“Why not?” I frowned, looking around. “If it’s leaving Angela you’re worried about, I’ll pay the rest of your rent through your lease. That should give her enough time to find someone else.”
June shook her head. “It’s not Angela I’m worried about,” she said. “It’s Brett. He doesn’t even know we’re dating. How is he going to act when his teacher moves in?”
“How about if, at first, you stay here over the weekends when I have Brett? Just at first,” I promised. “Then I’m sure everything would smooth out on its own.”
June nodded slowly. “I’ll think about it,” she said softly.
I kissed her and pulled her close. “Good,” I said. “Because I need you in my life, June. If anything, this scare just showed me how much you really mean to me.”
Chapter Nineteen
June
After all I went through, I couldn’t believe when life starting feeling normal again. It had barely been twenty-four hours since my ordeal, but I knew I needed a little bit more time to really process everything that had happened.
Even though I couldn’t wait to start up again, teaching at P.S.151, I called in on Monday morning and said I was too sick to come to school. I was sure that many other teachers and administrators had read the paper – the sordid tale of Andy and Hannah/Megan was splashed all over the front page. Thomas’s lawyer, Sandy, was trying his hardest to minimize damage, but New York City loves angry gossip like no other, and I was shocked that it wasn’t worse.
The school understood. I knew they knew I was lying – obviously, I wasn’t really sick – but they offered me two more weeks of paid leave.
I accepted. Spending a few days vegging out in front of the television and hanging with Angela was just what I needed, especially if I was going to be moving out soon. I really didn’t want to leave her in the dark, but I couldn’t lie – the prospect of living with Thomas was incredibly exciting.
Angela and I decided to go shopping. I was still feeling more than a little afraid to be out in public on my own, but being with Angela wasn’t scary at all. We took a cab downtown and spend the afternoon going in and out of lots of little shops.
“June?”
My blood ran cold as the familiar voice of Marlene sounded in my ears.
Turning around, I began to sweat as I saw her unmistakable red mane coming towards me.
“Don’t try anything,” I said in a shaky voice, stepping back. “I’ll call the police!”
“No, June, wait,” Marlene said quickly. She pressed her lips together and paused. “I…I feel really terrible about how I’ve behaved,” she said.
I narrowed my eyes. “Why are you apologizing now?”
Marlene’s green eyes filled with tears and I couldn’t help it – a small flame of pity flared inside my chest.
“Because,” Marlene said stiffly. “I was so worried about my son. But he’s in a stable place now. I know that at least some of that is because of you, and your effect on Thomas.”
I frowned.
“You’re a good teacher, June,” Marlene said. “I’m sorry I said those things.” She straightened up.
“Don’t trust this bitch,” Angela whispered in my ear. “She might be gunning for you!”
“Hold on,” I said to Angela. To Marlene, I jerked my head to the side. She followed me through the store until we were in a quiet area, across from the bathrooms.
“Look, I hate the way you acted,” I said. “I’m not going to lie – it was really cruel on your behalf. But Thomas and I are serious,” I added, carefully watching Marlene’s face. “And we’re going to stay serious.”
Marlene swallowed. “I know.” She bit her lip. “Look, the thing is – Hannah was feeding me information the whole time. She was trying to make me believe that you were some kind of gold-digging bitch, out to score Thomas for your own good.”
“No, god, no,” I said quickly.
“I know that now,” Marlene replied. “And I’m sorry that I believed Hannah. But I thought I could trust her – she worked for Thomas for so long, and she never seemed anything but perfectly innocent.”
I nodded stiffly.
“I had no idea she was so evil,” Marlene finished. “Mostly, I’m ashamed that I acted the way I did. It really wasn’t fair to you.”