Julian and Dad emerged from the garage,both looking slightly dusty but relaxed. Whatever they'd discussed out there had clearly cemented something between them—Dad's earlier wariness had transformed into genuine warmth.
We washed up before gathering around the table, passing dishes and filling plates, and for a moment I just watched them. My parents, who'd worried about me for so long. Julian, who'd entered my life like a storm and had somehow become my anchor. All of us together in the house where I'd grown up, sharing a meal I'd made with love.
"This is wonderful, sweetheart," Mom said after her first bite of risotto. "Perfect."
"Julian paid for all the ingredients," I said, wanting to give him credit. "I just did the cooking."
"Team effort," Julian said with a smile. "Though I'm clearly the inferior partner in this particular collaboration."
"Tom showed me the birdhouse he's building," Julian continued, smoothly changing the subject. "The craftsmanship is remarkable."
That launched Dad into an enthusiastic explanation of his woodworking projects, which led to Mom sharing stories about her students, which somehow circled back to me and my own teaching career—or former career, I supposed.
"How’s teaching going?" Mom asked once she was finished, setting down her fork. "Any of your students standing out to you this year?"
The question hung in the air, and I felt my appetite vanish despite the delicious meal in front of me. I glanced at Julian, who was watching me with quiet support, letting me take the lead but ready to step in if I needed him.
I set down my own fork carefully. "Actually, I was placed on Administrative leave this week, and this morning, while we were driving here, I got a call from Roosevelt High."
Dad's expression shifted immediately to concern. "What happened?"
"They let me go," I said, the words coming out steadier than I'd expected. "Effective immediately. No review, no hearing, just... done."
"What?" Mom's voice rose with indignation. "They can't do that! You're one of their best teachers—your test scores, your student engagement—"
"They can, and they did," I said quietly. "There was a photo. From the gallery opening last Friday."
I pulled out my phone and found the image that had been circulating—me with my hand on Rafael Blackstone's bare chest, looking just a little surprised, while he grinned at the camera like he'd won something.
Mom and Dad leaned in to look, their faces cycling through confusion and concern.
"That's not—" Dad started.
"It's not what it looks like," I confirmed. "A photographer asked for a photo, and Rafael pulled me in just as I was backing away. I tripped into him. The whole thing lasted maybe three seconds."
"But it looks..." Mom trailed off.
"It looks like I'm being inappropriate with a half-naked man at a public event," I finished. "Which is exactly what the school board thought. They said my conduct was incompatible with their institutional values."
The silence that followed was heavy with parental fury barely contained.
"That's absolutely ridiculous," Dad said, his voice tight. "Eight years of excellent service, and they fire you over one misleading photograph?"
"They didn't even ask for your side of the story?" Mom demanded.
"No," I said simply. "The photo went viral this morning. By the time they called, they'd already made their decision."
Julian cleared his throat gently. "If I may—Kane called while we were out in the garage. He had some information that might be... relevant."
We all turned to look at him, and I saw something that looked almost like satisfied justice in his expression.
"Rafael Blackstone was found this morning on a yacht in the harbor," Julian said carefully. "Completely naked, covered in glitter, with no memory of how he got there or what happened to his clothes. Apparently there's video circulating of him dancing on the bow while singing show tunes very, very badly."
Despite everything, I felt a surprised laugh bubble up. "You're joking."
"I'm not," Julian said, pulling out his own phone to show us a news article. "It's all over social media. He's been dropped by his talent agency and at least two major brands. The prevailing theory is that one of his previous dalliances orchestrated the whole thing as payback."
"Previous dalliances?" Mom asked sharply.
