Peter gave a sniff. “I don't suppose it comes with a raise?”
Lucius chuckled. “Not likely. But speaking of which.” He put his briefcase
on the edge of the desk and pulled out a manila envelope, then extracted a glossy
page. “There is something I'd like you to take a look at.” He pushed a brochure
in front of Peter.
He scanned it, then looked up. “The Dixon School? That's in the Chicago suburbs, right?”
“It is. Taught there myself once. Just a few summer prep-courses, filling in
for a colleague.”
“Really? You never told me that.”
Lucius shrugged. “It was a long time ago. We used chisels and rocks instead
of pencils.”
Peter turned the brochure over. Dixon was a private high school. It was old,
prestigious, and expensive. “So, what's this about?”
Lucius leaned over and pointed to the bottom where a printed sticker had been attached. “Position's open there. They're looking for a new chemistry teacher for the upper grades.”
“So?”
“Well, in case you haven't noticed, you're a chemistry teacher.”
Peter sighed. “Lucius, this is way out of my league.” He put the brochure down. “Besides, I have a job.”
Lucius gestured at the row of windows to the left of Peter's desk. “Yes, with
a lovely view of a utility shed and a rusty green dumpster.”
Peter shrugged. “I don't know. I've kind of grown fond of knowing Roger will be dumping moldy tater tots outside my window at one-thirty every day. It
gives me a calming sense of stability.”
“I suppose it would be hard to leave that behind.”
“Exactly. It's like you always tell me. 'If you ain't where you're at, you're no
place.' ”
Lucius pointed at his chest. “I say that?”
“Yup.”
The older man rubbed his chin. “I think I stole that from an episode of M*A*S*H.” He sat down on the edge of Peter's desk, seeming to grow serious.
“Peter, you know I normally don't try to interfere in your life—”
Peter gave two short chuckles. “Since when?”
“Okay. But this opportunity at Dixon is a particularly good one. With your
master's, your experience, and especially now that you've gotten this award, you're perfect for the job.”
“I don't know…”
“They think so, too.”
“They? They who?”
Lucius avoided his gaze. “I took the liberty of contacting that old colleague.
He's now the school's principal. I told him about you, and they're interested.”
“You didn't.”
“Yes, and they want to set up an interview with you. If you're interested.”
“I'm not.”
This time, Lucius looked him right in the eyes. Peter hated it when his friend
