ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON ELEVEN

Episode 74

" Miss Swan , please have a seat," Oscar Oswell said softly as he waved his ever trembling hand towards the chair opposite his cluttered with books and papers desk.

The young teenaged girl of sixteen, according to her school file she was not yet seventeen, smiled at him in a knowing way that sent shivers down his spine really. She gracefully sank down onto the offered chair and said," You probably should be calling me Mrs. Norland but Mary will do. " She lifted her head up regally as though she were a queen addressing a mere subject of failing intellect.

Oscar sat back in surprise. Of course he had heard the odd rumors that had been going about the school. In the staff break room for example. People were saying that Mary Swan and Niles Norland were now married as well as expecting a child. He just couldn't believe that. He did not think Barrington Academy girls did such things as had sex outside of marriage. Then again she was now married so. Not that he understood much about relationships or sexual subjects. Then as he sat in his chair pondering the mystery of sexual subjects he had an image of the girl's mother appear in his head. She was very beautiful, Matilda Swan was , so tall and elegant and charming. So maternally warm. When he had seen her standing on the street dressed in her night attire, a very bizarre choice for that area , he had wanted to pull her close and nuzzle his head next to her bosom.

He coughed slightly to hide his own nerves and embarrassment. " Yes, Miss..... Mary. Yes. I did hear that you and a fellow student had gotten married. Not the usual situation for a upper class student here. But I want to discuss your attendance record with you. I see you have missed quite a few days lately. And been tardy a few more. I....."

" Erase them," she demanded.

" Excuse me? I don't think I understand....."

Mary rolled her eyes. " Erase the absences and tardies. It's nonsense really. I am pregnant. Almost two months. I have morning sickness most days. Sometimes I don't feel up to coming to school. So I don't. As the daughter in law of the chairman of the school board I don't see why you can't be lenient with me. "

" I really don't think we can just erase your record of attendance......"

" I really do think you can. " Her eyes glittered coldly. " If you don't I may have to make an anonymous call to the board. About how my mother saw Dr. HighTower and the English teacher Mr. Giadello kissing during the hostage thing at that boring little restaurant of my brother. The board is a little on the old fashioned side about certain things. Like having someone like Gerald HighTower in charge. If I don't get what I want then I alert the board about him and well once he goes ..... you'll be in charge. " Her eyes raked over him like he was an annoying gnat. " And why do I think you don't want to be in charge. You're not good at it really. "

Oscar swallowed. What she said was true. All of it. He had had no idea of Gerald's personal interests. He did not care what the man got up to in his personal life but the board might. The only openly gay , bi , person on the board was Richard Norland. He wouldn't be enough to save Gerald. And if Gerald went this time no student protest would bring him back. Oscar could end up in charge.

He shivered. " Well. I see your point, Mary. I think that under the circumstances of your.... your situation we can merely overlook these attendance issues. Yes. We can. "

Mary smiled widely. " Good. Now we need to discuss these awful uniforms. Very unflattering to the pregnant form. "