Pearl in the Mist

'It'll be all right,' he assured her. 'We'll bring in what is most necessary first, and then—'

'Everything is most necessary,' Gisselle declared unrelentingly.

'Maybe she can put some of her things in Abby's room too,' Mrs. Penny suggested. 'Abby's by herself,' she added.

'Who's Abby? Where is she?' Gisselle demanded.

'She hasn't arrived yet. She's our other new girl,' Mrs. Penny said, directing herself to Daddy, who nodded. 'Whatever, don't you worry your little heart, dear. Mrs. Penny is here to make things work and keep her girls happy. I have been doing it for a long time,' she said, smiling. Gisselle turned away and pouted.

'Let me start bringing their things in,' Daddy said. 'Do you want me to help, Daddy?' I asked.

'No. Stay with your sister,' he said, raising his eyebrows. I nodded, and he left with Mrs. Penny.

Jacqueline, Kate, Samantha, and Vicki gathered in our doorway.

'Why did you bring so much?' Vicki asked. 'Didn't you know you don't need a big wardrobe? We wear uniforms.'

'I will not wear a uniform!' Gisselle screamed.

'You have to,' Kate said and followed it with a short laugh.

'I don't have to. I can't. I have special problems,' Gisselle declared. 'I'm sure my father will arrange for my wearing my own clothing, and there just isn't enough closet space in here for all my things. They'll have to remain in the trunks, taking up the little space we have.'

Vicki shrugged. 'You don't spend all that much time in your room anyway,' she pointed out. 'Most of the time we're out here doing our work.'

'Most of the time you are,' Jacqueline said. 'Not us. So what part of Louisiana are you girls from?'

'New Orleans,' I said. 'The Garden District.'

'That's beautiful,' the doll-like Samantha said. 'My daddy took me there last year when we visited New Orleans. Maybe I walked right past your house.'

Gisselle turned her wheelchair so she could look more directly at the girls.

'And where are you all from?'

'I'm from Shreveport,' Jacqueline said. 'Chubs is from Pineville, and Vicki is from Lafayette.'

'My father and I live in Natchez,' Samantha said. 'What happened to your mother?' Gisselle asked. 'She was killed two years ago in a car accident,' she replied and bit down on her lower lip quickly, all of her dimples evaporating.

'That's how I got crippled,' Gisselle said angrily. It was as if she believed all the accidents were the fault of cars and not people. 'If you're from Mississippi, how come you're going to school here?' Gisselle asked.

'My father's family is from Baton Rouge.'

'Everyone's room is this small?' Gisselle asked, looking around.

'Yes,' Jacqueline said.

'How come this Abby gets her own room?' Gisselle demanded.

'It's the way it worked out,' Kate said and laughed. 'The luck of the draw, maybe.'

'Or maybe no one wants to room with her. We haven't met her yet either,' Jacqueline said.

'You don't think she's . . .' Kate began.

'No,' Jacqueline said. 'They don't let them into Greenwood, no matter who protests. This is a private school,' she added with some pride.

'Well, she'd better get here soon,' Vicki said. 'We've got to go to the orientation assembly in an hour.'

'What orientation assembly?' Gisselle asked quickly.

'Didn't you read the first page in your packet? The Iron Lady always has a getting-to-know-you and getting-to- know-her assembly.'

'Where she reads us the riot act,' Jacqueline added. 'Fire and brimstone.'

'Iron Lady?' I said.

'When you hear and see her, you'll know why we call her that,' Jacqueline replied.

'They're not serious about all these stupid rules listed in here, are they?' Gisselle asked, holding up the packet.

'She is, and you had better pay attention to the demerits. Chubs can tell you about that,' Jacqueline said, nodding at Kate.

'Why?' I asked.

'I got ten last year and had to wash out the bathrooms for a whole month,' she complained. 'And don't let anyone tell you girls are neater than boys. They leave the bathrooms disgusting,' she said,

'You won't ever see me washing any bathrooms,' Gisselle said.