A memory clicked.
A boy in the back row, avoiding reading and acting out when frustrated.
I used to sit with him after school, breaking things down, one step at a time.
***
“Now,” Steve said, “I am one of the wealthiest people in town, thanks to you.”
I stared at him.
“You’re that Steve?! My Steve?”
He smiled.
“Yes, it’s me.”
He took my hand in his.
This time, I didn’t let go right away.
I used to sit with him after school.
Jane sighed loudly.
“My daughter seems to have gotten my difficult streak,” Steve said, glancing at his wife. “And her mother keeps getting in the way.”
Jane looked away.
“Principal Johnson, if you let Lucy go, I will stop donating to the school annually through my foundation. She’s one of the best you have, and I’m certain that if you call a meeting and ask the other parents and students to give their true assessments about this woman, you’ll hear the truth.”
Johnson straightened.
“I will stop donating.”
Steve paused, then added, “No one’s probably complained about Lucy until Jane came into the picture.”
Silence.
Johnson wiped his now-sweaty forehead.
“Well… you do make some good points,” he said. “I think this matter requires further investigation. In the meantime, Lucy will be placed on paid leave.”
He looked at me.
I blinked.
“Paid leave?”
That wasn’t what I expected.
“I think this matter requires further investigation.”
“I promise to do all I can to fix this and get Lucy back to teaching your daughter.”
“Good,” Steve added as he stood. “Otherwise, wherever Lucy goes, Andrea and my money go.”
Johnson stood quickly.
They shook hands.
“By the way,” Steve added, “I think after all this heartache, Lucy deserves a raise when she returns.”
Johnson nodded.
“Yes. Of course.”
“Wherever Lucy goes, Andrea and my money go.”
***
I walked out of the school slowly the second time.
An hour ago, I thought everything was over.
Now I didn’t know what to feel.
***
That evening, I sat at my kitchen table. I pulled out an old yearbook and flipped through the pages.
And there he was.
Steve.
Younger. Smaller. Trying to hide behind a half-smile.
I laughed softly.
“Look at you now.”
Now I didn’t know what to feel.
Leave a Comment