Jean Harnett

Chapter 20: War and Peace

Jean was standing in front of her classroom between classes the next morning when she saw Robert Cramer thundering her way, head lowered and his face glowering.

"Good morning, Mr. Cramer!" she greeted cheerfully, hoping he would imitate her lead.

But Cramer grabbed her elbow and propelled her around the corner into her classroom. "That's my kid brother you're messing with!"

"He's a grown man, Mr. Cramer," she said haughtily. "We've already discussed the age difference. Your brother is a grown man, in case you haven't noticed. I'm not robbing the cradle."

He looked around to see if anybody was watching them. "You'll make a laughing stock out of yourself!" he hissed. "It'll reflect on the school."

"The only one it seems to be bothering is you, and it's none of your business."

"Anything one of my teachers does is my business."

"Neither you nor the school owns me. For heaven's sake, Bob, I met Jerry only two days ago. Our dating isn't a conspiracy against you. We're not planning to elope."

Cramer's face blanched white and his mouth dropped open. He couldn't answer her.

Jean put her hand on his forearm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." She looked at his lowered head as he fought to regain his composure. "What Paul did hurt you far more than you've admitted. It's helped me to accept my anger."

"He was my brother," Cramer mumbled.

"And he still is. And Jerry's your brother. I won't hurt him. I'll just give him the companionship he's needing right now. He needs your help, too. You don't want to lose him. I'd feel very proud and lucky if Jerry was my brother. Have him talk to you, Bob. Listen to him. It might help both of you."

"There goes the class bell," he mumbled. "Excuse me. I have a class."

She watched him charge down the hall with his shoulders slumped. She wanted to tell him to straighten up and spit in the eye of the world. It hurt to see him so discouraged.

"Good evening, Miss Bergetti. Is Miss Harnett ready?"

"I'll call her. Step inside if you wish, Mr. Cramer."

"That's all right. I'll stay out here, if you don't mind."

Zoe turned and hurried toward the bedroom. "Jean! Mr. Cramer is here!" When Jean appeared, Zoe grabbed her arm and whispered, "Good luck, kid. He sounds like an old bear this evening."

Jean rolled her eyes. After a full day of trying to avoid him, she wasn't looking forward to his company tonight. But this was Wednesday, and they had to attend the regular educational meeting in Springfield.

"Good evening, Mr. Cramer," she said as flatly as she could.

Cramer mumbled something and took out across the yard ahead of her. But he did hold the car door open for her.

"Thank you, Mr. Cramer."

He grumbled something in reply and walked around the vehicle. Jean had never considered that someone used to speaking before groups could communicate in mumbling monosyllables.

The first few miles passed in silence. Jean glanced at Cramer grasping the wheel. His compressed lips spoke of his anger. He couldn't go through the whole evening acting like this. It wouldn't be good for either of them.

"I understand that you're taking a group of students to Springfield Saturday afternoon to see 'To Sir, with Love.'"

"Yeah," he growled at her, then he remembered his manners. "Yes. Yes, I am," he answered in a more civilized voice. He seemed to relax, then he glanced at her. "I understand that you are seeing it Friday night with Jerry."