I'll Stop the World (110)

Inside were two pages. One, a typewritten résumé, the top entry reading “Custodian, Stone Lake High School.” The other, a short handwritten note. He scanned the latter.

Thanks for the opportunity. I won’t let you down again. Sincerely, Michael McMillain

Bill sighed and pocketed the letter, hoping he hadn’t lied to the guy when he’d said he might know of a place that would hire him. Tomorrow, he promised himself. Tomorrow he’d call his brother and ask him if he had—or could create—any entry-level openings at the Hawthorne office, just twenty minutes down the road. His parents may have effectively disowned him when he’d opted to counsel students in his wife’s hometown instead of joining the family business, but he and Alan were still on decent terms. At least, he hoped they were.

But tonight was for celebrating.

He’d intended to wait until their anniversary next month to give Veronica the pendant he had asked Pat to make for her, but in light of the news about the baby, now seemed like the perfect time to surprise her. After he gave it to her, they’d head to the debate, and once Diane wiped the floor with Gibson—the pompous ass—he’d take Veronica home, put Millie to bed, and dust off his neglected record collection so that he could twirl his wife around the living room. They’d toast with the champagne that they’d been keeping in the top kitchen cabinet for a special occasion, then stay up late talking about the future, like they used to do before life slowly squeezed the energy out of them. He thought he’d read something recently about pregnant women being advised against drinking alcohol, but surely a few sips of celebratory champagne would be fine.

His mind already hours ahead of his next few tasks, Bill pushed open the door to his office, hand automatically reaching for the light switch.

Maybe if he hadn’t been so distracted, he would’ve noticed the sharp smell of liquor cutting through the darkness, the rasp of stifled breathing.

Something rammed into his stomach, knocking the breath out of him, sending the cigarette flying out of his mouth. Bill’s feet flipped up as his head dropped down, toppling over the body barreling out of his office. He didn’t notice a face or shape or hair color. Just a broad shoulder, muscular arms, a low grunt of exertion. Nothing, really.

Bill’s head struck the floor, the thin carpet doing nothing to cushion the blow. His thoughts blinked out as the darkness took him.





Chapter Sixty-Eight


VERONICA

Veronica stared at the entrance to the school, her heart thumping fast against her ribs. Who was that who had come running out of the school? He’d jumped out the window by Bill’s office.

The light was still off. It shouldn’t still be off.

And where was Bill?

In the back seat, Millie clutched her stuffed bear, murmuring gibberish into its chewed and tattered ear. She scooted forward on the bench seat to hold the bear up to Veronica.

“Mommy kiss.”

Veronica twisted to kiss the top of the bear’s raggedy head, and Millie grinned, hugging the bear tight. She lowered her voice, tucking her chin into her chest to do a bear voice. “Tank you, Mommy!”

Veronica looked toward the school again. The main office light was still on, but Bill’s was off. She couldn’t see him through the window.

She squinted, shielding her eyes with her hand as if that might somehow give her a better view, even though the sun had long since set. She stared at Bill’s office window, waiting to see if she’d really seen what she thought she saw.

Yes, there! An orange flicker.

And was that . . . smoke?

Oh god.

Veronica jumped out of the car and flung open the back door. Scooping up Millie so fast that she dropped her bear, she plopped her back down in the seat and fastened her seat belt. She tightened it with shaking hands.

The quick motion had startled Millie, and she started to sniffle. Veronica picked the bear up from the floor of the car and pushed it into her arms. “Stay here with bear, baby,” she said, hoping Millie didn’t pick up on the tremble in her voice.

“Mama, hold you!” Millie was full-on sobbing now, stretching her arms toward her mother, her face scrunched up and red.

“Stay here,” Veronica repeated, then closed the door, her heart pounding. Millie’s muffled screams leaked through the window, but she would be safe. She didn’t know how to undo the seat belt or open the door. At least, Veronica hoped she didn’t.

The front door to the school was unlocked. Bill had his keys with him. Veronica threw the door open and ran inside.

The smell of smoke hit her right away, her ragged breathing pulling it into her lungs, which then worked to push it back out with equal force. Coughing, Veronica pulled open the door to the main office, covering her mouth with her sleeve.

The air was hazy, but she didn’t see any fire yet. Her chest burning, Veronica moved through the office, her eyes scanning everywhere for Bill.

The door to his office was ajar. The lights were off, but she could still see inside, thanks to the dancing flames licking across the carpet, climbing up onto the desk.

Bill lay crumpled on his back, his arms splayed at his sides. He wasn’t moving.

“Bill!” Veronica knew she shouldn’t try to talk, but his name came out without thinking. Smoke took advantage of the moment to shove its way into her mouth, down her throat, into her lungs. Her eyes watered and dripped, her eyelashes fluttering frantically. Still, she couldn’t help herself. “Bill, oh god, honey? Bill? Are you okay?”