“I know you did nothing wrong. Even when I first heard the story, I didn’t believe it.”
“I appreciate your trust in me.” Where was she going with this, because her assurance isn’t exactly comforting?
“It’s just that…well because of the accusation…the board thinks…”
“I’m being terminated.” She’s having such a hard time saying the words that I do it for her.
Mag grimaces. “Yes.”
I nod. I should have expected this, but it pisses me off. I love my job at Baxter and that is just one more thing that bitch of a sitter has taken from me. I know she’s a disturbed girl, and maybe if I had paid closer attention I might have seen this coming. But, who thinks anyone is going to create such lies? I hope I never see her again, and wish I could forget she ever existed, but I’ll have constant reminders for the rest of my life. And I sure as hell am never going to hire a teenager to watch my son or work in my store again.
“If this would have remained quiet,” Mag starts to explain. “The board may not have been so concerned.”
“Quiet, how?” Crap. Why didn’t it occur to me that with so many visitors word had to have gotten out? What if people still believe what that crazy bitch said?
“The accusations were in the paper and on the news.”
My stomach rolls over. I’m going to be sick. My life is ruined. “Shit!”
“No names were listed. But the minor accused a local art teacher who also owns a gallery.” She winces.
“I get it. It’s a small town.” Anyone with half a brain will know I’m the guy.
“They did report that she recanted and lied,” Mag says brightly. “But only in the paper.”
I doubt that’ll do any good. It’s not as tantalizing as the original story.
“The board is afraid that some people may still believe your accuser. And wonder if she just recanted because she was afraid.”
“And, you can’t have a person with a questionable reputation teaching, especially the type of students we have a Baxter.”
She winces again. “I’m so sorry, Jesse.”
I shake my head but stop because it hurts. “No. I get it. The school is too important and those kids need that school. Its reputation can’t be tarnished, even if everything she said were lies.”
“They’re going to keep you on leave until you’re released to return to work.” She glances at my bandaged and immobilized hand, then face. “Which could be months, given your injuries.”
“I do appreciate that.”
“They’ll revisit the issue to see if anyone has picked upon on the fact that it was you and if they still believe the lies, and make a decision at that point, but it doesn’t look good.”
“I do get it,” I assure her. “I just appreciate Baxter keeping me so I can keep my insurance.”
“I am really sorry,” she says again.
“Mag, none of this your fault, or the board’s. The fault lies with one person and we all have to do what’s best for Baxter and those kids.”
She stands, smiling sadly at me. “I’ll send in your next visitors. I just wanted to get this out of the way.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Let me know if you need anything. Baxter does care and wants to help.”
I just nod and she turns to leave. Help as long as it doesn’t include keeping me as an actual teacher.
I’m bitter. Real bitter, but I can’t really blame the board. I want to be pissed at them, and a part of me is, but if I force myself to take a step back and look at the whole picture, from their perspective, they have little choice.
Hell, maybe it will all blow over and when it’s time for me to return, I might be able to teach at Baxter again. But, that won’t be for months.
Besides, do I even want to live here anymore? If the board is concerned, what about my neighbors or the others in town? Will they wonder if there might be some truth in that girl’s words too? I can’t raise Cam in that environment. It’s not fair to him or me. The best thing I could probably do for both of us, is just move back in with my parents, as much as I hate it, so I can get better and figure out my life. Besides, it’s not like I can fully take care of Cam on my own right now. I can’t even pick him up.
Tears form and I blink them away. Just a few words from a deranged teenager and my life has been irrevocably altered.
At least I still have Deirdre, and some friends. But, how long will that last?
Fifteen
“Lost your job?” I can’t believe they’ve fired Jesse. Just like that.
Jesse is taking it much better than I am. But, he’s had all day to come to grip with this new reality. A part of me gets why the board made this decision. I saw the news and read the papers, but it still sucks and it’s so unfair.
“Hey, it will all work out. It’s not like I’ll be able to go back into the classroom anytime soon.”
“Still, it is so unfair.” I drop into the seat beside his bed.
“Yeah, but there isn’t much we can do about it.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Move back home, for now. I need my parents help anyway.” He gestures to his hand.
Of course. He can’t even pick up his son and Cam’s mobility is limited to where he can get on his hand and knees, which is pretty far I discovered today. That, and pulling himself up and grabbing at things.
After I showered and headed over to Jesse’s place, I stayed with Cam so his parents could come up and visit. It’s exhausting trying to stay on top of a mobile child who is curious about everything his eye catches. There is no way Jesse is in any shape to
