This isexactlylike what happened at Everett. And I’m all alone, just like I was then.
When I don’t answer, Mr. Strong finally looks at me expectantly, as if Mrs. Beaufort’s question was perfectly reasonable.
I lick my lips. “What is this, exactly?”
Mr. Strong laughs, like I’m just too funny. “Assessing your fit as a teacher here, of course.”
The man I don’t recognize says, “Someone has been pushing very hard for your full-time hire.”
Looking at me over his glasses, Mr. Strong adds, “We, however, have several concerns. Indeed, this committee has reservations over your fitness as a substitute.”
A black hole forms in my chest, eating at me from the inside. I’m not here to get a job for next year. I’m here to get fired from the one I have now, the temporary position that doesn’t even require a teaching license.
What am I going to tell Sawyer? My sisters? Lizzie?
“Are the rumblings true, Ms. Casey?” Judge Beaufort asks. “That you had an affair at your previous school, and the same is occurring here?”
Like an excited child, Mrs. Beaufort says, “It’s true! I saw it myself, in public in front of everyone. Absolutely disgraceful.”
How could I have been so reckless? I can’t believe I thought Sawyer was protecting me by making a show of ustogether that day at the festival. Of course that wouldn’t matter, I was always going to be the bad guy here.
They were never going to give me a chance.
While Mr. Strong gives a dissertation about professionalism, my guilt and shame morph into anger, indignation, and the pure euphoria that comes with no longer giving a fuck what these people think of me.
They have no bearing on the way I live my life anymore. I have no one to keep safe except myself now, and this right here is the worst they can do to me.
No teaching job? Fine, I’ll work at the damn diner again if I have to.
Slut shaming? No problem. If I had a scarletA, I’d pin it on myself.
I won’t run away again, not because of them. I found where I belong, and I’m staying right here. With Sawyer. With my friends and family. All the people who love me. And I can’t wait for these jerks to see how happy I am.
“. . . completely against community standards,” Mr. Strong continues. “You can understand why we’d be concerned about someone from your family teaching the impressionable youth here.”
Mrs. Beaufort eagerly chimes in, “We really should have known better from the beginning. I did warn that committee it was a bad idea to take a chance on a Casey.”
Mr. Strong nods gravely. “It’s a shame none of us were on it at that time.” His eyes cut to me. “We aren’t finished. Sit down.”
“Why?” I half-laugh. “Clearly, you’ve already made up your minds about me. Why even invite me here in the first place?”
“No need to be aggressive,” Mr. Strong says.
“No need for the misogyny,” I lob back. “You said ityourself, Mrs. Beaufort, you knew from the beginning you didn’t want me here. Was there anything I could have done to impress you?” I scoff. “Doubt it. I want this job. I’m damn good at it. But you have this weird vendetta against me, a bias that I don’t deserve and that you’ll never be able to look past.” I point up at the committee. “You are doing the youth of this community a disservice.You.”
I take in Mrs. Beaufort’s stunned, puckered face, and Mr. Strong’s look of disapproval. Then spin around and walk out.
CHAPTER 53
SAWYER
Today is the BRES Jamboree,and the petting zoo I secured for it is a hit. There are bunnies, pygmy goats, chicks, ducklings, and a baby pig. I promised Brie to get extra cuddles from all of them for her while she’s at her interview. I had Señora Martinez get video evidence as proof.
“Remember not to get too close to the animals’ behinds,” I tell the new group of kids as they walk into the pen.
“Because of poop!” Tori, a kindergartener, yells, delighted at herself.
“That’s right,” I sigh, “because of poop.”
