Difficult Lessons (7 page)

The server brought their drinks and took their orders. Sara took a deep breath and prepared herself. She looked at Cynthia for a little reassurance. Her gaze then drifted to her dad who still had a questioning look on his face. When she looked at her mother she saw a faint smile. She imagined what her mother was thinking. 

“Mom, you already know part of what I am about to say.” She turned to her father. “Dad, there’s not an easy way to tell you this, so I am just going to blurt it out. I don’t have a boyfriend. I have not had a boyfriend in many, many years. I don’t want a boyfriend. Dad, I am a lesbian. I know that is not what you want to hear, but it is the truth and I have hid it from you for a long time. I can understand if you are upset, but please listen to everything that I have to say before you make a judgment on me.” She spit out the sentences without taking a breath. “I recently met Cynthia and we’ve been dating. She is a wonderful person. If you give her a chance, I think you will like her.”

There was a long pause before anyone spoke.

“Sunshine,” her dad spoke softly. “I already knew that. Your mom told me some time back. She asked me not to say anything to you about it. It took me a while to digest it, but I am okay with it now. You are my only daughter and I love you no matter what.”

Sara looked at her mom. “Well, that was easier than I expected. Since that went over so well, I will tell both of you that I really hope that this thing with Cynthia turns into something more serious.” She glanced at Cynthia and saw her beautiful smile.

“That’s fantastic!” Sara’s mother was elated.

“I’m happy for you, Sunshine. I really am.” Sara sighed with relief as her father spoke these words.

“Now for the bad part of all of this.” Sara took a deep breath.

She told her parents of the entire drama that began that night at Mel’s. Every detail was revealed to them, including the meetings with Mr. Michaels.

“Mom, Dad, I am not going to lie down and take this. It’s not right and I’m going to fight it if they continue.”

“Sunshine, you have our support in whatever you do. You know that. As a matter of fact, I have a good mind to give that Michaels character a piece of my mind.”

“Thanks Dad, but I need to handle this myself. I can take care of it,” Sara said trying to reassure her father that she was capable.

Sara’s mother did not speak at all. Her father had spoken for both of them. She only nodded in agreement.

Sara was so relieved at how well the evening had gone. She was almost giddy by the time her and Cynthia got in the car to leave.

Sara kissed Cynthia on the cheek. “I meant what I said in there.”

“About what?” Cynthia looked at her. 

“When I said I hope it turns into something much more serious. I meant every word of it Cynthia. I really feel a deep attraction to you that I have never felt before and it’s not just physical.”

Cynthia smiled and sat back in the passenger seat. The silence in the car was comfortable. Sara would occasionally look over at Cynthia as she drove through the empty streets. 

Cynthia invited Sara in when they pulled into her drive. Without hesitation, Sara accepted. She would take every moment that she could get with Cynthia.

Chapter 11

Sara had not noticed when Cynthia slipped out of bed. The sun was now up and shining brightly through the curtains. Sara pulled on her shirt and jeans and wandered out of the bedroom. 

Cynthia was in the kitchen making breakfast. She was gorgeous in the long t-shirt standing in front of the stove. Sara leaned against the refrigerator and stared at her.  Cynthia had just poured two cups of coffee when she turned and saw Sara. Giving her a kiss on the lips, Cynthia handed Sara one of the cups.

While eating breakfast, Sara had an idea. “Why don’t I take you up to Taylor Lake today? I think you might enjoy it. The lake is beautiful this time of year. There are nature trails that we can walk down, a miniature golf course, boating, kayaking, and a beach.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Cynthia smiled. “I haven’t been kayaking in years and you know I love to swim. Sounds like a great time.”

***

Mel’s was not as packed as the last time they were there, but there was a good crowd. Sara saw a few people that she knew. She proudly introduced Cynthia as her new girlfriend. Several of the people that she saw knew her as Keri’s ex-girlfriend. Sara knew that word would get back to Keri that she was seeing someone. It really did not bother her. Cynthia was what had finally gotten her completely over Keri.

“Sara, are you uncomfortable?” Cynthia asked after about an hour at Mel’s.

“No. Why?”

“You keep watching the door.”

“I’m sorry,” Sara said turning her back to the door. “I was actually hoping that Griffin would come back in here tonight. I would love to confront him.”

“I don’t think you should do that. I agree with you about not letting them control you, but you don’t want to be confrontational. That could hurt you in the end.”

“You’re right. Beauty and brains, could I ask for more?” Sara put her arm around Cynthia and kissed her. “I am not going to think about him tonight.”

***

Sara saw the patrol car when they walked out of Mel’s. It was parked two rows over from her car.

“
Does he think that he is hiding from us?”
Sara grabbed Cynthia’s hand as they moved through the rows of cars. She knew he was watching. Without looking, she could feel his eyes on her.

Sara kept looking in her rear view mirror as she drove through the deserted streets. She wondered if he saw her watching him. He stayed behind her for several miles before turning off on a side street.

“I guess you are a little disappointed,” Sara said smugly to the reflection in the rear view mirror.

Reluctantly, Sara declined Cynthia’s invitation to stay the night. There were a lot of things that she needed to get done before Monday. She also wanted to think about what she would do if this led to another summons to the office.

Chapter 12

The thick envelope waited for Sara in her mailbox. It was contract time. Every year it was the same thing; a form letter thanking each teacher for their service for the previous year or however long they had taught there and the contract for the upcoming year. Sara thought they used the same letter each year and just changed the dates and years of experience. Sara did not open hers until she had gotten everything together for her classes.

She sat at her desk and opened the envelope. She read the attached letter to herself.

             
Ms. Carson:

I would like to thank you for your fifteen years of

dedicated service to Mills High School. I have always

been able to depend on you to perform well above your assigned duties. 

Your dedication is something that is not seen often. That is

why the decision that I have made was a difficult one. After

meeting with the members of the school board, we have decided

that it is not in the best interest of the students and the school to

offer you a contract for the upcoming school year. You will find

the reasons for our decision attached to this letter.

Sincerely,

Mr. Michaels

             
Attached was a copy of the employee handbook. Sara flipped through it to see what this could have to do with her contract not being renewed. On the tenth page of the handbook was a highlighted area. It was the section on moral conduct. Sara suddenly felt ill.

             
Sara pulled her emergency lesson plan folder out of her filing cabinet. There were assignments in the folder that a substitute could give to her students. She picked up her bag and headed back to the front office. Mrs. Hamilton, the secretary, was just opening her office. Sara explained that she had suddenly fallen ill and needed a substitute to cover her classes for the day. It was a believable excuse since obviously all of the color had drained from her face.

Mrs. Hamilton asked, “Are you all right to drive? I can call someone to come pick you up if you like.”

“I am fine, Mrs. Hamilton. I just need to get home and lie down.” 

             
Sara was well away from the school before she burst into tears. She could not hold them back any longer. She thought she had prepared herself for everything. This was the one consequence that she had not considered. She had been there so long, she thought there was no way they would withhold her contract over this. 

Before she realized where she was, Sara was at Cynthia’s house. Cynthia had the front door open before Sara could even get out of the car.

“Why aren’t you at work? Are you okay?” Cynthia had walked to the car and grabbed Sara by the shoulders.

Sara could not speak. She just handed Cynthia the envelope. Cynthia guided her inside as she opened the envelope. She read it silently and quickly. She flipped the pages of the handbook until she found the same highlighted area that Sara had read.

“That son of a bitch! He can’t do this to you.” Cynthia’s face was crimson with anger.

“Obviously he feels he can. I have got to find someone to help me. I thought I was ready for everything. I never expected to be fired. I’m just in shock I think.”  Sara had managed to stop the tears.

After searching the Internet and making several phone calls, they finally found an attorney that would meet with them that afternoon. Sara just had to calm herself before the appointment. She had to be thinking clearly when she walked into the attorney’s office.

***

Karen Jameson’s office was in a storefront downtown. It was scarcely furnished.  There were three straight chairs in front of the window on the right side as they walked in.  Four filing cabinets were on the left side of the door. There was a small oak desk in the center of the room with a computer. The receptionist was seated behind it talking on the phone. She held up one finger to acknowledge Sara as she entered and looked around.

“Can I help you?” The secretary’s voice was soft and polite as she hung up the phone and addressed Sara and Cynthia.

“I am Sara Carson. I have an appointment with Ms. Jameson.” Sara’s voice was slightly shaking.

“Just a moment.” She picked up the phone again. “Ms. Jameson, your one o’clock appointment is here.” She replaced the receiver. “She will be right with you. Have a seat.”

Sara and Cynthia had just sat down in the chairs as the door on the left side of the back wall opened. The woman that appeared in the doorway was about fifty. She was at least six feet tall and had very broad shoulders. She was dressed in a black suit. Her short black hair was streaked with silver. She handed a folder to the receptionist and said something that Sara did not hear.

“Ms. Carson?” Her voice was deep and coarse.

“Yes. I’m Sara Carson.” Sara stood as the woman crossed the room to her.

“I’m Karen Jameson.” Her handshake was firm. She directed Sara into her office.  “Would you like some water or a soda?

“No thank you. I am fine for now.” Sara lied.  She really could use some water, but she was so nervous she did not want to have to hold on to anything.

“How can I help you, Ms. Carson?”

Sara began her story when Ms. Jameson had gotten out a pad and pen to take notes. She started with how long she had worked at Mills and continued right up through the letter this morning. She recalled the encounters with Officer Griffin and the meetings with Mr. Michaels. Karen listened intently and took extensive notes as Sara spoke. 

Sara paused a second before asking, “What should I do, Ms. Jameson?”

“First of all, call me Karen. Secondly, do you want to keep your job there?”

Sara looked a bit puzzled at the question. Karen picked up on it quickly. “I ask this because most people would not, but I get the feeling that you do.”

“I grew up in this town. I have never taught anywhere other than Mills. I love the students and most of the teachers. I really don’t want to move or change careers at this point in my life.” Sara was a little calmer than when she first arrived. 

Karen leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. “Do they have anything else against you? Is there anything that might have come up in the past that they could use as an excuse to not renew your contract?”