Sweet Caroline

#67 Give me back your trust

Maybe Tiffany and Nathan were right. Maybe this was the worst idea I've ever head, which is saying something. Maybe I should just send everybody home and cancel the parent-teacher conference. Too bad it's already too late for that. My classroom is filled to the brim with parents, who are all whispering and laughing, casting me curious glances as I pace up and down, waiting for the last few people to arrive. Nathan and Elise aren't here yet and I can hardly begin a meeting that is basically about them without their presence, so I try to calm the hell down before they walk in.

"Hey," Tiffany says softly. She's here to show her support, just like John. They are the only colleagues who don't treat me any differently since my secret came out. Then again, they already knew, so it wouldn't make sense for them to suddenly cast me aside. "It'll be fine," she tells me with a sweet smile. "Just make sure to keep things professional. No shouting, no crying, no dry humping Nathan."

I laugh at that last part and I feel a little better already. To my surprise, the headmaster walks in at that point, followed by Nathan and Elise. Headmaster Jeff hadn't exactly been happy when he found out I called this meeting without telling him, so I hadn't expected him to show up for it. Then again, this is his school and what I do and say tonight could either make things better or end up with me having to leave my job, so I should have known he'd show his face.

Nathan winks at me from the back of the room, making sure I know that even though Elise is fuming next to him, I still have his full support.

Okay. I can do this.

Trembling, I move to the front of the classroom, calling out to make sure everyone knows I'm about to start. All those moms look at me expectantly. There are a few dads as well, but most of the people in the room are female. Makes sense, since it's mostly the moms who are making my life hell anyway. I suddenly notice Michael Thompson in the far corner, leaning against the wall with a frown on his face. His ex-wife Mallory is in the front with Gracie's mother and his eyes are on them instead of me. His presence throws me off for a second, but I won't let that son of a bitch ruin this night. Fuck him. This is about me. And Nathan. Mostly me, though.

"Okay," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "Thank you all for coming. I know that it's all a little sudden, this meeting, and that the e-mail was pretty vague. I just thought that with all the rumors that have been going around, I should just face this head-on and set the record straight. Yes, it's true. I am dating Nathanial Storm, Rose's father."

I see a few surprised looks, but it's clear that almost everyone already knew. Elise's face is flushed and she whispers something to Nathan, who shakes his head at her before throwing me a quick smile. A few moms follow my gaze, whispering behind their hands. I honestly feel like I'm in the movie Mean girls or something. They're supposed to be adult, for fuck's sake.

"I know that it's less than ideal that a teacher is dating a parent," I go on, wanting to get this night over with. "When I met Nathan, I didn't even know he was the father of one of the kids in my class. I wasn't even teaching here yet. None of that matters, though. I get that you are all worried that I will play favorites. That I will pick Rose's side in arguments, give her the lead in plays, let her get away with things that I won't put up with from any of the other kids."

Gracie's mom nods along, whispering something to Mallory, who snickers. Stupid bitches.

"I have to say I'm a little hurt by the way you've all been treating me since word about me and Nathan got out," I go on. I hadn't been planning on talking about my feelings, but I just can't help it. It's the truth and being honest is just what I do. "I honestly thought that you were happy with me as a teacher. And while you're all entitled to be worried about my personal life affecting my professional capabilities, I don't think I deserve to get yelled at on a daily basis."