26 Back to School

A hand on Kate's shoulder for balance as she steps into the heels that bring her almost to eye level with Kate, "So, we're agreed then, you'll go part time beginning next week, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Did you decide yet if you wanted morning classes or afternoons?" Going right on as she verified that her glasses were in her handbag, "Mornings might be better," sliding an arm around Kate's waist and pressing her close to say sweetly, "then you could rest in the afternoon and be ready to welcome me home each evening."

Trying unsuccessfully to slip away, "Caroline, I don't think this is necessary quite so soon. I don't know why you are trying to push me into this."

Moving her head to hold eye contact, "Don't you? How about our little visit to Dr. Kent last Monday? I seem to recall it was his idea." Continuing with evident concern, "Even though your blood pressure was down a touch on Friday, we don't want to take risks do we?" Releasing her at last to complete the finishing touches to her appearance.

"Soon. He said soon. Not now."

Distracted, sagging at the knees to peer into the mirror to put in her earrings, "Hmm. Well, it is soon now. 'Now' would have been then, wouldn't it?"

Exasperated, Kate wailed, "Caroline." Watching the tailored suit out the door, then belatedly following the tap-slapping sound down the passage, "Caroline!"

Turning, "Really Kate, if I'd thought we were going to have to do this all over again this morning, I would have gotten up earlier." Pulling her in for a resounding kiss "There just isn't time, Kate." Turning and moving on toward the kitchen, Caroline spins Laurence on his stool and pushes his shoulder, "Go brush your teeth." Taking his almost empty bowl with her she drops it into the sink before pouring a cup of tea for each of them.

Kate, still following, "Caroline, what am I going to do with myself all day? I'll go stark staring mad." Taking the cup of tea Caroline offers she goes on, "What we really agreed to is Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, then I can keep the choir and my A Level French class."

Taking the teacup from Kate and setting it on the countertop, Caroline pulls her in and dropping her chin delivers her most charming smile, saying softly, "Kate. After all we've gone through to get her, surely your not going to quibble about going part time for the last few weeks of your pregnancy?" Giving Kate another squeeze, "Are you?"

Sulkily, defeated now, "It's hardly just a few weeks."

"No," Caroline agrees, "but it will go by quickly, you'll see. Toast or cereal?"

Resting on a stool, "Toast." Sipping her tea she remembers Caroline's worries of the night before. "Your very perky and confident considering your condition last night."

Buttering the toast, "Yes, well, I had a pep talk from a very wise woman and" raising her eyebrows, looking pointedly at Kate, "I've decided to heed her advice."

Smiling to herself a little smugly, "A wise woman, eh?"

Placing the plate of toast before Kate, Caroline leans across, nose to nose, "Yeess. One who follows her doctor's advice," then kisses the tip of the nose before her.

Sighing wearily, "Alright, alright. I give in."

Arriving at school, Caroline parked the Jeep in its usual space near the steps. Laurence jumped out and headed to the boot to retrieve his rugby kit and backpack. Through the open lift gate he called, "Later, Mater, Bye Kate," before slamming it closed and he was gone.

Giving her a look that Caroline couldn't quite read, Kate asked, "Ready?"

"Are you laughing at me?"

Putting a hand on Caroline's arm, "I wouldn't do that Caroline."

Caroline's reply was cut short by a pounding on her window. Turning, she saw a grinning face beneath a tea cozy of a hat and a green mitten waving vigorously, "Hi-ee. Good morning you two."

Smiling as convincingly as she can and waving to the figure in the window frame, "Pamela Burke. The woman you want to run my choirs."

Caroline muttered, "Great. The town crier," as the tea cozy hat bounds up the steps to the entrance.

Grinning now, "Look on the bright side, at least you won't need to make an announcement in assembly this morning."

Eyes wide, "Dear God! They won't expect that will they?"

Merriment evident, "No, but we had better go in before someone starts a rumor that we're snogging in the car park."

Looking to the ceiling, and uttering what might actually have been a real prayer, "Dear Lord, give me strength for this day." Seeing from the corner of her eye Kate reach for the door handle, "NO. Wait! I'm coming round to get you. This lot looks treacherous."

Caroline had intended to meet with Gavin today and at the regular Thursday Board of Governors meeting apprise them of the change in her personal situation before making an announcement to the faculty if one seemed to be called for. That was all changed now.

Parting from Kate before entering the double doors that lead to her office corridor Caroline met several faculty members and to a person they stopped what they were doing to smile and greet her including Michael Dobson who emerged from the book room with impeccable timing. Pausing by the door of the outer office Caroline looked back to find those who hadn't moved on looking after her then suddenly turning away at her glance.

Entering the office she was met by Beverley wearing an expectant smile even if it was a little tentative. Caroline's usual "Good morning, was cut short by the sight of her PA simply standing there waiting rather than seated at her desk, lifting her head to greet her before continuing with her work as usual. "What?"

Recognizing the tone, Beverley realized her mistake too late. "Good morning Caroline, have a good Christmas?"

Rather than answering, Caroline posed her own question, "I don't suppose Pamela Burke has been in here this morning?"

Looking embarrassed now, "Yes, she has. Sorry Caroline."

Rolling her eyes with a heavy sigh, "I suppose you had better see if you can get Gavin on the phone right away."

By the time Caroline had hung up her coat and begun unpacking her briefcase, Beverley was putting Gavin through to her.

Describing to him the situation this morning with the news of her and Kate running through the school like wildfire, they agreed to a staff meeting before classes began in an effort to control the story, which would undoubtedly reach the students almost immediately and parents momentarily after that.

Directing Beverly to get the word out about the meeting, which would commence in ten minutes, Caroline retreated to her office to plan her message.

Waiting to enter the faculty lounge until the stragglers had made their way in, Caroline closed the door behind her and surveyed the overcrowded room, all eyes upon her. Silence settled quickly.

Glancing at Kate who was not far away, then letting her gaze travel the room, "As you may know, last year Kate McKenzie and I began seeing one another. Over the holiday, we have leased a flat together which we will share with my sons and we will raise Kate's baby when it arrives." OK. She'd gotten the facts out. Continuing to scan the room she saw more than a few faces smiling encouragingly although most were unreadable.

"I understand that word of this news has preceded me this morning." Looking pointedly at Pamela Burke, who sat innocuously grinning at her, Caroline wondered, could the woman really be that simple? "I hope, for the sake of our students and the responsibility entrusted to us by their parents, you will be circumspect in what is said in front of them. Sulgrave Heath has a proud tradition of integrity and excellence. I have never before had reason to question your commitment to our students or the mission of this school and I trust that this will not change today."

Looking less sure now, "The opinions you hold personally and what you say among yourselves is of course your own business. I'm fair game, say what you like about me but I would just like to remind you that my son, Laurence does still attend school here." Finding it necessary to swallow her emotion now to go on, "I would not like to think that my personal decisions would affect him adversely at school. He's still just a boy. I will ask that you be fair to him no matter your personal views."

Seeing that Caroline was winding down, Tom Lincoln stepped out from the place near the door where he had stationed himself. "Caroline, Kate, on behalf of the faculty and staff at Sulgrave, I'd like to say how happy we are for both of you." With that he shook Caroline's hand and moved to where Kate sat and shook hers as well.

Caroline was grateful but did not want this to turn into anything other than a briefing and announced briskly, "Classes begin in ten minutes everyone. Thank you for your time." Turning to where Kate stood next to Tom, "Kate, a moment please." The two of them left the room and Caroline marched them quickly to another corridor, not wishing to become part of a mob scene no matter how well meaning.

Uncharacteristically, what she did not notice was Tom following her and Kate to the door and closing it softly but firmly behind them. Facing the room Tom had a few words of his own to share. Everyone had begun preparing to leave when Caroline departed, some whispering asides to one another. Tom raised a hand and said in his booming rugby coach voice, "Ladies and gents, two minutes more of your time this morning." Giving them a moment to settle again. "Some of you in this room were here before Caroline Elliot took over as the head. We'd had three heads in five years and the place was going from bad to worse. Marcus, Karen, you were here then." Watching them nod he continued, "Yes, we've all worked hard these last years but it was Caroline Elliot's leadership that turned Sulgrave Heath around. Put it financially into the black and filled it with students for us to teach, hired many of you herself, in fact."

Pausing only a moment considering, Tom went on, "Eddie, when you needed a little more in your pay to send your daughter to university who was it found extra work around here for you?"

Eddie stood up, "Caroline did, and I'm still grateful."

"Carrie Magnuson, when your Mum had a stroke and suddenly needed to go into care, who researched local facilities and took a Saturday to drive you around until you found the right place for her?" Answering himself, conscious of time but needing to make his points, "Caroline Elliot." Looking around the room, "I could go on but you all know these things as well as I do. All I ask is that before you go running your tongues at both ends you think a moment about the debt of gratitude we all owe to Caroline."

At the door, Tom turned and raised his head again, "One more thing, I've watched Kate McKenzie being a good friend to all of you over the years. Many of you go to her for advice, she's mentored any number of you through your first tough months of teaching here. Besides being an excellent teacher, she is unfailingly kind to everyone. She deserves your respect as well." Looking a little embarrassed at himself, the coach shrugged and said, "That is enough from me, you all get the point." With that he was out the door and off to the more comfortable environs of the field house. The rest glancing at their watches made haste to get to their classrooms before unsupervised students took them over.

xxx

That evening, resting on the sofa after supper, Laurence in his room tending to homework and William visiting a friend from school, the two women had a chance to compare notes on their day. Caroline questioned Kate, who she knew took the brunt of dealing face to face with her peers, "So, how was it for you today?"

Not wishing to reveal what she had learned just yet, Kate's answer was brief, "Remarkably good. For you?"

Caroline looked bewildered, "I didn't know I had so many teachers, well, and staff too. People were coming up to me all day and wishing me well." She stopped.

"Is that not…?"

Looking at Kate as if the answer might be found in her face, "The thing is, quite a few of them also thanked me for things that happened long ago, years ago." Shaking her head, puzzled, "Why would they do that? So many of them?"

"Because you've helped them? Been kind?" suggested Kate.

Not convinced, "No, there is more to it. Something else happened today." Musing to herself, "It may take time but I'll get to the bottom of it."

Glancing up, she saw Kate trying to suppress a grin, "What? Oh I see. You know something. Give."

"It may have had something to do with Tom Lincoln closing the door behind us and giving a little speech of his own this morning.

Her voice rising an octave in surprise, "Tom? What did he say?"

"Apparently, he reminded them of the way things were before you arrived. Pointed out a time or two you had personally helped some of them and told them to bear this in mind before they began gossiping."

"Well, he didn't?"

Adamant, "He did. I overheard Jenny and Sue discussing it while I was practicing on the organ this afternoon. People don't realize how their voices carry in that chapel."

Grinning at Kate, "Good to know, I will keep that in mind when I'm in there." Realizing now that Kate may have been holding back on her for the dramatic effect of delivering her news, "So, how was it for you today, really?"

"It was fine, lots of congratulations, just like you." Reviewing her day, "Beyond that though they asked about the baby, when was she due, how am I." Perplexed, "No one was asking me these questions before today, why do you think that is?"

Running her fingers over Kate's cheek, she told her tenderly, "Maybe because you didn't look very happy then, unapproachable even. Well," shrugging, "at least when I was around."

"I'm sorry Caroline."

Waving a hand, "In the past." Pulling Kate's hand under her arm and holding it with both of hers, "One more hurdle for me on Thursday with the Board of Governors. It will be stale news by then I imagine but still, it needs doing officially." Letting go one of her enormous sighs, "That will be family and work sorted. At least until we begin hearing from the parents.

Moving away a bit so she could see Caroline's face better, "This has all been an ordeal for you, hasn't it?"

Meeting Kate's eye, "Yes, to an extent." Looking down at the hand she'd sandwiched between her two, then looking up into Kate's face again, "I realized after we talked last night, how sheltered I've been. As you pointed out, we will likely have prejudice to deal with over Callie, or even over you and I, apart from the same gender issue, because of our color, so I might as well get used to it now." Squaring around to face Kate, "I won't be a coward again, Kate, I promise."

Cupping her face and releasing it the way she does, Kate apologized, "Caroline, I'm sorry that you have all of this to deal with on my account."

Indignant, "Kate, it isn't on your account, it is ignorance and hatred that cause the problems, not you. YOU have nothing to apologize for. Whatever happens, we will meet it together, head on, shoulder to shoulder. Alright? Promise that you won't keep things from me? Incidents, things I should know?"

Touched by her sincerity, Kate nodded, "I promise."

"Oh yes, I don't know how I almost forgot to tell you this. During his free period today, Gary Howard came to see me. He talked about a pilot program he'd read about in a school down south. It is comprehensive training for the whole school on tolerance. Race, gender, disability, you name it, anti-bullying, in all its forms."

Drawing up a leg and turning on the sofa to face Kate, "Today was the first day that Gary felt empowered to come to me with this suggestion. I am appalled at myself. One of my best teachers was afraid to come to me with a suggestion that would not only benefit our students but be a cutting edge program for Sulgrave. What does that say about my leadership? Not to mention that I should have thought of it myself."

"Caroline, you are only one person, you already have a lot on. Besides there is a program in place."

"Yes, a very anemic one. No Kate, no excuses. As soon as he said it I knew it was necessary. I realized that I've listened for years to Laurence call William a poof in my own home and said nothing. Why, one day last spring he as much as called me a muff munching shirt lifter."

"Caroline. He didn't."

"What he said was that 2.8% of the students as SH would one day grow up to be muff munching shirt lifters, the implication being, like me. He had his figures right but that means we have a responsibility to those students to see that they are protected from bullying as well as the children of color or anyone else who is different. And more than just protection they need to feel safe to be themselves. We need to educate all of the students, and the faculty and staff, on all of the nuances surrounding these issues."

"Are you going to talk to Gavin about this?"

"I've set up a meeting on Wednesday with Gavin and Marcy Abbott who is the Policies Governor. Gary is going to tell us all that he knows and to discuss a presentation to the Board so we can form a task force to look into what is available to begin using right away as curriculum for students and training for faculty or what we might need to formulate on our own. Kate, we are going to do this. I don't care if it does look self-serving. It is simply the right thing to do."

Kate sat quietly, considering Caroline and the idea. "You are fairly magnificent, you know. This morning you were terrified of facing everyone at school with the news about us being together and this evening you are bent on re-educating the whole school system."

Sheepishly, "I hope I'm as brave as I sound. This may be my version of whistling in the dark."

Smiling warmly, "It is a pretty good version."