Moonlighting: A Thanksgiving Story by Vicki Blue Read Free Book Online Page A

still come.
    “He’s with me,
sweetheart. He wanted to go to your place. I know it was important. But you
know with my eyes how hard it is for me to drive at night and he’s such a
help.”
    “Sure, OK. I
understand.” But she sniffled as she said it, and her mother began to cry.
    “I wanted to be
there. I really did. We promised your father before he died that we’d always
celebrate together.” She paused. “I’ll buy you a plane ticket if you want to
fly out to Kit’s.”
    “Mom, you know
it’s too late to get a flight now.”
    “Maybe the
train?”
    “That would cost
a fortune, and don’t ask me to drive because my car won’t make it.”
    “Sweetie…” Her
mother’s voice trailed off.
    “Look, it’s not
your fault. Just let me know how Kit is doing. I’ll be fine here.”
    “I’m sure you
have friends from school to celebrate with, right?”
    “Oh, tons of
them,” she lied. “I won’t be alone.”
    “That’s good to
hear. Well, I’d better go. I think the doctor’s coming now. Talk later?”
    “Yeah, call me.”
    “Will do, hon.
Bye.”
    Charlotte put
the phone down on the table. She picked up a construction paper turkey with a
leaf tail that she’d used as the model for the one the kids had made in class.
It had made her happy just to look at it before. But now it was a reminder that
Thanksgiving was coming and, for the first time, she’d be completely alone.

Chapter Five
    The atmosphere
of the school was buzzing with excitement the next morning. It was a crisp,
fall day and the trees in the schoolyard blazed bright red and orange against the
slate grey sky. A breeze dislodged several dozen as Charlotte walked up the
stone walkway to the front doors of Falmont Academy. The leaves swirled around
her. This was her favorite time of year and she’d started that day determined
not to let her circumstances bring her down. No, her family couldn’t come
visit. The very thought of running into Mr. Longbridge in the hallways filled
her with a sense of trepidation and embarrassment. But she had a job and - she
hoped - things would get better if she just focused on that.
    She stopped off
at the break room to find the teachers in a heated discussion.
    “Well I, for
one, think it’s unacceptable.” Sue Ellen Forrester was standing by the coffee
maker, her face flushed and pinched with anger. When she saw Charlotte, the
older teacher approached her. “I’m glad you’re here. Have you seen the memo?”
    “I just got
here, Sue Ellen,” she said. “I haven’t had time to see anything.”
    “It’s in your
box, but you can read mine. It says the same thing.” She shoved the paper in
Charlotte’s hands.
    Dear Faculty
and Staff,
    Several days
ago, an excerpt from a fictional work in progress found its way into a
teacher’s private mailbox here at Falmont Academy. After an exhaustive
investigation, I have determined that while some may have been offended, there
was nothing within the piece of writing to implicate any faculty member here at
the school. Therefore, I am deeming this matter closed.
    I expect the
staff to remain discreet, professional and to abstain from gossip or innuendo
both on and off grounds. Those who truly prize the Falmont traditions must
surely know that speculation can damage reputations, and any behavior to that
end will be dealt with through disciplinary actions.
    Thank you for
your understanding.
    Sincerely,
    Nigel
Longbridge, Headmaster
    “Can you believe
that?” Sue Ellen Forrester asked.
    The other
teachers were looking at Charlotte now. Some seemed curious as to her answer.
Others - mostly the younger teachers -  just looked bored with the whole
matter.
    “I’m not going
to believe anything one way or the other,” Charlotte said, handing Sue Ellen
the memo and turning back to her own mailbox to retrieve papers. “It seems
pretty cut and dried to me. Mr. Longbridge has closed the matter and it sounds
like he’s telling us to forget about it.”
    “Forget