“First of all I just want to say we’re glad that you’re all right.” He cleared his throat. “I’d also like to reiterate that the department hired you for your innovative research. And that your interesting perspective on social justice and activism was also a factor.” I could tell the fact that I was looking straight at him was making him uncomfortable, but I did not care. He wanted to shut me up, he could look me in the eye when he told me.

“And.” He paused there and I wondered just how bad the next part would be, but when he looked at me again his eyes were friendly. “I can’t speak for the school on this, but I can tell you that personally I think what you’re doing is great. We need to speak out about what is happening in our community. I will do what I can to support your efforts in town.”

I felt like I’d fallen through a hole and ended up in the upside down. I was sure I had not heard him right. “I’m sorry. Could you say that again?” I asked, genuinely baffled. So much so I resisted the urge to cup a hand around my ear the next time he opened his mouth.

“I said that I think what you’ve been doing is something our community needs and I will gladly support you in any way I can. Mind you, this is just me, not the department.” This time I was the one having trouble maintaining eye contact. “It’s not easy taking these things on and I know the pressure you’re under to get tenure. I just wanted to tell you I see your work and how it goes beyond just publications. You’re doing what’s right. I see and respect that. A lot of us here do.”

This conversation was literally going in the complete opposite direction I expected. I came in to be dressed down and warned, not to be offered support.

I had no game plan for this.

“Umm, thank you, sir. I appreciate it,” I said, feeling foolish for doing what I always accused people of doing to me—making assumptions without reason. Which only made me think of Easton. I’d accused him so harshly of being a hypocrite and here I was being confronted by my own hypocrisy. “I’m trying to balance what I say and do, I know that I’m a brand-new hire, so I don’t want to make any enemies, but I can’t not bring attention to this.”