Free Valley of the Moon by Bronwyn Archer

winked at me and walked out.
    I needed a few minutes to compose myself in the silent classroom.
    The brooding photo of Edgar Allen Poe stared murderously at me from the wall calendar.
    Nevermore.
     
    ***
     
    When I peeked into the corridor a few minutes later, there were no signs of life. I tiptoed through the doorway.
    “Hello, Miss Goodwin.” I almost jumped out of my loafers. That low, icy voice. My adrenaline took off running.
    Ramona was in her usual at-school outfit: slim pencil skirt, silk blouse, cashmere cardigan, and four-inch blood-red heels.
    I tried to keep my voice steady. “Oh! I didn’t see you there.”
    “I didn’t mean to startle you.” She smiled like a benevolent queen. One about to order up a few beheadings. “We haven’t had a chance to talk in a while.” Because I avoid you like a rat infected with bubonic plague, Ramona. “How’s your father?”
    “Uh, he’s doing well,” I lied. She nodded thoughtfully.
    “That’s good to hear. I’d heard his business was in a bit of trouble.”
    I blanched. “No, everything’s fine. Selling tons of cars.”
    “Hm,” she purred. “Well, if there’s ever anything I can ever do.” Her thin red lips stretched tight into a smile. “Sad, isn’t it? I hate to see a talented teacher go. Especially one so popular with you girls.” Her eyes burned with a naked, gloating pleasure. “I know you had a special affection for Mr. Quarry, Lana. You were one of his favorites, after all. Cressida told me how he favored you.”
    Alarms bells rang in my head. Mr. Quarry’s parting words to me echoed in my head.
    “I trust you had a moment to say your good-byes?” She leaned towards me. “Was it all you dreamed it would be, Lana?” I heard a new, fierce tone in her voice. Her eyes bored into me, black and penetrating.
    “He did not favor me! He was totally fair. He was the best teacher at this school.”
    An old, familiar panic threatened to descend on me. I looked around. Where was everyone?
    She smiled cryptically. Her eyes filled with hard pleasure and her thin nostrils flared. She eyed me up and down and her smile fled.
    “Mr. Quarry was an unhealthy presence around young girls. He stepped out of line. Fortunately, I’ve seen to it that he’ll never teach at a school like this again.” She delivered the words like an executioner swinging his ax.
    A quiet rage replaced my fear. Don’t just stand there like her terrified little stepdaughter! She can’t do anything to you now!
    I took a deep breath. “You’re right, Ramona. He did step out of line. But not with a student.”
    Her sharp intake of breath told me my words hit their mark. I didn’t wait to hear a reply as I rushed to the stairs. I had an intense vision of her running up behind me and pushing me over the railing, my body tumbling to the tiles below.
    When I made it to the safety of my car, my hands were shaking so hard I could barely turn the key.
     
    ***
     
    I was in my room reading when I heard my dad’s car roll up late that night. He knocked on my door ten minutes later.
    “Hey honey, how was school?”
    “Fine, Dad. Dinner’s on the stove. You just have to heat it up.”
    “Sounds great, thanks.” He started to close the door.
    “Wait, Dad!” He paused in the doorway. “Is your business in any kind of trouble? Real trouble?” Maybe Ramona knew more than I did.
    His eyes widened and his shoulders tensed. “Sales have been a little slow, but that’s behind us now. I found a new investor. With deep pockets.” His face strained to smile.
    “Who?” He sagged against the doorframe. He looked around my bedroom.
    “You know I would do anything for you, right?”
    “I know.”
    “Then quit asking so many questions!” He turned to go. “Hey, whatever happened to that boy you went out with over New Years? Kevin? The one with the Porsche.”
    “Caleb. He’s back at college.”
    He nodded distractedly. “Well, it’s probably for the best. Don’t stay up too