“It was Flynn’s idea. His assistant, Addie, and Leah put this together so you could see the kids before you leave.”
I glance at Flynn, so filled with love and gratitude I don’t know how I’ll ever express it to him properly.
He smiles at me, but I can see the disquiet that remains within him because this gathering is necessary in the first place. Then my kids want my full attention, and I give it to them, not knowing how long it will be before I see them again. They have a lot of questions, for which there are no easy answers.
“Why can’t you be our teacher anymore?” Clarissa asks.
Tears fill my eyes, but I’m determined to leave them with happy memories of me, not tearful ones. “It’s really complicated, honey, but it’s not because I don’t want to be your teacher. I want that more than anything, but sometimes you can’t have what you want.”
“Like at Christmas,” Micha says, “when Santa brings you some of the toys on your list but not all of them.”
“That’s exactly right. But I want you all to do me a favor and work really hard for your new teacher and show her how much we’ve already learned this year. I know you’ll be super well behaved because you always are.”
“I’m sad that I won’t see you every day,” Logan says.
My heart breaks over the thought of not seeing him either. The poor kid already has more than enough to contend with worrying about his mom. I hug him tightly, knowing I’m likely to see him again because I intend to remain in touch with his mother.
Flynn has provided a spaghetti dinner for the kids and their parents, and as we all sit down to eat, it feels like a big family gathering. If only I wasn’t trying not to cry the whole time, I might be able to believe that this is just another night and tomorrow I’ll be right back in the classroom where I belong. Instead, I’ll be holed up in a Malibu beach house waiting for the media to lose interest in me.
Flynn’s hand on my back calms and steadies me. He is right by my side through it all, reminding me I’m not alone and I’m loved. I feel his love in every look, every touch, every word he says to and about me. I’ve known him for twelve days, and my life has changed in every possible way since then—mostly for the better.
I could live without the feeding frenzy currently unfolding online and in the tabloids, but Liza has assured him—and me through him—that the story doesn’t have “legs.” Most people, she said, are horrified by the violation of my privacy.
Hayden’s hashtag has apparently gone viral, with everyone who’s anyone in Hollywood jumping on board to denounce the media. I look forward to the opportunity to thank Flynn’s best friend and business partner for his support while we’re in LA.
“So what’re you going to do now?” Aileen asks me quietly.
“We’re going to LA tonight. Flynn’s friend has a house at the beach. The plan is to hide out for a while. And then I guess we’ll see what happens.”
“I know this is a nightmare for you, but I hope you’ll try to enjoy the time off and the getaway with that amazing man of yours.”
I force a smile for her benefit. “He does make the glass seem a little less empty, doesn’t he?”
“Um, yeah, he certainly does,” Aileen says with a dirty laugh that makes me laugh with her. She takes hold of my hand. “Let me give you some unsolicited advice. You have your health, Natalie. You have a man who’s crazy about you and friends who care deeply. Please don’t let this setback derail your life. Promise me.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
“Remember what’s most important.”
Appreciative of the timely words of wisdom, I hug her tightly. “Do you promise you’ll keep in touch?”
“Always. Just so you know—a bunch of us parents are getting together with the Emerson board tomorrow night. We’re not letting this go without a fight.”
I’m stunned speechless. “You… you’re…”
“We’re fighting for you, Nat. Teachers like you, who care about the kids the way you do, should be given the benefit of the doubt, especially in light of what you’ve already been through. You should be treated like the hero you are and not vilified for making a new life for yourself. And by the way, as your friend, I’m truly proud of you for standing up to that monster the way you did.”
I wipe away tears that blind me. I haven’t cried this much in eight years. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. We’re on your side, and we’re not going to be happy until they bring you back where you belong.”
I hug her again. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had real friends.”
“You’ve got a lot of people pulling for you. Don’t get too comfortable out there in California.”
Laughing through my tears, I marvel at the show of support from the parents of my students.