The Candy Shop by Kiki Swinson Page B

memo in my hand and I see that we’re going to start implementing random drug testing. So, my question to you is, if we’re going to start doing this, then why does everyone have to submit a urine sample today?”
    “Because I spoke with the superintendent about yesterday’s fiasco and he and I just want to make sure that nothing like that ever happens again.”
    “Are you planning to test everyone today?”
    “Everyone who showed up.”
    “So, when will it start?”
    “Some of the staff have already completed the drug screening. So, Katherine and I are looking to wrap things up by noon today.”
    “She’s here?”
    “Yes, she’s here. As a matter of fact, she’s in the teachers’ lounge, helping Mr. Barino take the urine samples. So, when you’re ready, stop by there so they can get you all squared away.”
    “I have to take it too?”
    “Yes, of course. Everyone does. I even had to take it.”
    “Well, after I take care some of this stuff on my desk, I’ll swing by there too.”
    “Sounds good,” Mr. Baker commented and then the line went dead.
    After I put the telephone down I became a nervous wreck, thinking about all sorts of things. The first thing on the top of my list was the fact that I knew my drug screening was going to come back positive.
    And when it did, I was going to be without a job. My career was going to go right down the fucking drain! How fucking stupid could I have been to let Teresa pull me into her trap? This shit is all her damn fault. If she would’ve listened to me and kept that getting-high shit at home, then she would still have a job and I wouldn’t be on the verge of losing mine. See what friends will do for you! They will fuck your life up if you let ’em, which was exactly what was about to happen to me.
    While I was going through one of my self-persecution episodes, I got a knock on my office door.
    “Who is it?” I asked.
    “It’s Kimberly,” She answered.
    Since it was only Mrs. Lawson, the school’s counselor, I didn’t hesitate to give her the okay to enter into my office. And from the moment she entered into my immediate circle, she could sense that something wasn’t quite right with me. She said, “I don’t like the long face. So, smile.”
    “What’s there to smile about, when I just lost my secretary and Steve is about to turn this place upside down?”
    “You must be talking about that memo everybody got this morning.”
    “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m talking about. I mean, what message is he trying to send by saying that his decision to implement the random drug testing derives from the unfortunate incident that occurred yesterday?”
    “You know what? When I read that part I had the same reaction as you. Because in all honesty, he knew he didn’t have the right to give any of us the slightest inclination of what went on with Teresa’s situation.”
    “You damn right he didn’t! And when I spoke with him a few minutes ago, I wanted to mention it to him, but it was too early to bump heads with him.”
    “How is Teresa doing anyway?” Kimberly shifted the subject.
    “Under the circumstances, she’s doing okay.”
    “What are her plans? Is she going to start looking for new employment?”
    “She said she’s going to chill out for the rest of this week and maybe catch up on some things she’s been putting off. But, next week she’s going to start her job search.”
    “Well, I sure hope she finds something.”
    “She will because I’m going to give her an excellent job reference.”
    “Will she be able to get any unemployment benefits?”
    “No, she sure won’t.”
    “That’s sad.”
    “Yeah, it is. But, she’ll be all right.”
    “Whatcha think about Mr. Baker ordering everyone to take the drug test?”
    “Personally I think he’s just using his authority to shake everyone up.”
    “Do you think he’s going to be able to sift out anybody else?”
    “I’m not sure. But, I do know that if he does, then he’s gonna