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“What for?” I ask, and she tilts her head and sighs.
“I understand you’re romantically involved with Tanner Pope.”
My stomach stops churning, my blood boiling in an instant. I’d assumed this was about my teaching, or a student… not my private life. And I don’t welcome the intrusion
“I am, but I don’t see…”
“He’s the parent of a current student, Miss Howell,” she says, like her meaning should have been obvious.
“A student who isn’t in my class. And that being the case, I—”
Miss Montgomery holds up her hands. “I’m not sure that’s relevant when our staff become the subject of gossip, and schoolyard tittle tattle.”
“I wasn’t aware I was, but I’m guessing your information comes from Mrs. Pope?” I can’t see who else could have told her, and the timing fits perfectly with Tanner’s visit to Sabrina just a few days ago.
Miss Montgomery stares at me, then swallows and looks down at the piece of paper in front of her, turning it over, so I can’t read it… not that I’ve tried. “It doesn’t matter where it came from. The point is, there’s been a complaint and now I have to ask if you’re prepared to put an end to this relationship?”
“You want me to stop seeing Tanner? I mean, Mr. Pope?” She nods her head, and I shake mine.
“Should I take that as a ‘no’?” she asks.
“You should.”
Her shoulders drop. “In that case, I’m afraid I can’t see a future for you here.”
“You’re firing me?” I say, in a state of shock.
“I’ve been placed in an impossible position.”
“And the only way out of it is to let me go?”
“If you’re not willing to see sense, then I’m afraid so. I’ll have to ask you to pack your things and leave.”
“Immediately?”
“Yes.”
I stand. “What about my students?”
“I’ll take your classes until we can find a replacement. It’s not ideal, but…”
“No, it’s not. But I see you’ve got everything worked out already. Thanks for the support.”
I’m still angry, but I’m also devastated. How can she do this? My hands are shaking, and I turn, stumbling out of her office before she sees how much she got to me.
I wonder if I should go back to the classroom and tell Margot what’s happened… except I’m too upset, and I’m not sure it’s my responsibility. Besides, I don’t want to stay here any longer than I have to, so I make my way to the teachers’ lounge, grateful to find it empty, and I gather my things together. Luckily I don’t have much here, but it’s enough to fill a small bag and now I’m alone, I let the tears fall freely down my cheeks. I feel so humiliated, so unappreciated, and so damn angry. At the moment humiliation is winning, and I stutter out a breath, just as the door opens and Russ comes in.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, coming straight over to me.
“Nothing.”
“Don’t bullshit me. Why are you packing your things?”
“Because I’ve been fired.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Do I look like I’m kidding?”
