Chapter 21 #2
Hank looked to the other board members. “HR was informed about the relationship between Coach Andrews and Coach Perry. Dr. Perry was acting on good faith in his AD, not getting involved when Mrs. Duncan came to him with a complaint regarding playing time for her son.” He looked to Marge.
“There still is the matter of you appearing to be drunk in public.” He looked to the other board members.
Pat Mayfield spoke up. “Marge wasn’t arrested on a DUI.
If she had been, the board would certainly need to take disciplinary action.
We would suspend or even vote in favor of termination, because that charge would reflect poorly on our district.
Without an arrest, we have no evidence of her blood alcohol level. ”
“But we do have the video of her ugly confrontation,” Neville pointed out. “Whether an arrest was made or not, that video has gone viral. I think Marge needs to be held accountable in some manner.”
“But I—”
“Drake, please be quiet,” Hank cautioned the teenager.
“Whether you believe you hold some responsibility or not, your mother is an adult, and her actions were her own. She knows public educators are held to a higher standard than others.” Looking at both sides, he said, “What do you wish to do, board members?”
“I’m in favor of a reprimand,” Hillary recommended. “A formal warning.”
The rest of the board members nodded in agreement, and Hank asked, “What kind? We can issue an inscribed, which goes on the public record, or a non-inscribed. That means the reprimand would remain private.”
“Non-inscribed,” Jack voiced. “While the video isn’t pretty, Pat is right. No formal charges were filed. Marge just looks like an idiot. But I don’t think it should keep her from her job.”
“What if we issued the reprimand and a three-day suspension with loss of pay?” Neville countered. “That way, the public will know something was addressed.”
All the board members began nodding, and Hank said, “Let’s take a vote.”
Carson watched as the unanimous vote occurred. Marge was told the suspension would be effective starting Monday, and that she could not be on any school grounds until she had served the entire suspension. That meant she wouldn’t be allowed to attend the Tuesday night scrimmage.
“I think we’re done here,” Hank said. “Meeting adjourned.” He banged a gavel, and the board members filed out, leaving through a back door.
Jon Earl leaned forward, squeezing Carson’s shoulder. “Stick to your guns, son. You may actually make a player—and leader—out of Drake Duncan.”
The others exited the boardroom, leaving Mila and him.
And Marge and Drake Duncan.
The four of them rose, and Marge spoke first. “I’ll apologize to you both. I let things get out of hand. You’ve both been professionals, and I’ve been anything but.”
“You’re a mom,” Carson said. “A single parent. I know what that’s like, having to make all the decisions on your own. You bear the burden of all the worries. Yes, you lashed out. Didn’t have all the facts. But deep down, your heart was in the right place. I get that.”
Drake spoke up. “You can ground me forever, Mom. I deserve it.”
His mother frowned at him. “We will definitely be talking about that at home. I hope this is a wake-up call to you, Drake. Colleges will be looking at your grades. They don’t want to issue a scholarship to a player who can’t make grades at the university level.
You’re no good to them if you flunk out. ”
“They’ll also be looking for a team leader,” Carson added. “You have the talent. Now, you need to add the drive and discipline, as well as being one member of the team.”
An earnest expression crossed Drake’s face, and determination filled the young man’s eyes. “I can do it, Coach. I want to show everyone I can be a better player. A better student. A better person.”
“Good.” Carson extended his hand, and Drake shook it. Marge did as well.
“See you at practice tomorrow,” he said, and Drake grinned.
Mother and son left the boardroom. He turned to Mila.
“Thanks for being here today.”
“I didn’t do anything. The board never asked me a question.”
“They listened to your interview. And you were here, by my side.” He hesitated. “I hope that’s somewhere you still want to be.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I just wanted to do what was best for you and Lily, Carson. I thought if we weren’t a couple, your professional reputation wouldn’t take such a beating.”
“The board acknowledged that they know we are. It’s all I want, Mila. To love you. To be together forever. To be a family.” He searched her eyes. “I was going to ask you to marry me at the bonfire last night. Because you are my future.”
His reward was a radiant smile. “I want to share all my tomorrows with you, Carson.”
“Then let’s make it official.”
Carson dropped to his knees. Taking her hands in his, he asked, “Will you marry me, Mila? Make us a family of three—and hopefully add to it?”
“Yes!” she cried, pulling on his hands and bringing him to his feet.
The kiss they shared was one filled with the promises of all their tomorrows.
“Let’s go tell your folks that we’re ready to put a ring on it.”
They left the boardroom, hand-in-hand. When they emerged from the building, he saw a crowd still gathered. Everyone broke out in applause, and his players surrounded them.
“We know everything is okay, Coach,” Caleb said. “Drake told us he’d be at practice Monday, and we’ll see a new guy.”
“He pulled us over and talked to us,” Tim added. “He apologized for being such a…jerk.” Tim blushed. “My word. Not his.”
“I think we’re going to have a terrific basketball team this year,” Carson told the players. He thrust out his hand. “Pirates on three.”
Quickly, hands stacked atop hands, and he said, “One. Two. Three.”
“Pirates!” reverberated through the air, not only from the players, but from the rest of the crowd surrounding them.
Carson looked around, knowing not only had he found a home with Mila, but he’d discovered a professional home in Driftwood Bay.
He pulled Mila to him, giving her a kiss, which caused the crowd to applaud again.
Breaking it, he asked, “Can we get married right away? I don’t think I can wait. I’m ready to start forever with you right now.”
She beamed at him. “I have a feeling I’ll be saying this for years to come. Let’s check our sports schedules and see when there’s an open window to hold a wedding.”
“You’re on.”
Carson kissed her again, eager to start the next chapter of his life with the woman he loved.