Chapter Forty-Four: I’ve Made Up My Mind:

All of my female relatives were sitting in the living room. The TV was turned to the news. I didn’t need to guess what they were watching. All eyes turned on me as soon as I walked in.

“Uh… hi,” I said with a wave.

“Shhh!” my sisters and cousins whispered. I quickly went quiet and made my way into the living room. I sat down next to mom. There it was. My former school’s dirty secrets released to the public. I felt nothing. Maybe because I’ve heard it so many times. Maybe everyone won’t shut up about it. I mean, it’s all bad. But I guess I’m not so surprised anymore.

“Nathan?” mom asked when the news cut to commercial. I turned my head. Mom had a desperate look in her eyes.

“I’m not involved with them,” I said.

“I know,” she said. “What are you going to do?” I clenched my fists at my sides.

“I’m going back to Boston,” I said in a low, cold voice. Mom gave me a shocked look.

“Nathan!” she said. My sisters and cousins were looking at me. I lifted my chin.

“I am going to testify in the courts,” I said. “I should at least get something for losing my job and my home.” Mom tried to put her hand on my shoulder, but I pushed her off.

“You don’t have to do all of this,” she said. “You aren’t involved with your school’s scandals.”

“No,” I said. “But my former students have been talking to me. Even when I was fired, they still talked to me.” I pulled out my phone.

“I still get their texts and calls,” I said. “One girl who wasn’t even my student called me and told me what they did to her.” I lowered my phone by side.

“I at least owe them that,” I said.

“But you lost your home in Boston,” Mallory pointed out.

“I know that,” I said.

“What will you do after that?” Winnie asked.

“I don’t know,” I said. “I don’t know. I don’t have anything figured out from there. I guess…” I paused for a breath.

“I guess I will try and figure it out from there,” I said.

“Hey, the news is back,” Kim said. My family sat down and went back to watching the TV. There, it’s all out there. I noticed Mom looking up at me.

“When do you plan on leaving?” she asked.

“Tomorrow morning,” I said.

“You sure you can’t stay a little bit longer?” mom asked. “I really missed not having you around.” I shook my head.

“No, I’ve stayed here long enough,” I said. Truth is, there is nothing left for me here. I only came here to figure out what to do next. I think I have an answer now. Other than that, I don’t have anything else.

“I’m going to bed,” I whispered.

“Good night,” mom whispered back. I walked out of the living room and headed down the hall. Now that I thought about it, maybe I could have a way to help save myself for the time being. I pulled out my phone again.

“Hey, it’s me,” I said. “I’m sorry to call so late. Do you still have a room for me at your place? Great. Oh, I will be going back to Boston tomorrow. I don’t know what I am doing from there. So can I stay at your place for a while? Sweet, thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I hung up as I made it back to my room. I flopped down onto my bed for the last time for a while.