Handcuffed

A New Life

Once they past through a few doors, she was in familiar territory. They were on the third floor of The House. They split up there, after the Professor showed her the simplest way out and Shirley reminded him of his promise. She really wasn't interested in going to the game, but she knew it would look bad if she didn't show up. Her stomach reminding her that she had neglected it didn't help.

She replaced her handcuffs deep in her drawer, and rewrapped the bandage on her arm. Next stop was to see if her lunch plate was still there, but no such luck. No one was in the office either.

The gym had a subdued crowd. A glance at the court showed the Rattlesnakes lethargically wandering, while the Horns were just having a good time. With the exception of a few fancy plays, there was nothing to watch. She found Ms. Isadora near the sidelines, talking to Ms. Barker. She flashed Ms. Barker a smile and stood a few feet from them.

"Yes," Ms. Barker asked?

"I am sorry to interrupt," Shirley spoke up looking at Ms. Isadora, "but after a shower, some pain relievers, and rest, my arm is still throbbing. When would be a good time to check it?"

"After the game," was the curt reply.

"And how is Larry doing," Shirley asked?

"He will recover," Ms. Isadora replied, "though I think you owe him an apology."

"Why is that," Ms. Barker cut in?

"Shirley hurt him," Ms. Isadora answered swinging her hair back.

"And since Professor Moran and yourself are the only ones to feel it was a correct call," Ms. Barker said testily, "I think it is Larry that owes the apology."

"We can let Shirley and Larry decide how they want to handle it," Ms. Isadora brought the conversation to a close.

"Why must Shirley wait for the game to be over, before you check her arm," Ms. Barker challenged again. "You took care of Larry right away, but Shirley has to wait until this miserable game ends. Shirley, why don't you come with me and I will give you my unprofessional opinion and advice, until she is ready."

Ms. Barker had already gotten out of her seat, when Ms. Isadora got up too. "I guess you are right," she said. "Shirley shouldn't have to wait."

The three of them walked to the infirmary, which was next to the business office, joined by Diana, before they made it out of the gym. "How is your arm," she asked?

"It hurts," Shirley answered with a sour face. "Ms. Isadora is going to check it."

"What did The Dean have to say?" Diana wanted to know. Ms. Isadora and Ms. Barker were listening intently.

"He wasn't very happy that I had never told him how I felt about his son," Shirley said simply. "He scolded me and tried unsuccessfully to convince me that I am wrong, and we parted."

"So what took so long," Diana asked?

"I needed to rest, hoping it would help take the pain away."

Ms. Isadora inspected her and gave her a clean bill of health. "It's just a bad bruise and maybe a sprain. Keep the bandage for a while and try not to use your left arm-

Her words were cut off by the smoke alarm. The all jumped when it began to blare, and then collecting their senses they cleared out of The House very quickly.

"Is the gym alarm connected to The House alarm," Shirley asked Ms. Isadora?

"I don't know," she replied, but first let us see if this is a false-ah, yikes, look at that tower," she was yelling and pointing to the right tower. Flames poured out of it.