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"Im driving you, of course. The restaurant is closed today, so carpool is no problem. Hey, by the way, I thought Fircrest had a uniform. "
"They do. "
"Why are you in civilian clothes?"
Lauren felt the heat on her cheeks. "They took back my scholarship. Uniforms dont come in elephant sizes, I guess. "
"Are you telling me they kicked you out of school because youre pregnant?"
"Its no big deal. " She hoped her voice didnt betray how she really felt.
"The hell you say. "
"I dont know--"
"Do the dishes, Lauren, and put on your uniform. Were paying Fircrest Academy a little visit. "
AN HOUR LATER, THEY WERE IN THE COUNSELORS OFFICE. Lauren stood with her back to the wall, trying to disappear into the rough, white stucco.
Angie sat in a chair, facing Mrs. Detlas, who was behind her desk, with her hands clasped together on the metal surface.
"Its a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Ribido," Mrs. Detlas said. "I guess there has been some miscommunication about Laurens future here at Fircrest. "
Lauren drew in a sharp breath and looked at Angie, who smiled.
"Im here to discuss . . . my daughters future," Angie said, crossing one leg over the other.
"I see. Well, youll need to discuss that with the counselor at West End. You see--"
"What I see," Angie said evenly, "is a lawsuit. Or perhaps a headline: Catholic school expels poor, perfect student for being pregnant. I know about headlines because my ex-husband is a reporter for the Seattle Times. You know, he was saying just the other night that the big city papers could use a good small town scandal. "
"We . . . uh . . . didnt technically expel Lauren. I merely suggested that girls could be cruel to a girl in her kind of trouble. " She frowned. "I didnt know about your husband. " She started looking through Laurens file.
Angie looked at Lauren. "You worried about the girls being mean to you?"
Lauren shook her head. If she had a voice, she couldnt find it.
Angie turned back to the counselor. "It was kind of you to think of Laurens feelings on this, but as you can see, shes a tough kid. "
Mrs. Detlas slowly closed Laurens folder. Then she said, "I suppose she could finish the semester here and take the finals. Theres only six weeks left in the term, and Christmas break cuts in the middle of it. She could take her finals in January and graduate early, but I really believe--"
Angie stood up. "Thank you, Mrs. Detlas. Lauren will graduate from Fircrest, which is as it should be. "
"Youre welcome," Mrs. Detlas said, obviously irritated.
"Im sure youll make every effort to help her. And Ill be sure and tell my uncle how well it all turned out for Lauren. "
"Your uncle?"
"Oh, did I forget to mention that?" She looked right at the counselor. "Cardinal Lanza is my mothers brother. "
Mrs. Detlas seemed to shrink into her chair. "Oh" was how she answered, but it could hardly be heard at all.
"Lets go, Lauren," Angie said, heading for the door.
Lauren stumbled along beside her. "That was amazing," she said when they got ou
tside.
