“See, Winnie? Take the man’s help. Anything but Big Ham.”
“No. I can do this. Big Ham isn’t that bad.” I forced a smile as I met Jack’s gaze. “Thank you, but I can do it. If you’ll just put together a quote for me?”
I could tell he wanted to argue, but he just nodded and stalked back into the shop. When I looked at Gabe, he was shaking his head at me and giving me a look.
“I know. Just… give me your phone. I need to call Mom and ask her to pick us up, and mine died. Please.”
12
Winnie
SittingacrossfromPrincipalStand in her office, I prayed I could make it through our planning meeting without needing to get sick. Working for the woman was taking my stress to new levels. I was sick more often than not. I’d even lost weight, which I wouldn’t complain about, but doing it without trying wasn’t a good sign. I’d spent the morning with my head over different toilet bowls, and all I wanted to do was go home and curl up on my bathroom floor.
Principal Stand looked over my notes in complete silence, as she had for at least five minutes. I’d given my speech, suggesting why my plans for the summer art project were the correct approach and would pair perfectly with what the core classes would be going over at the same time. If I expected her to respond after, I’d been wrong.
As one more minute stretched on, I cleared my throat. “I don’t want to keep you, Principal Stand. I know you have a busy day lined up. If there’s something you’d like me to change, I can do that and bring the updated plan back to you when you have more time to spare.”
Her cold eyes slowly lifted to mine, and she dropped my folder onto her desk, pushing it away like it was a bad meal. “Honestly, it’s horrible, Ms. Lane.”
My mouth opened and closed as shock left me speechless. I’d worked on the proposal for months, making sure everything was perfect.
“I, too, was speechless. It’s terrible. I’m shocked that you would even turn something like this in. You’d have been better submitting nothing to me. You were brought on by my predecessor, Ms. Lane, and, as you’re aware, I’ve had my concerns with your teaching style from the very beginning of my time here. I don’t know what the previous principal was thinking, but I don’t see what they saw. At this point, I’m concerned your credentials aren’t even real.”
My entire body burned, and I knew I was as red as the apples on my dress. “Excuse me?”
“Anyone who attended a university and received a degree would look at this drivel you turned in and know better. This is asinine, Ms. Lane.” She leaned back in her seat and looked me over. “And you haven’t improved your style at all. You make this school look bad when you look the way you look.”
Fury and embarrassment warred in me, and I wasn’t sure what to do. No one had ever spoken to me the way she was.
“I’m canceling the art program for the summer. I’m not convinced it’s worth anything. Especially not under its current administration. You’ll lose the summer school pay, of course.” She pushed my folder at me and shook her head. “If you don’t get your act together, I’ll be forced to consider the benefits of the art program at this school altogether. Maybe the students don’t need some flighty art teacher filling their heads with colors and silly ideas. They need core classes, and they need to be able to test higher than their competitors.”
I stood up, sick in an entirely new way. “These are elementary aged students, Principal Stand! They need art and music. They need to be children. You can’t take art from them!”
She smirked up at me. “I can, and I will. It’s not like they’d be losing anything if I cut the program. You’ve proven to me time and time again that art doesn’t do a lot for a person.”
Waves of anger and helplessness struck me, and I knew without a doubt that I couldn’t be there for a minute more. It was a toxic environment that felt like it was slowly killing me. “I quit.”
The smug look on Principal Stand’s face told me I had given her just what she wanted. “Well, I’m terribly sorry to hear that. I’ll buzz security to escort you to your room. Gather your things and be off the property immediately.”
“My daughter goes to this school, Principal Stand. You can’t kick me off the property.”
“Watch me.” She hit a button on her phone and instructed the front office secretary to send security to her office. “You’ll be allowed to visit like any other parent, with permission.”
I choked back tears. “Why are you like this?”
“I’m just about done with this Snow White act, Lane. See yourself out of my office.” When I stepped out, she called loudly to Mr. Holcomb, the security guard. “Mr. Holcomb, Ms. Lane is no longer employed at Stand Elementary. Please make sure she gathers only her belongings and leaves the premises right away.”
Several teachers standing around the office looked up at me in shock. I did my best to smile and hold my head up high, despite the fact that I was slowly dying inside. I hooked my elbow through Mr. Holcomb’s and let him lead me out of the office.
“Sweetheart, are you okay?” Mr. Holcomb was possibly the sweetest man to ever live. He was also possibly the oldest human still living. “Did that witch fire you?”
I fought to keep my head high as we walked down the hallway. There were a few students who hadn’t left the building for the day yet, and I didn’t want them to see me fall apart. “I quit.”
“Good for you, sweetie. That woman has had it out for you since day one. What will you do now?”
I stepped into my room and collapsed at one of the tables. Resting my head in my hands, I cried. I loved teaching art. I’d known that I wanted to teach art since I was a kid myself. To walk away from it hurt deeply, but I didn’t see another way.
Mr. Holcomb settled across from me and held my hand. “Let it out, Winnie. No one’s ever moved forward by holding onto the past.”