Three Days in June

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death. 

Marilee Burton, the headmistress at the school where Gail is assistant headmistress, calls Gail into her office. This is unusual: The two have what Gail would characterize as a “formal” relationship and do not often socialize during the workday outside of scheduled meetings and brief procedural exchanges. Marilee first explains to Gail that she is having a minor cardiovascular treatment done and that she will not be in on Monday. Gail expresses her condolences, and Marilee adds that it is not a big deal and that she’s had a similar procedure done once before. 

Marilee pauses, and Gail listens: It is apparent that Marilee has more to say and that she’s gathering the strength to do it. She further explains that she and her husband have decided that they are ready to retire. Marilee plans to hand in her resignation at the end of the year. Gail asks if she, as assistant headmistress, will then be promoted to headmistress. Marilee is silent. Then, carefully, she tells Gail that she has found an “exciting” candidate from Nashville, Tennessee (they are in Baltimore, Maryland), whom she feels would be a better fit.