Page 25 of Rhett & Moses
“The night before graduation, I came across something at the statue. Not just vandalism, but something much worse.” I paused, choosing my words carefully. “Soren Hayes was there, and a mystery person. They had just ran away right next to the destroyed statue.”
Gasps and whispers erupted. Mayor Hayes stepped forward, his face mottled with rage.
“This is slander!” he shouted. “My son would never..."
“I have proof,” I interrupted, pulling out the pin. “This school pin, the prototype made exclusively for Soren, was found at the scene. Also a few days ago I overheard a conversation with Soren.”
The crowd’s reaction was immediate and chaotic, people turning to each other in shock, voices rising in disbelief or anger. Through it all, I felt Rhett’s steady presence beside me, his hand briefly touching the small of my back in silent support.
“I gathered my thoughts thinking whether to chase the person who had ran off, the person who had Soren in such an angered rage, or whether to confront him but when I stepped out from the shadows, he wasn’t afraid to tell me his opinions. I was immediately countered with remarks of blackmail.” I swallowed hard, the next part still difficult to admit even after all these years. “He had compromising photos of me and... someone else. In a town like Gomillion, that was enough to make me agree to take the fall for the vandalism, on the condition that he leave town immediately after graduation.”
I didn’t look at Rhett as I spoke, afraid of what I might see in his face now that the full extent of my cowardice was laid bare.But I felt him step closer, his shoulder brushing mine in silent solidarity.
“For many years, I’ve carried this secret, checking in occasionally to ensure Soren never returned on his promise. Now, though everyone has their worlds and lives in check, but I’m left here to struggle, and I can no longer remain silent.” I straightened my shoulders, looking directly at Mayor Hayes. “The truth needs to come out, not just for my sake, but for anyone who is scared of someone who has a position of power.”
The mayor pushed through the crowd toward the platform, his politician’s mask slipping to reveal raw fury beneath. “You have no proof beyond that pin, which could have been planted or found anywhere! This is nothing but a desperate attempt to rehabilitate your own reputation by smearing my family’s name!”
“Actually,” Vanessa’s voice cut through the chaos as she stepped forward, “he does have more than the pin.” She climbed onto the platform to stand on my other side, forming a united front with Rhett and me. “He’s got Soren’s conversation.”
“My son ain’t going to admit to anything!” Mayor Hayes announced, glancing over at Soren who took a quick glance at us and nodded.
“Actually, dad it’s time…” Soren admitted. “I can’t keep hiding away. I have to stand up and admit my flaws. The reasoning and argument that happened, well that’s another story and I appreciate Moses for not pushing on that but the vandalism and acts of harassment and threats to expose private information about yourself. It was wrong. The way in which I used my father’s power to protect myself in any way I could…” He sighed. “I know that…”
“Shut up Soren,” Mayor Hayes hissed out as the crowd mumbled away together. He attempted to regain control, appealing to the crowd. “Are you really going to believe thisstory? From a man who abandoned this town, who only returns when it’s convenient for him? Who clearly has an axe to grind with my family?”
To my surprise, it was the Principal who spoke up from the crowd. “I believe him,” the older man said firmly. “I always thought there was more to that night than what we were told. Moses Morley was a respectable member of the town. His sudden act of vandalism never made sense to me.”
Others began to nod, the tide of opinion visibly shifting. I caught sight of Bronwyn in the crowd, her expression fiercely proud. Several of our former classmates murmured in agreement.
Tom Jenkins, who had confronted me at the welcome party, stepped forward. “If this is true, why didn’t you come forward sooner? Why let everyone believe you were the vandal for all these years?”
It was a fair question; one I’d asked myself countless times. “Fear,” I admitted honestly. “Fear of the photos being released, fear of not being believed, fear of the Hayes family’s influence in this town. And after a while, it was easier to stay away than to face what I’d done, and what I’d failed to do. The fact that all I owed was on the line.”
Rhett’s hand found mine then, a bold move in front of the entire town. Several eyebrows raised, a few looks of disapproval flashed, but surprisingly, there were more expressions of understanding than condemnation.
“I think we’ve all done things out of fear that we later regretted,” Rhett said, addressing not just Tom but the entire crowd. “The question is whether we have the courage to make things right when given the chance.”
Mayor Hayes, seeing the crowd’s sympathies shift, made one last desperate attempt. “This is nothing but a coordinated attack on my family’s reputation! Moses Morley and his... friend,” hesneered the word, his implication clear, “have concocted this story to distract from their own immoral behavior! They have twisted and persuaded my son to speak these lies against his will. I'll tell you this; your business will suffer for this.”
A beat of silence followed his words, the naked bigotry hanging in the air like a foul odor. Then, to my astonishment, laughter erupted from the back of the crowd.
“Oh, for God’s sake, join the 21st century,” called a woman I recognized as the owner of the local bookstore. “He admitted it. Take some damn responsibility just like your son did. At least he’s stood up now. A little late, but he’s done it in front of everyone.”
Murmurs of agreement spread through the crowd. Rhett’s grip on my hand tightened, and when I glanced at him, I saw the same shock and cautious hope I felt reflected in his eyes. Whatever we had expected from this revelation, it wasn’t this level of support.
Mayor Hayes looked around, realizing he’d miscalculated badly. His face hardened as he met my eyes. “This isn’t over, Morley,” he warned before turning and pushing his way through the crowd, several of his longtime supporters following in his wake.
As he departed, the tension in the air dissipated slightly. People began talking among themselves, processing what they’d just learned. Vanessa took control of the situation, suggesting the crowd disperse to give everyone time to absorb the revelations.
Gradually, people drifted away, many stopping to offer words of support or apology as they passed. Some faces remained hostile or skeptical, but they were the minority, a stark contrast to the unanimous condemnation I’d faced twenty years ago.
When the lawn had mostly cleared, I let out a shaky breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. My legs suddenly felt weak,the adrenaline that had carried me through the confrontation draining away and leaving exhaustion in its wake.
“You did it,” Rhett said softly, his hand still in mine. “You told the truth, and people believed you.”
“Mayor Hayes will never forget that you stepped against the grain,” I said, concern creeping into my voice. Despite everything, Vanessa’s family had a strong relationship with the Mayor’s family.
“My father will have to understand that respect and loyalty mean more to me than money and business attributes.” she replied, her expression hardening. “It's been a long time since someone in our family stood for what’s right instead of what’s politically expedient.”
