Jake sat in the empty classroom, struggling to focus on what Dean Fleming was saying to her. It was march 3rd, just 2 weeks before the baby was due to be born. Her mother phoned at random hours every night, and Jake, with dark circles beneath her eyes, was having difficulty concentrating in classes.
And now the Dean was telling her she was to be expelled. He sat there, tight-lipped, waiting for her response. When she offered none, he gave a sigh and stood up.
"Look Jacqueline, this has gone far enough. I'm very disappointed in you. You deceived the school authorities and the teachers, you took advantage of sons' hospitality, and you abused your mothers' trust. I'll be giving her a call tonight to inform her of the situa-"
"NO!" Jake shouted, sitting up straight. "You can't call her!"
"I know you're upset and ashamed, Jacqueline, but you can't hide this from her. What you did was very serious – hacking into the computer system, and you committed fraud. It's important she knows, and can sort it out with you."
"But she's pregnant! And the baby's due in a couple of weeks! You can't just give her a call and tell her something as big as this – it'll kill her!!" Jake ran a hand distractedly through her hair as hot tears coursed down her cheeks. "Just let me stay until Parents Day. She's bringing the kid down then, and she can take me back with her then – if you think that's best."
"Very well Jacqueline. You may stay until then. But you are to have no contact with my son – none whatsoever!" he said loudly as Jake raised her head to protest. He got up to leave the room, but turned back as he heard Jake whisper miserably:
"Who told you? How did you find out? I've been so careful…"
"Why, Hamilton told me!" the Dean looked surprised. "Came to me yesterday with some ridiculous notion about you looking after some baby or other." With a small smirk, he strode out of the door.
Oh my G-d! she thought despairingly. Hamilton, what have you done?