new boss to settle down before I discuss your matter with him,” Laura pointed out.

“Oh, I see! Have you met him before? His picture was not shown.”

“Yes. I was about to ask the same question. Do you think he would be kind like your former boss to listen to you?” Her father asked too.

“I have never met him before. He must be one of the higher-ups who returned from a foreign mission. I will see what I can do about your reward, Dad," she explained.

“It is all right.”

Nevertheless, her promise gave them a ray of hope and they had their lunch joyfully. Meanwhile, they never bothered about their supposed dead son-in-law or how to retrieve his corpse for burial.

On The Airwaves and The Internet

The story of the death of Tim was suspended and replaced by retirement and a new appointment. No one attributed the appointment to the unimpressive Tim despite the name. Nevertheless, the president was concise in his description of the new General and Chairman when he said that he had been with them through thick and thin. Such a description confused the people because it did not have any relationship with Tim.

At The Auxiliary Armory PLC

Gen. Sidney McDonald (Retd.) was pleased. He returned to his office at once and his staff members were surprised that he was not crestfallen. They had no choice but to compliment him one after the other.

“Congratulations, Boss, on your successful retirement,” the General Manager, Capt. Alex Bolton stated.

“It had been nice working with you, Boss," another Manager added.

He smiled happily at them and responded, “Thank you all for your support. I would not have recorded the kind of success I have without you.” 

Nevertheless, it was sadness and joy for them too. At that moment, the Accountant asked him, “I hope your successor is as kind and accommodating as you are, Boss?”

“That is an understatement. He is better than I am. He is a young man in his mid-twenties. You will prefer him to an oldie like me.”

They laughed merrily and the Personnel Manager, Capt. Edwin Jaja, inquired, “That is good to hear, Boss. Will he come around today?”

“Will you present him to us before you leave?”

The questions were difficult for him because he could not vouch for Tim. All the same, he assured them, "Let's see how today goes.”

 Howbeit, he never asked after his secretary who he just realized was Tim's wife.

At The Military Headquarters

After the meeting, the new General stayed behind to have a heart-to-heart talk with the Head of State and his second-in-command.

“It's nice to have you, Tim.” 

“Thank you, for remembering me, Your Excellency.”

“No. It is not me. It is Gen. Hill. He recognized your name the moment he heard it,” the Head of State clarified immediately. 

Tim faced the Second in Command and appreciated him too, “Thank you for this, Gen. Hill. I am not taking it for granted.”

Gen. Hill smiled broadly and answered, “It is my pleasure. The frame-up by your ex-wife is for good.”

“You are right. It turned out for the good of the country. Congratulations once again, Tim.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency. I apologize for my absence without leave.”

“Apologies accepted. We believe there must be a reason for the AWOL. Can we hear it?” The Head of State requested. 

Quickly, Tim took a deep breath and began.

"I believe in the hierarchy in the military and I respect my superiors. We were at the border to stop the enemies from invading our country. I waited for orders from my superior, Gen. McDonald but he was not forthcoming. Rather, he wished to work with the juniors who knew little or nothing about war tactics. I had to break protocols when I noticed that our soldiers were overpowered. Instantly, I used my hand grenade and the enemies retreated in disarray. At that point, I was overwrought to see our soldiers dying for nothing and I took over the leading of the troop.”