Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“Your pregnancy, Miss Gerard,” she snapped at me as if her patience had worn thin.
My eyes flew open wide, and a laugh filled with disbelief burst out of me.
“What?!” I shook my head. “I’m not pregnant. Why would you think that?” I was floored. I glanced at each one, looking for some sign or understanding.
“A trustworthy source came to meet with me this morning in tears. This person had been holding your secret for you and was very remorseful. She was doing what she believed was the Christian thing to do and will not be held accountable for that mistake. It was out of her kindness she did it,” Mr. Clairton informed me. “She said word had leaked, and the gossip was flying through the staff. She had hoped you would come to me before that happened, but since you had not, she did not want me to be blindsided and the school to suffer because of it.”
My mouth was agape as I listened to him. He was serious. Someone had told him I was pregnant, and it was going around school.
Who would do something like that, and why? The looks I’d gotten today. The pity. Oh God, they all thought I was knocked up.
That was breaking a big rule here. I was unwed. This was a Christian school, and they held their employees to a higher standard—or that was what I had been told when I took the job. Although Christians do not judge, we must be examples of Christ.
“Well, what is your explanation for that, Miss Gerard?” Mrs. Warlow demanded.
I shook my head. “I’m not pregnant,” I said. “I don’t know who told you I was, but I swear to you that I am not and have never been.”
Mr. Clairton wanted to believe me. I could see it in his eyes. But there was also the sympathy there telling me he did not. This Christian who had come to him—he believed their word over mine.
“Considering that the entire staff believes differently and we have been assured by a source that we trust, you can see how you telling us you are not isn’t enough,” Mrs. Warlow said, her shoulders straight as she looked down at me over her nose—her head was held so high.
“I don’t care how trustworthy this person is, but they were misinformed. I am not pregnant,” I stated firmly, growing more irritated by the second.
This was not a fair situation. Where was the other party? The one who had told them? If I was going to be held in this trial of theirs, I had some questions of my own for the person who’d claimed I was.
Dr. Voy cleared his throat. “This wasn’t expected,” he informed me. “Pregnancy can only be hidden so long. You are aware of that. Denying it would be a short-term fix.”
“If I were pregnant, it would be, but I’m not!” My words came out with all the frustration and anger building inside me.
He flinched. “The school’s reputation is at stake here. Parents will hear of this and flood this office as well as bombard us all with calls. They pay a lot to put their children here. Because there is no reason for the one who informed us of this to lie about it and there is reason for you to lie about it, you will understand that we must investigate further into the matter. Until you can prove that you are not with evidence that we can share with the concerned and upset parents and staff, we are asking you to take a leave of absence.”
Was he kidding me? No. The man was completely serious. This had to be illegal. I didn’t care if they were a private school. This was not fair.
“I can go buy a pregnancy test and pee on it right now,” I informed him.
“There is no call for crudeness, Miss Gerard,” Mrs. Warlow snapped at me.
“I’m afraid that isn’t sufficient. There is also the fact that you could have had an abortion. We will be questioned about that as well. Seeing as the church’s stand is that the Lord is pro-life, we would also not be able to keep you here on staff,” Dr. Voy stated.
I paled. How did I prove that? I felt helpless.
They had all turned on me, and I hadn’t done anything wrong. I enjoyed my job. I had just started to really bond with the kids in my room this year. And a lie was going to have this all snatched from me. Who hated me that much to have done this?
My throat clogged with emotion, and I dug my nails into my palms to draw out some pain that would distract me. I could not cry in front of these people. I had already been humiliated and demoralized.
“How do I—” I paused, taking a deep breath. “How would you like me to prove that I am not pregnant, have never been pregnant, and did not have an abortion?” I asked, my voice wavering. I was close to falling apart.