Page 5 of The Other Side
“But they got a replacement?”
“Yep, I processed the hiring paperwork at the same time, so I’m sure it was someone the headmaster knows. Harper, I think, was his name,” Jolene offered.
“Well at least I won’t be the newest teacher anymore.” I smiled at the thought of a little heat being taken off me. But if the new English teacher was connected to the headmaster, it wouldn’tbe much of a reprieve. Still I was adamant about making this year better than my first, working on my confidence with both students and colleagues, and trying to work through the anxiety of job insecurity.
“Did the headmaster mention anything about Daniel Graham?” I asked, too curious not to.
“Who?” Jolene asked, her nose buried in a stack of papers she was collating for the welcome events in the coming week.
“The student who went missing at the end of the school year.” I was surprised she didn’t remember.
“I thought he ran away?” She looked up at me, confusion etched on her face.
“Well, that’s what the police said, but he had too much to lose—his scholarship, running the student newspaper, his senior year.” I could have gone on, but I refrained.
Jolene gave me a pitying glance. “Sometimes it’s the brightest stars that burn out the quickest, Violet. Maybe he was under too much pressure. I’ve seen it before,” she offered sympathetically.
Sure she had been working at the school for almost twenty years, so I believed her about having seen similar things happen before, but she hadn’t taught Daniel; she hadn’t seen the light and determination in his eyes.
And maybe I was reaching, having seen something of myself in Daniel. If I had been given the opportunity to attend a place like Montgomery, I would have been just as steadfast in my development, itching to milk every drop of advantage out of the stuffy and antiquated institution.
Am I too close?
“Any chance you’ll come grab some drinks with me in town tonight?” Jolene changed the subject. “We need to catch up and enjoy our last moments before the chaos of move-in day.”
“I’m not sure.” I bit the inside of my cheek. “I’m not a big drinker.”
“That’s okay,” she replied hastily. “Just one—on me. And I’ll drive too.”
When I hesitated she added, “Please, it’s our last night before the campus is overrun with rich brats.” Jolene’s big round eyes pleaded with me.
Jolene, with her permed bleach-blonde hair, round pink cheeks, and endless supply of homemade, themed sweaters, was impossible to refuse.
So I didn’t.
