Becca had been at the checkout counter as she left John’s office. Victoria had hid her dread as the girl greeted her with excitement. Becca had actually hopped off her stool and hugged Victoria at the waist. It had taken Zen-level concentration to not cry in front of the girl, she rubbed her back and asked her about school instead. While Becca chattered on, Victoria bit the inside of her cheek and prayed that John would stay in his office. She was more concerned about Becca’s feelings at that moment. The young girl had already seen strife in the adult relationships around her, there was no need to add to the drama.

When she was able to pull herself away, she’d hurried to the parking lot, glancing over her shoulder the entire way. Victoria hadn’t known what to expect. John had never objected to anything she wanted and him following her to her car had been a slim possibility. She’d said they would talk about it later and he had respected her wishes. You G.D. idiot.

One of the sliding images on Paula’s phone caught her eye and made her sit up in her chair. “Wait, stop!”

“What’s wrong?”

Victoria took Paula’s phone and scrolled back to the black power fist set against a red, green, and black background. “Dang it.” The picture was a reminder of one more thing she’d forgotten because of John.

“Girl, what?” Paula asked.

Victoria stood and searched for a spare notebook and pen. “I forgot that today is the first meeting of the Black Student Union,” she said in a panicked voice. She glanced at her watch and found another disappointment. “It starts in ten minutes.”

“We have a Black Student Union?”

“For the first time, if I can get over to the Student Union building. Jesus, I can’t believe I forgot. Paula, I’m sorry but I gotta go, the kids need me.”

“Go then, just be careful running around in those heels. Can’t dig a grave on broken ankles...”

Victoria literally didn’t have time for her friend’s sass. “Okay, bye!”

She didn’t get far out of her building before running into Kenneth Williams and his sycophant group of PhD students.

“Ms. Reese,” he said with a startled chuckle. “Where’s the fire?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Williams,” she said through a clenched jaw. Since he refused to address her by title in front of his students, she’d have to return the favor. “I’m on my way to a meeting.”

His mustache quirked with a smug grin. “With the children’s librarian?”

Victoria ran her tongue over her teeth and forced a pleasant smile. “I’m meeting with the Black Student Union.”