Risk Management

“Janet,” Eve said. She took a step forward. “I was so worried. Did you talk to him? We can fix this. Isabel found the union rep’s number, and—”

“Stop,” Janet said.

Eve froze.

“I saw Henderson,” Janet said. She stood five feet away. She didn’t cross the gap. “He laid it out. A formal inquiry. Interviews. A permanent mark on your file.”

“I don’t care about the file,” Eve said. Her voice rose, cracking. “Let them investigate. We haven’t done anything wrong.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Janet stared at the Rite Aid sign, the red letters buzzing. “It’s the noise, Eve. It’s the parents. Mark and Lisa won’t stop. They’ll bleed you dry. You’ll be the teacher who sleeps with moms to get ahead. That’s the story.”

“So we fight the story!” Eve stepped closer, reaching out. “We fight it together.”

Janet flinched back. “No.”

Eve’s hand dropped. She looked at Janet like she’d been slapped.

“I can’t do this,” Janet said. She made her voice flat. Monotone. “I spent the last year rebuilding my life. I can’t be the centre of a scandal. I can’t have Connor be the kid whose mom ruined his teacher’s career.”

“Is that what you think this is? A scandal?” Eve’s eyes filled with tears. “Janet, last night… Saturday morning… that wasn’t a scandal. That was us.”

“It was a mistake,” Janet lied. The words tasted like bile. “It was too fast. It was messy. And now it’s dangerous.”

“You’re lying,” Eve whispered. “I know you. You’re scared.”