“That’s actually why I’m calling. As you know, the board of directors runs the summer camp. I’m not entirely sure what happened over the weekend, but they called to tell me there was some kind of incident. They would like Emma to take a few days off until it’s sorted out.”
Perry caught his breath. He was on the board. Hell, he was president. There was a regular board meeting scheduled but it wasn’t until later that night. Which meant they’d called an emergency meeting, abouthisdaughter, without him? He cut to the chase. “Is Emma losing her job?”
“I sure hope not. She’s the best counselor I’ve got. But it’s not up to me, Mr. Goodwin. I hope you understand.” He paused, then added, “I’m hopeful this will all work out. Please tell Emma I’ll be in touch when they reach a decision.”
A decision. Meaning the Club was reviewing the incident atTed Hastings’s house and Emma’s behavior there. Both things that had nothing to do with the Club itself. Perry thanked Jeff and hung up. Emma hadn’t been relishing the thought of going to work and facing everyone at camp. But this was far worse.
The second call came later in the day, when he was at work. It was the admissions office at George Washington University. Amelia, who was working from home to be with Emma, had received it. She called Perry, hysterical. “Somehow they found out about the photo. Perry, they kicked her out of the summer leadership program!”
Perry’s stomach fell. “What? How did they even know?”
“I don’t know—it’s out there. The simplest search can cause it to pop up.”
“There must be something we can do. Emma should call them back and try to talk to them. Surely they’ve had kids make dumb mistakes before.”
“I spoke to the woman for almost half an hour. She was sympathetic, but firm. I believe her exact words were, ‘At this time Emma’s actions don’t represent the mission of our program.’?”
Perry wanted to throw his phone at the wall. GW was his alma mater, where some of the best memories of his life had been. The summer leadership program was something he’d told Emma about two years earlier, and she’d worked her tail off to get in. All those honors and AP classes since freshman year. All the clubs and extracurricular activities. It was what she’d talked about all year: going to Washington, DC, in August. Perry had already arranged time off from work to drive her down there. They were going to make a family trip of it. Best of all, Emma would get college credit for the program. Just a few weeks ago Emma had connected with the girl who would be her roommate: an international student from Korea whom she’d Face-Timed with totalk about what to bring. It was going to be the highlight of her summer. Now she wouldn’t be going at all.
“How did she take it?” Perry asked his wife. He imagined Emma would be crushed. But then again, he’d been wrong about so much lately…
“She’s numb, Perry. She’s getting it from all sides. From friends. From us. The Wilders called from up the street and canceled her babysitting gig. They told her that the kids were sick. But then Emma heard that Mrs. Wilder asked another counselor at camp if she was free for the same night.” Amelia let out her breath. “I’m so worried about her.”
Perry was worried, too. But most of all he was angry. “I need to follow up with you later, honey. I have a call to make.”
Ted Hastings’s number was in his contacts, and he pulled it up now. Perry had been biding his time before placing this call, wanting to plan his words. He dialed. To his surprise, Ted picked up on the first ring.
“Perry, how are you?” If Ted understood the nature of the call, he gave nothing away.
“Ted, I wish I were calling under different circumstances, to be honest.”
Perry waited for him to say something, to give some indication of empathy or camaraderie, but there was only silence.
“I’m calling about the party at your house this past weekend.”
To his credit, Ted didn’t deny it. “I heard about it. Janie and I were on the Vineyard visiting her sister. I want you to know we weren’t aware of any party until after the fact, and it’s not something we would ever allow.”
Perry sat back in his chair. He was relieved to hear the acknowledgment. “Yes, well, I don’t know if you heard, but my daughter, Emma, was at that party. And a photo of her in a rathercompromising position was taken.” Perry struggled to keep his voice steady. “Emma is not the kind of kid who finds herself in such positions. Ever. And unfortunately, this photo has had far-reaching consequences.”
Ted paused, and Perry imagined him listening, father-to-father.
“What is it you’re asking of me?” Ted asked.
The question threw him. Perry wasn’t sure. He was asking for empathy, perhaps. For acceptance of responsibility, as well. But the sudden businesslike shift irked him. “Ted, Emma has lost admittance to a prestigious summer program as a result. And perhaps her job at the clubhouse camp.”
“I was sorry to hear it.”
Past tense. So, Ted had heard about the Club’s review of Emma’s camp job. Ted Hastings was in tight with the Club, a legacy member, in fact. And yet he hadn’t reached out to either Perry or Amelia once.
“Ted. I don’t know if you’re aware that your daughter had a direct role in this, but the sharing of that photo has been very damaging. It continues to go on, and Amelia and I are reaching out to ask parents to talk to their kids and get this to stop. It’s bullying.”
“Perry. Come on. Kids will be kids.”
Perry sputtered. “Yes, which is why adults need to be adults.”
“I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that Amanda is a good kid.”
“I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that hosting a party with underage drinking is illegal.”
