I looked over at Joanie. Her face was as white as I could imagine mine must have been. We both heard the words Cindy had used as she left; words that would scrape, bruise, and leave marks on even the most moral of people.
“J,” I sighed as I held out my hand to her.
“Don’t worry, I’m right behind you. You’re not alone,” she whispered as she grabbed my hand and pushed me toward Dean McCallous’s huge door…the same door that separated us from the dragon’s lair.
I cautiously ambled into Dean McCollous’s office, Joanie following and squeezing my hand behind me, and looked toward the dean behind her desk. Her actions were very methodical and precise as she shuffled papers from one pile to the other. I stood frozen in front of her thinking that maybe if I didn’t move she wouldn’t see how deathly terrified I was. Like if I kept my distance, the flames that shot from her nostrils and mouth wouldn’t sear my skin.
When she finally looked up from her desk and noticed Joanie was next to me, her eyes narrowed.
“Miss Emerson, I am sorry but this is a private meeting between Miss Mooney and me. Shut the door behind you,” the dean stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
Dean McCallous continued to rearrange papers before she sat in her executive rolling chair and pulled herself up to her desk. As Joanie and I looked at one another, our eyes held a private conversation only we could understand. I didn’t want J to leave, and she read my expression perfectly. Joanie didn’t move. The dean looked up, clearly missing the sound of a door closing.
“Joanie,” the dean huffed.
“Wilson wants me here. Dean McCallous, I’m the only family she has,” Joanie said, trying to argue for representation. A moment of control hung between the three of us; thick enough to drown any hope I had of J staying. The dean tapped her hands across the papers on her desk before clearing her voice.
“Well, then, take a seat, Miss Emerson. The first thing I want to make very clear with you girls: here at Wesley we have a reputation we must uphold. Other institutions look to us for leadership and guidance. We have zero tolerance for malevolence, slander, or inappropriate behavior from anyone associated with our academy.” Dean McCallous’s eyes bounced between Joanie and me, never losing the intensity in their stare. “Not to mention the legal repercussions that you and Ma— er, Mr. Goldstein could potentially cause for Wesley due to this unfortunate state of affairs. With that being said, it is my responsibility to keep our integrity and not deviate from what Wesley has established within the moral codes of conduct it expects of its students and staff. Miss Mooney, I have looked over your transcripts. It appears you have earned enough credits to graduate—immediately. With the circumstances as they are, you will not be coming back to Wesley once school commences in January. Unfortunately, you will also lose the distinction of graduating with honors. You should know, Miss Mooney, it took a lot of convincing on my part, to influence the board to agree to waive their denial of any reimbursements for your education. Are you clear on the actions the board has taken?” she asked as she leaned back in her chair and waited for me to say something.
I didn’t even know where to begin. Part of me was heartbroken to be pushed out of the place I’d known as home for the last three plus years of my life, and the other part of me was completely relieved to have every secret I’d been harboring out in the open. My throat dry, my eyes watering, I tried to swallow and respond to her explanation of the disciplinary action Wesley had decided to take. Her words were lofty yet understandable. I asked the only thing that wasn’t addressed.
“Will there be any legal action taken against Ma—”
“It is my understanding that Mr. Goldstein has resigned from his position due to the passing of his father.”
“How soon does Wilson have to leave the dorms?” Joanie asked, filling the silence that crowded the room.
Dean McCallous took a long, deep breath, most likely trying to erase the distaste she had at this unpalatable situation.
“Protocol for someone who has been asked to vacate the premises is 24 hours. However, the board is recognizing you as an emancipated adult who has requested to graduate early. Miss Mooney, you will have until January 7th to vacate your dormitory. Do you see a problem with that?”
“No,” I answered quickly.
“Well, then, if we are clear about the circumstances of your early graduation, and if you have no more questions, the board is requesting that you sign this confidentiality agreement…Miss Emerson, I will have you sign as well.”
“Well, I do have one more question. If I have to sign a confidentiality agreement and so does Joanie, can I assume that everyone involved or who knows about the situation will be signing one as well? Including Cindy Browler?” I asked these questions in rapid succession. I’ll be damned if I have to sign one of these papers gagging me on what I can and can’t say while Cindy has every right to disparage Max and my relationship to anyone she damn well pleases.