Then the bitch wanted me to turn the game off and drive her to the hospital, yeah okay. Now she’s living the best life, with the kid. Access to all that goddamn money.
I pause. Money.
That’s exactly what I need. I smile to myself, my luck is finally about to start looking up.
Chapter Nineteen
Monday morning approaches quickly. Carson stayed with my parents last night and is skipping school once again. I’m looking into possible homeschool options for now and my mom has agreed to do it, so I’ll still be able to work.
I make my way to the board room in our elementary school. It’s located inside the office building. When I enter, the principal, vice principal, and all the school board members are all seated. When I realize they are all here, I know that this is the moment I will be fired from the job I have wanted for years. Our school has always had a united front, and when anyone is fired or hired, the entire school board collaborates on the decision. None of them smile as I step through the doors; several avoid making eye contact with me. I move to sit in an empty seat at the end of the table. All eyes shift toward mine then. I slowly ease myself into the chair and cross my arms on the desk in front of me.
“Ms. Fran, I’m sure you’re aware of your reasoning for being in this meeting today?” our superintendent speaks. He has an authoritative voice for an aging man. He’s been the super at our school since I was a student here.
“Yes, I do.” My response is short, but truthfully, I have no fight in me for this one. I agree with the school district and their need to release me. Students should not be witness to any type of behavior like this, and sadly while I wasn’t in charge of the behavior being released, it still was.
“You understand our need to terminate your contract, effective immediately, then?”
“I do, sir. I’d like to say I’m sorry for my behavior and I think you all know I do not condone this type of behavior. I will clean my classroom out immediately and turn my keys in when I’m finished. Thank you for four great years at this wonderful school district and I apologize.” I stand immediately, fearful of tears breaking past the barrier I’m trying like hell to keep intact.
“Ms. Fran.” I turn at the voice of one of our board members. “It has also been brought to our attention that your son, Carson, has been telling other children that Mr. Prince is his father.” He shuts the file in front of him and turns his full attention to me. Where is he going with this? “If I were you, I’d take a step back and really think about your parenting and lifestyle choices.”
Did he really?
“I was unaware of Carson referring to Landon as his father,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “However, I don’t feel my parenting choices are truly any of your or the rest of the board members’ business.”
“You understand, Kelsi, you’ve known most of us your entire life. A man like Landon Prince won’t be a suitable father figure for Carson and he probably wouldn’t make a faithful husband.”
I begin to speak but choose to live and let live. My words won’t change their mind, just like theirs don’t change mine.
I turn on my heel and exit the boardroom, beyond furious that they felt it necessary to take my parenting into discussion. I had no clue Carson had been telling the kids that his father was Landon.
Cleaning out my classroom is quicker than I expected, my students are still at recess with their substitute. I only take the essential things I need and decide to leave most of my things for the new teacher who will be taking my spot for the remainder of the year. As I’m packing my things away in the trunk of my car, I think about how differently my life has changed since meeting Landon.
I know it isn’t fair to blame him for this turn of events, but it’s hard not to imagine what I’d be doing if I hadn’t went down this path. But then I think of how sad and miserable my life, well our lives really, was before he came into the picture and I smile.
It’s noon, which means the traffic will be slightly insane for the lunch hour, so I choose to sit in my car a few more minutes in hope of beating some of that. My phone lights up in the cupholder. Without looking I know exactly who it’s from.
Landon: Hi babe. I really need to hear your voice. I’m going insane over here. I hadn’t realized how much I’d fallen for you until you weren’t there anymore. I miss Carson like crazy. I’m so sorry that you are having to go through all of this and my attorney is working on making sure Sandra pays for this all. Please call me when you get the chance.
Me: Hi. I’m sorry I haven’t called. Things have really sucked for me. I feel completely embarrassed, but it isn’t fair to keep punishing you for something that wasn’t your fault to begin with. I’m sorry I’ve hurt you. We both miss you so much, Carson asks about you every night. When will you get home from this series?
Landon: I’ll be home tonight.
Me: Come over? Carson will be with my mom and I think it’ll give us time to discuss everything that has happened.
Landon: I’ll be there as soon as my plane lands.
I click my phone off and start my car to head home. I’m suddenly nervous again for Landon to come.
Chapter Twenty
It’s nearly 7:00 when Landon gets to my house. He’s still in his suit that he must wear to games. He walks right in my front door, not bothering to knock beforehand. My hair is pulled up on top of my head in a messy bun and I’ve removed my makeup I had on for the day. I’m in an oversized T-shirt and tiny little sleep shorts. I’ve been on the couch for an hour painting my toenails to pass the time.
Landon kicks off his shoes by the front door like he has so many times before and shrugs out of his suit jacket and hangs it on the coat rack. He sits beside me but not too closely. His unease is visible, and I hate myself for making him feel this way.
“I was fired today,” I say without taking my eyes from his. His entire demeanor changes, he’s shocked then immediately pissed off.
“What the fuck?” His hands pull together in front of him as his elbows rest on his knees. “You’ve got to be kidding me?” I shake my head and turn my attention back to my toes. “Hey.” His voice is soft and caring and draws my attention back to him. “I promise I will take care of this.”
“I know, but you know I got to thinking. She wanted this to happen. There were a million other ways that she could have went about it, but this is what she wanted.” Landon is confused and is about to ask what I mean when I cut him off. “I mean you and me. She wanted us to fight like this and to break up.” Realization hits him then and the anger rises again.
“I will ruin her career. I promise you. I don’t know how this all happened, but I promise you she won’t get near you again.” I lean in and press my lips against his. His lips are warm, and I’ve missed this so much over the last week.
“There’s something else.” I lean back and pull my knees to my chest, hugging them closely. “Kyle has filed for full custody of Carson.”
“What? Is that even possible?” He scoots closer to me. When his weight shifts, the couch dips and I fall into him but don’t move. His arm slides around me and I’m engulfed in his scent. It puts me at ease.