Chapter 3

The next morning, I went to work as usual. I taught high school physics and had a senior class to prepare for the finals.

The school had an opening for the Lead Teacher promotion, and I'd spent an entire year preparing for it. I'd revised my model lesson plan more times than I could count, and I met every single hard requirement on the list.

I'd barely sat down at my desk when the department head called me over.

"Keith, there's something we need to talk about," he said. "The school's decided to give this year's Lead Teacher spot to Vince Daltrey."

I froze for a second, sure I'd misheard him.

"Sir, he's just a substitute. He doesn't even have a permanent contract. How is he qualified for a Lead Teacher promotion?"

The department head cleared his throat and lowered his voice.

"Keith, you know Vince's situation is different from most," he said. "The school made a special exception for him.

"Besides, you're still young. You'll have plenty of chances down the road. Vince is not like you. Without a permanent contract or a real title behind him, he's going to have a hard time out there."

A chill crept up my spine.

"Sir, this promotion is supposed to be based on teaching ability and research output," I said. "He can't even write a lesson plan. He just reads off the slides in class. If you hand him this spot, are you being responsible to the students?"

The department head's expression darkened, his tone turning sharp.

"Keith! Watch your attitude," he said. "This was decided by the school's leadership. I'm not asking for your opinion, I'm informing you.

"Your fiancée works in the administration office too, and she already agreed to let Vince have the spot. What exactly are you making a fuss about?"

I pulled out my phone, about to call Jeanie, when my mother's call came through first.

"Keith, did you make a scene in the department head's office?" she said. "I'm telling you, that promotion belongs to Vince. Don't you dare try to steal it.

"You've got a permanent position and a stable paycheck already. What do you need that title for?

"Vince's about to get his contract made permanent, and with that title behind him, his path forward gets a whole lot easier. What's wrong with helping out your own brother?

"I'm warning you, if you cause trouble at that school and wreck Vince's future, I'll go make a scene in your principal's office."

I gripped the phone tighter.

"Mom, was I something you two picked up off the street?"

There was a beat of silence on the other end, and then she exploded.

"Your father and I worked ourselves to the bone putting you through college, and now that you've got some wings, you think you can talk back to me like this?

"If it weren't for Vince's parents, your father and I wouldn't even be alive right now, and you wouldn't be standing there with a teaching job at all. We're asking you to give him this spot because you owe him!"

I couldn't listen to any more of it. I went and turned in my resignation.

If this school ran on whoever made the biggest scene, then I wanted no part of it.

On my way out, I ran into Jeanie and Vince at the school gate. Jeanie let go of Vince's hand the moment she saw me and hurried over.

"Keith, where did you go last night?" she said. "I texted you but you never answered. When are you going to fix that awful temper of yours?"

Then, with total confidence, she went on, "By the way, the department head told you about the promotion, right? Don't get emotional about it.

"Vince needs this spot a lot more than you do right now. Once he gets the title and his pay goes up, things will be easier for me too. You're talented enough, you'll definitely make it in next year."

I looked at her perfectly done-up face and felt nothing but disgust.

"Jeanie, does it make you proud, handing over what I worked for to please another man?"

Her expression shifted.

"Keith, don't talk like that!" she said. "What do you mean, another man? Vince is your brother! Why do you always have to think the worst of people?"

Vince stepped forward right on cue and took her hand.

"Never mind, Jeanie. Keith has always misunderstood me," he said. "If he really wants this title so badly, I'll just give it back to him. Worst case, I'll pick up a few extra jobs. I can support myself."

Jeanie immediately looked at him with pity.

"No! The school gave this to you out of consideration. Why should he get it?" she snapped.

"Keith, look at Vince, and then look at yourself. Is jealousy the only thing you're capable of?"

I didn't feel like watching them put on their little tragedy any longer. I walked past them and headed straight for the bus stop. Behind me, I heard Jeanie's voice, sharp with frustration.

"Keith! If you walk away today, don't bother coming back to register our marriage next month!"

I didn't stop walking. I just smiled.

Register the marriage?

Not in this lifetime.