The Escape Collection: (The Escape Collection) (37 page)

I walked towards Principal Brantford’s office, not having the slightest idea what to expect. When his secretary called, asking me to come in, I agreed mostly out of reflex than anything else. But there was a part of me that wanted to hear it directly from him that I’d lost out on the job.

“Miss Monroe,” Principal Brantford greeted me when I walked into his office. “I’m so glad you could come on such short notice.” I nodded. “Please,” he said. “Sit.”

“Thank you,” I muttered, and situated myself, somewhat uncomfortably, in the chair across from him.
 

“I’ll get right to the point, Miss Monroe.” He leaned forward in his chair and crossed his arms on the desk.
 

I held up a hand, stopping him before he could tell me why they weren’t going to hire me. “It’s fine, Principal Brantford,” I said. “Whatever your reason was, it’s fine. Because I’ve been thinking, too, and I think it’s a bit ridiculous for a school that prides itself on providing a well-rounded education to all students regardless of religion, race or otherwise, would discriminate against a teacher with a colorful family background.” I rose from my seat and clutched my purse to keep from shaking. “Of course I’m very disappointed that I won’t be back. I really do love the children, but if it is the policy of the school to choose teachers based on their personal lives, then I don’t think I want any part of Glenmore Academy anyway.” I swallowed hard and turned to leave before I passed out or worse, started crying.

I was halfway out the door when he said my name. “Miss Monroe.”
 

I stopped and forced myself to turn around. Principal Brantford had a small smile on his face, like he was trying not to laugh. But at the same time, he looked quite pleased with himself.
 

“That was quite a speech,” he said. “And I must tell you, I agree completely.”

“You do?” I’m not exactly sure how I was still standing since I couldn’t feel my feet and I was certain I was shaking so bad that he could see it from across the room.
 

“I do,” he said. He gestured to the chair. Numbly, I sat and stared at him. In the back of my mind, I hoped my mouth wasn’t hanging open. “Which is why we haven’t hired teachers based on their personal backgrounds for the last ten years. And I know, ten years isn’t very long ago. We should have buried that practice much earlier than that. But I can assure you that the personal life of our teachers is nobody’s business but their own. If anything, a diverse staff makes for a much richer and well-rounded faculty.”

It took me a moment to process exactly what he was saying. “But what about the lifestyle questionnaire?”

He laughed. Actually laughed, and said, “I’m actually quite surprised that old rumor’s still floating around. Like I said, at Glenmore Academy we don’t take into consideration a teacher’s personal life when we hire them. I’m proud to say that the only way we discriminate is by making sure we hire the best of the best and if that’s discrimination, it’s the best kind.”

I shook my head, trying desperately to make sense of what was happening. “But…William…”
 

Confusion crossed the principal’s face. “Mr. Smith? If you mean that you’re engaged to be married, then yes, I must admit the board did take notice of that. While we don’t prohibit staff involvement—”

“Engaged?” I shook my head. “No, Principal Brantford. William and I are no longer involved at all.”

He sat back in his chair and released a long sigh. “That’s interesting news,” he said. “But like I said, it wasn’t a factor in our decision either way.”

“I’m sorry, but I still don’t understand why I’m here.”

He smiled and sat up. “Why, Miss Monroe, I asked you in today because we’re formally offering you the position, of course.”

“You are?” I didn’t even try to hide my shock.
 

“Of course. We’d be honored to have you.” He stood and extended his hand which I took automatically. “Welcome to Glenmore Academy.”

***

On the way home, I turned the stereo up as loud as I could and flipped through the channels on the radio until I found an upbeat song to sing along to. After I left Principal Brantford’s office, I had a hard time containing my shrieks of joy, but thankfully I held them in until I was safely in the car. I didn’t need everyone thinking I’d totally lost my mind, but I had to let it out or I’d burst from happiness.

It didn’t matter how I justified it to myself, teaching at Glenmore Academy was what I wanted, especially now that I knew they weren’t an elitist, discriminatory school. I could hardly wait to start planning for my new class.

I drove home as fast as I could without getting pulled over. I needed to tell someone the good news. But not just anyone. Reid. Even with everything that had happened, the confusion between us, the uncertainty, there was no doubt that he was the first one I wanted to share the news with. I knew it meant something that out of all the important people in my life, he was the very first person I thought of once the news sank in. I’d figure out later exactly what it meant, but first, I needed to see him.

I pulled into the driveway and took a moment to adjust my hair and check my reflection in the mirror. After I told Reid, I’d head over to the hospital. I couldn’t wait to see the look on Grams’ face when I told her I’d been offered a staff position teaching at Glenmore Academy. She’d be so proud.

Slamming the car door behind me, I half walked, half ran up the walkway to the front door.
 

“Reid,” I called before I was even inside. “Are you home? I have to tell you something.”
 

I closed the door and it was only then that I saw him sitting on the couch, staring at the phone in his hand. He stood when he saw me. When I saw the look on his face, I froze and ice ran through my veins.

“Reid?” My voice was tiny and sounded far away. “Reid,” I said again. I started to shake my head. “No,” I whispered. “No, Reid. Please, no.”

I don’t remember him crossing the room or pulling me into his arms. I only remember his strength as he held me up and I cried for everything I knew I’d lost.

Chapter 16

I didn’t cry through the service, but not because my heart wasn’t completely shattered. But because Grams would have hated to see me sob through what was supposed to be a celebration of her life. And it was. I knew she’d touched a lot of lives and I knew she’d made friends wherever she went, but I wasn’t fully prepared for the crowd that gathered to say goodbye to her. Together they shared memories, told funny stories, and there were even a few laughs. Grams would have loved every minute of it.

Reid didn’t leave my side all day except to play his keyboard and sing some of Grams’ favorite songs between speeches. Mom sat on my other side, blew her nose and dabbed at her eyes constantly. I squeezed her hand every once in a while, and we’d share a look. Despite everything, maybe because of everything, I was grateful to have her in my life and sitting next to me.
 

Together, Mom and I endured the condolences and well wishes of everyone as they streamed out of the funeral home and then, it was over.
 

Kat came up beside me, squeezed my shoulders and pulled me into a quick hug. “I’ll take Lizzy out for lunch, okay?”

I’d forgotten all about Reid’s sister. “Kat, you don’t—”

“I want to,” she said. “Besides, I think you need some time.” She gave me a smile that I know was meant to be encouraging. “Go,” Kat said. “Let Reid take you home.”

“Thanks.”
 

“I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”

I watched her give my mom a hug before she and Lizzy left. And then, Stan was beside me. He gave me a kiss on the cheek. “You did really well today,” he said. “Your grandmother would be very proud of the strong young woman you’ve become.”
 

“Thank you,” I said, and for the first time all day found myself fighting back tears.
 

“I’m going to take your mother home,” Stan said. We both looked to where she was sitting, folded over and once more, consumed by tears.
 

I nodded. “Take care of her, Stan.”
 

“I always do.” He smiled. “And don’t worry, Patty’ll be okay. It’s hard, though. She just got her mama back and just as quick, she’s gone. It’ll take a while.”
 

I squeezed his hand before watching him go to my mother and gently guide her out the door.
 

Alone, I looked around the empty room and walked slowly towards the picture of Grams sitting on a pedestal table. I lifted the frame and trailed my fingers down the glass. “I miss you, Grams,” I said and took a deep breath. “But I’m going to be okay, I promise.” A tear I didn’t feel dropped to the glass. “You were right. It’s time for me to live.” I brought the picture up and kissed the cool glass. “Thank you,” I whispered.
 

“Are you ready?”
 

I turned and nodded at Reid, who was holding my coat.

I clutched the picture to my chest. “I’m ready.”

***

By the time we got home, the sun was low in the sky, the day almost done. The air was crisp with the threat of snow hanging in the air and when Reid opened the car door for me, I took a deep breath and let the cool air fill me. It would be winter soon. There was something about the changing of the seasons that seemed particularly fitting for saying goodbye to Grams.
 

Reid took my hand, and despite everything that had been left unsaid between us, it felt right to have my hand in his. I walked in a daze as he led me up to the house, but before we reached up the steps, I faltered. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t go inside.
 

I stopped short, jarring Reid’s arm as he kept walking. He spun around, his face full of concern. “What is it? Whit, are you okay?”

My chin trembled but I forced myself not to cry. I couldn’t fall apart every time I walked into the house. I took a deep breath. “It’s just that part of me always thought she might come home again,” I said, telling him the truth. “But now…” I trailed off and Reid waited, not rushing me to say anything. I loved that about him. After a moment, I swallowed hard and said, “She’s really not coming back.”

“No, Whit. I’m so sorry.”
 

I turned so I was facing him and made a split-second decision. “Will you come somewhere with me?”

“Of course,” he said, the way I knew he would. “Where do you want to go?”
 

With the picture of Grams still in one hand, I led him around the house, into the backyard. We crossed the lawn in silence, except for the crunch of the dead grass under our feet. When we got to the base of the treehouse, Reid held the photo while I hiked up the black dress I was wearing, kicked off my heels and climbed up the wooden ladder. He climbed up after me and we settled somewhat awkwardly into the small space. Reid handed me the photo of Grams again and I held it in my lap.

“How are you doing, Whit?”
 
Reid asked after we’d sat in silence for a few minutes. “Like, really doing?”

“I’m good.” I smiled because I believed it. “I really am,” I said when he gave me a look. I know that everyone expected me to crumble and fall apart, everyone including myself. And maybe I still would. But at that moment, I was doing okay. I picked up the picture from my lap and touched the glass with my fingertips. “I miss her,” I said. “I always will. But honestly, I’m really okay.” I put the picture down and looked at him. “Do you think you could help me with something?”

“Anything,” Reid said.
 

“I want to take the treehouse down.” It was an idea that had been percolating for a while but it wasn’t until we pulled up in front of the house that I knew.
 

“What?” Reid’s handsome face twisted with confusion. “This is your place,” he said. “It’s where you write.”

“I can write anywhere,” I said, thinking of what I’d written about him a few days earlier. “And maybe we can even write a few songs together. You know, since Kat seems to think we’re good at it.”
 

He nodded and smiled a little bit, but still looked confused.
 

“I know it sounds strange,” I said. “And you probably think it’s coming out of the blue. But it’s not. I feel like for the first time in a long time…okay, maybe ever,” I admitted with a little laugh, “I know exactly who I am. And this treehouse.” I took another look around the walls before continuing. “For my whole life, I came here to hide. To pretend that my life was something it’s not. And I’m sick of hiding.”

“But you love this place.”
 

“I do.” I sighed. “But I refuse to hide anymore and…” I looked around the small space. “I think I’m done composing myself. It’s time to pull it together and get on with it.”
 

The grin that broke out on Reid’s face made my heart smile. He got it. I knew in that moment that he totally understood. He pulled me closer to him, spreading his legs so I fit perfectly between them, our faces almost touching. I could smell the familiar scent of coffee and mint mingling on his breath.
 

“I know what I want now,” I said, my voice low.
 

“And what’s that?”
 

“Glenmore Academy offered me the job,” I said. “I’m going to take it.”

He closed his eyes and swallowed hard. I knew it wasn’t what he wanted me to say at that moment. “That’s great,” he said. “You should do what makes your heart sing.”

“It does,” I said. I waited until he opened his eyes again and made sure he was looking at me when I spoke. I held his gaze despite the intensity between us. “But that’s not all.” My voice came out in a breath. “There’s something else that makes my heart sing.”
 

“Is that right?” Reid cupped my cheek with his hand and slowly closed the remaining space between us so we were breathing the same air with every heated breath. “And what’s that?” he whispered.
 

I closed what was left of the gap between us, crushed my lips to his, and gave him the answer we’d both been waiting for.