Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“You can make an exception!”
Dr. Dryer shakes her head. “No, I can’t. Not for you, not for anyone. Now, Dr. Boynton and Mr. Kingham, you will be disciplined.”
“What will be our punishment?” John asks. Mark has been silent the entire time. I should’ve been more like him. I think talking back to Dr. Dryer has made her like me even less.
I may not be punished, but will I still be welcome in the English department after all of this? I definitely won’t be connecting with Dr. Dryer anytime soon.
How naïve I was to walk into this meeting believing I might be able to find a mentor in her.
“I cannot share the details with you at this time,” Dr. Dryer answers. “Know that it isn’t entirely up to me. The entire school board will be involved.”
My stomach drops. Everyone in the school board has to be involved in this? I had no idea it would be so serious.
I feel like this is all my fault. I should’ve been more careful. We all should’ve been more careful. Someone must’ve seen us out at a restaurant or overheard me talking about our relationship.
“How did you find out?” I ask.
“I am unable to disclose the origin of the tip.”
Of course she’s not. I didn’t expect an actual answer.
“Is there anything else you need from us at this time?” John asks.
“No, that will be all. Dr. Boynton and Mr. Kingham, you are suspended from duties at the university until we have completed our investigation. I’m sure you understand.”
“We do. Thank you, Dr. Dryer.”
Investigation? What more do they need to investigate? I told her everything she needs to know.
I want to yell this, but John leads me out of the office instead.
When we’re out of the building, I open my mouth to speak, but John stops me.
“Not yet. We’re going to my apartment. Wait until then.”
I close my mouth. That makes sense. They’re probably watching us.
Of course, I have no idea who “they” are. Who reported us?
My first thought is Jessica, but she would never do that to me. Did someone in class overhear our conversation this morning?
No, this definitely happened before that. The guys have been dealing with this all morning.
What did they say? Did they try to protect me? I want to ask these questions, but John and Mark are in no mood to talk right now. We walk to John’s apartment with heavy feet.
I wish for the first time that he drove to campus. We could take the train, but I think we’re all feeling like a long walk will be good for us.
Unfortunately, walking gives us plenty of time to be in our heads. I can’t stop running through the meeting in Dr. Dryer’s office.
What if I’d lied? Had Mark and John already told her the truth? If so, why did she need me there?
I know the answer to that question. Mark and John being in a relationship with each other is against the rules, but they would probably just move Mark to a different class so there would be no imbalance of power. They needed me to confirm they were in a relationship with a student. The punishment for that will be much more severe.
“Is this the end of your careers?” I ask, unable to wait until we arrive at John’s apartment.
Neither guy answers me. John is going to lose his job as a professor, and Mark will be kicked out of the doctoral program. They may never find work in their fields again. Mark may never be able to finish his degree.
I can’t help it. I’m pregnant, so I’m extra emotional. At least, that’s my excuse when I burst into tears on the side of the street in New York City.
Mark and John each put an arm over my shoulder.
“It’ll be okay, Mari. We’ll figure this out. Don’t worry.”
That’s easy for John to say. He’s such an optimistic person. But I don’t think he’s right in this case. I have a baby on the way. What will we do if they can’t work? I know they’re wealthy, but that can only get us so far. I could probably get a job, but I’d wanted to stay home with the baby for a little while. I don’t know what we’re going to do. The punishment may only fall on Mark and John, but it’ll affect all of us. It’s more than just us we have to think about now.
We have a baby to worry about.
22
John
I hate seeing Mari so upset. This isn’t her fault. Mark and I should have been more careful. We knew what was at stake, but we didn’t put in the effort we needed to keep our secret.
Mark and I were frivolous. We went to the gym together. We brought Mari out to dinner in New York City. Hell, we hooked up with Mari in my office!