Prone to manipulation and lies. The staff didn’t like him and feared him. Some tried to complain to the district education department about his unfair, sometimes harsh actions and violations of ethical norms.
But most obediently agreed with his system of rule and even fawned over him. So he informed the nurse that her office would be checked for medication expiration dates compliance. Hearing this, Natalie immediately remembered what the note found at the door was about.
Ah, that’s what it warned about. But who could it be? How did he find out? She couldn’t figure it out. However, she wasn’t particularly worried, knowing that everything in her office was in perfect order, clean, tidy, medications arranged as per instructions.
Documentation is kept timely, vaccinations all done on time, all medicines not expired. Natalie was generally distinguished at work by neatness and diligence. She developed these traits back in nursing school and graduated with honors.
So it wasn’t hard for her to get a job precisely in a school, as she always wanted. Natalie loved children, and although she didn’t feel any slip-ups behind her, anxiety somehow appeared in her soul. Maybe the principal had something bad planned against her, after all, anything could be expected from him.
She left the principal’s office a bit confused, walked slowly down the hallway. And saw Stephen, the custodian. He was just nailing a loose board on the railing, and noticing Natalie, straightened up, fixed his gaze on her, as if wanting to say something, but didn’t dare.
«He’s acting strangely somehow, as if he knows something,» she thought. The nurse had to go to the kitchen and cafeteria for the usual check and approve the menu, and then headed to her office. And as soon as she entered, guests followed right after her, the principal and commission members.
The inspection began, and they checked everything, not just the medications. Order was everywhere, but with the medicines, there was chaos. Not only were many expired, but some appeared that shouldn’t be in a children’s institution at all.
«God, what horror!» – Natalie’s heart beat faster. «Who could have set me up like this and why? Who did I wrong here?» The keys to the office were only with the principal. «Could this be his handiwork?» – the nurse wondered.
And the principal stood impassively among the commission members and justified himself. «Forgive me for not overseeing. I trusted her too much.»
And, turning to Natalie, said. «How could you let us down like this, Natalie Nicole? I didn’t think you were capable of this. You understand yourself, such negligence is unacceptable in a school institution.
These are children. And you, what, treated them with expired medications?» Natalie wanted to sink through the earth not to hear and see all this. They scolded her like a guilty schoolgirl, for who knows what.
She silently listened to these false accusations, as she subconsciously felt the uselessness of her justifications. She understood. The case against her was fabricated.
It was offensive. She wanted to cry. And she almost burst into tears, but held back with willpower.
A lump stood in her throat, she couldn’t utter a word. And she herself seemed nailed down, stood without stirring. The commission’s words brought her back to reality.
She heard the verdict. «Benjamin Irving, convene a staff meeting, draw the appropriate conclusions. This matter can’t be left like this.
There could be undesirable consequences, after all, this concerns children’s health and lives. No joking here. And you, Natalie Nicole, look for a new job.
And in the future, be careful and law-abiding. Consider yourself lucky to get off easy,» they addressed her, as if hinting at what punishment she would face. The commission left, and Natalie stood there, killed by the lie and meanness.
«That’s how easily they can deal with a person. For what?» Hammers pounded in her temples, a stone on her heart, tears in her eyes. Her legs gave way, became wobbly.
She sat at the table and burst into tears. Who knows how long she would have sat like that if a high school student hadn’t run in and said she was called to the teachers’ lounge. What else have they come up with? – Natalie was already scared.
– Decided to arrange some execution for me. To finish me off completely. Natalie tried to pull herself together, washed her face with cold water, walked to the teachers’ lounge as if to the scaffold.
Opening the door, she saw teachers sitting at the tables. Why have they gathered? Flashed through her head. They offered her to sit, and the principal announced the agenda of the staff meeting.
Natalie wondered to herself. Why was she invited to the staff meeting when she’s not a teacher? And then it dawned on her. Well, it’s not the first time for the principal to violate everything and everyone? They gathered to provide a solid basis for dismissal, so to speak, to chew her out and punish.
Natalie was very offended that she got into such a bind and was fired in disgrace. She loved her job, performed it honestly. Why did he fire me? Why organize this setup? How disgusting all this is! Leaving the school, she saw Stephen, the school custodian, in the yard.
This young man evoked sympathy in her. Open, pleasant gaze, kind face. Always greeted her politely and courteously, smiled kindly.
He started working recently. Before him, an elderly man worked in this position. After he retired, they hired Steve.
Many were surprised why such a young and healthy guy didn’t find a better and more paying job. After all, the pay in this position is mere pennies. It turned out that while working as a taxi driver, he got a complex leg fracture in an accident.
They put in a titanium plate, which over time started causing pain when walking. Because of that, he started limping, and now the man needed a corrective surgery. Doctors recommended removing the titanium plate, as it began to provoke cyst formation.
If not done in time, rejection would start. But such an operation and rehabilitation after it required considerable money, and Stephen didn’t have it. The accident culprit never paid him compensation for the injury treatment.
Now he couldn’t endure sitting behind the wheel all day, his knee ached desperately. Doctors recommended moderate load so the joint wouldn’t stiffen completely. So he had to take this job at least to live.
Not scavenging landfills. After all, he couldn’t perform other work in his current health condition. And here he could walk a bit, sit a bit, and the schedule is gentle.
Completely broken, devastated by the troubles that fell on her and the loss of her job, Natalie slowly walked to her place. Even mentally, she didn’t identify this temporary shelter with home. Could it really be like that? Turning the corner, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a man limping on his leg, clearly following her.
Stopping, she turned and resolutely walked toward the pursuer. – Why are you spying on me, Steve? – she asked as if joking. But inside, everything clenched.
What if he grabs her and drags her into an alley. – He seems not like that, but who knows what’s in his head. – You’re worrying for nothing, Nat, calm down, – Stephen addressed the woman.
– I deliberately didn’t approach you near the school so we wouldn’t be seen together. You’ve already seen what kind of staff there is and who runs it? It’s a real snake pit. Ready to eat each other, and the main villain is the principal.
However, that’s not what I want to tell you right now, – Stephen tried to continue. – Wait, better explain everything to me properly, because after the staff meeting, I don’t understand anything anymore, – Natalie interrupted him. – Ah, now I guess.
So it was you who wrote the note to me, right? And how did you find out where I live? – It’s all very simple, – the man explained. No secret here. At school, everyone knows about your divorce from your husband and where you’re renting now.
After all, your school friend tipped you off about it, right? – Well, there. And just before the day the commission came to you, I was repairing a cabinet in one of the classrooms. The door to the hallway was ajar.
I hear our principal talking with some unfamiliar man near the classroom. I wouldn’t have paid attention, but suddenly the man mentioned you. – Benjamin Irving, – he says to the principal, – my boss should have called you.
This is regarding Natalie, the nurse. He responds so lively. Listening, like, what is required of me.
Then the man tells him straight out. Need to fire her from the school. And with a bang, so she remembers.
I peeked through the crack, and he’s handing the principal an envelope. Benjamin Irving quickly hid the envelope in his pocket and replied. Don’t worry, she won’t be here tomorrow.
Could it really be Victor who organized such meanness, Natalie was horrified. Turns out, divorcing wasn’t enough for him. Deprived me of housing, and now the job too.
Seeing that from what was said, Natalie became even more despondent, Stephen hurried. – Well, that’s in the past now. What’s the point of talking about it? You can’t rewind events.
And I decided to catch up with you now for something else. You’re probably going to look for a new job now, right? And I just saw an ad nearby. Someone needs a nanny for a little girl.