I nodded once.
Turner cleared his throat and sat a little straighter. "Is it safe to assume that you're responsible for Ms. Palmer's dilemma?"
Calmly, maybe a little too calmly, I answered his question the best way I knew how.
"There's no dilemma. Brynn and I are two grown individuals having a child together. A dilemma is what you and I are gonna have in a minute if you don't watch your damn mouth." My pulse was steady and I didn't look away. There wouldn't be a problem unless he created one.
He put up his hands. "Mr. Rios, calm down, please."
"Oh, this is me calm," I assured him, never raising my voice. As long as he didn't get out of line, we were good.
"I didn't mean to offend you," he went on. "I'm simply trying to make sure I understand your position in all this. I mean … you're clearly emotionally invested in Brynn. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come in here today."
I sat quietly and waited to see where he was going next.
When he spoke again, he changed his tone-snatched the bass right out his voice. "Listen … I know it may be hard for some to understand how things operate within St. Ann's, and most parochial schools for that matter, but we have standards in place that don't exist within the public school system. Because we're privately funded, we're able to exercise certain rights federally financed facilities don't have the liberty of doing." He breathed deep and continued explaining. "Honestly, those standards are the precise reason parents entrust us with their children. We believe that adults should lead by example and, pardon me for saying so, but conceiving children out of wedlock is not something we tolerate here from our staff. Imagine the message it would send to our children."
"Oh, you mean like how it's wrong to pass judgment on others? A message like that?" I asked.
Turner sighed, obviously frustrated that I wasn't readily buying into his theory.
"The board and I never passed judgment on Ms. Palmer. She signed a contract when she was hired in and we have to insist that all members of our staff adhere to those terms, from the greatest to the least," he explained. "Now, I want you to know that I've had nothing but good experiences with Ms. Palmer over the years. Parents and students love her, but … again, we have a standard to uphold at St. Ann's and it applies to us all. Myself included."
I scooted toward the edge of my seat, closing the distance between Turner and I when I felt myself getting worked up. "So, let me ask you something: do you go around firing teachers for cheating on their spouses? For not paying parking tickets? For doctoring figures on their taxes?"
"Don't be silly, Mr. Rios," Turner scoffed. "There's no way of knowing the intricate details of all our teachers' lives. I'm simply saying, based on the morality clause-"
"See … there you go hiding behind that damn morality clause again," I cut in, aiming my finger at the man. "Does it include all moral missteps or only the ones with visible evidence? The ones you're worried might make your school look bad because you can't sweep them under the rug?"
He let out another deep breath.
"You see where I'm going with this, Turner? I'm willing to bet that ninety-five percent of your staff here isn't doing everything right. Hell, make it one-hundred just to be sure we don't leave anybody out. So, if we're being truthful and admit that no-damn-body is perfect based on St. Ann's standards, how is it that you, or anyone else for that matter, have the right to put someone out of a job simply because she can't hide what she's done as well as the rest of you?"
There was nothing he could say, so of course I went on because I had a whole lot more to get off my chest.
"And I know you think your little contract makes you untouchable, but I beg to differ. I keep a lawyer on retainer and I assure you I went with the most savage one I could find-no holds barred; dude's like a pit bull off his leash. So, depending on where you and I end up after this little meeting, that'll determine whether I give him a call or not. And believe me, the law may be on your side because you forced these teachers to sign away one of their rights, but losing in court isn't the only way this could go bad for St. Ann's. I'll just let you marinate on the court costs, the negative press a situation like this would bring down on you, and the media frenzy you'd have outside on the manicured lawn of your lovely school when you arrive every morning." I smiled at him. "Imagine how your students' parents will feel about that."
Turner loosened his necktie and cleared his throat. "Well … I-"
I didn't say a word, just sat there listening to him scramble for a response. When a defense didn't come to mind, he glared at me. "Since you seem to have all the answers, Mr. Rios, where do you propose we go from here? And for the record, reinstating Ms. Palmer is simply out of the question. It's not even an option. I can't go against my constituents and act outside the contract. If I did, my job would be on the line."
I thought about what he said. With the way things had gone down, I was pretty sure Brynn wouldn't consider working here again anyway. The shame of how she was dismissed would be a deterrent for sure. However, I was sure Turner could work something else out.
"You've been in your position for a while, I'm assuming."
He shrugged. "For a few years."
"And I'm sure you have some connections; people in high places who have some pull?"
His entire face turned bright red, but he kept his tone even when he answered. "I know a few people, but-"
"I don't need excuses," I interjected. "What I need is for you to put in a good word for Brynn so she has a job to return to when it's all said and done."
There was a loaded pause between us and I had my response ready for when he rejected my demands; however, I didn't end up needing it.
"I'll see what I can do," he answered.
"No, what you meant to say is ‘I'm gonna make this happen'," I countered. "I have faith in you," I added with a smile.
A breath of frustration was released. "I'll need some time to call in a few favors."
"Get back to me in a month," I replied, making clear the window of time he had to call. I stood from the chair and pulled out my wallet. Taking one of my business cards to the shop from the back slot, I placed it on Turner's desk and repeated, "One month."
He eyed my info printed on the card and then nodded.
I closed the door to his office behind me and immediately sent a text to my lawyer so he'd be on standby just in case. Turner could take me for a joke if he wanted to, but I was ready and meant every word I said in there. I didn't play when it came to my family. He'd find Brynn a job so she wouldn't have to stress about it and then we'd be square.
My only concern was making sure things worked out for her.
Chapter Sixteen
Brynn
Submit.
I stared at the screen after pressing the button, reading over the confirmation message that popped up. I was still on the hunt for a job, but so far, no luck.
A dull pain spread across my forehead, but that had sort of become the norm these days; the slightly swollen ankles, too. The doctor said to expect this, but most days taking the baby aspirin seemed to help. At least it knocked the edge off the headaches. Still, Dr. Rubino was monitoring my blood pressure closely to make sure further action didn't need to be taken. So far I was in the clear because my numbers were elevated, but not in the range that alarmed her.
"I don't know why you won't just let him help you," came Mona's voice in my ear. I filled her in on all that had taken place over the last week, even about Marco finding out I lost my job at Sunday dinner and she wasn't shy about sharing her thoughts. Especially, now that she was privy to my health situation, she and Ced had been on my case even more than before. Was the job hunt starting to wear on me? Yes, but only because I knew my chances only worsened as time went on. Still, I had to believe it would come together.
"Either that or come on out here with Ced and I. We keep telling you we'd love to have you," she added.
I definitely felt welcome there, but I had a long time to think it over. The realization hit me as to why I was so hesitant to agree. It wasn't that I was just so attached to Houston; it was Marco. I couldn't justify leaving and denying him his rights as a father, not when he stepped up like he had. It was very clear that his intentions were to be active and who was I to take that away from him?
"Again, thanks for the invitation, but I'm going to have to respectfully decline," I replied, shutting my laptop before lying back on the mattress.
"Well, at least let us send you some money. Things can't be easy on you right now," she added.