Chapter 35 #2
“Second,” I say, the hardest part of all, “my recent medical leave was not for a simple burnout. I have Lupus. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. I am currently stable, but it is a chronic illness that requires vigilance, especially when under extreme stress.” My voice cracks slightly on the last word.
“Since my diagnosis has recently been brought to light, I need to be assured that I will be protected under ADA guidelines when I return, and that my health will not be used against me, particularly by a supervisor who is now aware of it.”
The silence stretches, thick and heavy. Zachary’s hand slides under the table and rests warmly on my knee.
Mr. Austin closes the folder and leans back in his chair. He looks less like a bureaucrat and more like a human being.
“Ms. Gershawn, thank you for this information. I want to assure you that the district views these disclosures—both the relationship and your medical status—as protective measures you are taking to ensure a stable working environment. We will document both, and we will move immediately on the harassment claim against Mr. Delaney.”
He picks up his pen again. “Given your full and immediate disclosure, and the comprehensive evidence against Mr. Delaney, I don't foresee any immediate issue regarding your relationship with Mr. Becker or your medical leave causing disciplinary action against you. Your protection under ADA is assured, and we will make sure whoever takes over as principal, is fully briefed on the need to mitigate workplace stress.”
My shoulders drop, the tension of the last few weeks finally easing. It wasn't the death warrant I feared. It was a lifeline.
“I also want to add one more thing,” I say, glancing at Zachary again.
“We had a confrontation this morning with a colleague, Dave Anders...” I quickly summarize Dave's confession—the resentment, the sabotage, the motivation rooted in professional envy and a resentment of Zachary's collaborative success with me.
“I wanted you to have that information so you know there are, perhaps, multiple sources of low morale and poor conduct in the school.”
Mr. Austin’s pen freezes over his pad. He nods slowly. “Another piece of necessary information. We will investigate that matter as well, Ms. Gershawn. You've given us a lot to work with.”
I feel Zachary’s fingers squeeze my knee.
I did it. I laid everything out on the table, and the world hasn't ended. Mr. Austin believed me about Trevor and Dave and is going to take action. He was affirming of my relationship with Zachary and assured me that my lupus won’t get in the way of the job I love. This meeting couldn’t have gone better.
“What happens now?” I ask, my voice sounding relieved.
“Now,” Mr. Austin says, a grim look crossing his face, “we prepare to deal with the issues you brought to my attention.”
I nod, gathering my papers. The fear is still there, but it is tempered by the hard-won relief of having told the truth.
The bell above the door of Rye Again jingles merrily, pulling me out of the last remnants of HR office tension. I step inside and I’m immediately comforted by the smell of sourdough and strong coffee.
Zachary just dropped me off. I can still see his car pulling away, heading back toward the school to teach our collaborative science and art lesson. He looked so confident and proud as he leaned over to kiss me goodbye.
“Go have fun, brave girl,” he'd murmured against my temple. “I’ll see you tonight.”
He can’t be here for the actual celebration, but honestly, having him with me for the HR meeting was the real prize. The fear I felt before the meeting has now been overwritten by a profound sense of relief and a giddy awareness of my own courage.
My eyes scan the familiar space. Flick, Hannah, Alexis, and Devin are already seated at one of the bigger tables near the window, their faces instantly brightening when they see me.
“There she is!” Flick calls out, waving a hand wildly. Her fingers are always stained faintly purple or indigo from the natural dyes she uses for her yarn.
I settle into the remaining chair and Hannah immediately shoves a dense, buttery-looking piece of sourdough that smells like cinnamon in front of me. “Eat this. You need fuel after slaying dragons.”
“Slaying bad bosses and mean coworkers, at least,” I chuckle, grabbing the bread. The first bite is perfection.
“Tell us everything,” Alexis demands, leaning forward, her eyes bright with a mixture of concern and excitement.
I give them the highlights: the reporting of Trevor’s harassment, his previous firing for being too lax, Mr. Austin’s suspicion that he’s now overcompensating, and the relief of disclosing my relationship with Zachary.
“And the Lupus,” I finish quietly, swirling the condensation on my water glass. “That was the hardest part, admitting it out loud in a professional context. But Mr. Austin was actually... okay. He promised ADA protection.”
Flick reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “Maya, that is huge. That was so brave. You stood up for yourself, for your students, and for your health. You’re incredible.”
All of my friends nod their heads in agreement.
“And then there's Dave,” I sigh, shaking my head. I recount the confrontation at his house—the resentment, the sabotage, the confession.
“Petty, pathetic, and predictable,” Devin says, taking a sharp sip of her French press coffee. “He saw you and Zachary building something great together, and it threatened his years of coasting.”
“Exactly,” I agree. “He didn't just resent Zachary’s newness; he resented my influence, my creativity being the thing that made the science department exciting again. He blamed me.”
The conversation shifts, easing into a more casual flow, and the tension from the morning is gone completely. We move on to discussing the upcoming town Christmas festival.
“Are you ready for the rush, Flick?” Hannah asks, referring to the inevitable holiday shoppers they’ll both encounter.
Flick beams. “My booth is secured, and I’ve dyed so much merino wool, I think I could clothe the entire state of New Hampshire. I’ve got all my new sparkle yarns ready to go.”
I watch my friends discussing the Christmas festival and their holiday plans and I feel such a rush of gratitude, a deep, solid joy that has nothing to do with the events of the morning. I have my people.
And I have Zachary.
My heart gives a familiar, happy thump at the thought of him. I glance at my wrist, wishing the school day would speed up. He’ll be home around four thirty. We’ll play with Frida and cook dinner together, and afterwards, when the apartment is quiet and warm, I’m going to surprise him.
The anxiety about Trevor and Dave is real, but it’s small compared to the certainty that I want to spend every single morning and night with Zachary.
I pull out my phone and look at the most recent picture: Zachary on the floor, tangled up in a throw blanket, trying to read a textbook while Frida is curled up on his chest. Frida is absolutely and completely smitten with him. They’re a package deal now. We’re a package deal.
I know what I have to do. I’ll thank him enthusiastically for coming with me to HR, and then I’ll take a deep breath and ask the question.
“I love you. I love going to sleep with you and waking up with you. And Frida adores you. So... will you move in with us?”
It feels right. It feels solid. It feels like the beginning of everything good, regardless of what happens with Trevor and Dave.
I smile, picking up my coffee cup, feeling happy, brave, and ready for my future.