Not My Daughter

public opinion?'

'How would I know, Kate? All I know is he's a good writer, and he puts the paper out with a limited staff. Ad revenues are down. He's having to do more himself than he used to.'

'That explains it. He's overworked, so his judgment is poor. You do realize this is a total attack on Susan. There she is trying to salvage her credibility, and he undermines her with something like this? It goes two ways, y'know. She's a target because she's a public person, but because she's a public person-and, yes, working in a 'crucial position'-doesn't she deserve a little respect?'

'It's a thorny issue.'

'Pam. You're supposed to be her friend. Do you not respect what she's done with her life?'

'Of course I do.'

'Then do something,' Kate urged. 'She needs people like you speaking up for her. You're on the school board, and your name carries weight. Write a letter to the editor.'

'That wouldn't help,' Pam said. 'George is a family friend. He'd take it personally.'

'Whoa. You're afraid of hurting George's feelings? Which friendship means more to you-his or Susan's?'

'Susan's, but it isn't as simple as that.'

Kate felt a flash of annoyance. 'How's it complicated? Not only is Susan a loyal friend, but she's your business partner-speaking of which, Pam, we really have to meet Saturday. We need feedback from you and Sunny before we can finalize these colorways. I'm starting to think you don't care.'

'I care.'

'Do you care about Susan? This editorial hits her hard. How about showing her a little loyalty.'

'Hey,' Pam shot back. 'You guys all knew about this. No one told me until the cat was out of the bag. Where's the loyalty there?'

'Come on, Pam. Do you know what an awful time we've had?'

'I didn't tell your girls to get pregnant,' Pam said with just enough arrogance to goad Kate on, but hadn't she been looking to pick a fight?

'Fine. But if you want to place blame, what about Abby? She was with our girls all summer. She must have heard them planning this. That makes her an accomplice.'

'Abby is not pregnant,' Pam said.

'Not yet.'

'I know my daughter.'

'I thought I knew mine, too. Think about it, Pam. It could be that the only reason you're not in George Abbott's sights right now is a matter of luck.'

Pam couldn't shake what Kate had said, especially since Susan had said something similar a few weeks before. Maybe you can talk with your daughter about not getting pregnant. Pam told herself that they were just throwaway last lines. But it wasn't like Susan or Kate to use throwaway last lines. They weren't into empty small talk, the way so many Perry friends were. They were substantive.

Was this a warning, then? She wondered if they knew something she didn't.

Deciding she needed to see Abby, she left her a message saying she would pick her up after school, and she arrived early for a good spot at the curb. Closely watching the front door, she spotted her daughter the instant she came out-and, momentarily distracted, felt a helpless pride realizing that this striking young woman was hers. It wasn't only the blond hair and creamy skin. It wasn't even her father's height, though that certainly set her apart. More, it was the way she carried herself. She walked with the confidence of a Perry.

Pam had admired that carriage from the very first time she had met Tanner's family. She could carry it off herself when she tried. Her daughter didn't have to try. She was born with it.

Abby was with friends as she came down the stone steps, but not Lily, Mary Kate, or Jess. This was what Pam had wanted to see.

The girl spotted the Range Rover and crossed the grass. She didn't run, just walked with that calm Perry gait. Some called it arrogant. Pam called it classy.

'What's up?' Abby asked as she slid into the car.

'Cashmere. We're thinking of introducing it to the PC Wool line, but I need your opinion. You're my target audience.'

'No way. Kids my age can't afford cashmere yarn.'

'How do you know the cost?' Pam asked as she pulled away from the curb.

'Because I look online. Because you love cashmere and buy me cashmere, so now I love cashmere. But I do know it costs more.'

'Would you knit it if PC Wool sold it?'

'In a heartbeat.'

'Well, there you go,' Pam said, feeling vindicated. 'I found a woman up the coast who spins cashmere. I want to see the quality of her work, and I want your opinion.'

Abby seemed content with that. 'We're on a mission.'

'We are. You didn't have anything else on this afternoon, did you?'

'No.'

Pam didn't think so. Her daughter had been on the field hockey team with Lily, but the season was over, and Abby wasn't into volleyball. Pam had suggested she write for the school paper or join the yearbook staff, but Abby turned up her nose at both ideas.

'How was school?'

'Okay. Did you see the Gazette?'

'Did you?' Pam asked in surprise.

'You couldn't miss it. Everyone was passing it around. I mean, that editorial went after our principal. Poor Susan. How's she doing?'

'Good,' Pam said, though she hadn't talked with her all week. They used to go to the gym together, but that hadn't happened in a while either. Susan was busy, and Pam was walking a fine line, not quite sure of the smartest position to take. 'Susan's a survivor. How's Lily?'

'Good,' Abby answered, echoing Pam's breezy tone, which made her wonder.

'Have you talked with her?'

'No, but I see her around. So, Mom, I was thinking maybe I'd go out for the Drama Club.'

'You want to act?' Pam asked in surprise.

'I was thinking of set design.'

'Don't the art classes handle that?'

'They need direction. Remember when we saw Dirty Dancing onstage? The set was amazing. Our productions don't come close.'

'Yuh.' Pam laughed. 'One's professional, one isn't. One has millions to spend, one has nothing.'

'Creativity doesn't have to break the bank. Isn't that what Dad always says? I'm creative. I've also seen more real theater than the other kids. I could be a liaison between the classes and the club-like you are with PC Wool.' She looked sideways at Pam. 'You're still doing that, aren't you?'

'I am PC Wool-well, a quarter of it. Why do you even ask?'

'You haven't been there on Saturdays.' Her voice was cautious. 'Is it hard for you after what I did?'

'No, no,' Pam said. 'I've just had other things to do. But I'm going this Saturday. We're finalizing the spring line.' Her daughter was looking out the window. 'What about you? Is it hard for you at school?'

'No way,' Abby said a little too quickly. 'I have other friends.'

'But you were so close to the others.' She took the ramp onto the highway. 'I keep thinking about that, Abby. You were with them last summer when they hatched this idea. You must have heard them talking about it.'

'No. They must've talked to each other at night.'

'And they didn't mention it to you once? Not even hypothetically?'

'I told you,' Abby stated crossly. 'I am not in their inner circle.'

'You came pretty close.'

'So?'

'Nothing,' Pam said quietly. She didn't want to argue. 'I was just wondering. Do you wish you were pregnant,