One of the perks of being an administrator was a parking lot not far from the door. It made for a short trip, for which I was grateful. Andrea dogged my steps like she was afraid someone would jump out at her any moment.
We encountered a colleague in the lot. Mr. Steward, math teacher and girls' basketball coach in his fifties. He had a half-naked girl by the wrist, but it was obvious she was no real person.
Andrea gripped my coat with both hands as I raised a hand to wave to him. "Hey Pete. Whatcha got there?"
He nodded in my direction. "Lisa McCormick. Found her hiding in the locker room after practice. Have you seen this? It's nuts!"
"Yeah, man. Try the tits." Andrea gasped behind me but otherwise said nothing. Her grip on my coat tightened. "You taking her to her house or yours? I think that one has a father at home."
He shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. You gonna tell on me if I just keep her?"
"Come on, man. You know I have to make a note of faculty taking things from school property. That thing belongs to me more than you since you found it on school property. Take her to her house or leave her here."
"Fine. Have it your way." He reversed course for the building and Lisa started struggling in his grasp. "Hey, is that Blackburn?"
Andrea ducked behind me trying to hide.
"Yeah. I'm taking her to her husband." I pulled open the passenger door and Andrea climbed into the seat, hiding her face in her hands. "And she won't be coming back. I think it looks bad, something like her trying to run a school, you know?" I shut the door and walked around the car. "Hey, if Mr McCormick calls looking for her, you have to give her up."
He groaned. "Okay, okay. Any objection to me just playing with her right now?"
I just waved. "Do whatever you want, as long as you don't damage her. I don't know if our insurance covers this. See you tomorrow!"
Lisa screamed as he pulled her back into the building. 'Why do they always scream?' It was so annoying.
I climbed into the car and pulled away from my spot.
Andrea stared ahead, eyes huge. "Do you seriously not see a problem with any of this? You're one of the best men I know..."
I glanced at her. "Hm? Oh, I'll call the insurance company. We'll get it sorted out. There won't be a problem."
Then something happened I never thought I'd see in my life. Andrea Blackburn started to cry.
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