Chapter Seventeen: They Won’t Stop Talking:

Why do people always have to talk? I am so sick of hearing about my school. I came home to get away from that. I don’t even have anything to do with it. The problem isn’t the children. Their parents keep asking me questions. The first question smacked me in the face without warning.

“Do you think he’s guilty?” this mother asked as she came by to pick up her daughter. I stared at her confused at first.

“Excuse me?” I asked.

“Those teachers at that school,” she said. “Are they guilty or not?” It didn’t pick up in my head at first. I probably looked like I was having a mental crash. She gave me a strange look.

“Are you okay?” she asked. I slowly nodded as if in a daze.

“Yeah, yeah…” I said. “I just need a moment.” I turned and walked back into the library.

“Nathan?” that lady asked. The doors closed behind me. She wasn’t going to be the only one either.

Six mothers. Six mothers kept asking me questions. What could I tell them? I had nothing to do about those scandals. Why does everyone think that I know something? I came home to get away from my misery, but it managed to follow me here.

“Are you alright?” I heard behind me. I whipped my head around. Mrs. Washburn stood at the desk.

“Uh… yeah,” I lied. “You know what? I’m just going to go home.”

“Okay,” she said. “Don’t forget to sign out.” I turned around and walked up to the desk. I signed out on the volunteer sheet and walked out.

“See you tomorrow,” Mrs. Washburn said. I waved her off as I walked off. I just hoped that I wouldn’t run into any more people and questions.

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I ended up going straight home.

“I’m home,” I said. My mother was in the kitchen like usual. She must be making dinner. Mom looked up and saw me.

“Hi honey, how was your day?” she asked.

“Uh…” I said as I sheepishly looked away. Mom completely turned around.

“Is something wrong?” she asked. I dropped my head.

“They won’t stop talking about what’s going on at my former school,” I said. I walked over to kitchen table and slumped down into the chair. I dropped my head onto the table. Mom walked over and put her hands on my shoulders.

“Aw, I’m sorry to hear that,” she said. I groaned in my arms. I just wished that she hadn’t heard the news yet. My sisters were already going to make it worse. I could see them now. Mallory would have her phone out and start talking. Of course she would have her questions. Kim would also ask questions too. She wouldn’t be as bad, but still…

“I just want to die,” I wailed in my arms.

“Don’t say that,” Mom said. “You don’t mean it.” I peeked up at her.

“You sure about that?” I asked. She frowned at me.

“No, you don’t,” Mom said. I lowered my head back into my arm. I didn’t feel like getting up. That’s when another thought crossed my mind. How long before my former colleagues called? What were they going to say? Oh great! I had my former students and the people in this town talking, I didn’t need them too.

“Nate?” I heard in the kitchen. I didn’t need to look up to know who that was.

“What’s wrong with you?” Mallory asked.

“Not right now, honey,” Mom said. I heard my sister turn around and walk away. By now, I didn’t care. I just wanted the day to be over. I groaned aloud in my arms. Fuck my life.