Difficult Lessons Read online

  “Wow! That smells awesome. How long have you been awake?”

  Cynthia turned around and smiled. “Long enough to fix a fantastic woman a fantastic Alabama-style breakfast. You hungry?”

  “After smelling this, how could anyone not be hungry? Should I pour the coffee?”

  “Nope. Have a seat. I’ll get your coffee.” Cynthia kissed Sara lightly on the cheek as she turned to get the cups from the cabinet. “How are you feeling this morning?”

  “I’m all right I think.” Sara spoke as she took a bite of her breakfast. “This is great. I need to make sure you don’t go anywhere. I could get used to eating like this.”

  “Oh, I ain’t going anywhere, sweetheart.” Cynthia smiled over her coffee cup.

  ***

  Sara dressed reluctantly for work and kissed Cynthia as she headed out the door. She was brought to a halt as soon as she saw her car.

  “Son of a…” Sara stopped short of finishing the exclamation.

  “What honey?” Cynthia called as she was making her way to the door. “Oh shit!” She saw what Sara was looking at.

  Sara put her briefcase down on the steps and walked out to look at the damage. The eggshells were still on the ground beside the car. The word “DYKE” down the side and across the back glowed in the morning sunlight.

  “How in the hell did this happen without us knowing someone was out here?” Sara looked at Cynthia with tears welling up in her eyes.

  “They must have done it early this morning. It was almost midnight when your parents and Karen left last night. It was not done then. I got up about five. I would have heard someone if they had been out here while I was in the kitchen. Go in and call the police and let’s get a report written on it. If anything is damaged you will need a police report for your insurance.”

  “I don’t have time for this crap this morning.” Sara was visibly angry as she went into make the call.

  Cynthia refilled Sara’s coffee cup while they waited on the officer to get there.

  “As soon as he gets the report written, you can take my car and go on to work. I will take yours and clean it up while you are at work.”

  “I should drive it just like it is just to show people that they cannot scare me with their bullshit.”

  “No honey. It needs to be cleaned so it doesn’t damage the paint. I’ll do it for you.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  “When will you get the point that I don’t mind doing something if I offer to do it?”

  “I hope they don’t send that bastard out here to do the report.”

  “I guess we will know soon enough.” Cynthia nodded at the patrol car pulling up to the curb.

  “Thank God. It isn’t him.” Sara was relieved to see the female officer step out of the car.

  “I guess I do not have to ask what the problem is,” the officer said as she approached Sara and Cynthia. “I am Officer Pierce. Which one of you is the owner of the car?”

  “I am. My name is Sara Carson.”

  “Oh yeah. You are the teacher from the high school. It is nice to meet you. I have been following your story.” Officer Pierce extended her hand to shake Sara’s.

  “I’ve had a little more public exposure lately than I ever wanted.”

  “I have to tell you, I am so glad you are fighting what they are trying to do to you. There is no way that I would sit still for it myself. I have had my share of discrimination from some of the officers in the department. They have finally figured out that they can’t run me off.”

  “I bet I can guess who is behind it. I would bet money that it is probably the same person that has been behind my situation.”

  “You lost me.”

  “It was one the boys in blue that started all of my troubles at the high school. I probably should not say who though since this is on-going.”

  “If it was one of our officers, I know exactly who it is. You don’t have to say. Let’s get this report done so that you can get on to work.” Officer Pierce opened up her pad and got Sara’s information. She walked over to the car and began writing a description of the damage. While she worked, Sara called the school and told them that she would be a little late and that she needed someone to cover her first period class for a few minutes

  “Well, I think I have everything I need. I hate to say it, but there isn’t much chance of finding out who did this. Unless someone was seen, it is pretty much a given that they will get away with it. I will file the report though.”

  “I know. I wouldn’t have even called except for the fact that there might be damages that cannot be seen until it is cleaned up.”

  “You might want to take some pictures of it. Your insurance will want them if you have to file a claim. I will get the report in today. You should be able to get a copy of it tomorrow. I hope that there is not any permanent damage to your car.”

  “I don’t think there will be. Cynthia is going to take it and clean it up while I am at work. I think if we go ahead and get this off of it, it will be okay.”

  “It should be. Here is my card. If you have any more problems, just give us a call.”

  “We will. Thanks for coming out so quickly this morning.”

  “Just doing my job,” Officer Pierce said with a smile as she turned toward her car. She stopped and turned back toward Sara. “One more thing, Ms. Carson. Good luck with your situation at work. I hope everything works out for you.”

  “Thanks. I am sure it will in the end.”

  ***

  The day seemed to linger, not wanting to end. Sara could not wait to get away from the school and the questions. Everyone knew now that the school board had upheld Mr. Michaels’ decision and that she would not be returning the next year. The students had many questions for her. Some of them expressed their dislike of Mr. Michaels and the decision to not renew her contract. Several students told her that their parents were equally upset with the decision. A couple of her students even mentioned that their parents were considering moving them to another school district, even if it meant selling their homes and moving to other towns.

  As soon as she could get away she made her way to the parking lot and headed straight for Karen’s office. She was waiting on Sara, as she had said she would.

  “Well Sara, do you want to go on with the suit?” Karen got right to the point.

  Sara took a deep breath before she spoke. “I don’t know exactly. I want them to pay for all of this crap. My car was vandalized last night after everyone left. It never would have happened if it weren’t for all of this. I know that I can’t go back to work there when this is over. It would be a hostile environment if I sued them and actually got my job back. I have dealt with that environment enough over the past several weeks. One solitary man has succeeded in ruining my career. Anywhere that I try to go to work, they are going to know me as the lesbian teacher who was fired. I want Griffin to pay for this as much as the school board. None of this would have ever happened if he had not made it his personal mission to have me fired. I would bet he is behind the vandalism of my car last night, but I can’t prove it.”

  “I’ll be honest with you. This is not going to be easy. The state has no laws on the books protecting the LGBT community from discrimination. There really is no clause in the certification board’s policy to protect against it either. They could quote immoral behavior as a reason, as Michaels has already done. A conservative judge might lean their way. Let’s try this to begin with. Let’s ahead and inform them of our intent to sue. We will cite mental anguish, damage to your reputation, possible loss of wages due to being essentially fired at the last minute, and also the discrimination. How does that sound?”

  “Sounds great as far as the school board and Michaels are concerned, but what about Griffin?”

  “He will not escape this one. He started all of this, like you said. We will include him as a party in the suit. Shall I get started on this tomorrow?”

  “The sooner the better for me.”
Sara was anxious to settle the matter. The longer things went on, the angrier she got. “I want them to know that they have crossed the wrong person. A person that will not sit still and be bullied.”

  “Great. I am also going to add in there that they will also be responsible for attorney and court fees, if that is suitable for you.”

  “Sure, make them pay. I don’t even mind if you up your fees for them.” Sara laughed as she spoke.

  “Now that might be a little unethical if I did that,” Karen laughed. “I am expensive enough as it is. I think I will just leave my fees as they are. Can I take you to dinner tonight? You can call Cynthia and we can all get together.”

  “I better not. I need to update my resume. I will have to start job-hunting immediately. I have bills to pay. I don’t think anyone is going to take me in and take care of me and I am too old to move in with either one of my parents.”

  “I guess you should get on that. Sara, there is one more thing. No matter what happens between now and the end of the school year, remember what I told you. Do not resign your position. They are more likely to ask you to do so now. If they want to get rid of you that badly, let them place you on leave. They have to continue to pay you if they do that.”

  “Thanks for reminding me.”

  “That’s what a good attorney does. She keeps her client informed.” Karen smiled a sly smile at Sara. “You get on home. Let the important ones know what is going on, try to relax, work on your resume, and I will take care of everything else. I will let you know when something happens.”

  Chapter 19

  Sara thought about Cynthia’s arms around her while she drove through town. She imagined Cynthia’s soft lips lightly touching hers. The scent of her perfume engulfed Sara’s thoughts.

  Before she realized it, she was sitting in Cynthia’s driveway. Sara looked up and saw Cynthia in the door. She was wearing an olive green t-shirt and khaki shorts. The shirt hugged her body just enough to tease anyone who dared to look at her. Sara smiled, took a deep breath, and opened the car door.

  “It’s about time you got here,” Cynthia teased from the steps.

  “I was not aware that you knew I was coming,” Sara retorted playfully

  “Well, I hoped you would since you had my car and I had yours.

  “Good point,” Sara laughed.

  “Come on inside. I have been on edge waiting to find out what happened with Karen today.”

  Cynthia grabbed a couple of beers from the kitchen as Sara began to explain everything to her. When she finished, she chugged the beer that Cynthia had brought to her.

  “Well it seems that she feels pretty confident about all of this. How do you feel about it?”

  “I am not sure. I thought I was up for the fight, but I was thinking on the way over here. It is going to be rough. You know I don’t want to have to look for another job. I don’t want to commute back and forth to another town, and I definitely don’t want to move. I probably would not mind the move all that much if I had not met you. I am not even sure if I can find a job anywhere close by after all of this. What kind of reputation am I going to have?”

  “Darling, your reputation as a teacher is spotless. You have nothing to worry about as far as that is concerned. I am sure if you apply somewhere close by, they will be more than happy to hire you.”

  Sara wondered how Cynthia could always be so positive. That was something that had drawn her closer to Cynthia.

  Sara put her beer down on the table and pulled Cynthia to her. “Do you know that I love you?” Sara looked deeply into Cynthia’s eyes.

  “Yes. Do you know that I love you too?”

  No sooner than the words were out of Cynthia’s mouth, Sara kissed her. Sara held her tightly through the kiss. Cynthia wrapped her arms around Sara’s waist and ran her hands up her back. Sara broke the kiss and moved her lips to Cynthia’s neck. Cynthia tilted her head back slightly and smiled. Sara’s lips explored both sides of Cynthia’s neck and down to her collarbone. Her hands found Cynthia’s hips and pulled her even closer.

  Sara slowly removed Cynthia’s t-shirt. Her mouth found Cynthia’s breasts and teased through the cloth as her fingers worked to unhook the restraint holding them. In her excitement, she had a little trouble, but finally set them free. Cynthia took her hand and led her to the bedroom.

  Sitting down on the bed, Cynthia pulled Sara on top of her. Sara continued her exploration of Cynthia’s body as she unbuttoned her shorts. Her hand slid between the material and Cynthia’s soft skin. Cynthia raised her hips to meet Sara’s fingers. Sara’s fingers probed expertly until she found the warmth between those firm thighs. Cynthia gasped as Sara’s fingers went inside. Cynthia excitement grew with every movement of Sara’s fingers. She made a move to take her shorts off.

  Sara rested back on her knees and unbuttoned her own shirt and took it off. As Sara removed her bra, Cynthia rose to meet her bare chest with her mouth. Sara gently pushed her back down onto the bed and ran her index finger the length of Cynthia’s torso, teasing and taunting.

  Sara moved between Cynthia’s legs and gently spread her thighs apart. Sara’s tongue expertly went to work pleasing Cynthia. Cynthia moaned and moved from the sheer pleasure that she was receiving. It was not long before her body shook from the orgasm. Sara only stopped because of Cynthia’s begging. The sensitivity was excruciating. Positioning herself beside Cynthia, she wrapped her arms around her and kissed her shoulder.

  “Damn! That was incredible!” Cynthia exclaimed when she caught her breath enough to speak. “Now let me see if I can even come close to returning the favor for you.”

  Cynthia quickly removed Sara’s pants. She wasted no time in finding the moistness between Sara’s thighs. Her tongue probed as Sara’s hips moved in perfect rhythm until the orgasm shook her body. Sleep overtook them almost immediately afterward.

  Sara woke up and looked at the clock beside the bed. It was midnight. She gently shook Cynthia. “Honey, wake up.”

  “What is it? Is something wrong?”

  “No. I just need to go home.”

  “I don’t want you to leave,” Cynthia said pouting a little.

  “I don’t want to leave either, but I need to go. I don’t have any clothes here.”

  “I know, but can’t I be a little selfish?”

  “Of course you can,” Sara said kissing Cynthia on the forehead. I will call you as soon as I get off work tomorrow. We will go out to dinner if you want.”

  “Mmmmm. That sounds good.” Cynthia sat up and kissed Sara passionately.

  It depressed Sara to leave Cynthia alone in that bed. She knew her house would seem lonely, even though Meg would be there to nuzzle her and keep her company. Sara had never minded being home alone until she met Cynthia. Now all she wanted to do was spend time with her.

  Chapter 20

  “Damn! Here we go again,” Sara mumbled to herself. Sara saw the van from the television station as soon as she turned onto the street that the school was on. There was a camera crew and several other people standing just outside the gate.

  Is this ever going to end?

  She tried to get out quickly without them seeing her, but she heard one of them call to her.

  “I have no comment,” Sara called out as she quickly made her way into the building.

  After grabbing the papers from her mailbox, she went directly to her classroom. This was going to be another long day.

  Approaching her room, Sara saw Mrs. Dixon standing in front of her door.

  “Good Morning, Mrs. Dixon.” She managed a smile as she spoke.

  “Morning, Sara. How are you this morning?”

  “I’m all right I guess. You?”

  “I’m good. I need a favor from you. Would you mind proof-reading something for me?” Mrs. Dixon asked extending a folded paper.

  Sara looked confused. “I don’t mind, but shouldn’t you get someone from the English department to proof-read for you?”

  “Nope. I need you to do
it.”

  Sara took the paper and opened it. It was a letter to Mr. Michaels. Mrs. Dixon was resigning. Actually she was retiring, but since she had signed a contract for the upcoming year, she had to officially resign. She stated the reason for resigning was that she “could no longer work in an environment where people were treated unfairly”.

  “Mrs. Dixon, you can’t do this.” The shock in Sara’s voice could not be masked. “You love what you do and everyone loves you. Please do not let what I am going through influence you into something you don’t want to do.”

  “It has influenced me, Sara. I think the world of you and I cannot continue to come in here and do my job knowing what those people are doing to you. I can retire from here and maybe go to work somewhere else part-time. It’s time I took it easy. I have done this for a long time.”

  Sara hugged Mrs. Dixon. “You have no idea what this means to me.”

  “I know you need friends and lots of support right now, sweetie, and I am behind you all the way. Now, what are you going to do to these assholes?”

  “They will be receiving a letter in a day or so informing them of my intentions to carry out the suit. I really do not want to drag this out in court and make a huge fuss, but I have no other option really. I can’t let them get away with this and since I am already in it knee deep, I might as well do my dead level best to try to make things better for other people. My attorney thinks that once they get the letter, they will want to make a settlement to keep it out of court. I hope she is right.”

  “Well honey, you know if you need me in court, I’ll be there.”

  “I know, Mrs. Dixon.”

  Sara was almost in tears from talking and Mrs. Dixon sensed it. “I will let you go so that you can get ready for your classes. You know I am right next door if you need anything.”

  “Thanks,” Sara said as she opened the door to her classroom.

  She needed to clear her mind before the students flooded the halls. That would not be an easy task. It had not been easy for some time now.