Page 42 of Embracing the Beat
WEST
“West, may I speak with you?” The history department head steps into my classroom and closes the door.
Did I do something wrong inviting Mikey to stay for lunch? My planning period has been filled with thoughts of that almost kiss, but now worry overrides the attraction I’ve been struggling with.
And denial isn’t helping. Not in the wake of the memory that plays on repeat. The moment I almost kissed her that continues to plague me with blood-pumping clarity.
Well, what about this?
Another image. This one of Michaela on her bed, naked except for the silk of my tie around her wrists.
Kill. Me. Now.
Clearing my throat, I don’t stand, preferring the camouflage my desk provides.
“Er, sure, Phil, come on in.” I gesture to the chair Mikey used earlier, trying to push thoughts of her away. Now isn’t the time or the place. “If this is about having a friend on campus for lunch—”
“Friend?” he interrupts. “Not at all. We’ve all had our spouses join us from time to time for lunch.”
“She’s not my spouse,” I explain. “I just forgot my lunch.”
“Ahh.” He gives me a look that says he doesn’t quite believe the explanation. “Regardless, not what I’m here to talk about.”
“Okay. What can I do for you?”
He gives a weary sigh. “The district announced budget cuts for next fall. Given the enrollment numbers at Grant this year, they are considering closing the school and redistributing staff and students.”
“Closing?”
He nods. “I’m afraid so. There’s been a steady decline as the neighborhood funneling into Grant has gotten older. It’s at about half capacity at the moment.”
I can’t imagine being in a high school that was closing. Sawyer and I had both attended school here at Ridgeview. He was involved in sports, and I was on the debate team.
“That’s terrible. The students will be split up?”
“And the staff,” he says. “The board is reviewing proposals now to redraw district lines without Grant to see what the impact on student population will be.”
One thing nobody ever tells you when you’re going to school to be a teacher? How little control you have, and how much control the board has.
“What does that mean for the teachers already in these schools?” Like me.
He sighs. “Teachers with tenure will be given priority over those without. If positions are still available, they will be competed.”
“I don’t have tenure.” An obvious statement since I’ve been here less than a month.
“You do not,” he confirms. “But Grant’s history department head and I have both announced our intent to retire at the end of this school year. Any of the history teachers at either Grant or here at Ridgeview will be given top consideration, tenure or not.”
“How many history teachers are there at Grant?”
“Two, besides the department head.”
“Do they both have tenure?”
“I’m not at liberty to disclose those details.” But his expression is telling—I’m on the chopping block.
“When will the district reach a decision?”
“The board meeting to confirm details to communicate to parents will be next month. They’re aware something is being discussed, but not what exactly. I’m sure you can imagine the number of calls the administration office has received.”
