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

about
it?” Sue Ellen gasped. “We’re just supposed to forget that we have a sick,
depraved….pervert walking around in the school? Around children?”
    Charlotte
rounded on her. “That’s quite enough, Sue Ellen,” she said coldly. “Regardless
of who this person is, they’re obviously writing under a pseudonym, which means
it’s separate from other aspects of their lives.”
    “I don’t care!”
the older woman screeched. “In fact, I think we need to sign a petition
demanding that Mr. Longbridge get to the bottom of this or we’ll take it to the
board.”
    “For what
reason?” Charlotte asked. “Just because you don’t think people should write or
read certain things?”
    The other
teachers who had been watching began to murmur in agreement.
    “She’s right, Sue Ellen,” said Claire Dodgy, who served as the school’s
librarian. “Just let it go.”  The other teachers were nodding.
    “I don’t like it
any more than you do,” pointed out Melissa Tillman. “But I like all my
colleagues and after thinking about this I wouldn’t like a single one of you
any less just because she was writing racy stories on the side.”
    “Well I would!”
said Sue Ellen Forrester. “So who’s going to help me to get this petition
going?”
    But the other
teachers had turned her way and were filing out of the break room, leaving just
Sue Ellen and Charlotte.
    “It’s you, isn’t
it?” she asked. “You’re the nasty little pervert who wrote that vile stuff?
Fine. I’ll just go to the board myself..”
    Charlotte shook
her head. “You’re the disgusting one,” she said. “All that time in church and
you’re the most miserable, judgmental person I’ve ever met.”
    “Ladies…” Mr.
Longbride had entered the room. “That’s quite enough. I believe that I
instructed everyone to put the matter behind them? And just so you know, Mrs.
Forrester, I have spoken to the board and they quite agree with me. But feel
free to stir up trouble if you like. Just remember that you don’t fall into
your own brew.”
    Sue Ellen
stomped out, muttering angrily as she went.
    “That was
reckless,” he said.
    “She doesn’t
care,” Charlotte said.
    “I was talking
about you, Miss Tetter.”
    “Me?” She looked
up at him, stunned.
    “Yes. You let
her provoke you. I’m sure she suspects you. You’re single, attractive and have
resisted the urge to attend her garden club and church. That alone has probably
raise red flags for her.” He smiled a bit, and that helped put Charlotte at
ease. But then he grew serious. “However, I gave orders for the matter to no
longer be discussed and that applies to everyone. Miss Forrester will receive a
written reprimand. But you…”
    “Mr. Longbridge.
I…”
    “We don’t need
to discuss this now. If I am correct, you have a class waiting?”
    “Yes sir.” She
turned away, deciding she could not ponder the headmaster’s veiled warning
without becoming totally distracted. Her classroom was full of excitement when
she arrived. Several mothers had come to help volunteer for the day’s events
and the mood grew increasingly festive throughout the day.
    The cafeteria
had been decorated to look like a pilgrim village. Murals lined the walls and
baskets of corn served as centerpieces on the lunch tables. The children had
been allowed to dress as either Indians or Pilgrims for the day. Most of the
boys had opted to be Indians and now ran around the cafeteria whooping war
whoops as harried teachers sought to keep them in line. It was the noisiest and
most adorable lunch period Charlotte had ever seen, and she was again thankful
for her job.
    After lunch,
everyone headed to the auditorium. Charlotte and Sue Ellen Forrester got the
kids ready for the play. The older woman was taciturn and when she did speak to
Charlotte she was abrupt. Charlotte knew she was angry that things had not gone
her way and resisted the urge to engage the older teacher whenever she made a
snide remark.