“I don’t. I’ve no idea what to do about it now that I have squatters. Someone cut the padlock, which means there’s no way to keep them out until I can obtain a new one.”
Sable said, “They’ll probably just cut it off again.”
Val agreed, and she wasn’t happy knowing she no longer had a viable classroom.
LeVeq asked, “Does the school have a sponsor?”
“Yes, the Sisters of the Holy Family. This property once belonged to one of the convent’s benefactors.”
Together they walked back to the barn. He looked around the fouled interior, and said, “If it were in my power, I’d station a few guards here so you could continue to use it and be safe, but with so many other pressing issues in the city, I doubt the Army will see that as an efficient use of personnel.”
“I know,” she replied, and the reality of that saddened her. She’d had such high hopes. Now she’d have to find a new classroom and start over. “I’ll talk to the Sisters and see if they can find another place.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, sounding sincere.
She nodded.
Sable said, “We should go. Is there anything in here that you need to take with you?”
“Just this.” Val picked up the crate with the slates and chalk and took one last look around.
“Come,” he said, eyes now soft. “Let’s get you home.”