'And I thought football was strenuous,' he joked. Then he grew serious and gazed down into my eyes. 'Are you all right?'
'Yes,' I said, catching my breath, 'but maybe we love each other too much for our bodies to bear.'
He laughed. 'I can't think of anyone whose arms I would rather die in,' he replied, which brought a smile to my face.
We straightened up our clothing, brushed each other off, and started back through the woods. I had to admit I was feeling lighter and happier than I thought possible these past two weeks.
'I'm so glad you came up to see me, Beau. I hope you don't get into too much trouble.'
'It was worth it,' he said.
We said goodbye at his car, with some of the girls in the dorm watching us from the front window.
'I can't believe Gisselle hasn't planted herself in my face at least once today,' Beau said.
'I know. But whatever she's up to, it's something nasty for someone, I'm sure.' Beau laughed at my words. We kissed goodbye quickly, and then I stood there watching him drive off. I didn't turn to go into the dorm until his car was completely gone from sight. Then I bowed my head and strolled into the dorm.
'You'd better get a move on,' Sarah Peters warned me after I entered the building.
'Why?'
'We just heard: Our dorm's been chosen for an unannounced inspection. The Iron Lady could be here any moment,' she explained.
'Inspection? Inspection of what?'
'Anything. Our rooms, our bathrooms, anything. She doesn't need a warrant, you know.'
When I arrived at the quad, I found all the girls in a frenzy, even Gisselle. They were cleaning and straightening up. Everyone's room looked well organized and neat. Samantha had done a pretty good job on ours.
'We'll be hit first,' Vicki informed me. 'She goes in alphabetical order.'
'How was your visit with Beau?' Gisselle asked from her doorway.
I glared at her, the anger I felt still quite strong.
'Why, weren't you spying on us?' I asked. She laughed.—but nervously, I thought.
'I had much better things to do,' she replied, then retreated to her room quickly.
About half an hour later, Mrs. Ironwood did arrive, escorted by Mrs. Penny and Deborah Peck, who carried a clipboard and took down whatever notes and demerits Mrs. Ironwood imposed. The inspection began in Jacki and Kate's room and then went to Gisselle's. I expected to hear complaints, but Mrs. Ironwood emerged with a look of satisfaction on her face. She stepped into my doorway and gazed around the room.
'Good afternoon, girls,' she said to Samantha and me. Samantha looked terrified, and she uttered a reply that was barely audible. Mrs. Ironwood went to one of the dressers and ran her fingers over the top. She looked at her fingers.
'Very nice,' she said. 'I'm glad you keep your rooms clean and consider them your home.' She opened the closet door and peered in at our clothing, nodded, and then looked at my dresser. She stepped up to it and pulled open the top drawer, gazing in and nodding. 'Well organized,' she said. Samantha smiled at me. Then Mrs. Ironwood reached down and pulled open the third drawer. She stood there staring down for a moment and then turned to me.
'This is your dresser?'
'Yes,' I said. She nodded, turned back to the drawer, reached in, and pulled out a pint bottle of rum. 'Couldn't you hide this a little better?' she asked sarcastically.
My mouth dropped. I looked at Mrs. Penny, who gaped at me with surprise and disappointment. Deborah Peck had a faint smile on her lips.
'That's not mine.'
'You just said this was your dresser. Other people put their things, in your dresser?'
'No, but . . .'
'Then this is yours,' she said. She handed it to Mrs. Penny. 'Dispose of this,' she ordered. To Deborah she said, 'Ten demerits.' She glared at me. 'Your punishment will be decided, and you will be told before the end of the day. Until then, you are confined to this room.'
She turned and marched out. Mrs. Penny held the bottle in her hand as gingerly as she could, treating it like poison. She shook her head at me.
'I'm so ashamed of you, Ruby.'
'It's not mine, Mrs. Penny.'
'So ashamed,' she repeated, then followed Mrs. Ironwood and Deborah out. As soon as they were gone, all the girls from the quad rushed to our door.
'What did she find?' Jacki asked.
'I'm sure you all know,' I said dryly.
'Know what?' Gisselle asked, coming from behind.
'About the rum you put in my drawer.'
'See? There she goes again. My fault. I'm not the only one here, Ruby. And other girls from other quads could
