Mr. D: Black Mountain Academy

by Alta Hensley

  “Feel free to use whatever I have in the shower tomorrow. There are clean towels under the sink.”

  “Ooh, so I get to smell like Mr. D all day tomorrow. Gotta love it.”

  Her joking around with me did bring up something that I needed to address again. “Corrine, about all this—”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not going to tell a single soul. I know how it looks. I know how much trouble this could get you in, and frankly any drama right now goes far beyond my mental ability to cope.”

  “I’m going to take you to school, but maybe I should drop you off a block away. For both our sakes. I’m sure it won’t look cool to your peers to be arriving with me.”

  “I couldn’t care less what any of them think about me, but yes, I agree.”

  “And I promise you, it will get better. You aren’t alone anymore.”

  I didn’t make promises lightly, and I rarely tried to raise false expectations, but this was one promise I would make. No, Corrine was not a troubled youth in Oakland involved with gangs, or poverty, but she was someone in need. It was my job to help her, and I planned to take it seriously.

  I got out of my chair and stared down at her. I didn’t want to leave her but knew we both needed sleep. “Goodnight, Corrine.”

  “Goodnight, Mr. D. Thank you.”

  “If you need anything…”

  “I know where to find you.”

  8

  Corrine

  At least I was on time for school today.

  No doors to close. No need to run to a car.

  It was the first day in a long time that I actually felt somewhat human and rested as I got ready to enter history class. I even had my homework done thanks to Mr. D playfully nagging me to do it.

  This was what normal felt like, and I liked it.

  “Corrine!” Kevin called from the west-wing hallway. I stopped and waited for him to get close. “I’ve been looking for you all day. Where have you been?”

  “Just trying to get to classes on time and catching up with work. I’m on thin ice.”

  “I swung by your house this morning to pick you up just in case you couldn’t get a car working and was too stubborn to call me for help. But you weren’t home.”

  “Yeah… I slept someplace else last night.”

  “You did? Why? Where?”

  “Crazy story, but I couldn’t stay there.” I hated to lie to Kevin because that just wasn’t the kind of friends we were, and I never had to lie before. “I stayed at a bed and breakfast.” But I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t risk him slipping up and telling someone. I didn’t think he’d judge me, but he did have loose lips, especially since he was trying so hard to sit at the cool kid’s table. Having some juicy gossip could aid him in that quest.

  He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. “Okay…” He waited, and when I refused to say anything more, he thankfully moved on. “There’s a football game tonight. Wanna go?”

  I shrugged. “Friday night football’s not really my jam.” I didn’t think it was Kevin’s either, but I understood he was trying really hard for that fresh start. He was simply playing the game that I sucked at. “Don’t worry about me. I have to deal with some stuff with the house and need to get hold of my mom this weekend somehow.”

  “Anything I can help with?”

  I shook my head, glanced at my phone to see the bell was about to ring. The last thing I needed was to be late to history class. Mr. Donati was a stickler for time and wouldn’t hesitate for a second to mark me tardy, and Mr. D would lose his mind. After how nice he had been toward me, I really didn’t want to piss him off or make him feel I was trying to push the boundaries.

  “I’m good. Just need to reach my mother. School needs it. I need it.” I shrugged again and started walking toward class. Kevin walked with me, but I knew he would change directions soon since we didn’t have history together. “Time for me to try to hunt down the maternal figure.”

  “Yeah, good luck with that. Try to find mine while you’re at it too.” He dodged a crowd of laughing girls and waved at me as he went to his class. “I’ll check up on you this weekend. We can hang out.”

  I waved him off and gave a nod even though I seriously doubted we would. I wasn’t really a hanging-out type of gal either. Frankly, I was pretty damn boring.

  History was one of my favorite classes. I wasn’t great at remembering dates, but the rest of the information I found fascinating. I think it helped that I had actually traveled to many of the places we studied about, so it made it all more real and not just facts from a textbook. I remembered the smells, the weather, the appearance of structures from a time long ago. But even in a class that normally held my attention, I was distracted. It wasn’t hard to know why that was.

  It was Mr. D.

  I had seen his dick.

  And we didn’t discuss it again, even though we both knew I saw it.

  And not only had I seen his dick, but I wanted to see it again. The sinful thoughts that hadn’t left my mind since, were becoming my new obsession. I could still smell him from our car ride this morning. This morning when he’d come out of his bedroom after he’d showered, smelling like expensive cologne, in a fresh suit and tie, I’d nearly melted.

  He was gorgeous.

  He smelled good.

  And his eyes were on me.

  He had a way of making me feel special… looked after… cared for.

  I had actually slept through the night which is unheard of for me. I couldn’t remember the last time I did. Granted, it was nice having someone there with me who offered protection if need be, but there was more to it. I had actually opened up and had a real conversation with someone. He genuinely seemed to listen and care. And it felt like a million pounds had been lifted from my shoulders.

  “Miss Parker,” Mr. Donati said, snapping me from my thoughts. “Mr. D just called asking to see you in his office.”

  Ignoring the snickers and trying to not focus on how everyone watched me pack up my stuff, I quickly left the classroom. Great. Now everyone would be wondering what I did to deserve a summons to the principal’s office.

  I had to wait in the row of chairs where all the bad boys and girls sat awaiting their punishments when I got there because Mr. D was in with a student. It forced me to have to sit next to Bobby Jackson which I hated. He, however, seemed to like the company because he kept trying to talk to me and the secretary kept telling him to sit there and be quiet. Yes, we were sitting in the office together, but I was not like him. I was not a troublemaker. I didn’t belong next to him…

  But, in all reality, I was causing a lot of trouble for Mr. D…

  So, I really was just as guilty as Bobby.

  Mr. D finally exited his office with a red-faced boy I didn’t recognize. If looks could kill, the boy would have for sure murdered Mr. D, but Mr. D seemed unfazed.

  “Mr. Moran will be dealing with you, Mr. Jackson. I advise you to sit there and keep your mouth shut until he does.” He looked at me. “Corrine…” He motioned for me to follow him into his office.

  I did so, wondering if I was in trouble. Mr. D seemed to be in a foul mood, and the last thing I wanted to be was on the receiving end of it.

  “Close the door,” he ordered when I entered. “Have a seat.”

  This wasn’t the man who had practically tucked me in last night and sat with me until I was ready to fall asleep. Nor was this the man who had made me a bagel with cream cheese and gave me too strong coffee for the road. I didn’t know why I expected him to still be… friendly… at school, but he seemed far from it.

  “We’ve been trying to reach your mother all day.” His jaw flexed and his tone was flat. “I even spoke to her manager Bill who, frankly, is an asshole.”

  I smirked, nodded, but remained silent.

  He sighed and pressed the ridge of his nose between his finger and thumb. “It’s been a long day, and I had hoped we would have at least gotten somewhere.” He leaned back in his chair and studied
me for what felt like an awkward eternity. “I’m not sure how to handle this. I know you said to not get the police involved, but I really don’t see what else we can do.”

  “Please don’t,” I began to beg. “And even if you do, I don’t think it will help. I tried that. It did nothing.”

  “We could get you a bodyguard, but I don’t really feel like it’s my place to do so. Plus, we would need to interview, and it’s not something that can be done overnight. Because of who your mother is, I know we need to be careful about vetting all who come into your life. We don’t want to risk them selling information to the media about you. And frankly, I’m not comfortable making decisions without some input from your mother.”

  “I’m nineteen,” I reminded. “I can make these decisions without her.”

  He nodded, crossed his arms and said, “I’ve taken that into consideration too. But it’s her money. And you’re right. You are legally allowed to do all this yourself, but you shouldn’t have to. I think you’ve been alone long enough. And I made a promise to you that I plan to keep.”

  “I’m sorry this has been such a pain.”

  “It’s not your fault that your mother is—” He paused as if reconsidering what he’d been about to say. “So, we have an issue we need to address now.”

  “Issue?”

  “I’m obviously not going to just let you walk out that door and go back to a house where your safety could be at risk. You also don’t have a car, so you’d need a ride anyway. You don’t have anywhere to go except a bed and breakfast which we ruled out last night. Which leaves me.”

  “I would never ask you—”

  “Yes, well…” he interrupted. “We don’t have a lot of options right now, and since it’s been a long day, and I don’t have enough energy left to address alternate solutions, you’ll be staying on my couch again.” He paused. “If that’s what you want to do, that is. I also don’t want you to feel that this is coming from Mr. D, your principal, giving you an order you have to follow. But this is coming from someone who cares… a friend.”

  I could have sat there and argued. I could have tried to convince him he didn’t have to worry about me. I could have even lied and told him I was completely fine and would be okay going home. But the thought of going into that empty house terrified me. I’d never been the type of girl to need her mommy, but I did feel pretty damn abandoned and alone right now, and Mr. D was offering a lifeline.

  “I appreciate the offer. I do. Thank you.”

  Appearing satisfied with my answer, he leaned down and picked up his briefcase and began loading it with manila folders and notebooks. “Okay, good. Go get your stuff and wait for me after school in detention.” He looked up and smiled. “Consider detention back on. I need you to hang out somewhere until I can leave. I have a meeting I need to run to, and then I’ll give you a ride to the house to pick up some clothing and essentials. Plan for a couple of days. It’s not an ideal situation, but until we get hold of someone who can reach your mother or at least step in, we’ll just wait it out.”

  I nodded, not minding detention. I got it. I couldn’t exactly hang out in his office spinning in his chair as I snooped in the files of classmates.

  “Corrine…” he began and stared me directly in the eyes. “We need to handle this delicately. You can agree that this won’t look good to others.”

  “I completely agree,” I said. “Down low.” I hated to use the words “our secret” because that made it seem somehow wrong and forbidden.

  I might have had improper thoughts, but they were mine alone. Mr. D had done nothing even slightly inappropriate… even though deep down the fantasy of him doing more was present. But it was just a fantasy.

  A fantasy I would take to my grave.

  He stood up from his desk. “Okay, good. This is a temporary solution to a messed up situation.” He nodded to the door. “I’m late for my meeting, but I’ll see you soon. We can then figure out what we want to do for dinner.” He gave a warm smile. “Roomie.”

  9

  Corrine

  Maybe I should move back to L.A. At least there were people there. Granted, they were housekeepers, landscapers, and stupid Bill, but at least there were other humans.

  But instead, here I was, pulling up in front of my house with Mr. D all because of open doors. Had I lost my mind?

  Was I taking advantage of Mr. D’s kindness all because I was afraid of the Boogie Man?

  Yes.

  Mr. D stopped the car, got out, walked around to my side, and opened the door for me. My mother had taught me to allow a man to open the door for you, but until Mr. D, no one ever had. My mother would most definitely approve of his old-school manners.

  “Pack a suitcase for several days,” he said. “Even if we reach your mom, we don’t know how long it will take her to get back to the States from wherever she is.”

  I fumbled for my keys and unlocked the door half expecting someone to jump out and grab me. I opened the door slowly and was pleased to at least find the house the way we had left it.

  Mr. D glanced around and said, “I’ll walk around and make sure everything’s locked up while you pack.”

  I quickly ran upstairs, and when I entered my room, a scream erupted from the depths of my chest, vibrating every muscle in my body.

  Painted in red paint on the wall above my headboard was the word:

  WHORE

  I needed Mr. D. I needed him now.

  “What’s wrong?” Mr. D bellowed as he charged up the stairs. “Corrine!”

  “In here,” I said weakly, blinking against the graffiti, not sure how to handle myself with Mr. D and what was on my wall.

  When Mr. D entered the room, he froze in his tracks. “Jesus Christ.”

  He reached for a pair of scissors off my desk and held them in his hand in a defensive pose. “Wait right here,” he commanded as he quickly looked in my closet, under my bed, and then ran out in the hallway to check the rest of the rooms.

  Knowing he would want us out of the house as quickly as possible, I reached for my suitcase and began throwing clothing and shoes inside it without much thought. It helped that I had to wear a uniform to school, so I tossed in several different uniform shirts and skirts so I wouldn’t have to keep wearing the same one. It was also the weekend, so I added a bunch of casual outfits as well.

  “I’m sorry,” Mr. D said as he entered the room with his phone to his ear. “I’m calling the police. This has crossed a line that I’m no longer comfortable not notifying the police about. There’s actual proof that someone has been in your house now. They need to know.”

  I sighed in defeat, but sort of agreed. At least I wouldn’t be the crazy girl saying I just felt like someone was watching me. And the door thing would be hard for anyone to understand. But dripping red paint with a foul word painted on my bedroom wall was pretty hard to argue against. And I couldn’t be accused of doing it myself because I had an air-tight alibi with school and being in detention.

  It didn’t take long for the police to arrive, especially since Mr. D had told the dispatcher he wasn’t sure if the invader were still on the property or not. We had made our way to the kitchen while we waited. My packed suitcase was at the door, because regardless of what the police said, I was still leaving. Mr. D had exchanged my scissors for a kitchen knife, and I wondered if anyone would be foolish enough to take this man on.

  He was cool and collected, but there was a fierce energy surrounding him as well. I felt protected in his presence—even in this house.

  “We’ve checked everywhere, and we’re confident that whoever entered the house has left,” the policeman said.

  “I would suggest having someone stay with you tonight,” his partner added, looking at me, “since you said you live alone. We’ll have an extra patrol drive by the house, but since you said you have an alarm system, this person clearly knows how to not get caught. I wouldn’t be alone for a while if you can help it.”

  “She’s staying
elsewhere,” Mr. D piped in. “But since this isn’t Miss Parker’s first complaint, I’m hoping this one gets taken seriously.”

  The police officer nodded, reached out and shook Mr. D’s hand and then nodded toward me. “I’m sorry you’ve had to experience this. There are some crazy people out there. Don’t hesitate to call if you even get a hint he’s returned.”

  Mr. D escorted them out the door, and I stood in amazement that I seemed to not be the joke of the police department. They actually took the call seriously, although it was hard to deny the big WHORE painted in blood red on my wall.

  “Okay, you ready to get out of here?” Mr. D asked.

  I couldn’t have been more ready. “All packed.”

  “Did you get everything you need for school? Laptop? Books?”

  I smiled, once again finding all the different faces Mr. D wore around me funny. Protector, guardian, friend, principal, and sex symbol—the last one being one that I would only admit to myself. “I got it all.”

  I handed the keys to Mr. D so he could be the one to lock up. I liked his take-charge attitude and how he seemed to make everything feel good, and warm. But in the corner of my eye, something moved in the far-off bushes.

  I froze, and Mr. D sensed my fear.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, looking in the same direction I was.

  I shook my head, pretty sure it was just a squirrel or something non-threatening considering the police had just left.

  “Do you see anything?” he asked.

  “I saw something move, but nothing now.”

  He took me by the hand and led me to the car, keeping his eyes on the area. If there was someone hiding, I seriously doubted anyone would have the balls to jump out and mess with Mr. D. His facial expression was enough to scare anyone. He wasn’t messing around.

  “I know you didn’t want to involve the police,” he said as we were driving off the property. “But we need the record. You’re right in the fact that we may never catch the sicko messing with you, but if he ever slips up, we need a paper trail to really nail him.”