Rumors

by Phil M. Williams

  Enid lowered her voice to a whisper, “I heard he’s been suspended for having an affair with a student.”

  Gwen exhaled heavily. “That’s the rumor.”

  “Is it true?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I sure hope it’s not.”

  “Me too.”

  The Burrises went back to their shopping. Gwen skipped a few middle aisles, landing in the canned goods section. She grabbed canned tuna fish, pickles, and organic mayonnaise.

  Jamar appeared in the aisle. He grabbed a jar of olives and walked toward Gwen. He looked up and down the aisle, but it was just the two of them. “I have to ask you something.”

  “What is it, honey?” Gwen replied.

  “Did he do what they’re saying?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Jamar’s face was taut, jaw clenched, eyes unblinking. “I think it’s all a lie. Coach Barnett was my teacher in health last year, and the class was filled with a bunch of pretty girls, but he never acted weird or anything. I don’t think he’s like that. I think Coach Schneider lied or something to get his job. Can you help him?”

  Gwen shook her head, her eyes glassy. “I’m sorry, Jamar. There’s nothing I can do.”

  CHAPTER 70

  Caleb and Popping Bubbles

  Standing near the edge of the cornfield, shielded by trees, Caleb lit the bowl end of his pipe. He sucked in the vapor from the meth, his body percolating with energy. It wasn’t like the first time, but it still felt pretty damn good. He tossed his pipe to the ground. He didn’t need it any longer. Today was the day. His Holy Grail. He opened his backpack and checked to make sure it was there. Of course it was. Right where he’d put it.

  He’d been bringing it to school, kind of like a trial run. He’d been going to school since his mother had freaked out about him missing three days last week. It’s not that he was afraid of her, but he was afraid that she’d call the police on him for truancy. That would ruin everything. He zipped up his backpack, slung it over his shoulder, and walked into the cornfield, or what was left of it. The combine-denuded field looked brown and barren, with short stubby cornstalks. The field no longer provided any protection, but he didn’t need it. Not anymore.

  He continued, walking along the roadside now, the school in the distance, his breath creating a cloud of condensation. Caleb approached West Lake High School. Buses queued along the front entrance. Kids drove their beat-up cars and trucks recklessly through the parking lot, without a care in the world. Groups of girls talked and laughed, oblivious. Groups of guys were more subdued, looking like they had just rolled out of bed.

  Everyone had one thing in common. They lived in a bubble of extended infantilism, childish responsibilities, and guaranteed safety and security, their needs being met by their parents and the state.

  That bubble was about to be pricked.

  CHAPTER 71

  Rick and the Deal

  Rick shook hands with the three men, which felt forced, like shaking hands with his executioners. Rick sat on one side of the shiny table, alone. Principal Pruitt, Superintendent Matthews, and Solicitor Burks sat on the other side. If this was a physical fight, Rick liked his odds against the three middle-aged men. But this fight was about the law, and Rick’s mind was no match for three men who knew the law far better than him.

  “Is everyone ready to begin?” Solicitor Burks said, sitting front and center and directly across the table from Rick.

  Head nods and muted affirmations came from the men.

  “We won’t beat around the bush,” Solicitor Burks said. “We’ve conducted our investigation, and we’ve found ample evidence to suggest that you’ve had an affair with Ashlee Miles.” Harry Burks looked like an egg, round and fat around the middle, capped by a bald dome.

  “You said, ‘evidence to suggest.’ Does that mean there’s no evidence to convict?” Rick asked.

  “This isn’t a trial, Mr. Barnett. If we had enough evidence for a trial, you would’ve been arrested. Having said that, we do have enough evidence to terminate your employment with the West Lake School District, effective immediately, without recourse.”

  “What does that mean? Without recourse?”

  Harry Burks had a small smirk, his hands folded neatly on the tabletop. “That means, we are comfortable terminating your employment, and we are very confident that we would win any wrongful termination suit that you might bring forth.”

  “I’d like to see the evidence.”

  The men looked at each other.

  “You said, you have enough evidence to fire me,” Rick said. “I’d like to see the evidence.”

  Solicitor Burks opened a fat manila folder and slid the image of Rick kissing Ashlee Miles across the table.

  Rick glanced at the image, unsurprised. “She broke into my house while I was in the shower. I was escorting her out. When I opened the door, she kissed me.”

  “That may be,” Burks said, “but I doubt a jury would believe that.”

  “But, even if I did kiss her, that’s not against the law.”

  Solicitor Burks nodded, his neck fat jiggling. “You’re right. This picture isn’t enough for a criminal charge, but you are clearly violating the code of conduct for the West Lake School District as outlined in the employee handbook that you signed.” He opened the manila folder again and removed a highlighted and photocopied passage from the employee handbook.

  Rick read over the passage about fraternization with students. He was clearly in violation, if they took the picture at face value. Rick looked to Principal Pruitt. “You know me, Don. I’m telling the truth.”

  “Don’t embarrass yourself, Rick,” Pruitt replied.

  “This picture isn’t the only evidence we have,” Burks said. “We also have an eyewitness who places you and Ashlee Miles, together, late at night after a football game. The eyewitness said that she leaned against your truck, approached you as a girlfriend would, and that you drove away with her in your truck, which is also a violation of the code of conduct.”

  Rick shook his head. “Bob Schneider tell you that?”

  Burks didn’t reply.

  “I don’t know why she was waiting for me. She’s fixated on me. She needs help.”

  Solicitor Burks raised one side of his mouth in contempt. “It doesn’t matter if she’s fixated. Having an affair with the young lady is clearly not helping her. In fact, it’s criminal.”

  Rick glared across the table. “I didn’t have an affair with Ashlee Miles.” He turned to Pruitt again. “Did you talk to Ashlee? She might have issues, but she won’t lie about this.”

  Principal Pruitt looked to the solicitor.

  “We did speak with Ashlee Miles,” Solicitor Burks said. “She denied the affair.”

  “Then why are you doing this to me?” Rick asked, his hands held out like a beggar.

  “She said she didn’t break into your house. She said you invited her over. Our investigator inspected the doors and windows at your home, and nothing appeared broken. There were no teeth marks from pry bars or any other tools used for breaking and entering.”

  “I left the door unlocked.”

  “That’s convenient. But she also said you kissed her, not the other way around. If push comes to shove, she will testify in court.”

  “She’s lying.”

  “The picture says otherwise.”

  Rick rubbed his temples, then looked at the men on the other side of the table. “If you’re just gonna fire me, why am I here?”

  “The West Lake School District is prepared to give you a satisfactory evaluation,” Solicitor Burks said, “provided you resign immediately and obey the terms of the nondisclosure agreement.” Burks slid a piece of paper across the table, with a pen. “This deal is more than fair. I suggest you take it while you can.”

  Rick turned to Principal Pruitt, still looking for a lifeline. “Don, please. You know I didn’t do this.”

  Pruitt clenched his fists, his ruddy complexion fla
shing red. “You disgust me. You should thank your lucky stars that you’re not going to prison. I suggest you take this deal and get yourself some psychiatric help.”

  Rick read the terms of the contract, the heavy pen in hand. A cell phone rang, and Rick instinctively reached for his, but it wasn’t his phone. Pruitt answered his phone and stepped from the room.

  Immediately afterward, Superintendent Matthews’s phone buzzed. The old man checked his text, his face going white as a ghost. Matthews turned to Solicitor Burks and said, “This is an emergency. I have to go.” Dr. Matthews hurried from the room.

  Rick and Solicitor Burks were left alone.

  “Can I take this home and read it over?” Rick asked.

  “By all means,” Burks said. “The offer’s good for a week. After that, we will terminate without recourse.”

  Rick nodded and headed for the exit, the papers in hand. He hurried out to the parking lot, hoping to catch Pruitt. Maybe he could reason with him. The man had known him since he was a student at West Lake. In the parking lot, Pruitt and Matthews drove away with urgency. Rick gazed down the highway, watching them speed through a late yellow light, eliciting a few honks. What the hell’s going on? Rick’s stomach lurched. They’re driving toward school.

  CHAPTER 72

  Janet Never Lets a Good Crisis Go to Waste

  The phone rang on Janet’s desktop again. The third time in the past minute.

  Janet frowned at Rachel and disconnected the phone line, silencing the ring. “I’m tired of doing everything around here. This is what happens to me when Pruitt takes off like he does.”

  “He needs to just retire already,” Rachel replied.

  Janet sighed. “Where was I?”

  “You said that you told Shane that Ashlee is the one who had an affair with Rick.”

  Janet shook her head. “I thought my son had some sense, but, after I told him what that little whore was up to, he went over to her house. I’m sure she spun her web around him because he hasn’t spoken to me since Saturday.”

  “Oh, my word. That’s awful. What did she say to him?”

  Janet scowled at Rachel. “Like I said, he won’t talk to me, but, if I had to guess, she probably said the same thing to Shane that she said to Pruitt.”

  Rachel leaned forward in her seat, desperate for the juicy gossip.

  “She told Pruitt that she wasn’t having an affair with Rick. She did say that Rick came on to her and kissed her. I personally think it’s bullshit. We both know he was having sex with the girl. He may not go to jail, but he’s never coming back here.”

  “Good riddance. Does Heather know?”

  “She was there.”

  “She hasn’t posted anything on Facebook.”

  “I doubt she will. Ashlee would have a shit fit.”

  Despite the closed door and the location of Janet’s back office, she heard shouting. “Do you hear that?”

  Rachel narrowed her eyes, listening. “It sounds like kids yelling in the hall.”

  Janet blew out a breath and stood from her desk. “Again, I have to do everything.”

  They exited Janet’s office. The main office was empty, but the halls looked like the Running of the Bulls. Students shouted and ran for the exits, as if their lives depended on it. Janet hurried from the main office into the hall, Rachel hot on her heels.

  “What in the world?” Rachel said.

  Janet stomped her foot. “Stop running!”

  A few kids slowed, but most ignored her, still headed for the exits. A teacher ran toward them in bare feet, her heels in hand. “Principal Wilcox,” the teacher said, nearly out of breath, “Caleb Miles has a gun.”

  “A gun? Where is he?”

  “He’s barricaded himself in Gwen Townsend’s classroom.” The teacher paused to catch her breath. “I think Gwen and her students are in there too—”

  “Shane’s in there!”

  “Oh, my word,” Rachel said with her hand over her mouth.

  “Nobody knows what to do,” the teacher continued. “Some teachers barricaded their classrooms, and others told the kids to run.”

  Janet glanced to the exits, her heartbeat rapid. A big part of her wanted to run, but she thought about the opportunity. Think. What do they need to do? “Everyone needs to evacuate. Tell everyone to assemble in the stands at the football field.”

  The teacher stood there, her eyes wide open.

  “Now!”

  The teacher ran for the exits, shouting at the kids to go to the football field.

  “I should go too.” Rachel touched Janet on the forearm. “I’m sure Shane’ll be fine.”

  Janet glowered at Rachel.

  Rachel removed her hand as if she’d been burned.

  “Call the police,” Janet said.

  “I’ll call outside.” Rachel hustled for the exit.

  Janet tried to block out the chaos, planning her next move. Never let a good crisis go to waste. If I handle this correctly, I can be the hero while Pruitt’s out. This might be enough to get rid of him. She thought about how she could best be a hero without putting herself in harm’s way. Caleb’s barricaded in. I doubt he’ll come out and start shooting. If I’m the last one out, I’ll be the principal who refused to leave until all the kids got out, and, if I stay near the front doors, I can remain safe. If I hear shots, I can still easily run outside. I’m not surprised that little creep became a school shooter. Someone should’ve seen that coming. Janet thought of Shane holed up in that classroom. Shane had bullied Caleb. That can’t get out. This whole thing might be about Shane. Caleb might shoot him. Her mind flashed to Caleb’s essay. Her stomach tumbled. She almost vomited, bile climbing her esophagus. It’s in my desk!

  Janet ran back to her office.

  CHAPTER 73

  Gwen’s Held Hostage

  A pile of desks barricaded Gwen’s classroom door. The blinds were closed. Gwen and her students crowded together on the shag carpet in the classroom library. During her creative writing class, Caleb had stood, pointing a handgun at Gwen, then waving it at the class. They’d been forced to barricade the door, to shut the blinds, and to move the beanbag chairs to create more room on the carpet. Gwen had seen multiple students texting, their thumbs rapidly tapping. Caleb had probably seen it too, but he didn’t seem to care.

  He stood over them now, pacing, his gun sweeping over them from time to time, creating a collective gasp each time. One girl cried softly. Gwen heard a cacophony of voices in the hallway and the sound of sneakers slapping the linoleum as students ran past the door.

  Caleb spoke more to himself than his captive audience. “This school is so fucking shallow. This town is so fucking small-minded. I’m so sick of it.”

  “You’re right, Caleb,” Gwen said. “You’re absolutely right. We can work it out.”

  Caleb shook his head and glared at Gwen. “No, we can’t.”

  “That’s not true. I can fix this for you.”

  “Come on, Caleb. You’re making a big mistake,” Jamar said.

  “It’s too late,” Caleb replied. “I’ve already passed the point of no return.”

  CHAPTER 74

  Caleb and the Truth

  “It’s not too late,” Ms. Townsend said.

  “You can let us go,” Aaron Fuller said. “We won’t say shit.”

  “We won’t,” Drew Fuller added.

  “They’re right,” Jamar said. “We won’t say anything.”

  Two girls embraced, consoling each other. The hallway noise dissipated.

  Shane whispered with another girl, looking at his phone.

  “What are you doing?” Caleb said, pointing his handgun at Shane.

  Shane looked up from his phone. “Nothing.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “The police are coming.”

  Ms. Townsend gave Shane a look. “Be quiet, Shane.”

  “You think I don’t know that?” Caleb said, waving his gun over the crowd. “I saw you guys texting for help. You gu
ys think you’re so fucking cool. You guys think you’re better than me, don’t you?”

  “We don’t think that,” Jamar said.

  “You’re the brightest student I’ve ever had,” Ms. Townsend said. “I’m begging you not to throw it away.”

  Caleb flipped his hair from his face. “Everybody’s so fucking fake.” He paused for a beat. “I’m no better. I’m just as fake as everyone else, but at least I have an excuse. I can’t be real. If I am, some asshole like Shane’ll fuck with me.” Caleb gestured with his gun toward Shane. “Right, Shane?”

  Shane looked away.

  “Come on. Tell everyone what you did to me.”

  Shane remained silent.

  “What did you do?” a girl asked.

  “Tell ’em, Shane,” Caleb said.

  Shane was stone-faced and still silent.

  Caleb paced in front of his captives for a moment. His gaze settled on Shane again. “How are you fake?”

  Shane lifted his chin. “I’m not.”

  Caleb laughed, almost maniacal. “That’s bullshit, and you know it. You act like you’re so tough, but you’d be on the bench if it wasn’t for your mother. Jamar’s better than you, and you and everyone else knows it.”

  Shane clenched his jaw. “That’s bullshit.”

  “The truth hurts, doesn’t it?”

  Shane shook his head, silently seething.

  “You’re right, Caleb,” Ms. Townsend said. “We’re all fake in our own way, but we don’t have to be. We can change. We can be more accepting, more authentic. Is that what you want? To be accepted for who you are?”

  “It’s too late for that. You and I both know there’s no acceptance anymore. I doubt the police or anyone else will be accepting at this point.”

  “It’s not too late. If you let everyone go, the police will understand. I’ll make them understand. If you let everyone go, I’ll stay with you and make sure that nobody hurts you.”