Author's Note: Bertie is a bad man, and while I would never portray such a thing explicitly, this chapter contains the undeniably strong implication of, well, abuse, and coercion of a minor, and all that stuff. So please consider that if these topics are difficult for you.

 

Dear Mom,

 

Wow, so much has been happening, I can't even figure out where to begin! Work is going great, they made that promotion we talked about official. I've got tenure! So, of course, I'm focused on work.

 

 

But I'm also focused on Bertie. We have made it official. We're a couple!

 

 

We talked about moving in together, but he said we need to take it slowly. He reminded me we first needed to make sure to properly socialize Dakota and Pickles. And that's smart! But Dakota is such a friendly cat.

 

 

And Pickles is the most loyal dog I've ever seen.

 

 

And also easy-going.

 

 

So I really don't think that's going to be a problem. Oh, but before I move on, I have to tell you about my scare. Dakota was acting funny out of nowhere. Stopped being her playful self.

 

 

And just started pacing about the house and staring out the window.

 

 

I wasn't sure what was wrong with her, but it was only when she started throwing up on the carpet I knew I needed to take her to the vet. And thank goodness I did!

 

 

She actually had a very serious infection! Luckily, the vet gave her some antibiotics, and she was back to her normal self in no time! But, anyway, Bertie and I are definitely very serious. And even though he hasn't hinted at a ring yet, I just really believe this is the one, mom! I even stopped by JF&S and tried some of their off-the-rack designs. You know, just for fun.

 

 

Too many looks in the mirror, though, and I realized what those dresses really said was I needed to hit the treadmill. So now I have a gym membership!

 

 

Anyway, Bertie and I are closer than ever, and I think it's only a matter of time before I move into his place and he pops the question. We're made for each other!

 

 

But, of course, work always gets in the way. Bertie got promoted, too! Vice-Chancellor of Britechester, how about that? Plus, he took on an outside job from some weird foreigner. Said they were doing genealogical research for some noble families half way around the world? Anyway, he was traveling all over for them.

 

 

And he still had to find time to take care of his new duties at work. And care for Pickles.

 

 

Plus, it involved a lot of travelling. I don't know how he was ever able to relax.

 

 

But here's the kicker. Eventually, it all turned out to be some kind of scam.

 

 

He found out about it, and confronted his supposed royal contact. Turns out it was all an elaborate way to build social media buzz for a stupid video game!

 

 

But at least he got some cool fake antiques for his effort.

 

 

And he's presented with some very difficult dilemmas at work, let me tell you. I don't know how to put this story down without making you blush, but I'll do my best. He was doing some outreach at Copperdale, and while he was heading into a restroom, he heard, well, noises from one of the stalls. He checked it out.

 

 

And he could clearly see two people were getting, shall we say, cozy, in there.

 

 

He backed away quietly, because he didn't know who it was, but he stayed close and kept an eye out, and he eventually saw one of the students that he was tutoring walk out with a boy that looked to be about her age!

 

 

Well, he could have gone to the principal and gotten them both in trouble, but he didn't see how that would help anyone, so instead, he decided to have a one-on-one life-coaching session with the poor girl, and talk to her about responsibility.

 

 

He said that she made a joke of the whole thing at first! Like Bertie said to me, you know how kids are these days about sex!

 

 

Which, sadly, I do. Some of the stories I heard in my classes. You wouldn't believe them. Just last week, and my goodness, I will spare you the details, this is embarrassing enough to remember, but I overheard one student talking about a party she had gone to the previous weekend, where she met someone who was apparently famous in, adult films, I guess? Anyway, they ended up, you know, right on the couch in front of everyone!

 

 

She said they ended up gathering quite the crowd for their show.

 

 

And they just kept at it, no matter who walked in to watch, or what they did when they saw them!

 

 

She made all this sound perfectly normal, and her friends made like they were so jealous! I can't possibly imagine a respectable young lady acting like that! But, sex is just a game to the younger generation, it seems.

 

Where was I? Oh yes, Bertie and the kids in the bathroom. So he had the girl over for a lecture, and he didn't respond to her joke too well.

 

 

He wanted to press upon her how serious this was.

 

 

And that she was old enough now to, you know, feel ways, and want things, but she was still too young to let it ruin her life.

 

 

She had to think about school.

 

 

And all the people who were putting in so much effort to help her succeed.

 

 

And focus on her studies.

 

 

And that's why Bertie is such a great guy. Never in it for himself!

 

 

Anyway, mom, I'd better go now, I have some homework to grade. I'll keep you posted!

 

Love,

 

Kayla