For as wonderful as Friday and Saturday had been, Sunday had left Shane a nervous wreck. He’d gotten a flood of calls and texts from co-workers, students, and parents. His social media was buzzing. It was a variety of reactions, but for the most part it seemed to be positive. He figured there were a lot more who were taking it negatively, but at least they didn’t bother contacting him about it. He could handle the hate mail, but every time his phone rang or he got a new email notification he couldn’t help but grimace for fear it would be his boss telling him not to bother coming in on Monday.

But he never got one. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.

He fidgeted with the novelty tie he’d selected for the day, a bright Rubik’s cube pattern, as he walked down the hallway, scanning the mostly empty hallways. He’d decided to go in early that morning, in case any students or other teachers wanted to come and speak to him before classes started. But instead he saw the cause of his dread waiting for him when he stepped into his classroom.

Warren Jones did not look happy.

Shane closed the door behind himself and did his best not to grimace. But his already knotted stomach was churning over on itself, making him wonder if he could chase Warren off by just vomiting all over him. It might just make him more mad. Too risky.

“Good morning, Mr. Jones,” he said in as level of a voice as he could manage.

“I’m surprised you had the balls to show your face here again,” Warren said in a low, angry voice.

He swallowed. “I wasn’t given any sign that I shouldn’t.”

The superintendent scoffed, his face twisting into an ugly sneer. “I told you that you would be replaced if you let that article get published.”

Shane took a slow, deep breath while his heart sank. He knew this was likely to happen. There wasn’t any going back now, nor did he want to. He’d made his choice, and he had no regrets.

“I know,” he said, chin lifting defiantly. “But I chose to do it anyway, because it was the right thing to do. Things don’t change unless people are willing to stand up and do what is necessary. I understand if you want to fire me, sir. But I do hope you will now take the time to hear and think about the things that not just I have said to you—but the whole town is saying to you. You can still lead this county’s schools… Just lead them better.”

“That’s a pretty speech,” Warren says with a snort. “But I know what this school needs. What it doesn’t need is people like you thinking they can just come in and do whatever they want without any consequences. I gave you a warning, fair and square, and you still decided to drag the school through the mud. So you’re going to pack up your things. We’ll call a sub in to cover your classes.” He smirked cruelly. “But it won’t take long to replace you.”

Shane’s throat tightened and his eyes burned. He tried desperately not to let himself cry in front of the man who was ruining his life, but it felt like his world was crumbling apart all around him.

Then, making both of them jump in surprise, the door was suddenly thrown open behind him. They both turned to look, gawking in surprise as a cluster of several old ladies came striding into the classroom, looking like they were on a mission.

Warren blinked in confusion at the sudden rush of people, looking like the wind had been knocked from his sails. “What are you doing here?”

The granny in the lead smiled sweetly towards Warren. Shane knew that smile. It was the smile old Southern women gave when they were looking to raise hell.

“We’d already gone by the Board of Education, but they said you were here. So we thought we’d just mosey on over and have a chat.” She paused to look between them, the smile still fixed in place. “We’re not interrupting, are we?”

“I am in fact having a very serious conversation with Mr. Howard here—” he started, but was cut off by the same woman.

“Oh, good. We’re here for a very serious conversation too, my dear. You see, the girls and I have heard some very troubling things the past few days.”

“Some very un-Christian things,” another old woman wearing a bright sunflower dress chimed in.

Warren went suddenly scarlet, sputtering in outrage. It took him a moment to get his tongue untied before he could speak. “Whatever you’ve heard is lies, Cora. And what’s this about questioning my faith? You all know I’m in church every Sunday.”

“Showin’ up don’t mean nothing if you only listen to the preachin’ that benefits you,” Cora said matter-of-factly, obviously not afraid of him at all. “All lies, hm? Then you haven’t been telling the children here who they can bring to the dance and who they can’t? That they have to wear a dress or a suit makes any old difference?” She put her hands on her hips. “And surely you weren’t about to fire this brave sweet man just for protecting his kids like any good teacher should do, were you?”

Shane’s mouth hung open, at a complete loss of what to say.

The superintendent’s jaw rocked for a moment, but even an ignorant asshole like Warren seemed to have enough decency not to talk back to old women. “My business with Mr. Howard is between him and me,” he said with barely restrained civility.

“And the state of the school is also between us and you. Most of us have grandchildren here,” the sunflower woman said pointedly. “And we’re not comfortable having them taught that lookin’ down on other kids is right, no matter who they are or who they’re attracted to.”

Cora stepped forward and put a consoling hand on Warren’s shoulder, patting lightly. “Yes indeed, my dear. Let’s sit down and have a nice chat about all of that.”

The redness in Warren’s face didn’t fade, but he had little choice but to let himself be ushered out of the room by the group of grannies. He shot a look towards Shane as he went. “We’ll finish this talk later,” he grumbled before stepping out into the hallway.

The old woman he had called Cora lingered behind, and turned to give Shane a wink. Suddenly her smile seemed sincere, the sweetness in her voice no longer patronizing.

“Don’t you worry one bit, hun,” she said. “We’re gonna have a nice long talk with him and get all of this sorted out. You’re not gonna go anywhere.”

Shane swallowed the lump forming in his throat. “You really think you can change his mind?”

“The church group has a lot of influence in this town, you know. We got a lotta family, and know a lotta people.” She nodded sagely. “Unless he wants all of Hidden Creek to turn against him, he’ll stop being a spoiled brat and listen to what is right.”

Shane rubbed a hand over his scalp slowly, letting out a long, shaky breath. “Well… I guess if he wasn’t going to listen to me, it’s good he’ll listen to someone, at least.”

Cora’s eyes warmed, and she stepped forward, reaching out to give him a light pat above his heart. “You think it’s us changing things? Nonsense. It’s you, Shane. You and these kids. You’re the ones stepping up for what’s right, and seein’ to it the world changes for the better. None of us would have had any sense to stand up and do anything if you hadn’t first.”

He looked down sheepishly, breaking into a soft smile. But Cora poked his chin back up until his head was lifted and added, “You keep that head up. Seems like you’re the only one that can see any good sense around here, so you’re gonna have to keep lookin’ forward.”

His smile broadened, and he stood more confidently. “Yeah… I can do that. It’s Cora, right?”

“Oh goodness, look at me being the rude one now.” She laughed. “Yes, sweetie. Cora Miele. It’s a pleasure to meet you properly, after hearing so much about you.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too,” he said, and shook her hand when she held hers out. “I’m not sure how I can thank you for helping me keep my job.”

“There is one thing you could do.” Her eyes creased, glinting with amusement.

“What’s that?”

“You can take care of Zachary Calton.” She must have caught him looking surprised, because she laughed before continuing. “Don’t look so shocked. Everyone knows he fancies you. The way he looked when he talked to people about you—well, sounds like it was plain as day. Blushing and looking like you hung the moon and stars in the sky. Seems like you’re a good man too, which is exactly what he needs after what he’s been through. Needs someone who can heal his heart. Think you’re up for the challenge?”

Shane bit his lip nervously. “Yeah… Yeah, definitely. I just… I dunno. I don’t know if he’s ready?”

Cora’s smile softened. “Sometimes when we’re hurt bad enough, we get too caught up in picking at our scars to see what’s right in front of our noses. Zach is a sweetheart, but he’s a sensitive boy. He always has been. I bet if you did something to show him you really like him, it’d help him get his head on straight and look forward. Something to help him forget all that pain.” She paused to eye him. “You do like him too, don’t ya?”

He smiled widely. “Yeah. I really like him. A lot.”

“Good. Then don’t let fear hold you back. You’ve already proven you’re a brave man.” She patted him on the chest again.

“I try to be. I appreciate you saying so.”

“Mhmm.” She grinned. “You think about it, sweetie. For now, I’ve got a man to knock some sense into. You take care, ya hear?”

“I will,” he promised, nodding to her. “Thank you again, Cora. And please tell the others I said thank you as well.”

“Of course. You have a good day now.” She patted his chest one more time in passing, then strode out of the classroom, leaving Shane alone inside it.

He stepped back and slumped down onto the edge of his desk. His hands rubbed firmly over his face and temples, trying to make the world stop spinning around inside his head. He still felt a little lightheaded, and was trembling now that his body was coming down from its adrenaline surge. Despite Cora’s reassurances, he still didn’t know if he was going to be fired or not. On top of that, the responsibility of Zach’s heart had been thrown into the tornado, mixing up excitement and desire with the dread and confusion.

He didn’t know where to start to piece things together in his head.

Could he really help Zach move on? Should he? They’d already talked about taking things slow and letting Zach move at his own pace. He didn’t want to seem like he was going back on his word, which could just make Zach doubt being with him even more. But what if Cora was right? If Zach was so into him that half of the town could easily see it, then maybe she had a point. Maybe a romantic gesture would prove to Zach he could take the risk of loving him in return.

Perhaps it’d be possible to do both. He could come up with something romantic to tell Zach he was falling in love with him, but make it clear that he was still willing to wait for him, as long as it took. Something to show his affection, but also his support.

That could work.

Probably.

He bit his lip, mind racing with possibilities, but before he could get too far into his plans the classroom door opened again, students starting to filter in. He’d have to shelve those thoughts for now and focus on keeping his job. If he still even had his job by the end of the day.

Here’s hoping the power of little old ladies would come through for him after all.