Shannon had driven home, shaken from her experience with Mr. Hannan and desperate for a way out of her dilemma. It was fairly obvious that Mr. Hannan was taking advantage of the situation, and she dreaded what he might make her do to buy his silence.
For that was exactly what she knew she had to do. She didn't know who had planted the drugs in her locker. She was by far the most popular girl in the school, but there was always low-life scum among the student body, and she imagined that one of them had done that for a kick. It was a measure of the girl's naΓ―vetΓ© that the thought of an administrator planting drugs in her locker never occurred to her.
But of course, that is exactly what happened. She had been watched by Mr. Hannan as well as most of the male members of the faculty for months and during that time she had inspired countless erections from her teachers who fantasized about fucking the gorgeous girl. Mr. Hannan had encountered the drug jar in another student's locker. He had given that student a "second chance" by doing to her what he was about to do to Shannon. He had kept the drugs, knowing how he was going to put it to use to get into the panties of Shannon Lowens.
It had been an easy matter to hold the jar in his hands, hiding it from her view, then reach down into Shannon's locker, and pretend to find it hidden there.
Shannon got home and quickly went upstairs. She stripped down and took a long hot shower, though she had showered at the school. She felt filthy, and she scrubbed her flesh until it was bright pink. But the sense of filth remained as she toweled off.
For the next hour, she sat in her room trying to figure a way out. She had saved $957.00 towards College, keeping it in a lockbox under her bed, and she thought that just maybe she could buy Mr. Hannan's cooperation. After all, teachers were not the highest-paid professionals. The more she thought about it the more she was able to convince herself that he would accept her money.
She noticed the time and reluctantly got up to get ready. She did not doubt that Mr. Hannan would try something sexual with her, and she decided to be as unattractive as possible. She didn't put on makeup, not realizing that as beautiful as she was, the natural look for her was far lovelier than other girls who used makeup. She put on a white T-shirt and then pulled out a pair of cut-off overalls. She slipped on panties and a bra, very plain and utilitarian style, and then the T-shirt and overalls, standing in front of the mirror. Yeah, that would work. She didn't look ugly or plain, but she was doing her best to hide her body and play down her sexiness. But of course, a beautiful girl with a dynamite body will look good in almost anything.
Shannon told her mother she was going to study with friends and drove off with the money she had saved.
When she arrived at the Limrish house, it and the barn behind it were dark. She drove around behind the barn and saw a car, which she pulled up to. Mr. Hannan was behind the wheel, and he told her to get into his car, and she did so, holding her lockbox.
Shannon watched as Mr. Hannan looked her over carefully, feeling a return of the dread that she had been battling.
Smiling, he said "Well Shannon, I'm glad you came. I certainly didn't want to have to call the police. What do you have there?" he said pointing to the lockbox.
"Mr. Hannan," Shannon said as her heart pounded wildly, "I have almost $1000 that I've been saving for College. We both know that those drugs you found in my locker are not mine! But if you will forget about it, the money is yours!"
Shannon set the box down between them as a mute offering.
Mr. Hannan looked darkly at her. "Are you trying to BRIBE me, Shannon Lowens? Do you think that I would sacrifice my integrity for some MONEY?"
Shannon looked scared, her lovely eyes wide as she paled. "Mr. Hannan, I-I...I'm sorry, I just...I don't know what else to do!!"
Shannon broke down crying, hugging herself as she released the emotions of the past few hours.
The older man sat watching her. He was enough of a student of human behavior to know that Shannon had pinned her hopes on bribing him. She was desperate and without hope. And now was the time to give her a glimmer of hope.
He reached over and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder as her sobs lessened. She looked up at him with despair as he gently spoke to her.
"Shannon, I have no desire to see you get in trouble. And honestly, I've heard stories about what they've done to some of these students down at the police station. And telling your parents would just break my heart. But Shannon, it is my job. Do you have any idea how much trouble I will get in if I don't tell anyone about this?"
Shannon was listening, and then realized that he had said "will get in". Was it possible that there was a way out of this?
"Young Lady, I've thought about this a long time. First of all, I don't want your money," he said as he pushed the lockbox back towards her.
"But I've made a decision, and if you agree to my terms, I will destroy these drugs and no one will ever know about it."
Shannon almost threw herself at the man with relief. "Yes, Mr. Hannan, whatever you want! Oh please, just give me a chance!" she said.
"Shannon, when I was a younger man, I fell in love with a young lady named Kathy. We were married, and I was so very happy. But after we had been married only three weeks, Kathy was coming home from work at the hospital when she was involved in an accident and killed by a drunk driver."
Shannon's heart went out to him. What a horrible thing that must have been.
"When Kathy was killed, I was desolate for a long time. I still dream about her, and I miss her so. But the amazing thing is that three years ago a freshmen student came to our High School. And she looked like Kathy. Watching that student has been a joy but also bittersweet."
Shannon's heart began pounding again.
"I wish I could hold Kathy again, but I can't. I wish I could taste her kisses, and feel her body next to mine. I wish I could make love with her, but I can't. Kathy is gone. But you look exactly like Kathy, Shannon. You have the same beautiful brunette hair, pretty smile, and green eyes. Do you know how hard it's been for me to see you? Every time I see you, I remember her."