30. Chapter 30
Chapter thirty
“You totally lied to me.”
It had been a painful week, not just physically but mentally. By Friday, Wes was beyond frustrated. The only thing that got him through it was knowing he’d be able to spend most of the weekend with Cassandra. Now it looked like that wasn’t going to happen. At least not on Friday night.
“What’s so damn important that you can’t come see me tonight?”
“I’m sorry. It’s something I need to do with Bailey. I’ll make it up to you.”
Wes rubbed his thigh for a moment. “I guess I’m being selfish.”
“You’re not.”
“Tomorrow, for sure?”
“Yes.”
Frank was across the room bathing himself. “Will you call me later?”
“Of course.”
“I’m being a baby, aren’t I?”
“Maybe a little. But it’s understandable.”
“I’ve talked to Stu every day this week and nothing. No updates. It’s killing me.”
“It’ll be over soon.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not so sure.”
“What are you going to do tonight?”
“Sit here and feel sorry for myself.”
“Weston.”
“I’m fine.” He sighed. “Really, I’m okay.”
“Alright, I’ll talk to you later.”
Wes ended the call, tossed his phone toward the end of the couch, then slouched down and closed his eyes. He realized he’d dozed off when his phone rang, waking him. He startled awake, sat up, rubbed his face, then reached for the phone. Justin’s name was on the caller ID.
“Hey.”
“What are you doing right now?”
“Um…super busy.”
“Right.”
Wes laughed. “I was napping.”
“Okay. When did you shower last?”
“Excuse me?”
“When did you last shower and get out of your sweatpants?”
He thought for a moment. “Wednesday. I think.”
“Dude. Shower and get dressed. I’ll be over in thirty minutes.”
Wes sat up. “You’re coming over to hang out?”
“I’m coming over to get you out of the house.”
“I don’t know.” Wes dropped back against the cushions.
“Shower and get dressed. Thirty minutes.”
Wes scowled. “Fine. But I’m not going to have fun.”
“Whatever, grumpy.”
“I’m not grumpy.”
“Thirty minutes.”
Wes was back to using the cane, and he picked it up off the floor before getting to his feet. He grumbled all the way to the bathroom, but once he was standing under the hot water, it felt good, and he wished Justin had given him a little more time.
As he was sitting on the side of the bed and putting on his shoes, Justin appeared in the bedroom doorway. “You actually did it.”
“Please don’t tell me you told me that to get me off the couch.”
“I didn’t. Are you ready to go?”
“After I feed Frank. Where are we going?”
“I thought we’d start out with some pizza.”
Wes stood. “You could’ve just brought some pizza.”
“That wouldn’t have gotten you out of the house.”
They left the bedroom and went to the kitchen. Wes prepared Frank’s food, then set it on the floor. “Bon appétit, Frank.”
“That cat is spoiled.”
“Don’t tell him that.” They left the house and headed for town.
The parking lot in front of Rocco’s and the adjoining storefronts was full of cars, and Wes leaned forward in his seat. “What the hell is going on here?”
Justin whistled. “Wow. Gentry said there was a big turnout, but this is much more than I expected.”
“Turnout for what?”
Justin pulled into a handicapped parking space. “For you, brother.”
“Me? Why me?”
“Just get out of the truck.”
They left the truck and headed down the sidewalk toward Rocco’s.
Ten long folding tables were set up in the parking lot in front of the restaurant, and they were all occupied by students and their parents.
More families stood on the sidewalk in small groups.
Almost everyone had a pizza in front of them or a drink in hand.
They all turned toward Wes and Justin as they approached.
Wes leaned in toward Justin’s ear. “What the hell?”
“They’re here to support you.”
The crowd converged on Wes, shaking his hand, hugging him, and offering their support.
He slowly made his way through them until he reached the front door, which stood open.
Inside, every table was filled with more teachers and families from the high school.
More pizza, more drinks, and warm, friendly chatter.
A few moments into another round of support, Cassandra made her way to Wes.
She hugged him. “Hi.”
“You totally lied to me.”
“It couldn’t be helped.”
“Did you do this?”
“Not by myself.”
Bailey came up to him. “What do you think, Mr. B?”
“I think I’m a bit overwhelmed.”
“The whole senior class is here, even Aaron.”
Cassandra took his arm. “Let’s get you to the table. You look like you need to sit down.”
“What I need is to go to the walk-in and cry.”
She smiled. “I’ll go with you.”
“I think I’m okay. I can control it.”
They crossed the room to a table with Justin, Lucia, Marti, Milo, and his parents. Kai was in a highchair, and the other kids were in the game room.
Wes sat down. “I can’t believe this.”
John laughed. “Cassandra expected a pretty good turnout, but not like this. I had to go borrow tables from the Rotary Club for the folks outside.”
Allie handed Wes three pieces of paper. “Everyone here signed this petition to have you reinstated.”
“I’m not sure that’s how these things work.”
John smiled. “Son, they can’t ignore this kind of support.”
Aaron came up to the table. “Mr. B?”
“Hi, Aaron.”
“I want you to know that I’ve been trying to convince my dad to drop this thing.”
“Thank you.”
He picked up a pen. “I’d like to add my name to the petition.”
“I appreciate it.”
“And I will tell anyone who needs to hear it that eating those berries was my idea. If anyone is to blame, it’s me.” He signed at the bottom of the petition. “I think that’s the last one.”
“Not quite.” Stu came up behind Aaron. “Give me that pen, son.”
Aaron handed the pen to Stu. He signed his name, then put a hand on Wes’ shoulder. “Go take your office back on Monday.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, and have Polly email that petition to my office Monday morning. I’ll make sure the trustees see it. Along with Aaron’s accounting of the events.”
“Thank you, Stu.”
“You’ve got to give the people what they want. Besides, Ryan Thomas is a pain in the ass. No wonder he never made it past vice principal.” He held up a hand. “You all have a good night. I’m going to get some pizza before my grandkids eat it all.”
Cassandra turned to Wes and hugged him. He smiled, then leaned in and kissed her. “They can’t fire me now.”
“Well, in that case.” She kissed him again.
Justin put a slice of pizza on a plate and moved it in front of Wes. “Aren’t you glad I had you shower now?”
“Thanks for looking out for me, brother.” Wes took a bite of his pizza. “So, how long have you all known about this?”
Allie smiled. “Cassandra gave us a heads-up at the beginning of the week. Then it started getting a little crazy, and she needed some help.”
“And you all kept it from me.”
Justin stood. “A couple of my deputies are here for crowd control. Not that we need it. I’ll go see that they get some pizza.”
Allie took a sip of her iced tea. “Honey, why are you using your cane again?”
“Um…” He glanced at Cassandra. “It’s all Abe’s fault.”
“What did Abe talk you into doing?”
Wes smiled. “It’s not really his fault. It was his idea, but he didn’t twist my arm or anything.”
“What was his idea?”
“Taking the bikes to the racetrack.”
“Weston. My goodness.”
“I know. I’ve already been reprimanded by Cassandra.” He reached for her hand. “Not really. She was very cool about it.”
John put his hand over Allie’s. “Leave the boy alone. He needed a distraction.”
She sighed. “I hope the pain was worth it.”
“It definitely was, Mom.”
She looked at Kai. “Just about the time you two realize you’re too old to be careening around a dirt track on the back of a motorcycle, this little one will want his first dirt bike.”
Kai banged on the tray of his highchair. “Bike, bike, bike.”
Bailey came up to the table. “Mr. B, everyone wants you to say something.”
“Phew, I’ll try.” He got up and headed to the order counter. Gentry, Abe, Luke, and Maggie were busy making pizzas. Gentry tossed dough into the air, then set it on a pan and smiled at Wes.
“Seems these people like you.”
“Go figure.” He turned back to the room and whistled his everybody-pay-attention whistle.
The room fell silent. He swallowed the lump in his throat, then wiped his sweaty palms on his pants.
He blew out a breath. “Wow. That sounds so inadequate. But…wow. I, ah…didn’t expect this.
I’m, well, I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say.
So I’ll just say this. Thank you. Every single one of you, thank you.
” He glanced at Cassandra. “And, um…while I have everyone’s attention, and to stop the rumors before they start, Dr. Jordan and I are dating.
If anyone has a problem with that, take it up with the school board. ”
The room erupted in clapping and cheering. He remained for a moment, then made his way back to the table. Cassandra stood, and he grinned at her. “I hope you don’t have a problem with me making that announcement.”
“It’s a little late if I did.”
“Do you?”
She put her arms around his neck and kissed him. Once more, the room was filled with cheering.
They sat down, and John cocked his head. “You two are dating?”
Allie nudged him. “Of course, dear. I knew it the second they walked into the house together.”