Cam closed his eyes and groaned. “Oh, brother, I made a royal mess of this whole thing, didn’t I?”
Ross crossed the room and stood beside him. “You got that right. So what are you going to do about it?”
Cam rubbed his forehead. “I’m not sure.”
“Well, Rachel needs you more than ever, so you better figure it out.”
Chapter Nineteen
Rachel gripped the cool metal railing of the fire escape and stared across the Arts Center parking lot, while the mind-numbing events of the last twenty minutes tumbled through her mind. A cold shiver raced up her back, though it was a warm evening, and only a slight breeze stirred the branches of the nearby fir trees.
The heavy metal door leading into the auditorium squeaked open behind her. Her breath caught, and she closed her eyes. Was it Cam? Had he come to apologize? Would he take her in his arms and say he believed her?
“Rachel?” Chandra moved to her side. “Are you all right?”
Rachel’s shoulders sagged. “I feel like I’ve been run over by a Mack truck—twice.”
“Ahh, Rachel, I’m sorry, but it’s going to be okay.” Chandra rubbed a comforting circle on Rachel’s back.
“You might not think so when I tell you why those parents were here.”
“I already heard. As soon as I took the kids out to the hallway, Lindsey burst into tears and told everyone about the article online and how Haley’s mom wants to pull her out of the show.”
Rachel moaned and covered her face. “You mean all the kids know?”
“Yep. And you should’ve heard them defending you. We all know there has to be more to the story than what they read online.”
Rachel’s nose stung. “Thank you for believing in me. That means a lot. But I’m not sure everyone else will be as trusting or forgiving.”
“So what really happened?”
She told Chandra the story, and then sadly shook her head. “I can’t believe I was so gullible. I should’ve seen where Kyle was trying to take things. I feel like such a fool.”
Chandra sent her a sympathetic smile. “You wanted to help him. That makes sense.”
She huffed. “Too bad Cam doesn’t agree.”
“What do you mean?”
“I told him everything, but he doesn’t believe me.”
“Maybe he just needs some time to think it over. I bet he’ll come around.”
“I don’t think so. Once trust is broken, it’s hard to repair.”
Chandra patted Rachel’s back. “I’m sorry. I know you really like him.”
She nodded. “I thought he cared about me, too.” She shook off that bittersweet thought. “Saving N.C.Y.T. is what matters now. The kids need this program.”
“They sure do.”
“We can’t let the parents shut it down.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
“So I’ve made my decision.”
Chandra blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I’ll meet with the parents tomorrow night and answer their questions. If that works, great. If not, I’ll step down.”
Chandra gasped. “You can’t do that! Who’ll direct the show?”
Rachel focused on her friend. “You will.”
“Whoa, wait a minute. I can’t do that. I’m just the choreographer. You’re the one who holds everything together.”
Those words struck a chord in Rachel’s heart, and she shook her head. “No, I’m not. He is,” she said, pointing up.
Chandra released a deep breath. “Okay. I see what you mean. But we need to do everything we can to convince those parents you should stay on as director.” She bit her lower lip for a few seconds. “I know. Maybe we could get a few people to speak up for you. I’m sure Suzanne would, and I could, too.”
“That’s sweet of you to offer, but if things don’t go as we hope, then we want them to accept you as my replacement, so you probably shouldn’t be too outspoken.”
“Okay, but I don’t think I’ll be able to keep quiet, if they start giving you a hard time.”
“We have to put the kids first and save N.C.Y.T.” Rachel gripped Chandra’s hand. “Promise me you’ll remember that, no matter what happens.”
“Okay. I promise.” Chandra squeezed her hand in return. “I think we need to pray.”
“Good idea.” Rachel forced optimism into her voice even though she didn’t feel it. As she bowed her head, memories of all the tearful prayers she’d prayed in Seattle rushed back. There had been no miracle that time. The answer had been the loss of her job, the scorn of her fellow teachers and friends, and terrible self-doubt. Was she headed for a second round of the same kind of losses?
Her heart ached at that thought, and she forced herself to listen to Chandra’s hope-filled words. Finally Chandra finished and waited quietly.
Rachel released a deep breath. “Oh, God, we need a miracle, not just for me, but for my kids. Please save N.C.Y.T. If that means I need to step down, I’m willing. But if You could somehow be my help and defender, I would be so grateful. I love You, and I want to trust You. Help me believe You are working even though I can’t see it right now.” Then she added a silent P.S. And could You please help Cam understand and forgive me? “Amen.”
Cam trudged through the back gate and headed for the house. He had hoped to talk to Rachel as soon as he got home from Ross’s, but her car was not in the driveway, and she was not answering his calls. Had she turned off her phone, or had she seen his name in the caller ID and refused to answer?
He stomped up the steps. How could he straighten things out if she wouldn’t speak to him? Of course he didn’t blame her. He’d hurt her with his questions and doubts. He knew that now, but he wasn’t sure how he was going to make things right if she didn’t come home or answer her phone.
He pushed open the back door and glanced at the clock on the microwave. It was past dinnertime. He wasn’t hungry, but he still needed to fix something for Kayla. She’d caught a ride home with Lindsey’s mom, while he’d hightailed it over to see Ross.
Closing his eyes, he leaned against the counter and released a heavy sigh. Knowing he’d hurt Rachel bore down on him like a terrible weight, but he had to put that aside for now and focus on Kayla. She’d want to talk it all over. But how could he help his niece when he wasn’t doing too well figuring things out for himself? You’ll have to help me with this, Lord, because I don’t—
“Uncle Cam, is that you?” Kayla called.
His eyes flew open. “Yeah, it’s me.”
She rushed into the kitchen carrying her open laptop. “You’ve got to read this.”
“What is it?”
“Another article about Rachel.”
His stomach clenched, and he held up his hand. “No, I don’t want—”
“You have to! This one proves she didn’t do it.”
“What? Let me see.”
“I knew she wouldn’t do something creepy like that.” Kayla passed him the computer and hovered close by.
Cam set the computer on the counter and quickly scanned the article. Only one paragraph long, it reported the charges against Rachel had been dropped and the school board would meet to determine if she would be reinstated as a drama teacher. Every fact matched what Rachel had told him earlier that day. He checked the date and saw it was published three months after the first article he’d read.
He clenched his jaw and swallowed. Three months forced leave of absence, a degrading investigation by police and school officials, terrible lies and rumors, desertion by her friends, and then a scary stalking by the same troubled boy who’d started the whole thing. No wonder she’d wanted to move away and try to forget what happened.
Why hadn’t he seen how hard this must have been for her?
“That should convince those parents Rachel didn’t do anything wrong.” Hope filled Kayla’s voice.
“It doesn’t really say why the charges were dropped.”
“But that means she didn’t do it, ri
ght?”
Cam laid his hand on Kayla’s shoulder. “Rachel says the student lied, then he changed his story several times.”
“I knew it! That crazy kid made up the whole thing. Mrs. Mitchell will have to let Haley be in the show now.”
“Hold on, sweetie. I know you believe Rachel didn’t do anything wrong, but I’m not sure this is enough to make the parents change their minds.”
“But that boy lied!”
He held up his hand. “I know.”
“So we’ve got to convince them she’s telling the truth!”
Cam rubbed his jaw. Kayla was right. Somehow, they had to prove Rachel was innocent and turn those parents from accusers to supporters, but how could he do that?
Rachel paused on the front steps of the Arts Center and looked up at the beautiful old brick facade, the tall white columns and Palladian windows over the double doors. This had become a wonderful home for N.C.Y.T. Would this be the last time she entered the building as director? Would there even be an N.C.Y.T. after tonight’s meeting?
Suzanne tucked her arm through Rachel’s. “Ready to go in?”
She straightened her shoulders. “Yes, but I feel a little like Daniel walking into the lion’s den.”
“Just keep your head up and tell them your story as honestly as you told me and Josh. Everything will be fine.”
Rachel sent Suzanne a trembling smile, glad she’d decided to spend the last twenty-four hours with her friend rather than rattling around her empty apartment. “Thanks for coming with me tonight. I really appreciate it.”
“Of course. What kind of friend would I be if I sent you in there all by yourself? I just wish I’d seen this coming so I could’ve tried to defuse the problem earlier.”
“You and me both.”
“Well, I intend to speak up for you tonight.”
“Thanks.” If only Cam was as supportive as Suzanne. She pushed that painful thought aside. Now was not the time to mourn the deepening gap in her friendship with Cam. She had to focus on resolving these issues with the parents and saving N.C.Y.T.
She pulled opened the front door, and Hannah Bodine hurried toward them wearing a determined expression on her face. “We need to pray before you go into that meeting.”
Rachel glanced at her watch. “It’s already six forty-five. I have to bring up the house lights and be there to meet everyone.”
Chandra approached from the other side of the hallway. “I’ll get the lights.”
“And I’ll take care of the lions…I mean…parents.” Suzanne winked at Rachel and patted her arm. “You go ahead and pray with your friend. Chandra and I will hold down the fort until you’re ready.”
Rachel nodded, and Hannah ushered her down the hall and into the little town museum, which was housed on the wing opposite Cam’s frame shop and the other artists’ galleries.
Rachel glanced at the photos from Fairhaven’s earlier days—loggers and seamen, frontiersmen and settlers, all working together to build a new life for themselves and their families. They had come here seeking a fresh start, looking for a place to call home. She carried those same dreams in her heart.
If only she could hold on to them and see them come true here in Fairhaven.
“My daughter told me what’s going on,” Hannah said, taking her hand. “And I want you to know I’m behind you one hundred percent.”
“Thank you, Hannah.” Rachel squeezed Hannah’s fingers.
“God knows what’s happening. He’ll take care of it.”
Rachel nodded, but her stomach quivered. So much would be decided tonight. If she couldn’t persuade the parents to let her continue as director, she’d have to step down, but she wasn’t sure how her heart could survive another blow like that.
“Let’s pray.” Hannah bowed her head. “Lord, we know You desire the truth to come to light tonight. Please give Rachel the strength and confidence she needs to say what You’ve put in her heart. Help us trust You to work this out in the way that’s best for Rachel and the children. Thank You for always hearing our prayers and answering them according to Your will and purpose. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.”
“Amen.” Rachel looked up and forced a small smile for Hannah’s sake, but she still felt anxious.
“Okay. Let’s go, and remember, I’ll be out there praying the whole time.”
Ten minutes later Rachel stood at the podium facing sixty or so parents gathered in the first few rows of the auditorium. Haley’s mother, Gail Mitchell, sat front and center, flanked by her somber, football-player-sized husband on her right and a few other parents from the first meeting on her left.
Rachel scanned the sea of faces, searching for Cam, but she didn’t find him there. Disappointment tugged at her heart. Why had she held on to the foolish hope he would show up and support her? She released a deep breath and let it go. It was time to face her accusers and put her trust in the Lord. He would be her advocate.
“Thank you all for coming. I appreciate the opportunity to meet with you. My goal tonight is to clear up the misunderstandings surrounding what happened to me last year in Seattle. Hopefully, we can resolve these issues and get drama camp and play rehearsals back on schedule so your children can enjoy all the benefits our program has to offer.”
She glanced down at her notes. “As I’m sure you’ve all heard, I left my position as drama teacher at Roosevelt High School because a student accused me of being involved with him in an inappropriate relationship.” She looked up and made eye contact with Gail Mitchell. “Those accusations are false, but because of the extended investigation and the doubts that were put in some people’s minds, I resigned from my teaching position.”
“So you weren’t fired from your job?” one of the men in the back of the group called out.
Rattled by the interruption, Rachel gripped the podium. “No, I was not fired. I chose to resign, because I felt that was best for my students and myself.”
A low murmur traveled through the group.
“When I came to Fairhaven last January,” she continued, “I told Suzanne, our former director, the basic facts about the situation. She has known me for a number of years and she trusted me. She felt what happened in Seattle shouldn’t stop me from becoming the new director of N.CY.T.” She glanced at Suzanne in the second row, and her friend sent her an encouraging nod.
“But what I failed to tell her was the way my actions contributed to the problem. That was wrong, and I’m sorry for that.”
Several of the parents exchanged worried glances.
Rachel pressed on. “Roosevelt has a clear policy about teacher-student relationships. We were instructed to maintain professional boundaries and avoid developing personal relationships. We were also cautioned against engaging in personal communication, meeting with students outside of school or having any kind of physical contact with our students.”
Another murmur passed through the crowd.
Rachel clutched her notes. “I crossed some of those boundaries to try to help a troubled student, and he misunderstood my intentions. The problem snowballed, and in the end I had to resign.” She glanced around the group, trying to gauge their reactions. Had she told them enough to gain their understanding and support?
Haley’s father cleared his throat. “I think we need to know which parts of that policy you broke.”
Rachel blew out a deep breath, praying for the right words. There was a very delicate line between protecting Kyle’s privacy and giving an honest answer.
“I tried to be a caring friend, but the student interpreted that as romantic interest. Of course, I didn’t realize that until it was too late. One day, things reached a crisis. He was very upset, but there was no time to talk at school. So I agreed to meet him off campus. I wanted to convince him to get professional help. That was a worthy goal, but I went about it in the wrong way. I never should’ve crossed that line or broken the school’s policy.”
Several parents leaned toward their mates or friends and whisp
ered comments, their faces reflecting doubt and concern. Suzanne chewed her lip, and Hannah closed her eyes and bowed her head.
Rachel released a shuddering breath. Had she just sealed her fate? Was it a lost cause? Should she step down now so Chandra could take over and try to keep N.C.Y.T. going?
Gail Mitchell rose to her feet, her face a steely mask. “Your lack of common sense and disregard for your school’s policy make me doubt you have the character or qualifications needed to lead N.C.Y.T.” Gail turned toward the parents. “How can we entrust our children to someone who has such poor judgment? Someone who would go behind the back of those in authority over her?”
Rachel’s legs weakened. She gripped the podium, wishing she could melt into the floor and disappear. It was one thing to know the parents were talking about her, it was entirely another to stand there and listen to the hateful words coming out of that woman’s mouth.
“I don’t know about the rest of you,” Gail continued, “but I don’t want my daughter exposed to the negative influence of someone—”
The doors of the auditorium burst open, and Cam strode in leading a group of a dozen or more N.C.Y.T. students. The parents all turned to watch them march down the aisle. Rachel locked gazes with Cam. Her heart did a crazy leap in her chest as he strode to meet her at the podium.
The students filed into the front two rows on the right, but her gaze remained trained on Cam.
His eyes radiated warmth and confidence. “Sorry I’m late,” he said in a low voice.
“What’s going on?” Haley’s mother demanded. “We don’t want the children in this meeting.”
Ryan stood and faced the parents. “We are N.C.Y.T., and we’re here to support Ms. Clark.” The students all clapped.
A swirl of comments from the parents filled the air, some in support of the students staying and others against it.
Cam held up his hand. “I think we can resolve all these issues if everyone will settle down for just a few minutes.” He focused on Gail Mitchell and waited. She finally took a seat, and the other parents quieted down.
Carrie Turansky Page 17