Always
Carter
You got this, beautiful Becky. I love you.
Me
Thank you, Carter.
The rest of the day flies by, and then it’s time to go. I put together the finishing touches of my outfit for tonight. I went for white slacks and a soft, satin blue shirt with a bow on the shoulder. I spent a ridiculous amount of time taming my hair into soft curls, and did the barest amount of makeup to hide the sleep I’ve been missing. With a quick breath mint and a message to the girls that I’m ready, I wait on my front porch for my ride. They told me not to drive myself because I need my mind focused on all the other stuff.
Paige pulls up in her Subaru.Wait, is it her Subaru?I look at it with a critical eye, but even with a car addict ex, I’m clueless about vehicles. Sonya and Vicky are both in the car waiting for me.
“Get in, bitch, we’re going to take back your reputation.” Vicky says from the passenger seat. I smile at the attempt at levity and hopinto the back next to Sonya. She looks as anyone would expect after having the truths come out the way they did on Tuesday.
“You ok?”
A soft, sad smile. “Let’s focus on you today.”
“Ugh, that’s an awful idea.” I slump into my seat and close my eyes. “This is going to be the worst.”
I know that Taylor has already been removed from the classroom because of more information coming out and detailspending investigation. I smirk, knowing that she must have found out when she tried sauntering into the school this morning after our discussion.
My legs haven’t stopped shaking the entirety of the ride. Paige pulls into the parking lot of the high school, where they have the school board meetings, and I’m shocked to see that there’s hardly any available spots. We have to park near the back.
“Is there a football game tonight?”No, it’s Thursday night.
“Nope.” Paige pops her p, but doesn’t expand further.
My anxiety spikes tenfold. I close my eyes and go through my mental checklist again.I have my paperwork, a written and signed document explaining the flower deliveries, and the most damning of all, an official transcript of the video from Billy’s office.
I worry about my lack of evidence proving I’m a decent teacher and worth the fuss, but everyone convinced me it wasn’t necessary. So, here I am. I wanted to arrive early, but the girls convinced me that I would just pull my hair out while waiting for people to arrive. I reluctantly agreed to that as well. These women are managing me.
Once through the front doors, muffled voices carry in from the auditorium. My anxiety evolves into a maelstrom of complete and utter panic. Paige and Vicky grip onto me, but I’ve frozen in my tracks. My breathing is getting erratic andI can’t do this.
“I can’t do this.”
“Becky!”
I can’t do this.
“Becky!” Closer, louder. I feel strong sure hands on my face. I open my eyes, I hadn’t realized I’d closed, to see dark hazel greens staring right at me.Carter.“Hey, hey, you’re going to be okay. Everything isokay. Nobody is here to hurt you or trick you. I’m here. I’ve got you. Trust me.”
I’m here.My heart slows down as I look into his familiar eyes. Breathe in, breathe out.I’ve got you.In and out. Trust me.I nod my head realizing that in this, I do, and he releases my face slowly, then backs away, giving my shoulder a small squeeze.
“Let’s go. I saved us seats.”
My chest tightens, and my eyes dart to the doors of the auditorium, then to the exit leading to the parking lot.
“No, nope, off we go.” Paige is suddenly there, on my other side. Carter nods at the both of us and leads us into the packed auditorium, and despite my pride, I walk with my head down. My name is murmured all around me, following us all the way to the front seats Carter saved. He must have come early.
“Hey, Ms. Duchamp,” Joey, sitting between his dad and younger sister, says it quietly, but with a small smile. I smile and wave back to the Saul Family and Trevor at the end of the row. Then I sit, and I wait.
Proceedings go on as I assume they normally would, but the crowd gets restless rather quickly. I haven’t seen the order on the docket for today’s meeting, but I’m thinking they need to move the budget up sooner. Normally budget meetings, or bathroom concerns, bring the rowdy crowds. Soon the murmuring becomes louder, and what they’re saying starts to penetrate my anxiety ridden mind.
“We need to talk about Duchamp!”
“Yeah, what’s taking so long!”
