“Closer to two.”
She looks down at her notes. “Didn’t you tell me he’s your boss? Have you disclosed the nature of your relationship at work?”
“No, we haven’t. It’s still a secret. And yeah, he’s my boss.”
Her eyes bore into mine through the camera screen. “How do you feel about it being a secret?”
“It’s fine. I feel fine. It’s working for now. Besides, he’s up for a promotion, and when he gets it, he’ll be moved up to the District office in the spring. We’ll be removed enough that we won’t have to hide our relationship anymore. We won’t have to sneak around.”
“What’s the nature of his promotion?”
“We both basically have to keep our heads down. Get our test scores up. No drama. Stay off the radar. Seems pretty easy, if you ask me. We’re on track.”
“But, if he moves up to the District office, my understanding is that he’ll still be your boss… am I correct when I say that?”
I think for a second. “Yeah, I guess, technically. But like, not my immediate supervisor. I don’t know, it just seems like it won’t be as taboo if we don’t work in the same building.
She nods again. I’m starting to get irritated. “Georgia… I’m a little concerned about this power imbalance. A relationship like this didn’t work for you last time. The circumstances were different, of course, but the underlying idea was the same. Jake held power over you, over your life and your finances. This new gentleman?—”
“—Oliver,” I say impatiently.
“Apologies, Oliver, also holds power over you, but this time, in a more literal, concrete sense. He is literally your boss. Your successes, even your failures, lie in his hands?—”
“It’s different this time,” I cut her off, very annoyed now. “I trust him. Oliver… He doesn’t use his power against me.”
“I understand that Georgia, but?—”
“Oliver doesn’t brush me off. I like that he embraces who I am, instead of being embarrassed, like Jake was. I like that he just lets me be.”
She watches me with calm eyes through the laptop screen. “Okay, Georgia.”
“He’s like the… the rock that keeps me tethered to the earth, while I’m at the other end of the rope, floating around in space. This is a good thing,” I whisper.
“I understand why you may think so, but remember that your work with me is entirely about you being able to do those things on your own. To be your own rock, so to speak.” She writes something down in her handy dandy notebook. “Georgia, I have new homework for you. My homework is to have an honest conversation with Oliver about everything we’ve just discussed. Afullone. About the power imbalance. Aboutwhythere is a power imbalance, and the power he holds over you.”
An image of Oliver tying my wrists to my headboard pops unbidden into my head. I snicker. Distracted now, I respond, “Yes, yes. Will do. Sounds great.”
A few days after our return from winter break, I walk upstairs to my classroom, but I’m surprised to see Dorothy and her parents standing just outside, her mom Sandra holding a bouquet of flowers.
“Morning, everyone! How’s it going? To what do I owe this pleasure?”
Sandra raises an eyebrow. “Principal Flores didn’t tell you?”
I frown. “Tell me what?”
“He’s moving Dorothy from your classroom,” Nikki says, but puts her hands up when she sees my face fall. “But not because of you! Dorothy told us that Max’s dad is back in the picture, and we just can’t take the risk anymore. He doesn’t make Dorothy, or us for that matter, feel safe. This was the solution Principal Flores came up with.”
“Oh, okay. Yes, I understand,” I say, taken aback. “We have to do what’s best for you and your family.”
“We’re here to help Dorothy move her things over to Ms. Stewart’s classroom. But we’re also here to give you this,” Sandra says, handing me the bouquet, “and to thank you for everything you’ve done for us this year. You’ve gone above and beyond to make us feel safe and accepted here. We’re forever grateful,” she says, stepping forward to give me a hug.
I hug both her and Nikki. I look down at Dorothy, who is silently crying. “Hey, you. I’m really gonna miss having you in my class. You’re just gonna be right across the hall, though, so don’t worry. We’re still gonna see each other every day.”
She looks up at me. “You were the best teacher I ever had,” she whispers.
And cue the waterworks. “You rock, girl,” I tell her, with tears streaming down my face and snot running down my nose, gathering her in my arms and squeezing her tight. “You’re brave. You’re bold. You’re brilliant. And you’re going to do great things.”
I help them gather Dorothy’s things from her desk and move them into Tamika’s room. She’s already there to greet Dorothy with a huge smile on her face, Dorothy’s name tag already taped on a desk and her name added to the class job list.He told Tamika?Tamika shoots me a look while Dorothy unpacks.
