To Dance Upon the Air

When I arrived at Emerson Peabody, the Headmistress, Margaret Steele, met me at the front gate. She was a tall, stern woman. She wore brown and gray suits all the time and was very formidable looking. I was immediately taken to her office where she told me she knew all about me and gave me a lecture on propriety.

"I am sure that having lived with your father this past semester you undoubtedly learned to emulate some of the finer manners of your betters. I will take this into consideration but know that I will be watching you. I can not overlook your terrible upbringing or mediocre grades and…." I cut her off.

"My grades aren't bad. I have always made A's and B's and when I came to my father's house I continued making good grades."

"And that is one of the problems. Your home life vastly improved yet your grades, and behavior, did not. Another thing, never interrupt me. It is rude and ill- mannered. I will tolerate nothing but obedience and respect while you are here."

"Also, I have instructions that you are not to have visits or phone calls from boys. If you violate this rule even one time you will not be allowed to have phone calls or visitors other than your parents for the remainder of term."

"Your parents have signed a permission slip to allow you to attend school social functions and leave the school. However, they have asked me to add addendum's to your rules. You may leave the school if you sign in and out and tell your dorm mother where you are going, with whom, and when you will return. You are allowed to leave on Saturday and Sunday during term and only between the hours of 9a.m. and six pm.

If you should violate this rule even one time you will be banned from all school functions and from leaving campus for the remainder of the term."

I sat there becoming unhappier. It truly sounded like a prison. I knew it could get even worse if I didn't follow that rule to perfection. I couldn't afford even one accident. I tried very hard to keep my mouth shut but everything seemed truly hopeless. She finally gave me a student conduct book and dismissed me.

When I left her office, my dorm mother, Ms. Perkins, escorted me to my room. She informed me that I would be sharing a room with my "sister".

"Now don't you worry about anything, dear. Your sister always had her own room but I'm sure she doesn't mind sharing." Great, I thought, another reason for Corrina to hate me.

"Now this is your bed and dresser. This is your closet. Since you're here for the holidays you may want to spend some time in the library or on the grounds. Also, That permission slip allows you to go out on weekdays during the holidays." My heart leapt.

Everything else drowned out. I could be with Darren 9 hours everyday for two weeks!

I settled into my room and happily unpacked my things. Then I went to the library to use the computer. I sent Darren an instant message telling him the good news. He was on line and mailed me right back. We decided to go to the movies tomorrow. I would leave the dorm at 9 am. and walk to the end of the private road where it met the town. Then I would go to the Diner parking lot and he would pick me up.

We had a fabulous time for two weeks. We went to his apartment and hung out a lot. After all, he was a student and couldn't afford to take me out that much. He was doing record time in his degree program.

It had only taken him one year to get his A.A. He had that when I met him and now he was one semester away from his B.A. which would also be awarded early, after only 18 months.