Chapter Nine

Down the empty hall of the elementary school Merlyn walked. In the school yard she instructed Caleb to meet her at home and stall daddy and Gail if she arrived late. She bribed him with a coke the next time they visited town. If she did not have the money, she will ask Lucas for a nickel. Facing him was better than letting Caleb down.

"Aren't you a little old to be here sweetie." Miss Coombs, with her up swept hair and shorter than proper skirt, was grading papers as Merlyn walked into the classroom.

"I was wondering if I can talk to you, ma'am?" Merlyn twisted the ties on her dress. Miss Coombs struck her as a woman with worldly experience. If the rumors where true, she was Lucas Buck's girlfriend.

Without looking up from grading Selena said, "If this is about Caleb's grades, I'm afraid I can't help him if he doesn't turn in his homework. It just wouldn't be fair to the other children if I let him pass."

"No, it's not. I need advice. Woman to woman sort of thing."

Selena studied the girl in front of her for a long minute trying to decide if she wanted to help the poor thing or not. After all Lucas had been visiting Merlyn, taking time away from Selena and Selena was never second. "Normally I would say ask your mother but seeing that you have none I feel a deep burden to help the motherless."

"How do you please a man when you don't want to?" said Merlyn before she lost her nerve.

"Merlyn Ann Temple, girls your age should not be thinking about such things. Besides what makes you think that you can ask me that sort of question?"

"You have a certain reputation."

"Have I? You're one to talk. From what I hear men have been lining up just to see what's under that skirt of yours."

Merlyn squirmed at the accusation even though it was the truth. Ever since Mr. Green, men, both young and old, looked at her longer and women scowled at her when she walked by. Caleb sensed her uneasiness but stopped asking about it after she yelled at him. "I can't help it. I'm sorry to bother you."

As she left the classroom Selena responded.

"The hands or mouth. And I know our dear Sheriff prefers the mouth."

She turned to thank Selena but she was already grading papers like Merlyn was never there. When she stepped outside it dawned on her. Miss Coombs knew Lucas was visiting her.