Chapter 37

Ben

I loved the fact that I had made Dean of Students at my alma mater, but I felt my term had already been tainted from all of the things that had happened since I had gotten there. I wanted so badly for it to work out, for me to feel at home where I was, but I knew it would be a long time before it did. So, in order to make the situation easier on everyone involved, I put in an application at Brown, which was also looking for a new Dean of Students. The prior dean had reigned in that position for nearly two decades but had passed away from an aneurysm during one of their lacrosse matches. It was an extremely difficult time for the school and a very good opportunity for me to start fresh and new somewhere away from all the drama and stigma that was following me around. I was sad to leave that college, but I knew it was the best choice for me, for Kylie, for Grant, and for the baby.

I had secretly interviewed for the position only hours after sending in my resume, not wanting to let the secret out until I was offered a position. Brown was as good of a school, and they had no preconceived notions about anything that had gone on in my life up until that point. That afternoon, while sitting in my office, I received a call from the provost, letting me know I was being offered the position.

“We think you’re perfect for us,” he said. “You’re young, fresh, and can hopefully bring some new vigor to our ranks. It has been difficult to say goodbye to Dean Albertson, but he is at rest now and would want to see his school move on to bigger and brighter tomorrows.”

“That’s fantastic news,” I said happily. “This is exactly what I was hoping for and with a school of such high regard as yours. Thank you so much for this.”

“You impressed us with your candor and ideas,” he said. “You earned this, just like you earned it there. I hope that we will be a better fit for you since you’re leaving your current position so quickly.”

“I’m sure that you will be perfect,” I replied.

“We would like you to start right away on Monday,” he said. “I understand if your president needs more time.”

“I will speak to her this afternoon,” I said.

“I only have one concern,” he said timidly.

“The rumors,” I said.

“Yes, they seemed to have been pretty damning,” he replied.

“They were,” I admitted. “In the end, we found out the first picture was brought out by one of the young lady’s ex-boyfriends and the second by the former Dean of Students when he was out on bail.”

“That is a shame,” he said.

“It was a difficult time for all of us,” I admitted. “We lost the trust and faith of two powerful people in our little community, and then people started to attack us for bringing it to light. I’m just glad we were able to prove ourselves not guilty, and now we’re moving forward, trying to find our ways again.”

“What happened with the professor and the student?”

“Grant is one of my closest friends, and he’s still here teaching, and the young lady will graduate in May,” I said. “Everything turned out okay in the end. I only wish that we could have caught the other two earlier. So many people’s lives were turned upside down. Those girls will be affected for the rest of their lives. I feel terrible for not noticing sooner.”

“Some things we just can’t see happening,” he said. “I can understand, though, why you want a fresh start. Things can become difficult when you’re branded with such a rumor. I’m sorry that happened to you and the others. You should have been celebrated for catching those two men, not attacked.”

“The only celebration I need is knowing they can’t do that to anyone again,” I said.

“Right,” he said. “Well, give me a call once you’ve spoken to your president, and we’ll get everything set up.”

“Will do,” I replied, hanging up.

I sat there for a moment, not believing everything was falling into place so well. The only thing left for me to do was talk to the president, hoping she would let me out of my contract for the rest of the year and allow me to start at Brown on Monday. I wanted to tell Kylie and Grant so badly, but I knew I had to stay the course, keeping them out of trouble as much as I could while I was still there. I wasn’t sure how Kylie would take the news, but I knew Grant would be really happy for me. Once I explained the reasoning and the logistics, I knew Kylie would be happy too. This would also mean I could be a bit freer with seeing her, though Grant would still need to be careful.

I made my way over to the president’s office, and she agreed to see me on short notice. I walked inside and looked around as she finished up her phone call. The room was amazing with mahogany everywhere, first edition books strewn across the shelves, and pictures of the president with some of the most prominent people in the world.

“What can I do for you?”

“I wanted to speak to you about a position I’ve decided to take at another university,” I said walking over and sitting down. “I think it might be best for the school if I move on. I have been offered Dean of Students at Brown.”

“Wow, that is very impressive,” she said folding her hands in her lap. “You have been a very big asset to us, catching Jeffrey and Arthur, standing up when needed, and being an excellent professor. We will miss you dearly. Though I have to confess, I think this might be for the best as well. We have taken hit after hit with the arrests and then the vicious rumors spread about you and the others. It has been an exhausting ordeal. Maybe it was perfect timing, though I am regretful that their dean passed away. He was a good man.”

“I understand,” I said. “And I’m sorry you had to go through that. I’m sure the school was at a tipping point.”

“I’ve walked in every day afraid to check my emails,” she chuckled. “I am terrified we will take another hit, and I just don’t think we can withstand it. At least not with our Dean of Students. So, when do they want you to start?”

“That’s what I personally came to speak to you about,” I said. “They requested that I start on Monday.”

“Not a problem,” she said, smiling. “I’ll have our new professor take over your classes, and I’ll be handling the dean’s duties until I can find another replacement. Maybe someone from a nunnery.”

“That might be good,” I said laughing. “I want to thank you for all of your support. I appreciate you listening to us and seeing through the lies to discover the truth. Still, it’s something I don’t know if I’d ever shake if I stayed here.”

“I agree,” she said. “And it’s my job to know the truth even if it is always a little fuzzy.”

“Absolutely,” I said standing up and walking toward the door. “Thank you for everything.”

“Oh, and Ben,” she said, looking down at her paper. “If you ever find yourself in that situation again, the one in the hotel, you might want to make sure you have a reservation under your name.”

“I, uh,” I stumbled over my words.

“Good luck at Brown,” she said with a smirk.

I smiled and nodded, closing the door behind me. I wasn’t sure if she was telling me she knew the truth or just letting me know she had checked up on me. Either way, from the smile on her face, I knew the case had been closed. That made me feel a whole lot better about leaving Kylie and Grant to themselves. They weren’t going to be facing any more issues while Kylie was in school there.

I made my way back to the business building and smiled as I rounded the corner, watching Kylie eating a sandwich in the hallway. She swallowed hard and laughed, shrugging her shoulders. I walked up to her and wiped a bit of mayo off her chin.

“It’s lunchtime. I’m hungry,” she said.

“Understandable.” I laughed with her. “Why not eat outside?”

“It’s cold out there.” She smirked. “And I have a class in a few minutes.”

“I see,” I replied. “Listen, I was wondering if it would be possible for you to come over to Grant’s tonight?”

“Oooh, are you going to cook too?”

“Maybe.” I shook my head. “We’ll be there after school lets out.”

“I’ll be there,” she said with a smile. “Ben?”

“Yes?”

“There’s something different about you.” She looked at me curiously. “Are you all right?”

“It’s this crazy thing that I don’t know if you’ve ever seen on me before,” I whispered.

“What?” Her genuine concern was adorable.

“Happiness,” I said, tapping my finger on her nose and walking toward my office.

“Can I borrow some?” she yelled down the hallway.

“You already have it,” I said back. “You’re the one who’s been handing it out to everyone.”

“Huh, who would have thought?” She took another bite of her sub.

I laughed loudly, opening my door and walking into my office. I rounded the corner and plopped down in my office chair, sitting and looking around the room. Just a few months before, I’d sat there scheming on how I would become the youngest tenured professor, and now I was going to be the Dean of Students at Brown University. It was an amazing thing how much life could change in the blink of an eye. I was in love with a girl, going to be a father, and had my best friend by my side at all times. Life had definitely turned around in my favor. I picked up my phone and dialed Grant.

“Hey there,” he said. “What’s up?”

“I am hoping it was okay, but I invited Kylie to your place tonight,” I said.

“Sure. I’ll cook some dinner,” he said happily. “You okay?”

“Everyone keeps asking me that.” I laughed. “Yes, I’m fine. I have some really good news for both of you. That’s why I’m gathering the forces together.”

“Great. We could use some good news,” he said. “I’ll see you when the day is over then.”

“Perfect,” I replied, hanging up the phone.

I spent the rest of the day finding boxes and beginning to pack my office. I was going to miss that place, but not all the drama that went with it. I was going to a new school with new opportunities and a clean slate. On top of all of that, I would be able to date Kylie in the open if I really wanted to, though I would probably wait until she graduated so Grant wouldn’t miss out on anything. Having them both over to my apartment might work out better, though. I couldn’t wait to see Kylie and tell her all about it. My life had finally become what I wanted it to be, and I got to share it with the most amazing people.