Page 25 of The Headmaster’s Rule

The air is cool when I step onto the beach with Skye that evening. I’d love to have my own dog, but I work too much, and I’m grateful to Hettie for letting me borrow her pup when I need the company.

As always, Skye pulls at her leash until I release her, and toss a tennis ball along the sand with a laugh. I watch her long, black and white fur ruffle in the breeze as she chases the ball, then returns it to me to throw again.

I needed this after today.

Presenting my Safe Harbor idea to Headmaster Wright went exactly as I’d expected. He barely glanced at my proposal before throwing it aside. Sure, he said he would talk to Danny, but I know what he really thought.

That the idea is silly. That I’m silly.

I kick my toes through the sand, breathing in the moist, salty air. Pink and coral hues stretch across the sky, clouds streaking the horizon like brush strokes. The sound of waves hitting the shore is a balm to my soul, and as I throw the ball again for Skye, I try to tell myself it doesn’t matter.

But his opinion matters more than I care to admit. Not only because I’ve developed an inappropriate crush on the man, but because I want my contributions to be taken seriously. I want to be taken seriously.

I wander closer to the surf, letting the cool water wash over my bare feet. I’m miles from the city, from my family, but the moment plays through my mind all the same. I’m there, at my parents’ dining room table, reliving the evening…

My heart battered my ribs as I worked up the courage to tell my parents the truth. That I wasn’t happy studying pre-law, that I had no desire to become a lawyer like them and my two older brothers.

Taking a deep breath, I finally said it: “I’ve decided… I’m leaving pre-law to pursue teaching.”

Honestly, with the shock on their faces, you’d think I’d announced I was going to live under a bridge.

Mom and Dad exchanged nervous glances, then Dad finally laughed.

He laughed.

“Good one, Eleanor. Very funny.”

Mom breathed out in relief, and they all returned to their meals. The clinking of silverware on plates was too much to bear.

“I’m serious,” I said, my voice unsteady. This time when my father met my eye, the amusement was gone.

“Not on our dime, you’re not.”

I swallowed, expecting this, but it still stung.

“I understand, and will take out a student loan.”

“But…” Mom shook her head, mystified. “Why?”

“Because I want to do something truly meaningful. Something that makes a difference. Not to one person, but to many. To society.”

My brother Chad snorted on a mouthful of green beans. “How is being a glorified babysitter going to help society?”

I opened my mouth to protest, but Dad cut me off.

“He’s right, Eleanor. Teaching might make a nice hobby, but it’s not a real career.”

I poked at the chicken on my plate, ignoring the tightness in my throat. If I cried, that would only confirm what they already thought. That I was a joke.

Mom gave a weighted, sad sigh. “We had such high hopes for you.”

“But this is a chance for me to help future generations—”

Dad scoffed. “You’re being idealistic and soft. That’s not how the world works.”

“Dad’s right,” my other brother, Tom, said. “Spending your days coloring and running story time isn’t going to change the world.”

“And the money,” Dad said. “You’ll get by for a while, sure, but how will you support yourself long-term? It’s ridiculous, Eleanor.”