Home is Where Our Hearts Are Part 2
Summary - Lena has her interview for the principal position at another school and discusses it with the family.
Disclaimer - I didn't create most of the characters in this story. They are the property of Bradley Bredeweg, Peter Paige and ABC Family. Any infringements are unintentional.
Lena arrived at the San Diego County Administration Center for her interview with some school board members for the principal position at John D. Spreckels Community Charter School. After the introductions, the interview got underway with Lena telling the board members about her record as vice principal at Anchor Beach and her long time mission of helping as many kids as possible. The board members were a bit impressed by what Lena had to say.
"Mrs. Adams Fosters, we're very impressed with your creditials," Said board member John Edmunds. "especially with your view of how to better use technology in the classroom and more importantly, your strong skills with people."
"Thank you very much." Lena said. "I`m very flattered."
"I think that this will be it for our interview." Valerie Lopez said. "We want to thank you for taking out of your day to meet with us."
"It's a pleasure." Lena said as she shook hands with the board members.
"We will contact within the next few days for a follow up." John Edmunds said.
"I will keep my phone close." Lena said. "Thanks again."
After saying goodbye, Lena made her way out of the building. Just as Lena was about exit the building, she heard someone hurridly walking behind her. She turned around and saw Valerie Lopez jogging toward her.
"I`m so sorry that i had to interrupt you," Valerie said. "but i want to talk to you alone for a moment."
"Sure." Lena said.
The women went to sit down on a bench.
"I want to speak to you off the record about the new Anchor Beach principal."
Lena was immediately intrigued about what Valerie was about to say.
"I`m not supposed to tell you yet," Valerie said. "but the board has made it's decision about the new principal."
"Who it's going to be?" Lena asked.
"Her name is Monte Porter."
Lena was immediately befuddled after hearing Valerie`s revelation. "Who is she? I haven't heard of her."
"She comes from more of a business background."
"Sounds like she`s pretty unqualified in terms of education."
Valerie immediately saw that Lena was very annoyed by the choice for the new principal.
"I`m so sorry about this, Lena." Valerie said, trying to reassured a visibly peeved Lena. "I went to bat for you as best as i can, but the rest of the board wanted to go in a different direction since they`re very concerned about the budget cuts at Anchor Beach."
Lena took stock of what she had just heard for a moment. "I want you to be honest with me." She said. "Did you hear of anyone else on the board expressing their concern about certain things with me?"
"I'm going to be very honest with you. Some board members along with some parents has laid some blame with you about the Cesars withdrawing their funding after what happened with your oldest son, Brandon."
"I knew that this would happen." Lena said, growing increasingly angry about the accusation and blame.
"Some board member have their reservations about you in light of those recent events and feel that the funding wouldn't return as much with you as principal at Anchor Beach, especially in light of some recent events."
"That's a bunch of crap. Sure Brandon did get mixed up in some bad stuff, but Vico Cesar was much worse. He is a bad kid that brutally assaulted Brandon and got only a slap on the wrist thanks to his parents."
"I`m so sorry about this."
"No, don't be." Lena sighed. "I'm not surprised about this."
"Still some board members, myself included, thinks very highly enough of you to suggest your name to a couple of members of the charter at JDS."
Lena thought about everything that she had been told. "This is a lot for me to grasp right now." She said. "I`ll have to think about this and talk it over with my family.
"Well, good luck on this." Valerie said as she shook hands with Lena.
Lena got up from the bench and walked back to her car. As she was driving home, Lena thought over everything that she was told and wrestled with her emotions about it.
_
Lena finished making some last preparations with dinner, while Jesus, Mariana and Jude finished setting up the table. Stef, Brandon and Callie each entered the house separately within a half hour, which meant that tonight was going to be a full family dinner.
"Hey guys." Stef said, surprised to see Brandon and Callie joining the family for dinner. "I didn't think that either of you would make it."
"The manager said that i could take off early since things were a litte slower than usual." Callie said.
"We've pretty much finished working on a new song." Brandon said.
"That's great, B." Stef said. "When are we going to hear it?"
"We`ll try to get it recorded soon, although Lou likely would want to re-do her vocals."
"She's quite the perfectionist."
Everyone had a laugh at Stef's comment for a moment before having some small talk about school and work.
"So, Mama, how did the interview go?" Mariana asked.
"It went well." Lena replied. "It had some different board members and i seemed to make a good impression on them."
"I hope that they get it right this time." Stef said.
"I do too." Jesus said after taking a sip of water. "I still think it's wrong they didn't let you be principal at Anchor Beach."
"Since you`ve mention that, Jesus," Lena said. "I learned who's going to be the new principal."
"Oh yeah, who?" Stef asked.
"Her name is Monte Porter."
"I`ve never heard of a woman named Monte." Brandon said.
"Me neither. Apparently she has more of a business background and less qualified in education, which is an sign of the new direction the board wants to go."
"It's not fair that they passed you over for someone less qualified." Mariana said in a disgusted tone.
"I have to quote Jesus and say that this sucks." Stef said bluntly.
"I know how you guys feel about this," Lena said. "but we have to make the best of this situation."
"Do you know when you`re going to get a follow up?"
"It should be within the next few days."
"I hope this will go well and perhaps you'll finally get promoted."
Everyone talked and ate for a few more minutes. Jude went to pour himself and Callie another glass of lemonade. "Can i asked you something about this new job?" He asked.
"Sure Buddy." Lena replied.
"If you get to be principal at this other school, do we have to come and go there?"
"That's a good question, Jude." Stef said.
"I really don't know right now." Lena said. "Would you guys be open to going to JDS next school year?"
"I don't know." Brandon said. "This is a lot to think about, especially since Myself, Jesus and Mariana have been going to Anchor Beach the longest."
"I did some research on JDS at their website and it looks like a pretty good school."
"I've heard that they get a lot of donations from some of the wireless companies." Mariana said.
"Yeah and they recruit of the best students." Brandon said.
"I think that we all need to look more into JDS just in case." Lena said. "However i think that you guys should be focused on finals."
"We are." Callie said.
"Good, because Mama and i want to see you guys finish the year strong." Stef said.
The rest of the dinner went quietly with everyone thinking about their possible future in light of Lena`s news about the job interview, especially Jude, who was worried about once again changing schools after finally having some stability at Anchor Beach.
