Alternate Beauty by Andrea Rains Waggener

Author:Andrea Rains Waggener
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9780553901788
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2008-12-03T00:00:00+00:00

When the meeting concluded, I approached Evelyn.

“It’s the budget,” I heard her say as I reached her. No, she wasn’t throwing out a preemptive attack to me based on our last conversation. Her words had been directed toward Fiona Williams, one of the other volunteers. I liked Fiona. She was, as her name might have suggested, a fiery redhead with a boisterous spirit and a quick temper. That temper was directed at Evelyn now.

“Budget-smudget,” Fiona said, with what I thought was laudable maturity. “This club has a bigger budget than the city of Seattle. Cutting some girls’ projects is not financial; it’s political. For some reason, the board has started playing favorites. I want to know why.”

“Yes,” I said, “so do I.”

Fiona and Evelyn turned toward me.

Fiona flashed me a smile. Evelyn didn’t.

“I believe I raised the same question to you the last time we spoke, Evelyn.” I turned to Fiona. “One of the girls I’ve spent a lot of time with had her project cut. Evelyn told me it was a budget thing, but I happen to know it was going to be a pretty inexpensive project.”

“So was the project I’m concerned about,” Fiona said. She glared at Evelyn.

Evelyn sighed. “Ladies,” she said in the same tone she used to chastise the girls when they got out of hand. “I told you, Ronnie, that decisions are made on the basis of the project’s worthiness.”

“Bullshit,” Fiona said.

You go, girl, I thought.

“This club has always had the philosophy of supporting every girl’s project,” Fiona said. “The club’s about self-esteem, for God’s sake. We don’t pick and choose whose idea is better.”

Evelyn frowned and glanced at her watch. “I’m so sorry, ladies. I must go. I’m late to pick up my daughter from her art class.”

She turned and almost ran out of the room. I was tempted to chase her but thought it unseemly. So, apparently, did Fiona.

“Bitch,” she muttered, glaring after Evelyn’s retreating form.

I said nothing.

“My poor girl only wanted to visit a fire station,” Fiona said. “She wanted the girls to do a tribute to the firemen for their heroism.”

“Mine wanted to have a petting zoo,” I said.

“Who?”

“Gina. Your girl?”

“Sally.”

I shook my head. I liked Sally. She was, like Gina, a thin, shy little thing who had come out of her shell over the previous few months.

“I’m not going to let this drop,” Fiona said, picking up her purse and heading toward the door. I hefted my purse and followed her.

We entered the hall, and Fiona was waylaid by one of the girls. I waved good-bye and headed toward the stairs. The vanilla aroma of sugar cookies still filled the air, and I wrinkled my nose. Sweets hadn’t smelled very good to me lately.

I had just started to head down the stairs when I heard my name being called softly from the floor above. I looked up. Valerie Lefskova, the club’s volunteer accountant, peered down at me over the purple-painted metal railing. “Ronnie? Do you have a minute?”

“Sure.” I headed up the stairs.

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