Pearl in the Mist

I had never told her about my meeting with Mrs. Ironwood on the first day of school. I thought that if she knew what had been said and how I had been given the responsibility of watching over her, she would go into a rage and demand to go home. But I was tempted to tell her about it now.

'If you do poorly, I’ll be to blame somehow,' I said.

'Why? You'll do well. You always do well,' she muttered.

'It's expected of me,' I said, coming closer to describing my meeting with Mrs. Ironwood. Of course, Gisselle didn't understand.

'Well, I don't expect it! See, you do nag! I need a break. I need to be with different people too.'

'All right, Gisselle. Calm down. You'll have all the girls in here.'

'Are you going to go ask Abby?'

'Yes,' I said. Maybe I shouldn't have given in so easily, but the prospect of escaping from her looked too good. I left and discussed the proposal with Abby, who was very happy about the idea.

That night we made the moves. Vicki, rather than being insulted, was obviously pleased to have a room all to herself. She even helped Samantha carry out her things. Of course, we had to inform Mrs. Penny, who looked very troubled about it at first, but she quickly changed her attitude when she saw how happy Gisselle was.

'As long as you girls all get along, I suppose your private arrangements don't matter,' she concluded. 'But don't forget, Gisselle: You, your sister, and Abby are going to Mrs. Clairborne's for tea tomorrow. We'll leave the dorm at one-fifty sharp. Mrs. Clairborne likes everyone to be right on time.'

'I can't wait,' Gisselle said. She flicked her eyelids and turned her shoulder. 'I've already picked out my formal afternoon dress and matching shoes. Is light blue an acceptable color?'

'Oh, I'm sure it is,' Mrs. Penny said. 'Isn't this wonderful? How I wish I were a young girl again, just starting out, just experiencing everything. I suppose that's why I love my work. It gives me an opportunity to be a young woman over and over through you delightful girls.'

The moment she was out of earshot, Gisselle slapped her hands together and began to imitate her, performing for her clique.

'How I wish I were a virgin again,' she cried, 'so I could experience lovemaking over and over.'

Gisselle's fan club, as I had soon begun to label them, laughed and encouraged her. Then she drew them all into what had been our room to spin another tale of promiscuity to her faithful audience. I was glad to shut the door and retreat to the quiet of Abby's room, which had now become mine too.

That night we lay awake for hours, telling each other stories about our childhoods. She loved to hear about Grandmere Catherine and her work as a traiteur. I explained what a healer was to the Cajuns and the magic Grandmere could work to cure people of their minor ailments and their fears.

'You were very lucky to have a grandmother,' Abby said. 'I never knew any of my grandparents. Because of all the moving around we've done, I haven't had much contact with any of my family. Gisselle doesn't know how lucky she is,' she added after a moment. 'I wish I had a sister.'

'You do now,' I told her.

She was quiet for a long moment, swallowing her tears back, just like I was swallowing mine.

'Goodnight I, Ruby. I'm glad we're roommates now.'

'Goodnight. Me too.'

I was happy, very happy. I was just worried that Daddy would be upset and that everyone would blame me for being too selfish. But I half-expected Samantha would be overwhelmed by Gisselle soon anyway and would beg to go back to her old room. I might as well enjoy this as long as I could, I thought, and fell asleep contented for the first night since we'd arrived.

5

  Sad Songs

Daddy called the next morning, and I immediately told him about Gisselle and I changing roommates. Gisselle was peeved that he had asked to speak with me first, so she sat in her wheelchair and sulked in the hallway, threatening not to speak with him at all while I spoke to him.

'Is that working out?' he asked, his voice full of surprise. 'Someone else sharing the room with Gisselle, I mean?'

'Her new roommate's Samantha. You remember which one she was?' He said he did. 'She has grown very fond of Gisselle very quickly,' I explained.

'I can talk for myself,' Gisselle fumed. 'Give me the phone.' She wheeled up to me, and I handed her the receiver.

'Daddy,' she spit into the phone. 'I hate it here, but at least I have a roommate that doesn't nag me to death,' she said, eyeing me. 'Yes,' she said, suddenly turning syrupy sweet. 'I have gotten off to a good start in my schoolwork. I got an A+ on my math homework and an A on my English just yesterday. And that was without Ruby's help too,' she added. 'But none of this means I like being here. You can tell that to Daphne,' she added and thrust the phone back into my hands.

'Hi, Daddy.'

'Should I come up there?' he asked. He sounded so tired, his voice so small and thin.

'No. We'll be all right. Besides, we have the tea at Mrs. Clairborne's house today.'