Chapter 17- Behind Closed Doors

"Well, Miss James, I have seen your portfolio and resume before, many times actually, over the past couple years. We have been trying to get you to come in for years to see us. What finally changed your mind, if you don't mind me asking?" the principal at Tree Hill High School asked Haley. She was nervous, and Nathan didn't know she was there.

"Well, I thought that it was time for a change of pace, seeing as though my sister's alcohol problem was brought into the light just recently, and she lives with me and my niece, so I felt that a change of scenery might help her kick the habit, so to speak, if there weren't as many bars around for her to go to, it wouldn't be as tempting."

"Interesting, okay. And this niece of yours, your sister's daughter?"

"Meredith, no, she is my brother's daughter, she was entrusted to my care after her mother passed when she was born, and my brother went into the army, overseas, to make something of himself so his baby girl would be proud of him, and not to long ago, he was killed, making her legally mine."

"Does she affect your work habits?"

"Well, Meredith is a good kid. She goes to school. My sister, the one in rehab, usually picked her up and took her to school, and watched her while I was working, and entertained her, in exchange for free rent, and it was a chance to spend time with her niece. So, I would say no, she does not affect my work habits. I could easily find a more suitable sitter, it would not be a problem, and since she is going to school in the same district as my job, we have the same days off."

"And what makes you feel you are qualified to teach here. I mean, you came from a small orderly school."

"Well, I found it rather boring to come into a class of 20 perfectly behaved honor students and have them all do perfect work, and read something when you tell them to, and stay on task, there was no excitement. That was the whole school. I feel that I could easily deal with more kids, and more misbehaved children."

"You have a wonderful list of credentials, and a mile long list of contacts, no police record, but why Tree Hill, why not another messed up school in any town in this country?"

"Well, I went to Tree Hill High School. I graduated from here. I grew up here. I want to be in Tree Hill. This is my home. I want to show my niece where he father grew up, show her that there is always family there, even if they aren't blood related, because my family is here. I made the mistake once of leaving, and I was punished for it, but now I want to return home."

"I assume you have read the rules of the school, and the code of conduct," he asked, it's like they were generic questions, he wasn't really caring about the answers.

"Yes I did, I read them both, many times, cover to cover."

"And you understand them?"

"Yes, I do, no questions here."

"Great, when are you planning to start?"

"Fall?"

"Fine, see you then, Ms. James. I will contact you at the address given to inform you of new policies and your first day, room number and other various things."

"Thank you, and see you then," she said, got up, and left.

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"Wake-up," Haley said, walking in and throwing the classified section of the newspaper on Taylor, "You're getting a job, a real job. I have called in a couple favors for jobs, and if none of these please you, you have the classified section," Haley was clearly angry. "First," she said, reading off of a piece of paper, "Karen could use an extra waitress/busboy on the weekends. Dan Scott wants you to sell cars at his dealership, weekdays, and weekends if you please, you can work out days and times with him. He contacted me, and I told him I would pass it along. Peyton could use a cashier on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and Friday nights. And, like I said, you have the classified section to find something, but you're getting a job if you plan on still living with Meredith and me. No more alcohol, no wine, beer, vodka, tequila, rum, nothing. If I catch you with alcohol in any form, you will be asked to leave, and not to come back. I don't want this kind of behavior around Meredith, and my lawyer told me that if you continue to, or engage in suck behavior again, then he will suggest that I apply for a restraining order against you for Meredith and me. By the way, you are to have all of your things packed before the end of next month, we are moving to Tree Hill, again. I have a court case to attend next week about your behavior, apparently it got out, and other family members were quick to jump on it to get Meredith. I need to go and defend myself, and try my best to keep Meredith in my custody."

"Haley, you wouldn't throw me out, I'm your sister. I'll change, I promise. I'll take one of those jobs, whichever one is easiest. Probably working for Dan Scott, he likes me. So call him up, and tell him I'll start whenever they let me out of here."

"Taylor, you know I would throw you out, I did it before, and I have nothing against doing it again. I'm not going to call Dan Scott, you are, and you are going to get out of here, join some twelve step program or something, and get better. I'm moving on with my life, and I think you should too. Stop going out with jerks, and find someone."

"What are you, mom? That's why I moved out."

"Well, do you really think anyone else in that in family would take you in after this? I think not, so just think a while and get your life together," Haley said and left.