Chapter 12
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Thank you to everyone who voted, your vote has determined what Sue Ann will do next:
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"Can I ask you a big favor?" Cindy asked.
"Sure," Sue Ann answered with a slight hesitation.
Cindy stared silently at her feet, which was only making Sue Ann more nervous. Cindy slowly looked up with sad puppy dog eyes after what felt like an eternity to Sue Ann, and asked, "Can you help me clean up this room?"
Tootie and I watched with great interest. My fellow observer wasted no time in voicing her opinion regarding what she thought Sue Ann should do. "I hope Sue Ann tells her no 'cause that would really make my day," she said with a snarky grin.
I didn't answer her, and instead turned my attention to Sue Ann's body language. In what felt like a heartbeat, her body went from tense to what I noted now: her shoulders drooped a bit, and she dipped her head as if she was sad or sympathetic. I didn't think Tootie would like the answer that I was certain was imminent.
After a moment Sue Ann's frown morphed into a small smile as she replied, "Why, certainly." Her small smile turned into a full grin. Cindy grinned in return, and they began cleaning the room together.
The bewildered look on Tootie's face told me that she was not happy.
"What! How could she be so stupid? Why would she agree to help her out after all she's done?"
I looked at Tootie and replied simply, "It's rather complicated." I really want to tell her that love will make you do some stupid things, but that would be opening up a can of worms. What Sue Ann's agreement tells me is that her love for Cindy is deeper than I thought, and that she really does care for her. The question now is whether her brain will admit what her heart is saying.
"Rather complicated? What?"
Instead of answering I simply turned and walked her back towards Natalie's room. "We'll talk more about it later," I assured her, "but right now, let's get out of here before they spot us."
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By the time Thanksgiving break was upon us Cindy and Sue Ann's friendship seemed to have been mended. Their reconciliation was just in time for roller derby season, and they went to see a women's match at the Peekskill Pavilion together. Tootie wanted to go really badly since she loves roller derby since she's a skater herself, but she was still being punished and wasn't allowed so Cindy and Sue Ann were able to go by themselves. I've noticed that the two of them have gotten even closer since they had bridged the rift in their friendship. In fact, they're sort of acting like a couple. A mutual friend came by to visit while they were gone.
"Hey, squirt, how are you doing?" Greg teased me when I opened the door.
"You know I hate being called 'squirt.'"
He chuckled, "Of course I do, I have known you for five years."
"Yeah, I know that," I huffed. It was hard to forget. The first time he saw me he called me 'Raggedy Ann.' "Why don't you sit down and make yourself comfortable?"
"Sure." He flopped down in front of the TV set and turned it on. A rerun of 'The Bionic Woman,' was on so I joined him. Natalie emerged from upstairs.
"Hey, Greg, what are you doing here?" she asked in greeting.
"Oh, I was in the area, so I decided to stop by and see squirt," Greg nudged me playfully. I felt like lashing out at his irritating need to call me names.
"That's cool. Where's Scott?"
"He's back at the dorm listening to music. He didn't want to come out." That's more than fine with me, but I'm sure Scott wants to see Sue Ann ….. or does he?
"Oh, okay," Natalie smiled, satisfied with the answer, as she sat down with us in front of the TV.
"'Bionic Woman!' I've seen this episode …. it's is the one with the bus driver who helps Jamie save the kids, but it brought the two murderers' attention to him since …"
"Natalie!" Greg and I shouted in unison.
"Okay, okay, I'll be quiet," Natalie answered sheepishly and sunk back into the couch.
Cindy and Sue Ann returned a little over fifteen minutes later and seemed surprised to see Greg.
"Greg! What are you doing here?" Cindy asked. I could tell by the tone of her voice and her body language that she was bewildered, but also a bit suspicious.
"Yeah, we weren't expecting you, were we?" Sue Ann added, a touch gracelessly, if you ask me.
"Hi, Cindy," Greg stood up, blushing like a schoolboy with his first crush. "I was in the area and decided to stop by and see you… and Molly, of course." I rolled my eyes at Greg's blatant afterthought. At least this time he hadn't referred to me by some inane pet name.
"Oh… I see," Cindy mumbled, too stunned to say anything.
"I also wanted to ask you for a date. I was hoping this time without Scott, and no offense to you Sue Ann, but no Sue Ann either. And…absolutely no snoops." He cast his gaze in my direction and smirked as he said the last part. Natalie sniggered at that. I turned away from both of them with a roll of my eyes. "Oh, by the way, Sue Ann, Scott asked me to tell you to call him. He wants to set up another date."
"Oh, that's great!" Sue Ann exclaimed, trying to sound elated - but to my attuned ear it sounded more like acting than real excitement. "I'm so glad he wants to go out with me again."
"I am too," Cindy said through a forced smiled. I knew she wanted to scream in rage over this. Her tightly clenched fist - her way of trying to hide her anger, confirmed my suspicion. I noted that Greg was oblivious to Cindy's reaction.
"So, Cindy, when do you want to go out?" he smiled.
"Uh…," Cindy hedged, clearly showing signs of apprehension, "…how about next week? I still have a stupid poetry assignment to worry about."
"I thought you were almost done," Sue Ann interjected.
"Yeah, but I want to clean it up," Cindy lied.
"That's cool with me. How about next Tuesday?" Greg pressed.
Judging by the sweat on Cindy's forehead, I figured she probably wanted to die right about now.
"Umm, maybe not next Tuesday. I have another test to study for," she stammered. I could see she was desperately trying to find a way to put off the date.
Greg flashed his crooked yet charming smile, "I see…you think I'm going to take you to another boring, stuffy restaurant, right? Well, I'm not. I'm going to take you to the Knicks game instead. They're playing the Houston Rockets and I got tickets. They're not front row, but they're not in the 'nose bleeds' either. I was going to take either Scott or one of the other guys with me, but since I know you like sports I thought it would be a perfect date for us. So what do you say?"
I felt bad for Cindy because Greg had really got her with this one. He was doing everything he could to make her his girl, and when I think about it, I don't remember him going to such lengths to get Blair. "Sounds fine to me," she replied nervously with a cheesy grin. I thought it sure didn't, and Sue Ann's tightened lips said it didn't sound fine to her either.
"That's cool," Greg beamed at Cindy and then turned to me. "So, Molly, tell me more about this place. The few times I've been here I've only seen this one room."
"Well, it's just a regular dorm, really. We have the kitchen over here, and there's the dining room. Also…" I spent the rest of Greg's visit giving him a short tour since Mrs. Garrett was helping Mr. Bradley with the preparations for the school's upcoming performance of 'Romeo and Juliet.'
"What's upstairs?" he asked as I concluded the tour.
"Our rooms."
Greg started heading up the stairs, but Sue Ann and Natalie blocked his path.
"No boys upstairs!" Sue Ann yelled a bit too loudly. The fire in her eyes was very revealing.
Greg turned around and looked at me. "Greg, you should know better," I admonished.
"Sorry," he moped.
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After the Thanksgiving holiday we all returned from our respective vacations around the same time. It was nice going home to Rochester, but I hadn't like having that woman at my family's Thanksgiving dinner. My dad was happy, but I wasn't, and I let him know. I made a big fuss at the dinner, and we haven't talked much since then. Anyway, I'm back at Eastland now, where I don't have to deal with her anymore.
On Monday Sue Ann was lying on her bed leafing through a copy of 'National Geographic.' I was curious about what she was reading since I really like that magazine - they bring you the entire world in only 600 pages! I've learned so much about different countries and cultures thanks to it.
"What are you reading, Sue Ann?"
"An article called, 'The Trouble with Dolphins,'" she said, glancing up from the page. "It's about what scientists know and don't know about dolphins."
"Oh, that's really interesting," I offered genuinely. I'm into biology stuff, although admittedly not as much as the future marine biologist in front of me. "Is it about their intelligence?"
"Yep, that's part of it, but it also covers their diet and how they live in captivity."
"Wow, that sounds fascinating, especially the part about them in captivity. I believe that no wild animal should be kept by humans. If I had my way all zoos would be eliminated from the face of the earth. Wild animals should remain wild, not be used as cheap exploitation for human interest."
"I totally agree with you, Molly. Especially dolphins – they're precious creatures who play a really important role in the ecosystem by controlling the fish population. Hey, are you interested in being a marine biologist too? I've always been fascinated by the ocean. I guess it's because of where I'm from ….. the pond near the dairy farm is the largest body of water around."
"Oh, I see. So what's your hometown like?"
"My family lives in the rural area of Kansas City. It's full of humble farmers. They're nice and friendly, unlike in the big cities. However, they're very stuck in their ways."
"I wouldn't survive out there, would I?"
Sue Ann chuckled, "Probably not. They'd get upset with your 'city slicker' ways, even though Kansas City is nearby. They're not big on stuff like activism. In fact, they don't believe in abortion, school busing, environmentalism, the separation of church and state, or even…h-homosexuality."
I nodded my head in silent agreement. I knew she was right. I wouldn't last very long out there. It wouldn't be because I'm afraid of them… I would just be bored to death! I noted her uneasiness when she said the word 'homosexuality,' as if she feels a certain shame about it. She also bit her lip immediately after she said the word. The book states that this is a 'fear' reaction. I realize that I need to let her know her feelings for Cindy are okay, but I'm not yet sure how to do that.
"I believe that, it being the Midwest and all. Imagine a bunch of homosexuals living in that area. I bet the locals would steer clear of them," I joked.
"They'd probably condemn them to hell, or worse, beat them up. Even so, it still has its nice qualities like the fact that not everybody is in a rush, people are always friendly, and there's a strong sense of pride, family, and community. They have a lot of pride in this country - sometimes a little too much, but I guess that's better than having no pride at all."
I thought it best to keep my opinions to myself since I didn't see it like that. I could discern no sense of either community or pride here except for selfish and stubborn pride, or more like egotism. Don't get me started on family, since my family is pretty much no more. Maybe the Midwest can teach me a few things after all.
I saw how uneasy she felt talking about gays, so I changed the subject. "I see. How was it when you went home for Thanksgiving?"
"Mostly fine, but my parents looked at me like I came from another planet when they saw the clothes I was wearing!" I chuckled at the thought of her parents seeing their country daughter turned into a New York 'city slicker.' "I went shopping on the Missouri side of Kansas City the other day and found what they called 'the latest fashions', which I saw here six months earlier! Except for that, everything was good." We laughed. "I can't imagine a better place to have Thanksgiving than in Kansas. We had the dinner at my grandparents' house, a Weaver tradition. All the relatives were there, even a few out-of-town ones I haven't seen for years. They told me how proud they were that I was accepted here, and my parents were especially glowing. They talked about me a lot, like I'm their golden child or something. Molly, I'm really worried I might not live up to their expectations."
"Sue Ann, there's only one person's expectations you have to live up to - yours, and no one else's. They're not living your life, and you're not living theirs, so don't let that get to you," I advised. I knew where this was going and wanted to reassure her everything was all right.
"But there are things about me they don't understand. There are things about myself I don't understand," she said with frustration, "Forget it, Molly, it's not your problem," she sighed resignedly.
"It's not, but you're making it worse by seeing it as a problem. I'm your friend, and I want to help you as much as you are willing to let me. I may not know exactly what you're talking about, but I do know that it's probably not as big a deal as you think."
Sue Ann gave me a doubtful look, "It's bigger than you think."
I was about to respond, but someone knocked on the door, "Molly, are you in there?" Mrs. Garrett's voice asked.
"Yes. Do you need something?"
"Yes, I do. Can you show me how to use this camera of yours? I can't seem to get the flash working."
"Okay, I'll be down in a minute," I responded. As I stood to leave I left Sue Ann with some simple advice, "Sue Ann, please just follow your heart, no matter what others may say or think." The look on her face caused me to seriously doubt her taking my advice.
"Thanks, Molly." It seemed like an empty thanks though…
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Later that day Sue Ann and I found ourselves busy in our room again, and again someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Sue Ann called out this time.
"It's me, Blair. I need a favor from you."
"I'll get it," I said and opened the door. Blair stood there with some papers in her hand.
"Hey there, Molly," she smiled.
"What do you need?"
"I'm here to see Sue Ann," she answered curtly as she entered the room.
"What's the favor?" Sue Ann asked.
"You know I'm in 'Romeo and Juliet,' right?"
"Yeah, you're playing Juliet, and your new boyfriend Jason is playing Romeo," I said in a dreamy voice and batted my eyes at Blair. She just rolled her eyes dismissively and turned back to Sue Ann.
"The play is only a few weeks away and I need someone to rehearse the lines with me reading Jason's, I mean, Romeo's, part. I was going to ask Nancy, but she's talking to Roger on the phone as usual. I thought about asking Tumpy, but she's busy taking guitar lessons."
"I didn't know she plays the guitar. That's cool," I chimed in. I play the ukelele.
Blair sighed and turned back to me, "Yeah, she does. If you ever get an opportunity to hear her sometime you should jump on it, she's excellent."
Without missing a beat, Blair turned back to Sue Ann, "I got so desperate that I asked Cindy since she's masculine enough for the part, but she told me to drop dead, so now I'm asking you. Do you mind being my Romeo for a bit? Don't worry, this isn't the kissing scene, I don't think my boyfriend would approve."
'Oh, I bet he'd love to see that,' I thought and smirked. I wondered to myself why Blair hadn't asked one of the males in her life to play Romeo. Her asking Sue Ann didn't really make sense since she is always going on ad nauseam about how all the guys who want to date her. Maybe she didn't want to make Jason jealous, I reasoned.
Sue Ann sighed in relief and chuckled, "Thank goodness, being expelled for 'unnatural acts' is the last thing I want." I grimaced at the self-loathing I heard in her voice.
"Of course, you really don't want that on your scholastic record," Blair responded, trying to sound haughty. I could see a look of discomfort on her face as she said it though, as if she had gone through this before, or at least something very similar. I wondered if she had been burned because of a comparable situation or infraction. It would help to explain her over-the-top 'boy craziness' and why she makes sure to always be seen with a boy.
Blair's fake laughter snapped me out of my thoughts. "Don't worry, Sue Ann, I only want to kiss Romeo, not Ramona," She offered. I shook my head and silently begged to differ.
Blair handed Sue Ann a copy of the script.
"So, which scene do you want to rehearse?" Jason/Romeo's proxy asked.
"The balcony scene." I smirked - it was an interesting choice for Blair to have made.
"Oh, that famous scene?" Sue Ann flipped through the pages until she found it.
"Where do you want to start?"
Blair pointed to the part. "Right there."
Sue Ann looked at the lines and smiled, "Oh, I remember this scene; we read it back at my school in Kansas." She began reading the part…
She speaks:
O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art
As glorious to this night, being o'er my head
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air.
Then Blair read her part…
O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.
Sue Ann read her line…
"Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?"
Then Blair again…
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself.
As I watched them rehearse I spotted Cindy lurking outside in the hall. She didn't look pleased at all and wore a very deep frown, but I thought this silly as she really didn't need to be jealous. Mrs. Garrett approached her and asked her something. I couldn't hear what she said or read her lips because she stood with the side of her face towards me. Cindy turned her head and said 'okay,' I think. They both left the hallway, so I returned my attention to the rehearsal.
"I think you got it down, Blair," Sue Ann remarked.
"Thanks. I've been practicing like crazy," Blair smiled, and then asked me, "So, what do you think?"
"I think you did a good job," I responded encouragingly.
Judging by Blair's body language, she was definitely more comfortable rehearsing with Sue Ann than with that Jason Hoffman dude - her boyfriend. She stood close to Sue Ann during the impromptu rehearsal, but not as closely as she would if she was attracted to her. I can safely tell Cindy she has nothing to worry about in regards to Blair. However, I can't say the same for Sue Ann about Cindy.
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It's the night before the big poetry assignment was due, and all of us, except for Blair, because she isn't here, are watching a pilot for a show called 'Superbuggies on the Prairie.' The storyline follows a group of 'state-of-the-art' buggies travelling from New York to Omaha, Nebraska filled with people who want to experience the Wild West. It was supposed to combine the elements of that lame show 'Supertrain' with 'Little House on the Prairie.' I wonder who the intended audience is supposed to be…the Amish? Fred Silverman must be on some hallucinogen, because the Amish don't own televisions. I bet those morons at NBC think a show about a middle-aged woman managing a dorm full of teenage girls and their growing pains at an all-girl private school will be a hit. Sure, like that will ever work! No wonder they are dead last in the ratings. They should be thankful there are only two other channels and that not everyone has cable or satellite yet! We'll be saying 'bye-bye' to NBC when those two become popular with their 20-plus channels! Anyway, we sat and stared at the television in disbelief, but no one changed the channel.
When the credits for the show began to roll Cindy was the first to say something, "You know what Molly?"
"What?"
"I just wasted over sixty minutes of my life watching this buggy-wreck, and I want it back."
"So do I, Cindy. So do I," I responded and shook my head in disgust.
"This is even worse than that stupid 'Supertrain' show!" Tootie groaned loudly.
"Yeah... the first episode was so bad that I kept hoping the next episode ended in a train wreck!" Natalie added snarkily.
"Then NBC will replace that with another variety show, or yet another All-Star show with celebrities you only see on screen for five minutes," Nancy derided.
"Yeah, like the other day when I saw the Finucci Brother variety TV show," Natalie informed.
"Who the heck are the 'Finucci Brothers?'" Cindy asked, bewildered.
"Twin brothers who had the single 'Dancin' Godfather.' It reached #83 on the Billboard Charts and made 'Disco Duck' sound like 'Imagine.'"
"That's ridiculous! They're giving everybody a variety show," I scoffed. "I can't think of a genre where they give more people their undeserved fifteen minutes than variety shows."
Now, if it was someone like Leif Garrett or Burt Reynolds, or even Gino Vannelli, then I wouldn't mind watching their variety show 24/7!" Natalie exclaimed. We laughed at her comment.
The front door opened and Blair sashayed in. While it was no surprise to see her return from who knows where in the middle of the night, the fact that it was without a guy was surprising. Well, I shouldn't be too quick to speak given that over a month ago she didn't have a date for over two weeks before that Jason dude she met in the 'Romeo and Juliet' play.
Mrs. Garrett stood up from the couch and greeted her, "Did you have a nice evening, Blair?"
"Yes, Mrs. Garrett. I had a very nice evening indeed," she smiled. I was surprised to see her 'real' smile again.
"Well, it must be minus one hundred degrees in Hell right now," Sue Ann quipped sarcastically.
Blair gave her a strange look and asked, "What makes you say that?"
"Because the day we don't see you returning with some boy in tow, we can be sure Hell has frozen over." We all laughed, and even Blair found it funny.
"Well, I hope Satan has an extra-thick parka down there. Actually, I just came from Tumpy's place. We were hanging out and listening to music."
"You mean the same Tumpy who invited you to a skinny dipping party?" Tootie asked excitedly. Sometimes, well, in all honesty, most of the time, I question Tootie's common sense.
Blair glared briefly at Tootie and quickly forced a smile, "Yes, that's her."
Mrs. Garrett's smile quickly turned into a frown, "I don't like you hanging out with her. From what I've heard, she's trouble…with a capital 'T.'"
Blair did her best to reassure her housemother, "Come on, Mrs. Garrett, don't worry about me. I'm a big girl. I can handle myself."
"I know you are, dear, but I still don't like you hanging around with that girl," Mrs. Garrett shook her head.
The conversation stopped when Mr. Bradley walked in the back door. "Hello, Mrs. Garrett. Girls," he nodded towards us.
"Hello, Mr. Bradley!" We chanted in sickly sweet unison.
"Oh, hello, Blair, I'm surprised to see you here this early."
"Actually, Mr. Bradley, I just walked in about a minute ago," she informed him.
He chuckled, "Sure Blair, you actually returned before curfew for once. So, who's the young man? I'd like to meet him since it seems you finally found one who's responsible!"
Blair gave him an incredulous and insulted look, "No, seriously, I went out and came back alone."
Mr. Bradley didn't look convinced, "You? Blair Warner, came back here, before curfew and without a boy? What's next? Peace in the Middle East? A cure for cancer? Radio stations stop playing Disco?" I wish, since all three of those are my wishes too!
"Mr. Bradley, I know it's hard to believe, but she did return on time and without a boy," Mrs. Garrett came to Blair's defense. It's not that hard, Mrs. Garrett. Judging by your reaction when I told you about her and Jason, I think that you and I both know that it isn't boys anyone needs to worry about when it comes to Blair.
"Yes, Mr. Bradley, I don't need a boy with me all the time." I was floored because Blair finally told the truth about herself to everybody. It was not a one-time thing, which is very surprising. At this rate, maybe I should be expecting peace in the Middle East soon.
"That's true, but I'm glad you're here anyway because I came here to remind you girls…"
"Ahem," I interjected by way of a stern reminder of our previous conversation. He has a lot to learn!
"Sorry, Molly, I mean you women…," I smiled at his correction, "… the poetry assignment is due tomorrow. I hope all of you have completed it."
I realized something as he prattled on, which is that out of the twenty dorms in the school he constantly comes to ours. I wonder why. Yes, I know that besides being our Headmaster, he's also our English teacher, but does he have to remind us this way? The dork comes here just about every single day. Could he possibly fancy one of us? I bet it's Blair, because he seems to single her out so much. Or maybe he's just trying to get in good with her so that he can get closer to her mother. Nah, I doubt that could be it. I wonder if he has a thing for Mrs. Garrett. Him into older women? Gross! I wish I never thought of that one!
Everyone pretty much reacted with some sign of fear except for Cindy, who was grinning from ear to ear. I noticed the one who was the most terrified…Blair. She was smiling, but it was a nervous smile.
"Yes, Mr. Bradley," she answered in an uneasy tone.
"I hope you do well, Ms. Warner, because it's half your grade," Mr. Bradley warned.
"Sure, well, you know, I just have to put the polish on it."
"I don't care if you polish it, hot wax it, or even Turtle Wax it. I want that poem on my desk tomorrow."
Blair kept silent and just smiled, hiding her anxiety. She usually smiles or talks too much to overcompensate for what she's hiding. There's a chapter in the book that discusses people like her who use their 'natural social skills' to talk themselves in and out of most situations, and believe they can do the same with lies. It's her way of covering up her true emotions.
"Hey, Mr. Bradley, you're gonna love my poem," Tootie chriped cheerfully.
"Really?" He asked skeptically.
"Listen to this," she said proudly as she opened the folded paper in her hands.
"How it feels
To make your deals
Eat your meals
Cool your heels
All on wheels."
I couldn't help laughing at the sheer stupidity of the poem. Mr. Bradley's response was really quite interesting… and amusing. He waxed poetic right back at her.
"Well let me tell you this Tootie
If you think that will fly with me
Then expect from me a minus D."
Tootie gulped as she quickly offered, "Okay, I'll work on it some more."
I don't know if she was trying to cause trouble, but Blair piped in, "Hey Cindy, what about that poem you've been working on for over a month?"
"Yeah, I heard it's pretty steamy …. let's hear it!" Natalie chimed in, a rather devilish smile gracing her lips. I wondered who blabbed about Cindy's poem.
"So do I!" Tootie snickered. With that, my question was answered - the little snoop must have been listening in when Cindy read part of it to me.
"Wow, Cindy, you must really like Greg to spend so much time writing your poetry assignment," Sue Ann teased. Cindy looked at her with a sly smile. From what I heard, Sue Ann really wanted to believe Cindy was interested in Greg, but I could see she knew the truth. I should start calling her 'Cleopatra,' the Queen of 'De-Nile.'
Cindy seemed thrilled to read her poem. She took off up the stairs like the 'Road Runner' to get it. While she was gone Blair commented about how surprised she was that Cindy didn't wait until the last minute like she usually does.
This was the final straw for Mr. Bradley, who exclaimed, "Now that's a sign the end of world is coming!"
Mrs. Garrett laughed and defended the girl, "Oh come on now, Mr. Bradley, let's give Cindy more credit than that. True, she has a tendency to procrastinate, but when she's really passionate about something she goes for it one hundred and ten percent!"
"And what's wrong with being passionate, Mr. Bradley?" I asked him.
"Oh nothing, unless it's misguided," he answered, and gave me a cold stare. This didn't surprise me one bit because he never agreed with my beliefs and politics. We butted heads quite often since he strongly believes in competition and I don't. I believe in cooperation instead.
"Misguided? Do you expect me to write a poem about how great Nixon was?" I challenged.
His face started to turn red with anger, but his voice stayed calm. "No, but I don't expect you to write an ode to Jimmy Hoffa either."
I was bummed because that's exactly what my poem was about! Oh well, I guess it's back to the drawing board. I know… I'll do one about Patty Hearst instead!
Cindy returned, a bit winded, and sat across from Sue Ann. Everyone looked at her in anticipation for her to begin the recitation.
"'Secret Desire,' by Cynthia Webster.
"There is a secret desire
The one my heart burns a fire
Of a love I dare not present
For it fills me with such torment.
This love turned my world upside-down
But others might give it a nasty frown.
It is a love I cannot deny.
And one I seek to get the same reply."
As soon as Cindy began reading, Sue Ann started biting her lower lip and looking down at her shoes. Plus, her face was starting to turn red. I knew that she knew who the poem was written for. Of course, Cindy didn't hide it too well either, by staring at Sue Ann the entire time. I also noticed that Natalie, Blair, and Mrs. Garrett were starting to give Cindy and Sue Ann questioning looks.
"I know you feel the same way I do
And you care a lot about me too.
So let's not allow others to stand in our way.
'Cause with us together we'll be happy and gay."
She recited that the last line with a big, teasing smile on her face. Sue Ann nearly fell out of her seat when she heard it! I saw Blair's, Natalie's, and especially Mrs. Garrett's eyes almost pop out when she read that last line. Additionally, Blair's jaw dropped to her chin and Natalie's face looked like it was frozen with shock. I was both astonished and impressed by Cindy's bold behavior.
"Can't you see it's you I adore?
That no one else could love you more?
It would give me such great pride
To have your love and affection by my side.
So please open your heart to me
And let our love finally be free
Together, let's follow our true destiny
To love each other for all eternity."
Throughout the entire reading Cindy's eyes had never left Sue Ann's except for when she had to look down at the poem, which wasn't very often. As she finished her poem she continued to stare into Sue Ann's eyes. Sue Ann's eyes, on the other hand, darted around, trying to avoid Cindy's unflinching gaze.
I thought to myself, 'Well, Cindy, it's not much of a secret desire anymore.' I watched in awe as realization spread across most of the people in the room. I heard the uneasiness in the applause. Sue Ann did not clap. She was too shocked to respond. In fact, her face was now pale. Well, I guess her trip down that river finally reached its end in a crown of thorns.
Mrs. Garrett spoke first, "Well, that was a really… good poem." I could hear the apprehension in her voice. "I can tell you really put your whole heart into it," she smiled weakly.
"Thanks," Cindy smiled and returned her attention back to the object of her affection, "I sure did."
"Yeah, that was a really creative poem, Cindy," Natalie smiled, the same uneasiness visible in her shocked eyes.
"So, what do you think of the poem, Sue Ann?" Mrs. Garrett asked with caution. This is worse than I thought; now I'm sure that Mrs. Garrett knows.
Sue Ann continued to be a bit stunned and her face was still drained of color, but after a minute she finally spoke. "Well… that poem touched me in ways I can't even understand. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom." She made a beeline out of the room. Blair was still staring, slack-jawed, with an astonished look on her face. The Sapphic poet smiled smugly back at her. She was making it known she was not ashamed of what she did. I thought she was being reckless, and shook my head.
As expected, Mr. Bradley was completely oblivious, and gave her high praise for her poetry. "Sue Ann is right, that was a truly marvelous poem, and it touched my soul, Cindy. It is a sheer work of art worthy of someone like Emily Dickinson. It reminded me one of the poems she wrote to the object of her affection. It was supposed to be a secret, but everybody knew it was Samuel Bowles, the journalist - just like everyone knows your poem is for Greg Hockney." Mr. Bradley, I wish to inform you most scholars who know Dickinson's work feel that the journalist was not her object of affection in those poems.
Without even a slightest flinch, Cindy brazenly responded to Mr. Bradley's clueless assumption, "Uh, thanks Mr. Bradley, but Greg might not be the only object of my affection," She told him coyly.
"Oh, come on now, it must be Greg. Everyone talks about the two of you, and I hear you've been stepping out together a lot lately. He's a great guy," Mr. Bradley sang Greg's praises.
"Yeah, but it could be someone I'm even closer to," Cindy said shyly. I couldn't understand why she was being so blatant when there was so much on the line.
"I wouldn't doubt her on that!" Natalie quipped.
"Neither would I!" Blair added in a slightly mocking tone. Cindy just grinned mischievously in a way that reminded me of the Cheshire Cat.
"Well, whoever he is, he's one lucky fellow!" Mr. Bradley declared. There were quite a few throat clearings and fake coughs in the room when he said that. I couldn't believe how clueless our Headmaster was being. "I wish I could stay and hear more of your poems, but I have to head back. Good luck, girls, I hope the rest of you do just as well," he said as he left through the front door.
Once he was gone, Blair stood mulling something over. "Earth calling Blair," I announced through cupped hands, "please reply, over."
"Emily Dickinson… I'd better start working on… I mean, improving, my poem. After that performance, Mr. Bradley has high expectations from the rest of us," She exclaimed as she darted up the stairs.
I was about to turn to Cindy, but Natalie approached me.
"Can I speak to you for a minute?"
I winced, having a pretty good idea what it is that she wanted to talk about. "Uh, okay," I responded. I had an uneasy feeling I wasn't going to like this conversation.
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