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“Great. It’s always fun to show someone places and things for the first time,” Ricky said. It seemed, at least for now, that there was nothing I could do or say that would discourage his interest in me.
I was having a better day all around. Although Mr. Denacio wouldn’t say anything nice about my playing that morning, I could see that he was cautiously optimistic about me again. I did better in all of my classes and got a ninety on a pop quiz in history. I could feel my confidence growing stronger all day and was quite convinced that I could walk that beam. I could do it all.
Grover was there waiting for me after school. I didn’t see Kiera, but I knew she was off to her therapist. Grover rarely said anything to me, but this particular afternoon, he smiled and asked how my day had gone. I think he saw something new, healthier, and stronger in me and wasn’t afraid that he might do or say something that would send a stampede of tears down my cheeks.
I even felt better about being in the limousine. I didn’t feel shut up and alone. Maybe I was catching Kiera’s arrogance, but I sat back and looked out the window at the other students emerging. I deliberately lowered my window so they could see me, too. Lisa Dirk stared at me a moment and then lifted her hand to wave. I flipped my hand like a queen I had once seen in a movie, and Grover drove us away.
Cinderella was in her carriage.
No pumpkins here, I thought.
25
Conspirators
Even though Deidre and Margot know you a lot better now,” Kiera began just before dinner, “they’re still a little nervous, and the other two are very nervous, about my bringing you to a meeting of the VA club. It’s a very private, secret club. You’ve practically got to take a blood oath that what you see and hear at Deidre’s tomorrow after school will never leave your lips, even if you’re not accepted. Can you promise to do that?”
I put down my math book. I had gone at my homework with a vengeance, partly because I was afraid that when she returned, she would take up all my time again, and I wouldn’t have time to finish or practice the clarinet.
“Maybe I shouldn’t go, then,” I said.
“Oh, no. I’ve assured everyone that you’re not the sort who betrays friends. In fact,” she said, twirling a strand of her hair, “I told them you were very excited about it after I described it to you. I told them that in your heart, you were one of us and definitely no prude. However, for this first time, I wouldn’t advise you to talk too much. Just listen, and look at me if anyone asks you anything you’re not sure about or think you should answer.”
“You didn’t really describe it all to me, Kiera.”
“We’ve got to leave something for a surprise,” she protested. “Believe me, you’re not going to be disappointed.”
“What do they really know about me?”
“Just what we’ve told them. I added that your mother was controlling, and you were frustrated. That’s why you never had a real boyfriend or even a friend with benefits. Except for Deidre, of course, they all bought everything I told them.”
“Can’t you at least tell me exactly what we do at this club?”
“We talk and advise and help each other.”
“With sex?”
“You’ll see. It’s better if you see and hear it all yourself.”
She stepped over to the dresser and looked at one of the pictures of Alena. There were about a dozen in the suite, but I noticed only one with both Alena and Kiera. Most of the others were of Alena with Mrs. March or both Mr. and Mrs. March. Either Kiera had been the one taking the pictures, or she simply hadn’t been around when they took them.
She lifted the one on the dresser and studied it a moment before putting it down softly.
“How old was she in that picture?” I asked.
“Ten. This was a school photo taken when she was in the fifth grade.”
“She would have been a very pretty woman.”
“We have the exact same eyes and nose.” She turned to me. “My therapist thinks it’s healthy that I see you now as more like a younger sister. I told her how my mother was trying to come between us.”
“Come between us?”
“She had a good explanation for it,” Kiera went on, pacing now, like some teacher explaining a new idea. “She said my mother was jealous of our budding new relationship.”
“She said that?”
She paused and looked at me with those narrowed eyes.
