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By the time four rolls around, I’m almost half way through his manuscript, and for the sake of it, I found myself more focused on reading than editing. So, maybe I should read it through once, and then go back through and start making comments. I don’t normally do this with my clients, but I might from now on. He does a great job of pulling me into the story, and if I hadn’t noticed the time, I would have sat here and finished it today.
I open up the den doors, and head out into the living where Noah is on the couch reading a Stephen King book.
“If I don’t stop now, then I’ll never get any client work done today,” she says, taking a minute to curl up with him on the couch.
“So, you like it?”
“Noah, it’s freaking good. It’s a first draft so, of course, there is work to do, but overall it’s really good. People are going to love it.”
I give him a kiss, and grab my laptop bag so I can begin working on the manuscript for a couple of hours before we go back to bed. My goal is to knock out at least three chapters before bed. I don’t want to fall behind because my deadlines are hard, and they can’t be moved.
I curl up next to Noah on the couch, and go at it.
24
NOAH
I’m not excited about going to campus today, but after talking to Sulikowski for a little bit on the phone yesterday, he is ready to come in and meet with the director about the complaints. There is legal action to be taken if they don’t’ agree to remove them from my file, and in turn it won’t look go for the university if something like this goes public.
I drop Leslie off at her house on the way to campus and go straight to the English hall where I find Professor Jones standing at my door.
“What do you want now?” I ask.
“The council wants to speak with you first thing. Let’s go.”
I follow behind him over to the admin building and into the conference room.
The same set of people are sitting around the table, and one of them has a manilla envelope in front of them.
“So, did you decide to remove the complaints? My lawyer said he will come up here and speak with your legal rep if it’s necessary, but I’d really rather not do that.”
The director pushes the envelope over to me, and I open it. Fuck! Inside are three photos of Leslie and me. Someone must have been following us.
“These have been brought to our attention. You know dating a student is unethical, but your assistant is even worse,” the director says.
Who would even has a reason to follow me? My fists clench as I look over the photos again.
“Who even gave these to you? She isn’t a child. And we met before she was my student.”
Most of the room scoffs. “And that changes things? She is still your student. Are you sure you want this to get out? It might not be something we can legally fire you for, but reputation is everything, Professor Mills.”
So this is it. They are trying to blackmail me into resigning. I can’t be mad at Leslie because she did nothing wrong, but my whole fucking career is about to go in the toilet. All because of stuck up kids.
“With all due respect, unless you are offering me a severance package, I am not going anywhere. My tenure is valid, and like you said, this isn’t something you could legally fire me for. Should I call my lawyer?”
This might be a good thing. I can use this as leverage to get a good severance package and then take some time off. The University of Dallas has asked me to come teach up there before accepting this position, and they might need another professor. Sure, I would have to start over, but I don't think the same issues will arise up there.
“I’ll talk to HR and see what kind of package we can offer. You should know better than to let your feelings cloud your judgment. What would Janet think?”
I jump out of my chair. “Don’t you ever fucking put my wife’s name in your mouth. EVER!”
Before I go berserk, I leave the conference room, and go outside to the quad. The whole world is spinning and my career as a teacher might be gone forever.
I go to my office, to wade through my emails from years ago, I archived it in case I ever needed to reach out to them and reply.
Dear Ellen,
I am looking for an opportunity to teach in Dallas. My current university is looking to downsize, and you have an amazing English program. I would appreciate being taken into consideration for any open positions within the English department.
