kiss out here, in that cabana, a kiss that changed my life. But that doesn't mean it has to be that way for everyone, especially for you,' she continued quickly. 'You're going to have a career, and you're dedicated to higher things than most of your friends are,' she added.
'Is that good?' I wondered aloud. 'Will I miss something important?'
'I don't think so, honey. I think you're destined for more important things, and when you fall in love and someone falls in love with you, it will be a greater relationship than you can imagine now.'
'I almost feel as if I should go to Marie Laveau's in the French Quarter and get some love powder,' I said, and Mommy laughed.
'Who told you about that? Don't say I did,' she added quickly.
'No, I read about it. You never did anything like that, did you?'
'No, but once in a while I'd burn a candle or Nina Jackson would burn some brimstone to keep away evil spirits she thought might be hovering about me. I suppose you think that's silly,' she said. 'And maybe it is.'
'I don't know. Maybe if I were less scientific, I'd be happier,' I said. 'I know my friends would like me more.'
'Nonsense. Don't be someone you're not just to please someone else,' Mommy warned.
'Hey,' Daddy called from the patio doors, 'are you out here, Ruby?'
'Yes, Beau.'
'Some of your friends are leaving and want to say good night.'
'I'm coming.'
'Something wrong?' Daddy asked when he saw I was with Mommy.
'No.'
He stood there, skeptical. 'Are you sure?'
'I'm fine, Daddy,' I said. 'We're coming in.' I rose, and Mommy put her arm around me.
'And you are fine, too,' she said squeezing me. 'I'm proud of you, not just because you were the valedictorian and made a wonderful speech, but be-cause you're sensible and mature. You don't know how wonderful it is to have a daughter you can trust and rely upon.'
'Thank you, Mommy.' I kissed her on the cheek and smelled her hair and perfume and felt my heart lighten. I was lucky, and I would not let anything darken this wonderful day and this wonderful night, I thought.
After our guests left, the twins whined and begged for me to open some of the graduation presents. Mommy wanted them to go to bed, but Daddy said it was a special night and they could stay up a little later, so we all went into the sitting room, and I unwrapped some of the gifts.
There was clothing for college and some expensive reference books. Dr. Portier and his wife had given me the latest edition of
The twins became bored with my presents rather quickly. The two of them sank back in the larger settee, resting against each other, Pierre's arm over Jean's shoulders, Jean's eyes blinking and battling the weight of his eyelids. Finally Daddy nudged them and ordered them to bed. They had no resistance left and stumbled along. He guided them upstairs, and Mommy followed to be sure the two of them were all right.
Daddy returned first. 'Happy, princess?' he asked.
'Yes, Daddy.'
'It was the happiest day of my life,' he said.
'No, it wasn't, Daddy.'
'What?'
'The happiest day of your life was the day you met Mommy.'
He laughed. 'That's different.'
'But it was-your happiest day, wasn't it?'
'I didn't know it at the time, but yes, it was. I met her right outside this house, and I thought she was her sister in a Mardi Gras costume.'
'How does a man know when he's in love, Daddy? Do bells really ring in your head?'
'Bells?' He smiled. 'I don't remember bells. I just remember that my first thought every morning when I awoke was of being with your mother.' He stared at me. 'Trouble with Claude?' I nodded. 'The problem is simple, Pearl. You're too mature for him.'
'I'm too mature for all the boys my age.'
'Maybe.'
'Does that mean I'll be happy only with a much older man?'
'No,' he said, laughing. 'Not necessarily. And don't you bring home anyone who could be your father,' he warned. Then we hugged and started upstairs. At my bedroom doorway, he kissed me on the forehead.
'Good night, princess,' he said.
'Night, Daddy.'
'When you were opening your gifts downstairs,' he said, 'I thought I saw something around your ankle. Is it what I think?' I nodded. He shook his head. 'Well, they say if you believe in something hard enough, it will happen.
