Page 119 of Mr. B

“Oh, Ryan, the vice principal. I know who he is. I worked with some of the kids from the high school.”

“What’s he like?”

“Um…ambitious.”

“Oh no.”

Cassandra patted Polly’s hand. “He’s not getting Wes’ job.”

Lester came into the room and scowled at Wes’s closed office door, then looked at Cassandra. “Can we talk for a minute?”

“Of course.” She smiled at Polly. “Everything is going to be okay, Polly.”

She and Lester went to her office, and Lester closed the door behind him. “The rumors are flying out there.”

“I know. I’ve heard a few of them.”

“This obviously isn’t about his knee.”

“No, it’s not.”

Lester sat in the chair in front of the desk. “We can’t let him take the fall for this. We were senior staff, too. It falls on all of us.”

“I’m more than willing to stand right next to him. But he’s not going to let us do that.”

“I think we need to…I don’t know. Protest or something. Rally the teachers.”

Cassandra smiled. “My daughter said the exact same thing on Friday. She wants to get the students to show their support.”

“Well, hell. They can’t ignore the whole school, can they?”

“No, especially if the parents are standing with us, too.”

Lester pointed at her. “Yes. That might work.”

“I’ll talk to Theresa. She knew who would come to the fundraiser. She’ll know how to spread the word.”

They both looked at the door when someone knocked. Cassandra whispered. “Do you think that’s him?”

Lester stood and opened the door. Ryan Thomas strode into the room. “Dr. Jordan, nice to see you again.”

“Mr. Thomas.” He smiled and turned to Lester. “Coach Porter?”

“Yeah.” Lester reluctantly shook Ryan’s hand.

“Can I have a few minutes with Dr. Jordan?”

“Sure.” Lester glanced at Cassandra, then left the room.

Ryan closed the office door. “It’s been a while, Cassandra.”

“Don’t get too comfortable in Wes’ office, Ryan.”

“Even the mighty fall.”

“Not this time.”

Ryan laughed. “I’m just filling in. You sure seemed to have gotten attached to your new boss rather quickly.”