Plans for the Holidays

Even though the calendar said winter was approaching, Regina had a hard time believing it. The few trees that changed color had done so and dropped their leaves, but many of the trees were evergreens and Regina found she missed seeing the hills of home ablaze with orange, gold and flame. And autumn leaves had their own smell -- something she tried to explain to Elena and received a puzzled look in return.

Her Pappy had written, giving her permission to spend Christmas with Elena's family. It was good news but had also made Regina sad. She missed Pappy, missed their small cabin, and the life she'd left behind. And she had no idea when she'd be able to see Pappy again. Certainly not for Christmas.

On their next excursion into town with Elena's Abuela and brothers, Regina made up her mind that she was going to find a present for her Pappy even though he'd specifically told her not to waste her money on an old man who had everything he needed. Pappy was the only family she had left and she was going to buy him a present for Christmas no matter what he said. He was too far away to do anything to stop her anyway.

A Letter Home

Dear Mama and Daddy,

I miss you both so much. How is Grant? How is everyone back home? I wish I could smell the river and hear the roosters in the morning--and Sugar Bees, how is she? All the air here smells like the wrapping on the fish when Daddy brings it back from the market. My roommate says it's 'good sea air'and she swears her 'momma' knows it's good for her. I don't know about these girls, Mama. They all try so hard to act like grown-ups. I long to be in Miss Jacob's class, with all the kids. Boy, I never thought I'd say that! But she was so nice and we all knew each other and got along so nice. Well, except for that rotten Jesse Samuels. He always kicked the girls in the shins.

Mama, they say I'm doing alright here--that maybe if I do well enough, I can have a visit from you? Do you think you might come? You might like it here--there are so many strange and wonderful things. This one girl Elena lives in a 'hacienda'and her mama makes her 'quesadillas.' She explained how to make them one time. Maybe you can come down and we can go to the beach? Oh, I miss you so much.

Please write soon, je t'aime! (that means 'I love you,' in French!)
Jo

Called to the Headmistress

Faith's letter writing campaign continued. One day as the students entered the English classroom, their teacher, a severe emaciated man named Mr. Tufts, called Faith over to his desk.

"Miss Porter would like to see you in her office," he said in a low voice.

Faith turned as if to take her seat and Mr. Tufts stood and cleared his phlegmy throat, "Now, Miss Faraday. We do not keep Miss Porter waiting. Take your books with you please."

The other girls looked curiously at one another, wondering what Faith had done and why she would need to take her books with her. That sounded ominous but no one dared say anything aloud. Mr. Tufts was a harsh disciplinarian and no one wanted a demerit.

Faith shot a helpless look to Lulu. She and Lulu had become fast friends often trading hilarious stories of their oddball roommates. Lulu shrugged back at Faith and quickly turned back to face the front of the classroom and Mr. Tufts.

"Now, young ladies, we were studying the symbolism in Tennyson's Lady of Shallot," Mr. Tufts began. "Who has actually read the poem and can tell me her interpretation of the tower?

Transitioning

Josephine's eyes were nailed to the blackboard. She could hear two voices behind her, but she refused to flinch. She knew what they were talking about--she was the new girl, with funny hair and knobby knees. She sat straight and still as a statue, making sure it looked like she was paying close attention to her French teacher. It was a review of irregular verb conjugations and Josephine could list over half of them from memory. Not even her lesson could keep her mind from the faceless whispering three seats away. Her thoughts drifted to home; to Grant and her parents, to the wildflowers on the riverbank, and to the life so far from this strange sea salty place.

Faith's Unhappiness

As she entered her dorm room after her music lesson, Regina saw Faith. The other girl's face looked as though she might have been crying. Faith sat curled in a small ball by the headboard and as Regina had entered the room, the other girl had stuffed something under her pillow. Seeing her roommate, Faith angrily dashed the back of one hand across her eye, wiping away what might have been a tear.

Regina averted her eyes. There was already enough tension between her and Faith without Regina inflicting any more embarrassment on her roommate by noticing her unhappiness. Most roommates could talk about things. Regina and Faith rarely talked about anything. Regina put away her sheaf of music and pulled her Latin homework from the shelf above her dress where she'd left it half-finished.

Seated at her desk, Regina's back was toward Faith but he thought she could hear Faith sniffling. Regina wanted to ask what the matter was, but she knew Faith wouldn't open up to her. She'd tried before with no luck. No, she'd be better off finishing her Latin worksheet or she'd be in trouble tomorrow in class. Regina bent her head to her work.