“But his own father! Even though I know that’s pretty typical, that very often the abused grow up to become abusers, it still throws me.”

“One of these days, Brett is going to realize he’s bigger and stronger than that jerk and there could be a dangerous power shift. I’m not supposed to ever say things like this, but I hope I see it.”

“Seth!”

“I know. That’s no solution....”

* * *

When Iris was back at school the next morning and took her post outside her office door, it felt like the sweet little town again. The next few days were happy with the student body anticipating the holiday break coming soon. The kids smiled and waved, stopped to chat, held hands with their boyfriends or girlfriends, laughed and carried on. Sometimes they could make her feel so old, like when a couple of rowdy boys rushed up to a girl in the hall and tried to make a sandwich out of her, putting her in the middle to the hysterical giggles of the girl and everyone around them. Then they’d see Iris standing there and it would be Oh, no! Ms. McKinley! Oh, sorry, Ms. McKinley! And she’d give them a stern look and waggle her finger at them and they’d run off, laughing at their close call.

There was invariably some kind of game of catch taking place in the hall—baseball, basketball, football or personal items like a phone, book or purse. She would yell at the kids. Give it back or get detention! Or a great big guy would pick up a smaller boy and carry him over his shoulder, a classic fireman’s carry, until Iris told him to put the kid down. The response was always the same. Yes, Ms. McKinley.

Some of the kids clutched their books seriously, some moved in packs down the hall, laughing and gossiping as they went, some clung close to the walls while others strutted proudly.

So often she would think, wasn’t it just a few months ago I was that age? Then the town deputy would come down the hall and she’d have a serious time warp. When they had been students here, they’d spent so much time together. She’d adored him then almost as much as now.

“Good morning, Ms. McKinley,” Seth said, smiling at her.

“Deputy,” she acknowledged.

“Everything calm this morning?” he asked her.

“In fact, it’s almost hopeful-looking,” she reported. “I saw Rachel with her girlfriends and they were whispering and laughing, headed for their lockers. They’re some of the prettiest girls and have been to hair-flipping school.” She demonstrated the movement of flipping hair over a shoulder. “Brett passed by with one of his friends and he said good morning to me with a smile. Robbie has called me twice to say that he thinks the worst of it is past—Rachel agrees it’s not a good idea to date Brett and claims they’re broken up for good. She wants to stay at Thunder Point but live with Robbie if that can be arranged. And Robbie, bless his little heart, said anything can be arranged as long as it doesn’t involved her getting treated badly by some guy. She’s going to cheer practice again and Robbie’s coming inside to pick her up at the locker room door. There hasn’t been a single issue, he says. Not even phone calls or texts. Things have been peaceful. Maybe this is going to be okay.”

“Don’t count on it,” Seth said. “I want it to be, but don’t relax your watch.”

“I won’t. I never do. At least Brett’s graduating and going to college,” she said.

“You know there will be challenges after this,” he said.

“I know better than anyone,” she said. “Are you hanging around awhile?”

“I kind of like walking these halls now,” he said. He looked both ways and when the coast was clear, he gave her a little kiss. Then he moved down the hall.

There was a lot of hall walking. Seth dropped by the high school three or four times a day, had friendly little chats with teachers, visited with some of the students.

A week went by peacefully and the second uneventful week was coming to a close. School would be dismissed for the Christmas break and Iris felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. All the kids would go, enjoy their holidays; the school would be closed and, most importantly, they’d all be off her watch.

Then came the late hour of the day that Iris loved. She packed up her briefcase, locked her desk and went into the hall. There was the sound of basketball practice coming from the gym, but the lights were dimmed and the halls darkened. Very few students remained, just the teams confined to the gym and locker rooms. Given it was the last day before vacation, practices would be shortened. There were probably a few teachers finishing up paperwork or meetings before going home for the holiday. The principal’s office was open but was quiet. She poked her head in and wished the office staff happy holidays. She waved to the school nurse, who was leaving the building carrying a large tote filled with little gifts given to her by students.

Iris decided to make one last lap around the building and see who was still there. Troy was just closing his classroom door. “Hey,” she said to him. “When are you leaving town?”

“Not for a couple of days. What are you doing for Christmas?” he asked.

“Nothing very exciting. I’ll spend some time with Seth’s family.”

“Ah, yes, the new boyfriend,” Troy said.

She tilted her head. “Please tell me you’re not being snide.”

“Nah,” he said. “I probably should’ve known there was someone else on your mind. I just want you to be happy.”

“I am happy, Troy. I wish you could be happy, too. And not upset with me.”

“I’m working on that. The happy part, that is. I’m not mad at you, Iris. You can’t really help who rings your bells.”

“No hard feelings, then?” she asked.

“Of course not. The hell of it is, I could never be mad at you. I’m going to go to Morro Bay, spend some time with the family and go to many bars to pick up chicks. I’ll take my younger brother—he’s a chick magnet.”

She laughed. “Best of luck. And be careful!”

He gave her a brief hug. “Merry Christmas, Iris. I hope next year is your best year ever.”

“Thanks, I wish the same for you.”

She continued down the hall and turned left. The building was a big square. She passed Louie, the janitor, wished him well. She turned down another hall, dimly lit, all the teachers apparently gone for the two-week break.

As she walked, she heard a noise. It sounded like cats. She kept walking, listening carefully. She realized it was talking and sighing and mewling. Oh, crap! I’m going to catch teenagers doing it! And then my eyes are going to hurt forever! she thought. But she couldn’t just ignore it—students were supposed to be out of the building unless they were in supervised clubs or practices or meetings.

There were so many classrooms along the corridor and she stopped at each one, trying the doors. They were all locked. If she couldn’t find the source of the noises, she’d go back to the office and summon some security or the janitor with a set of master keys. It was entirely possible a couple of young lovebirds had snuck into an unlocked classroom, locked themselves in and were making out. At the very least. She hoped it wasn’t worse.

Iris caught kids skipping classes, smoking, talking on cell phones they weren’t supposed to have at school. All the staff did. She had caught them making out in dark corners, causing them to blush and run. High school kids had been doing that since long before she was a student herself.