Erin sighed and said, “I can tell you this. If I had any other options, I wouldn’t be teaching. Okay, a guidance counselor but still, same difference. I’d take a corporate job right now if it paid six figures.”
“Here, here, Ms. K! If I can get an athletic scholarship and make money playing football someday, I won’t think twice about taking that big, fat signing bonus,” Cameron said.
Erin offered him a high five which he accepted while Adam just shook his head and looked past Erin. He caught Shay’s eye and said, “Speaking of chemistry, I see you’re in my third period class, Shay. I’ve also heard you’re a very good student.”
Before Shay could answer for herself her mother chimed in saying, “That’s an understatement. Shay has a 4.0 average and her sites set on a pre-med major next year. We’re all very proud of her.”
“We? You and your husband?” Adam asked innocently as she was still wearing her wedding ring.
Erin’s smile faded as she said, “Um…her father and I are separated but yes, he is very proud of her, too.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stir up any kind of…”
“No, it’s okay. We’re getting by just fine. Life goes on, as they say,” Erin said bravely.
“How about you, Adam? Wife, fiancé, girlfriend?” Erin asked not so innocently.
“No, no, and no,” he replied. “I was pretty serious with someone last year, but that’s definitely over. We just moved here from Pullman so we don’t really know anyone yet.”
Erin smiled and said, “Ah, a Washington State Cougar. Not many of those here in Husky territory. Well, you know us, so you know at least two people now, right? So…welcome to Washington and to Auburn High School! Hey, maybe we could all get together sometime for dinner or whatever.”
Adam looked at his little brother who shrugged before saying, “Okay, sure. Let’s do that.”
Cameron waited for his older brother to finish speaking before saying, “So Adam…I mean, Mister Garvin. Who’s this Mr. Craig? I’ve got him for chemistry.”
Cameron saw Shay put her hand over her mouth and stifle a laugh. “Was that funny?” Cameron said with a puzzled look on his face.
Just then Mr. Craig turned around as though he’d just been woken from slumber and snorted, “Who called my name?” His glasses were askew on his large nose and his thin, gray hair looked like Albert Einstein’s only there was a lot less of it.
Cameron looked back and Shay and rolled his eyes. Erin stifled a laugh and Adam just smiled. Everyone now knew who Mr. Craig was.
The laughter stopped when the sound of a male voice shouting angrily caught everyone’s attention. “I want my fucking diploma!” the voice said.
Shay leaned closer to her mom and said, “Isn’t that Terry Adler?”
Erin strained to see then told Shay, “Yes it is. Looks like Mr. Young’s got his hands full.”
James Young was a very large, very imposing man physically but as kind and gentle as they came. He was a former Marine who’d recently earned his doctorate in education and had been the school’s principal for the last two years. He also happened to African-American which was something virtually no one even noticed