Page 93 of Crystal Iris
“I’m taking the summer off.”
“Nice. It’ll be good for you.”
“When’s your seminar again?”
“Beginning of June.”
“Have you been to NASA before?”
“Yeah, a couple of times. I received an offer from them before.”
“Why didn’t you take it?”
“I’ve always known, since my lessons with Ms. Turner, that I wanted to be a teacher. What she ignited in me, I wanted to pass on to my students.”
“Professor De Loughery?” Stella calls from the hallway.
“Yes?” I turn around to face her.
“I just wanted to let you know, in person, that I’ve decided to… focus on my art instead.”
“Oh. I’m glad you figured it out.”
“I wanted to thank you.”
“Why? It doesn’t seem like my classes helped much. You’re not exactly following in my… footsteps,” I say with a smile, half kidding.
“No, they did help. It’s exactly because of your classes that I know I’m meant to be an artist. The way you talk about the painters—their passion, their hard work—I know I’d regret not giving it a chance.”
“Well, then I’m happy to have helped.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow for the final.”
“See you then.”
I pass by an almost closed door and recognize George’s voice. He sounds upset. I’m about to keep walking when I hear him mention Darion’s name. I pull out my phone, pretending not to listen.
“You can’t possibly believe Morris!” he says to someone.
“George, it’s out of my hands. It’s everywhere.”
“It’s a fucking lie.”
“You know how these things work. It’s not about… the truth sometimes.”
“I have a reputation here.”
“And I’m sure you’ll find another great place to work. This is Harvard; doors will open for you.”
“Not after this, they won’t.”
“I’m sorry, George. I really am.”
A class ends, and people begin leaving from a nearby room. I start walking toward my own classroom.
I pull out my phone and search George’s name. The news is indeed everywhere. I quickly read the headline:Professor George Wilson is damning Harvard’s reputation with widespread allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct. It’s unknown whether Darion Morris, the plaintiff, will continue his studies at the campus.
Twenty-One
