Entangled: A Novel Part 19

In her head, she replayed the conversation she had the previous night with her mother. She didn't know who else to call, and at four in the morning, her options were limited. Seeing all the cameras and all the press people, she was glad she got the chance to explain to her mom what was going on. It was better for her mother to hear it from her than to read it in the morning newspaper or see it on the news.

Abbey told her mother, Carol, that she and Ann had ended their relationship. Abbey was surprised, especially since she and Ann had spent every holiday at her parents, that her mother didn't seem the least bit upset about the breakup. But when she told her what the school board was accusing her of and that Ann might have had something to do with it, Abbey's mom said in her quiet monotone voice, "It doesn't surprise me that she would do something like this."

Abbey was shocked to hear her mother say those words. "What do you mean it doesn't surprise you?"

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone line. "She always seemed so...controlling."

"Really? Well, if you didn't like her, why didn't you ever say anything?"

"Because I didn't want to hurt you. She obviously meant a lot to you. It wasn't my place to intervene. For G.o.d's sakes, Abigail, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. You're my daughter, and I love you."

Abbey swallowed hard as she fought back hot tears. "Mom, I'm sorry to put you through this."

"Honey, I'm sorry you're going through this. I know you've worked hard to become a teacher. Your father and I are very proud of you for that. Hopefully, it's all a big to-do over nothing, and everything will work out in the end."

Although her words were encouraging, Abbey couldn't help but hear the underlying disappointment in her mother's voice. Her mother asked if she wanted her to come to the hearing. Abbey said no, not wanting to put her through the humiliation of seeing her daughter be accused of being a s.e.xual predator.

But right now, she was having second thoughts. She had never felt so alone and wished that her mother was here to comfort her.

Richard Woodruff, the attorney for the school district, came in and sat at the prosecutor's desk. He was a well-dressed man, almost completely bald except for a monkish fringe of mousy brown hair. He glanced over at Abbey, and she quickly looked away. Sitting behind the prosecutor's table was Hayden and Sara. Abbey made a conscious effort not to look in their direction.

Abbey took some more deep breaths and was beginning to feel a little better when a few seconds later, Ann came in. She was alone and seated herself behind Hayden and Sara.

Abbey's stomach knotted when she saw Ann. She hadn't seen her in two months. Her face looked drawn. She looked tired and weary. Sadness washed over Abbey. She remembered the vacation in Tuscany, how wonderfully close she felt to Ann then, and wondered how they got to this place in their lives. Those once loving feelings now felt muted like they were covered in thick cotton. Why would Ann put her through this? Put them both through this? Ann had to have known that in her effort to expose Abbey, she was exposing herself, as well. Did she really hate Abbey that much to jeopardize her own career?

There was no jury at the hearing, but there was a court stenographer who sat at the ready to begin transcribing the proceedings. Several people, including a few parents of former students and a handful of Abbey's colleagues, sat in the gallery behind the attorneys' tables. Father Walters was there, as well as the a.s.sistant princ.i.p.al, Sister Eugene. Sitting next to Father Walters was the bishop of the diocese. Seeing the bishop there suddenly made Abbey realize this was a bigger deal than she had imagined.

The school board members filed in, as well as a representative from the Office of Professional Conduct. They took their seats in front of the room. Mr. Tucci served as the hearing moderator. A uniformed police officer, who served as a bailiff, closed the door. "All rise. This hearing will now come to session."

After the Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Tucci and the board members took their seats and the hearing began.

"Our task today is to determine if Miss Abigail Spencer's conduct regarding her now former student, Hayden Crissman, was in violation of the school's conduct code of ethics," Mr. Tucci said. He nodded in the direction of the prosecutor's table. "Mr. Woodruff, you may begin with your opening statement."

Mr. Woodruff stood, b.u.t.toned his jacket, and cleared his throat. "Abbey Spencer has been described by school officials as a popular and highly regarded teacher by her students and colleagues. Many of those colleagues and students report having an outstanding professional relationship with Miss Spencer, but we are here today because it seems that she may have carried on a different kind of relationship with an underage student. The goal at every level of education is to provide an academic environment that is conducive to learning. Ethical behavior by teachers is essential in building a positive trusting bond between student and teacher. Certain boundaries are put into place to maintain a safe, civil, and respectful environment for the student. If those boundaries are overstepped by the teacher, that teacher's credibility can be seriously damaged, therefore damaging that teacher's effectiveness in the cla.s.sroom."

Abbey sat at the defense table listening to the words being said about her. An overwhelming wave of despair came over her as she watched Mr. Woodruff return to the prosecutor's table.

Allison immediately stood. "Abbey Spencer is an outstanding, dedicated teacher. She is well respected by her colleagues, as well as her students, and has worked numerous hours, many uncompensated, helping her students to achieve their educational goals. All those things Mr. Woodruff said about education are true. It is imperative for students and teachers to form a trusting bond. And yes, there are boundaries that are to be maintained in student-teacher relationships. But the events that we are discussing here today took place outside of the student-teacher relationship. Although Hayden Crissman was seventeen at the time, the age of consent in Pennsylvania is sixteen. Also, Hayden graduated June 5, severing the teacher-student relationship. The event in question didn't take place until later that month, after Hayden had already graduated. Hayden Crissman was not Miss Spencer's student at the time these allegations were made. Actually, she hadn't been a student in any of Miss Spencer's cla.s.ses since her junior year, so nothing criminal, illegal, or unethical took place. So to not waste any more of your or the board's time with this matter, I am asking that any and all charges and or sanctions against Miss Spencer be dismissed."

Abbey watched as Allison confidently took her seat next to her. At this moment, she felt sure she picked the right attorney. This woman knew her stuff and how to deliver it in a no-nonsense manner, Abbey thought.

Allison's words made her feel not so hopeless. Maybe this would turn out all right after all.

The representative from the Office of Professional Conduct turned and whispered something to Mr. Tucci. He then turned to the other members of the board, who nodded in agreement.

Mr. Tucci stood. "The board has requested an emergency executive session. The proceeding will resume after the executive session."

The board members filed out of the room.

Abbey looked over at Allison. "What's happening?"

"They're going to determine if it's worth their while to proceed with the case or to drop it."

"Really, just like that? How can that be?"

"Because what they're trying to charge you with has no teeth. No laws were broken. No crime committed. It's what I've been telling you all along."

"So why don't they just end it here? Why have another meeting about it if it's so clear nothing illegal happened?"

"The executive session is private. These sessions are used to talk about personnel issues before making a decision. Apparently, the board and the rep from the Office of Professional Conduct have some questions to discuss before moving forward. My guess is they're trying to determine whether it's worth their time and effort to let this case proceed. We've stated the facts, which show there is no case. Hopefully, they will do the right thing."

"So this could be all over, just like that?"

"We can only hope."

Chapter Twenty-nine.

Allison went over her notes as Abbey sat quietly beside her. Ten minutes pa.s.sed and no word from the board. Twenty minutes that felt like an hour pa.s.sed and still no word.

Abbey stood. "I can't sit here and do nothing. I've got to get out of here. Get some fresh air or something."

"Don't go too far. They could be back any minute. I think I saw a vending machine in the hall. Why don't you go get a snack or something? And remember, don't talk to anyone."

Abbey slipped out of the hearing room and into the hallway next to the cafeteria. She found the vending machine, but the items offered, even her favorite Twix bars, made her queasy. The pregnant reporter from the local TV station appeared at Abbey's side holding three quarters in her hand. Abbey stepped back and allowed her to make her selection. She chose a Snickers bar.

"So how are you holding up?"

Abbey smiled politely. "I'm okay."

"Seems like this is the most excitement this town has seen in a while."

Abbey looked around at the number of people in the hall who couldn't find seats in the hearing room. "Apparently."

"Do you think this case would have gotten this much attention if you were a male teacher involved with a female student?"

When Abbey didn't answer, the reporter fired off another question: "Do you regret pursuing the relationship with Hayden Crissman?"

Allison's warning not to talk to anyone rang loud and clear in her head.

"No comment," Abbey said and dashed down the hall, leaving the reporter standing at the vending machine.

Abbey looked back and watched as the reporter took a bite of her candy bar, then waddled down the hall and back into the hearing room. Before returning to the defense table, Abbey walked the length of the hall five times to blow off some steam.

Allison looked up when she returned to the table. "You okay?"

"The reporter for the TV station started asking questions about the case over at the vending machine."

Allison raised one well-groomed eyebrow. "What did you say to her?"

"Nothing. I told her no comment." Abbey's knees were still trembling. Her heart felt like it was stuck in her throat.

"Excellent." Allison sighed and relief washed over her face.

"Did you get something to eat?"

"No, my stomach's still not feeling too good. I figured anything I ate would come right back up. So I pa.s.sed."

"Good decision."

Allison looked toward the door when she saw the bailiff enter the room. "Here we go."

"All rise," the bailiff announced, and the board returned. The board members and the representative from the conduct board took their seats; Mr. Tucci remained standing.

"After discussing the circ.u.mstances of the case, the board wishes to pursue the issue and continue on. Request to have the charges against Miss Spencer dropped is denied."

"You gotta be kidding me," Allison said under her breath. She got to her feet. "Mr. Tucci, on what grounds has the board decided to continue?"

"The representative from the conduct board said he wasn't convinced that something illegal didn't transpire and requested to hear further testimony on the matter." Mr. Tucci took his seat. "Mr. Woodruff, call your first witness."

Allison returned to the table, plopped down in her chair, and tossed her pen down on her legal pad.

Abbey buried her face in her hands. "I knew it was too good to be true."

Mr. Woodruff stood and called his first witness. "The prosecution calls Professor Ann White."

Abbey did not look up as Ann took the stand. She could hear the click, click, click of her high heels as she walked across the hardwood floor. Abbey would know those footsteps anywhere. Ann raised her right hand and rested her left hand on a Bible. "Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you G.o.d?"

"I do." Ann sat in the witness chair and crossed her long legs. She was dressed in an impeccably pressed navy blue suit and black leather pumps, which made her look like the poster child for ethical behavior.

"Professor, please state your name for the record," Mr. Woodruff said.

"Ann White."

"What is your occupation?"

"I'm a professor in the English Department at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania."

"Professor White, how do you know the defendant?"

Ann gave a nervous cough. "Miss Spencer and I shared a house in Erie for a number of years. We were housemates."

"Do you live together now?"

"No."

"And why is that?"

"Because Miss Spencer moved to Youngstown where she teaches at St. Mary's High School."

"Professor White, can you tell me the reason you've been asked to be at this hearing today?"

"I observed Miss Spencer in a compromising position with one of her students. As a responsible educator, I felt it my duty to step forward and report what I saw to protect the student."

"That's bulls.h.i.t!" Abbey whispered to Allison. Allison put her hand on Abbey's shoulder to quiet her.

"I got this," she told Abbey, then bolted out of her chair. "Objection!" Allison said. "Motion to strike that from the record. In previous communications, we have established that with the timeline of the events, Hayden Crissman had already graduated and was no longer Miss Spencer's student."

"Sustained. Please strike the last part of Professor White's statement from the record," Mr. Tucci said.

Mr. Woodruff walked back to his table and flipped through his notes. He approached the witness stand again. "Professor White, can you tell me what happened on June 7 that led to your complaint?"

Abbey shifted in her chair. Inside she was seething. She looked directly at Ann, and Ann stared down at her lap. She pressed her lips together and swallowed hard.

"Miss Spencer and I had had an argument, and I had come to her hotel room to try to patch things up. Miss Spencer told me she needed some time to think things over and that we could talk more about her returning to our house again later, so I left. When I came back to the Holiday Inn that afternoon, I went to Miss Spencer's room and found she wasn't alone."

"Who was in the room with her?"

"Hayden Crissman."

"What were they doing when you got there?"

"Abbey...I mean, Miss Spencer...had answered the door. Hayden was sitting on the bed. The bed was unmade."

"What did Miss Spencer say to you when you came back to the room?"

"She asked me what I was doing there."

"What was your response?"

"I told her I had come back to finish our conversation about whether she was coming home or not."

"How was her demeanor? Was she glad to see you?"

"No, absolutely not. I got the feeling I walked in on something, like I was intruding."

"Did Miss Spencer ask you to leave?"

"Not at first, but the longer I was there, the more upset she became."

"What do you think upset Miss Spencer?"