Academic Curveball

by James J Cudney

  The last time I checked, the Board of Trustees was going to meet with the new president to determine whether or not there would be any formal action taken against Coach Oliver for his role in hiding information and misleading Braxton during discussions with the Major League Baseball scout. Unfortunately for Striker and Jordan, the unethical aspects of how the scout ended up on campus prevented them from being offered any contracts to join one of the teams through the Major League Baseball organization. Carla dumped Jordan when that happened and was already in search of her next victim. Striker and Jordan both told me they were focusing on finishing out the semester with their heads held high and a prayer to get accepted into the minor leagues.

  Nana D's press conference revealed to the entire county her candidacy for Wharton County mayor. I could see several people including Eustacia Paddington hooting and hollering on the television. I hoped that meant their war over Lindsey Endicott was on hold, or at the very least, they planned to behave like two civilized senior citizens competing for the man's attention. Nana D promised everyone if she were elected, there'd be big changes. More jobs. Less red tape. No more shady business deals behind the scenes. And free ice cream in Wellington Park on Sundays. I couldn't for the life of me understand why, but her last promise got everyone the most excited.

  I checked in with Connor to find out what was going to happen with Bridget Colton after her unique perspective on how to implement an academic curve within Braxton's student grading system.

  “She's been charged with both murders. Based on all the evidence and her public defender's request, Bridget will be detained in the psychiatric ward of Wharton County General Hospital for further analysis,” he replied while the call was on speakerphone. Sheriff Montague was talking in the background which meant she'd stopped by the BCS Office to visit him.

  “Thanks, Connor. I wouldn't have solved this without you,” I replied loudly hoping the sheriff would hear too. I couldn't help myself. Somehow, I would win over that sheriff with unequivocally adorable sarcasm. “It's a good thing we kept the Wharton Country Sheriff's Office in line, huh?”

  “Listen, Little Ayrwick, one more comment like that, and I'll arrest you for…”

  “For what, sheriff? Speaking the truth?” I replied with a rowdy laugh as I teased the woman.

  “Try indecent exposure. Connor shared the story of a certain pair of purple lacy panties…”

  “Okay, truce. I'm done!” I said in defeat. There was no need to get into that conversation. I'd give Connor a piece of my mind for sharing the truth of that little embarrassment with her.

  After we hung up, I walked over to the Pick-Me-Up Diner to have a quick lunch with my sister. When I arrived, there was a big sign out front that read Now Under New Management. A brief moment of worry crept inside me wondering whether it meant Eleanor would be out of a job.

  As I shut the door, the bell clanged above me, and she came running over. “We're closed for a few days this week… oh, it's you,” shouted my sister.

  If she was still there, it was a good sign that Eleanor hadn't lost her job. “What's going on?”

  Eleanor smiled at me. “Well, it seems my former boss no longer wanted to be in the diner-running business after thirty years. He and his wife decided to retire and move to Florida.”

  “Have you met the new owners?” Why hadn't she told me anything about it the last few times we'd met or chatted? The place was empty, and there was construction going on near the kitchen.

  Maggie walked out of the kitchen wearing denim overalls and a bright yellow construction hat. A decent amount of sheetrock dusted her left arm and leg. “Kellan, what are you doing here?”

  A flood of excitement surged inside my body seeing Maggie dressed that way. It was the first time I actually had a true physical reaction when thinking about another woman as more than a friend since Francesca had been killed in the car accident.

  “I guess there's no keeping it a secret anymore, Eleanor,” Maggie replied.

  After they both finished laughing, my sister explained Maggie had stopped by the diner earlier that week to grab a bite to eat. One thing led to another, and they'd made two deals that afternoon. The owners had asked Eleanor if she wanted to buy the diner from them, but she couldn't afford to do it on her own. Maggie had always been fond of the place and thought it might be a fun adventure to take a risk on. Both had saved enough money to split the costs, talked to a local bank about a loan, and opted to go into business together. Eleanor would run the place day-to-day, and Maggie would be more of a silent partner helping out when she had time away from Memorial Library. The other deal they made that day was about Connor. Eleanor and Maggie agreed they were friends first, and if Connor wanted to take them both out on dates, they could find a way to accept it in the short term. Neither would interfere in the other's relationship, but once he made a choice, they would respect the decision.

  That was a disaster waiting to happen! It's one thing to go into business with a friend. You might have a few fights, but usually there's a way to work through the tension. Add in the drama of both women dating the same man, and Braxton might become the center of World War III. I knew better than try to talk them out of it, so I just congratulated them, confirmed Eleanor would still be meeting Cecilia to pick up Emma, and listened to their renovation plans.

  By the time they finished telling me about the new diner, I had to get back to campus to teach my final class before the big announcement about the new president. On the walk back, I realized not only did it mean Maggie and Eleanor were both dating the same guy, it meant Connor and I were possibly going to be dating the same girl. I still hadn't decided whether my dinner with Maggie would be an official date or a relaxing meal with a friend, but I knew my old feelings had been stirred up.

  As if that weren't enough to ruin my afternoon, I also didn't get lunch out of my little trip to the Pick-Me-Up Diner. I grabbed a bag of salt and vinegar potato chips from the snack machine and quickly shoved them into my mouth. What had I done to myself? Whatever it was, I couldn't get sidetracked as the students began to settle in the classroom for my final lecture of the day. Three hours later, the entire school gathered in Paddington's Play House for the big announcement. My father had reserved a seat for me by the stage since they'd be publicizing both his new role and mine. I looked around for my mother, but she was busy in a conversation with Dean Terry. I suspected my father asked her to keep the dean distracted since she would be upset she wasn't going to be the new president of Braxton.

  When I finally got to the front row, I ran into Myriam. She was dressed to the nines and had the largest grin on her face. I honestly thought she might have just come from the plastic surgeon. I suddenly felt a tremor grow inside my stomach that she would be named the new president, but I was certain it was an outside candidate who'd ultimately been awarded the prominent position.

  “Good day, Myriam. You look excited to be here,” I said hoping to keep the conversation civil. I'd had enough words with her the last few days to last a lifetime. I also didn't want to bring up her discovery of Bridget's underhanded role in the grade changes.

  “Kellan, I didn't expect to see you here today. I thought you were only sticking around for a few weeks. Since the new communications department chair has been selected, I'm certain we'll find a replacement for Abby in the next few days, and you can head back to Los Angeles.” As Myriam finished speaking, the goddess I'd met at Abby's funeral joined her side.

  “It's Kellan, right?” asked Ursula with a sparkle in her eyes.

  I wasn't attracted to her as much as I was impressed by her elegance and poise. I think I was in awe of what I suspected might be as close to perfection as a person could get. “Yes, and you're Ursula Power. I met you at Abby's funeral earlier this week. I'm a little surprised to see you here today.” Unless she was our new department chair which would make her both Myriam's and my boss. Interesting theory.

  “Ursula is my wife, Kellan. I thought your father would hav
e told you that already,” Myriam replied. Her smile grew even larger, not that I thought such a thing was remotely possible given the elasticity of a human being's mouth. Then again, she was part monster.

  Wow! I would never have guessed Myriam and Ursula were a couple. A sourpuss and a goddess. If Ursula was Myriam's wife, there's no way she could also be the new chair of the department. I still didn't understand why she was present at my father's big meeting. Just as I was about to respond, someone on the stage asked everyone to take their seats so the president could begin speaking. I leaned over to Myriam as we sat. “Do you know who our new department chair is?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you going to share that news with me?” It's wrong to hit a woman. Even Myriam Castle.

  “I'm your new temporary boss, Kellan,” Myriam replied with a sinister look on her face.

  I could do nothing but sink into my seat wishing to disappear into the crack at the thought of my new queen bee. Not only would I have to obey my father for anything with the new Braxton University, but while I was teaching classes at the existing college, Myriam would have control over everything I did.

  My father gripped the microphone and began his speech. After thanking us for attending, he told everyone that the Board of Trustees had gone through a long and arduous search for a new president. He mentioned how it was a close race, and the runner-up was an amazing and brilliant candidate, but they'd ultimately chosen someone else to assume leadership as Braxton's next commander-in-chief. “It is my privilege to welcome our new president, Ursula Power, who…”

  Now I understood why she was here. Not as Myriam's wife. Not as a new faculty member. But as the new head of the college. Even with Myriam being promoted to chair of the communications department, Myriam still reported to Dean Mulligan as the Dean of Academics so that it didn't violate any policies. Ultimately, the dean reported to the president and the Board of Trustees which meant at that level, there were fewer concerns about people's relationships. I tuned out my father's speech while reflecting on all the repercussions of the changes going on in Braxton. When I found myself alert again, I caught wind of his change in topics on the stage.

  “And it gives me great pleasure to announce who will work with me to lead the new Braxton University. Please come to the stage, Professor Kellan Ayrwick and Dean Fern Terry,” my father said.

  As I stood, I noticed Myriam's excruciatingly annoying grin finally begin to recede. I found the strength to join Dean Terry, and together we marched up the stage steps and faced the crowd. All I could think about at that moment was that I'd gotten myself in way too deep with the stupid, ridiculous mistake of a move back home to Braxton. How could so much change in only two weeks? Dean Terry first took the microphone sharing her excitement about Braxton's future direction. “Sometimes life throws you lemons. And then everyone tells you to make lemonade. But I don't like lemonade. Usually, it's too sweet. Other times it's too sour. When life throws me a lemon-size curveball, I throw it right back into the universe and forget about it. Kind of like our remarkable baseball team who's won all their games so far this year. Last year's failures are this year's wins. I have infinite plans for expanding our amazing institution, and nothing will stop us from achieving greatness…”

  I admired her ability to pick herself up by the bootstraps—not that she was wearing any mind you—and trudge forward despite initial setbacks. Should I look to her for how to handle my old, sourpuss spitfire lemon better known as Dr. Myriam Castle? Was Dean Terry motivating me to mix up some lemonade and douse it over my enemy-turned-boss? As I pictured the possibilities, she handed me the microphone. Please don't let me screw this up!

  “I'm honored to be here. Before I say anything, let me get the obvious out of the way, right? You're probably thinking… Not another stuffy Ayrwick running the show at Braxton. They're like pesky rabbits popping up all over the place…” I caught both my parents staring at me with the look of fear consuming their expressions. Then I heard laughter from the crowd. “Or maybe you're worried I'm not quite committed to this new role? Let me assure you, I don't make decisions on a whim, and I never say no to a challenge. How else could I survive being the middle child of Wesley and Violet Ayrwick?”

  My mother held my father back as he approached the center of the stage. I nodded at him and whispered 'Trust me' which seemed to hold him at bay. “My parents gave me all their strengths, and I'm confident that I've learned from the best. I look forward to serving all of you as we take Dean Terry's lemons and kick them to the curb.” The room erupted with a boisterous applause, and for a moment, I felt on top of the world despite everything that had happened or that I'd lost in the last few days.

  Once the announcements were finished, I stepped backstage to have a moment to myself. I wanted to stick around to talk to a few people, but Emma would be arriving any minute, and she was exactly what I needed to make myself feel better and to find normalcy again. I heard my phone vibrate and retrieved it from my pocket. It was Eleanor.

  “Hey, please tell me Emma is here, and all is right with the world again,” I said.

  “Yes, but we have a problem, Kellan.”

  “What's wrong? I worried Emma wasn't feeling well or Cecilia was being difficult about the extended stay in Braxton.” I stepped into an offstage dressing room to better hear the conversation.

  “I'm not exactly sure how to say this,” Eleanor replied.

  “Out with it. If this is about my daughter, don't keep me in suspense.” Eleanor could sometimes be overly dramatic. I'd been through enough already today.

  “She's not alone.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked trying to contain a growing annoyance with my sister.

  “Francesca's here, too. It seems your dead wife might not be so dead, after all.”

  About the Author

  James is my given name, but most folks call me Jay. I live in New York City, grew up on Long Island, and graduated from Moravian College with a degree in English literature. I spent fifteen years building a technology career in the retail, sports, media, and entertainment industries. I enjoyed my job, but a passion for books and stories had been missing for far too long. I'm a voracious reader in my favorite genres (thriller, suspense, contemporary, mystery, and historical fiction), as books transport me to a different world where I can immerse myself in so many fantastic cultures and places. I'm an avid genealogist who hopes to visit all the German, Scottish, Irish, and British villages my ancestors emigrated from in the 18th and 19th centuries. I write a daily blog and publish book reviews on everything I read at ThisIsMyTruthNow via WordPress.

  Writing has been a part of my life as much as my heart, my mind, and my body. I decided to pursue my passion by dusting off the creativity inside my head and drafting outlines for several novels. I quickly realized I was back in my element growing happier and more excited with life each day. When I completed the first book, Watching Glass Shatter, I knew I'd stumbled upon my passion again, suddenly dreaming up characters, plots, and settings all day long. I chose my second novel, Father Figure, through a poll on my blog where I let everyone vote for their favorite plot and character summaries. My goal in writing is to connect with readers who want to be part of great stories and who enjoy interacting with authors. To get a strong picture of who I am, check out my author website or my blog. It's full of humor and eccentricity, sharing connections with everyone I follow—all in the hope of building a network of friends across the world.

  List of Books & Blog

  Watching Glass Shatter (October 2017)

  Father Figure (April 2018)

  Braxton Campus Mysteries

  Academic Curveball - #1 (October 2018)

  Broken Heart Attack - #2 (January 2019)

  Websites & Blog

  Website: https://jamesjcudney.com/

  Blog: https://thisismytruthnow.com

  Social Media Links

  Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/James-J.-Cudney/e/B076B6PB3M/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1 />
  Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamescudney4

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesJCudneyIVAuthor/

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  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescudney4

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