“I have good news and I have bad news.”
I nodded for her to go on.
"Mr. Bouffant pulled his funding from the school. All of it. He made it clear that this was due entirely to your actions and that if the school ever wanted additional support, we'd basically have to beg for it."
I closed my eyes. I knew what was coming. I tried to muster the outrage but I couldn't.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
I wished she’d just fire me so I could get on with my life. Or lack thereof.
"I hate to say it but his offer always felt a little too good to be true." She sighed. "These things happen. These alums can be touchy. The board will make it right. However, due to the circumstances…"
Here it was. Fired.
“You are going to be put on a probationary period.”
I blinked at her.
“The good news is, one of your other grants came through. Last minute, as always, but it should get you through another semester. Congratulations.” She smiled.
Her news should have provided relief and yet, something shifted. I looked around my office. I looked back to her.
“I’m resigning,” I said. I hadn’t known until the words were out of my mouth. “Thank you for your support and I’m sorry.”
Her jaw dropped open.
“There’s nothing more for me here.”
* * *
When Jack found me, I was decently drunk.
He must have come home without me noticing. I did have the music up loud, like Suzie liked it—until the windows rattled from the bass. I listened to the playlist she’d made for me. She was right. I loved it.
“Hey, Ford. Whatcha doing?” Jack was behind me.
I winced at the nickname. “I don’t like nicknames.”
“Sorry. I know.” He apologized before taking the Christmas tree from my hands. “But seriously, what are you doing?”
“I’m putting up the tree. Duh.” I struggled to stand up after he took away my support beam.
“Are you drunk?” He looked at me with a judgmental face.
“Judgy face,” I grumbled.
“Yeah, well, welcome to how the rest of the world feels when you look at them.” Jack leaned the tree in the corner.
“Nobody puts tree in the corner.” I cackled a laugh and looked for Suzie. But she wasn’t there.
“Okay. You realize it is still wrapped in the net, right? And where is the tree stand? Lord, man, go sit down. Or go drink some water.”
I did as he said. The sitting. Water was too far.
After fighting with the tree, Jack turned to me and asked, “Why are you here? Don’t you have finals?”
“I quit.”
