The next morning was filled with its own troubles, even before the troubles that we knew would be coming. Molly and I both expected that the school day would be canceled, at least for the elementary school, but we half expected the ludicrous manner in which we both found out about it. And that was through a different teacher...
Molly and I got up at our normal time with the alarm as normal and prepared for work. The attack had made the local news as a mention of domestic terrorism, and Officer Barnes' press conference was included. The local news did also report that the elementary school did cancel school for the day as well, but still Molly went through the same preparations as though school for her wasn't out.
"Are you sure about this, Molly?" I asked, "I mean we both saw the late local news last night..."
"I'm sure," Molly answered.
"They said that school for you was canceled today," I answered.
"I still need to check things and prepare for tomorrow potentially," Molly answered, "not to mention that no one called me from any of the school offices."
"Mrs. Fitzpatrick probably isn't able..." I began to comment.
"The principal isn't responsibly for the decision," Molly cut me off, " the School Superintendent is. The only person outside of him who can cancel school is the bus and transport leader in term of winter cancellations."
I then nodded remembering the couple of "snow days" during the past winter. The super intendant never called, but Mrs. Fitzpatrick had. It appeared that the Super Intendant had no intention of following the same protocols he probably followed for the the human teachers and aides for Molly. Both my sigh and Molly's carried a growling edge to it. The man who ran the school district couldn't fire Molly, thanks to her membership in the teacher's union which Mrs. Fitzpatrick had urged her to join, but he could still make Molly's work and job difficult. And it appeared that he had every intention of doing so. And so, Molly was getting ready for work as though nothing had happened yesterday.
While Molly went own to get ready for her own work, I called Officer Barnes, hoping to get a hold of him before he went into work. In that, I was successful.
"Officer Wayne?" came his response on the other end of the "line".
"Hey," I spoke, "I will be in today, but because of Mr. Hireman's politics, no one outside of the local news has told Molly about she elementary school being canceled toady. We will be walking in to make she has no problems and that he isn't pulling to trick that would give him a legitimate reason."
"He really wants to lose his race against your neighbor, doesn't he?" Officer Barnes grumbled, "doesn't he?"
"We believe so," I nodded.
"Okay the," Officer Barnes answered, "I'l let Officer Howard know when Officer Jenkins and I get it... are you walking your wife in to the school?"
Yes," I nodded.
"Okay then,"Officer Barnes replied, "I'll let Officer Howard know on that to. I'll then pick you up and will count that as part of a foot patrol for you."
"Okay then," I responded, "thanks."
No problem," Officer Barnes answered.
I then head Officer Jenkins say something in the background.
I hope your neighbor beats him!" Officer Jenkins called in the background.
"Me too," I responded.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The rest of the early morning went by with little real difficult.I lead Molly in quietly to the school. A few teachers were in fact in, but the building was quiet as we arrived. One teacher was even coming in as I lead Molly in.
"Good morning Officer and Mrs. Wayne," the teacher greeted us, "something wrong?"
"not really," O spoke, "I'm lust walking Molly in... make sure the super intendant hasn't caused more trouble the necessary for my wife."
"Trouble?" the teacher asked.
"The super intendant has looked for ways to fire my wife," I told her, "mostly to justify Beauregard's claim that we are nothing more then mundane animals that look like we're human-like and intend to eat every human we see..."
"That stuff is still going on?" the teacher gasped.
"The super intendant is a firm R.A.M. supporter, "Molly answered, And the only reason he left... was because Beauregard's arrest mad the organization incapable of supporting itself."
"But you've both proved that you aren't lost to you instincts," the teacher spoke, still sounding surprised.
"That doesn't mean that R.A.M. is entirely gone..." I sighed, "some lunatics still follow it. Most of what remains of the organization is the die-hards that didn't leave when Beauregard's thievery and hypocrisy wasn't betrayed.
The teacher then turned and did something that made me smile. He hugged Molly like the two had been friends for ages.
"you'll have the school behind you, Mrs. Wayne," the teacher spoke, "you've protected the students, and you you've endured far more then what other teachers have. You're our friend. You've showed us that much."
"Thank you," Molly thanked him.
"And the trouble being caused by R.A.M. members will not win," the teacher continued, "you two have earned a place as part of the town."
Molly then nuzzled him with a low rumble, our attempt to purr. The teacher then tightened his hug. The District Super Intendant was still a troublemaker, but it was clear that the worst of his behavior was broken. Bill Williams's actions wold not break us.