say as I try to wipe the never-ending stream of tears away from my cheeks.
“Don’t be. From what I’ve heard, Colt Anders is a good guy. Miss Carson is an admirer of his.”
“Is she a fan?”
“No, ma’am. It’s because of his donation, and how he’s managed to get the money together for the new drama wing. Don’t you know?”
“I had no idea. What are you talking about?” I answer truthfully.
“You mean to say he’s done all this and not told you?” I shake my head at Charlie, who continues, “Well, I’ll be. You should get him to pull the funding until you get your job back.”
“Oh, I’d never do that, Charlie. It’s for the kids.” I open my car door and throw my bag into the passenger seat. “Well, I better be going.” More tears well in my eyes as I climb into my car, and I blink rapidly trying to stop them from falling as I wind the window down. “Charlie?”
“Yes, Miss Hadley?”
“Could you not tell Mr. Wilson I was crying?”
“It’s between you and me, love. Like I said, he’s a jealous fool. You take care now.” Charlie reaches out and pats my arm one more time before turning and going back into the school.
My body feels heavy as I walk from my car into my home. I’ve never been suspended for anything in my whole life. Heading inside, I go straight to the kitchen and heat up the kettle. I pull out my favorite mug with little red, glittery hearts all over it and make myself a cup of tea. This causes me to think of my dad, so I grab my phone and dial his number.
“Skye, my princess… you are not going to believe where I am.”
“Where are you, Dad?”
“What’s wrong, honey?” My dad can always tell by the tone of my voice if I’m not right, and today is no exception.
“Oh, Dad! I’ve been suspended from school because of Colt,” I say tearfully.
“What? How can they do that? You are an asset to that school,” replies Dad, his normally jovial tone now replaced with an angry one.
“There were some pictures of us in the newspaper a little while ago, and the school felt they were inappropriate.”
“Please tell me you didn’t do a sex tape?”
This causes me to laugh, and I can’t stop. The idea my father would think I’d do something like that is unbelievable to me.
When I manage to get myself under control, I say, “No, Dad. We didn’t do a sex tape. It was a picture of us kissing, but I’m wearing my dressing gown, and Colt is in his underwear.”
“Is that all? Maybe you should do a sex tape then. Give them something to talk about.”
“Maybe, but I don’t think that’s me,” I say, smiling even though he can’t see it.
“How can they suspend you, honey?”
“It’s a very conservative school. I signed a form when I started saying I wouldn’t do anything that could put the school in a negative light.”
“I still don’t understand. How is a photo of you kissing a football hero… he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league, you know… showing the school in a bad light?”
“Dad, Colt is known as a playboy, and I guess the school board is concerned I’m acting promiscuously. They’re afraid a loose woman is shaping the minds of their children.”
Now it’s Dad’s turn to laugh, and before long, I’m joining him.
“That’s better, princess. There’s no way on God’s green earth you are promiscuous. Everyone who knows you knows that. I wouldn’t worry, you’ll be okay once they come to their damn senses.”
“I hope so.”
“You could always come visit your dear old dad?”
“I could. Where are you?”
“Ah… yes… I’m standing about five feet away from Stonehenge. Amazing! I’ll send you pictures.”
“I’d like that. Is it cold there?”
“It’s invigorating,” replies Dad enthusiastically.
“That’s code for yes,” I tease.
“You’ll love it. The history, the buildings, the architecture… there are so many reasons to come. And if those buffoons don’t know you’re an upstanding woman, then they don’t know you at all.”
“Okay, Dad, I’ll think about it.”
“When I send you the pictures, I’ll attach my itinerary. That way, if you want, you can catch up with me on my travels. Although I think I might only go a little way from here, there’s a village with a stone circle in the middle of it not far from here I’d like to explore.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
“What for?”
“For always believing in me, even if you did think I’d done a