<br><br> <center>*Of all the dangerous occupations in the world, 
truth-telling is the most dangerous.
― Marty Rubin*
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![edvard_munch_house_summer_night.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmU8fwK21W5hFTEE8kiKnify9emEzcphJ9SAokvFo7JA59/edvard_munch_house_summer_night.jpg)
*Night Fears*</center>

<br><br>After the dinner with Tom we came back home. 

*Home*...the word stuck in my mind―it was what I had really wanted these past two years and didn't know it. 

But now I found it with Lorraine and Tess, curled up on our couch before the fire, a cold wind rattling the windows, while we were safe and warm, snuggling under a throw cover.

<br><br>"What are you thinking?" Lorraine whispered trying not to wake Tess asleep on her lap.

"I'm thinking this is all I ever wanted. I don't care what happens at Haven or what sinister plans Sylvia  might be devising. I don't need to win―I've got everything I need right here."

"I know that's true but I also know you care about those kids, especially Tom Hughes. You're going to stay until you finish the week and try to uncover what's really going on in the school."

"I know―tempting as it may be to walk away, there's a reason why Sylvia wanted us to leave and you're right, I can't abandon those students without at least trying to figure out what it is."

<br><br>Lorraine hugged me tightly. "I know there's a reason why Sylvia is particularly concerned about you―maybe Tom Hughes is the key. You should try to call him aside and see if he'll confide in you."

"You're right. Tom seems to know a lot more than he's telling. He seemed particularly upset by the expulsion of Erin Morgan, so he might be eager to talk. I'll try to approach him tomorrow."

"Just be careful, Matt. I don't know why, but I have this feeling  it could be dangerous."

I nodded, but didn't say anything that might add to her concern.  Still, she was echoing what I was thinking. Whenever there's a lot of money to be won or lost, it's hard to predict what actions people might take to defend their property.

I wouldn't underestimate either Laird or Sylvia or what either of them could be capable of doing.

<br><br>Lorraine went home later that night. She had two frantic mornings already this week hurrying out of my townhouse to go back to her place and then, shower and dress and get ready for work.

I let Tess out in the yard for her final pee before bed and felt the frosty air and saw my breath. Last week of August and already there was a fall nip in the air.

I had no idea what tomorrow would bring but I wanted to make the last week with my students count for something and hopefully,  be able to help them.

<br><br>It was strange though how empty the house felt without Lorraine. Not once in my two years with Sylvia had I ever felt this void inside me I now experienced every time Lorraine wasn't with me. 

Thankfully, Tess helped ease the loneliness and snuggled close. I had to get up once during the night to get another comforter for the bed. It was that cold in the room. 

I figured the temperature was in the low 40's F and even Tess burrowed under the cover in search of warmth.

<br><br>In the morning, I gazed out at the yard expecting to see frost but saw none. The temperature actually rose during the night and was now in the low 50's F. 

 I suppose the changeable weather was a natural seasonal variation but it reminded me fall was coming and Lorraine and I would be starting over in a new school. As much as I looked forward to that experience I saw my final week at Haven as a last opportunity to make a difference.

Hopefully, I'd see Lorraine for a pre-class coffee but if not, we'd be together at lunch and that prospect cheered me.

<br><br>The staff lunchroom was curiously deserted when I got there and although Lorraine hadn't arrived, Tom Turner sat and had coffee with me.

"They're going through the staff by Departments," Tom informed me. "The plan is to get individual teachers to sign what amounts to a loyalty oath. The English Department is near the end, so it won't be too uncomfortable for us when they discover  we won't sign the NDA."

"What about the office staff?" I asked.

<br><br>He shrugged. "I have no idea―maybe that's why Lorraine's not here. She may be meeting with the Dean as we speak."

"I hope not," I frowned, "because she'll refuse to sign and they might terminate her on the spot since she's part of the admin team."

"Well, cheer up if that's the case she'll be paid till the end of the month because of the contract she signed. And then, of course, she'll be working with you, so it will amount to a paid vacation. That would be sweet."

<br><br>I understood the logic of Tom's view but the prospect of not working with her all week was depressing. I looked forward to our coffee breaks and lunches―it made teaching at Haven not just bearable but enjoyable.

Also I realized I felt protective of her. I imagined her in a conference room having to confront *The Unholy Trinity* alone and being berated for her lack of loyalty.

My fingers balled into a fist and I felt anger rising inside me. 

But taking her offence would do her no good and would simply make my relationship with the admin uncomfortable. I'd be viewed with mistrust and even if I were allowed to stay the week, I'd be under scrutiny and unable to learn anything useful that could help the students or end the admin's shady dealings.

I resigned myself to waiting until lunch before I could find out how the admin would be dealing with her.




<br><br> <center>To be continued…</center>

<br><center>© 2022, John J Geddes. All rights reserved</center>

<br><center>[Photo](https://images.app.goo.gl/BgxRv4pzphvQufdB7)</center>
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