“This is an investigation now.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He walked away.
Patricia watched him.
“You’re protecting Crawford again.”
“No.”
“It looks like it.”
Jessica shook her head.
“I’m protecting the process.”
Her mother considered that.
“There’s a difference?”
“Yes.”
“What happens to him?”
“I don’t know.”
“You really don’t?”
“No.”
Jessica sat on the edge of a folding chair.
“He’ll be investigated.”
“For drinking?”
“For everything.”
Patricia looked toward the parking lot.
“Could he lose his career?”
“Yes.”
Jessica said it without satisfaction.
Her mother sat beside her.
“Does that bother you?”
Jessica took a long breath.
“Yes.”
Patricia looked surprised.
“He grabbed you.”
“I know.”
“He humiliated you.”
“I know.”
“He accused you of being fake in front of hundreds of people.”
“I remember.”
“Then why does it bother you?”
Jessica stared at her water bottle.
“Because consequences can be necessary and still be sad.”
