A Matter of Principle by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Author:Susan Beth Pfeffer
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781497682702
Publisher: Open Road Media

NINE

“Ready for school?” Dad asked me Monday morning. He was sipping his coffee as I came into the kitchen.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I said. I was dressed in something I trusted was appropriately preppy, not at all sure that was the right approach. Artsy might have been a better choice. Or sackcloth and ashes.

“I can’t really say I’m happy about all this,” Dad said, carrying his mug to the sink and rinsing it out. “But it should be an interesting experience.”

“I suppose,” I said, pouring myself some milk. “Can you give me a lift this morning?”

“Your mother will,” Dad said. “She has more free time this morning. As a matter of fact, I’d better get going. Can’t count on the train to be late.”

I watched as he put on his jacket, gathered his briefcase and his coat, and made his way outside. I wanted to go with him, the way I had when I was a little kid and he’d take me to see where he worked. No train ride for me today. Instead I finished the milk and rinsed out the glass.

“Ready to go?” Mom asked me, peeking into the kitchen.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I said.

“Fine,” she said, and cut through the kitchen to get to the back door. I followed her out silently.

The Merwin School was set off the road, hidden by acres of lawns and trees. I’d driven past it many times, but I’d never really looked at it. There had never been a need to before.

“It’ll be all right,” Mom told me as we drove into the parking lot. “And if it isn’t, you do have options.”

“It’s only for a month,” I pointed out, glad we were finally talking about it. “Maybe even less.”

“Will you be able to make it home all right?” Mom asked as she parked the car. I stared nervously at the back of the school building.

“Sure,” I said. “Maybe I’ll walk home with Melissa. Or Elliot’s maid might give me a lift back. I’ll manage.”

“Make the best of it,” Mom said. “See what you can learn.”

“Okay,” I said. My hand reached for the door handle, but I didn’t open the door. I wanted her to hug me, to say it would all be over with soon, to say I was right, and that she respected my stand and didn’t begrudge me the battle or the pain or the money. The money I knew was the least of it, but it was there, along with the unspoken anger. And the spoken anger for that matter. The hug, kiss, or little loving gesture wasn’t there.

“I’ll see you tonight,” Mom said, and I said “yeah” and opened the car door.

Mom’s hand brushed briefly against mine. “It’ll be okay,” she said. I nodded and got out.

I found Elliot in the back of the building, and the two of us walked together to the main office. “I want a drink,” he said.

“It isn’t even nine,” I said.

“I don’t care,” he said. “I need one.

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