The Tutor and the Senator's Widow novel · Chapter 9 of 24

Chapter 9: The Associate Dean

The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies had a corner office, a ficus, and a framed photo of a golden retriever.

She also had a folder on her desk with my name on it.

"Sit down, Ms. Delgado," she said.

I sat, with my records in my backpack and my hands in my lap.

"A concern was raised," she said. "A family member of one of our donors says you are being paid privately by a woman enrolled in our department."

"That's true."

She blinked.

I had decided on the bus that I would not lie about a single thing, because a lie was the only thing they could actually use.

"I tutor Mrs. Fitzhugh in STAT 210," I said. "I started in August. Tuesdays and Thursdays, two hours, at her house. Forty dollars an hour. I have receipts. I'm not her teaching assistant and she isn't in my sections."

"Why didn't you disclose this?"

"I didn't know I had to."

"Section 4.3 of the assistantship agreement."

"I read it as applying to my own students." I took out the paper and set it on her desk. "Here's the paragraph. It says 'enrolled in a course for which the assistant provides instructional support.' I don't support 210."

She read it twice.

The ficus rustled in the air from the vent.

"That's a narrow reading," she said.

"It's a reading."

"The department's intent is broader."

"Then the department should change the paragraph. But I'll follow the intent from today."

She tilted her head.

"What does that mean?"

"It means I won't take any more money from her."

She put her pen down.

"Ms. Delgado, I have to ask a second question. It was in the complaint, and I'd rather ask it than pretend it wasn't."

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