Free Private Relations by J.M. Hall

television screens.
    I could always ask for their help. After all, they were the ones who would really be helping Bobby through the process of salvaging the Academy’s reputation in the court of public opinion. I was a researcher of facts, an interviewer of persons of interest. Yes, I could draft press releases, pitch reporters, conduct media audits and help the more experienced staff with broader strategy -- but I wasn’t truly one of them.
    They were white-collar professionals; I was a whore in sheep’s clothing.
    I got up from my desk, walked into Kurt’s office. He wasn’t there, of course, but I made myself at home anyway. The last time we’d been in there alone, he’d all but offered me a full-time position at the firm.
    Was I a fool not to accept?
    Suddenly, Kurt opened the door and walked inside. As usual, he was talking on his cell -- though he gave me a cursory nod before settling down at his desk. I took out my iPad, typed a few talking points into a document. When Kurt ended his call, he leaned back and told me to give him the full download on what I’d learned thus far.
    “We have a problem,” I said. “Our little teacher-student sex scandal is far more personal to Bobby than he let on.”
    “Is it?”
    “The boy who slept with his teacher? It’s his nephew, Drake.”
    “Shit…”
    “I still think there’s a chance we can salvage this. First things first, though: We need to draft a statement to the school community itself, preferably after we meet with the Board of Trustees and have them media trained.”
    “If the student in question is Bobby’s nephew,” Kurt said, “then he’s going to have to remove himself from the investigation. Take a leave of absence from his position as principal.”
    “I agree.” I reached forward, took a notepad and pen off his desk. “Still, we need to be careful. Drake has a right to privacy, and if Bobby announces he’s taking a leave of absence right after addressing this situation, people could get suspicious.”
    “We can’t reveal Drake as the student.”
    “Exactly.”
    It was a complicated situation, one that had even Kurt perplexed. Much to my disappointment, he didn’t seem to think that turning down the business was a reasonable course of action -- even if it would make my life a lot easier. I sat before him, squirming slightly in my chair. I didn’t like lying to him. Or if not lying, then not letting him know the truth.
    Bobby and I had a history.
    It could cloud my judgment.
    What if I let my emotions get in the way?
    “What do you think of all this?” Kurt asked, shaking me out of my inner reflection. “I know it’s been a while since you were a student, but how do you think the community will react?”
    “Shock,” I said. “Pure and simple. New Hope Academy is a small, insular community that prides itself on cultivating the best and brightest young minds in the region. The idea that a teacher would cross that line with a student is…”
    “Terrible.”
    “That about does it. But that’s what we’re here for, isn’t it? Fixing people’s problems so they don’t have to.”
    Kurt smiled, the kind of brilliant grin that could sell anything from toothpaste to sports cars. He’d been married for close to five years now, to a beautiful woman named Alexandra who was a successful artist and children’s illustrator. Beautiful couple, rewards careers -- and a stunning three-bedroom apartment in Park Slope to boot.
    Deep down, I couldn’t deny that he had the kind of life I envied. I used to think that in an ideal world, I could grow up to be just like him.
    “Is there something you’re not telling me?” Kurt asked.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Whenever you get a new client, you’re usually talking a mile a minute. This time, you’re awfully quiet.”
    “Is that a bad thing?”
    “For you? Yes.”
    “I have a lot on my mind these days,” I said, which wasn’t a complete lie. “The holidays, you guys -- my other