Against the Wind ...Part 4 ...Resolving the Past
the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.
– Henry Ford
For the past two years I've been struggling to pay chid support after impregnating an underage girl—the consequences of getting blind drunk and waking up to a naked sixteen year-old curled up beside me.
Nicky's mother, Emily, has made me pay through the nose all this time to support her daughter's child even when she knows I'm left with almost nothing to support myself.
Now, out of nowhere, Janice Turner, a former student of mine shows up on my doorstep with some startling news.
According to Janice, Nicky confessed she lied and the child isn't mine but the result of Nicky having unprotected sex with her boyfriend.
She decided to crawl into bed beside you and accuse you of sleeping with her.
Janice’s words roared through my mind. The thought never occurred to me that Nicky would lie. But as soon as the hope kindled, it just as quickly died.
“Even if it’s true, the harm’s done—my reputation’s ruined.”
Janice was insistent. “Don’t you get it, Sir? Why hasn’t Nicky’s mom filed charges against you?”
“I don’t know—I figured she was letting me off, as long as I paid child support.”
“How much are you paying?”
“Half my salary.”
She looked at me pointedly.
The pieces began to fall into place. Emily had trouble making ends meet—that’s why she took me in.
“Are you saying Emily deliberately framed me so I’d keep paying child support?”
She was poker faced. “If I were you, I’d go to the authorities. I’ll testify in your defence about what Nicky said. You can demand a paternity test.”
I was so happy I wanted to kiss her—but under the circumstances, just thanked her and politely shook her hand.
It turned out everything she told me was right. The minute my attorney mentioned a paternity test, Nicky folded and admitted everything.
My name was cleared and Nicky and her mom were charged with fraud.
I got my life back, but, the truth is, I can never go back—at least to the same place—too much of a scandal.
I know the drill.
They’d put me on a treadmill like a whiskey teacher. I’d be always drowning and perpetually resurfacing like a deathless man flailing in his own weakness.
I couldn’t do ups and downs again.
Instead, I opted to take a job as a salesman at a luxury car dealership. It’s not the same professional atmosphere as teaching, but it is more lucrative.
Janice and I remained friends. Actually, we’re dating. The rollercoaster ride of emotions has levelled off and so has my drinking.
Alcohol enabled me to withdraw to a place where I could be anesthetized.
I lived a myth where nothing mattered.
My sin was my weakness—my readiness to easily give up.
But it’s not over. I still struggle—I’m just not as brittle.
Now when life’s storms blow, I don’t hide, just bend
I’m living the good life with Janice now—savouring every feeling—getting stronger with the struggle.
Walking against the wind.