“Maybe it’s good news.”
“Maybe. I guess I’ll have to wait and see.” She folded the note and tucked it into her pocket.
“Do you want me to go with you?”
“No,” she said, distracted. “I’ll handle it.”
The older students’ school occupied a double lot at the corner of Main Street and Cedar. A good-sized building, since the townspeople didn’t want to add onto it as the town grew. Eight teachers covered all the subjects for four years of high school. Penelope Evans taught English and History and also acted as a counselor to the young people.
Tori entered Michael’s classroom a little after three o’clock. She knew Penelope to be a pretty woman in her mid-thirties. Tori had met her at a faculty meeting when the school first opened. The town council was thrilled when Miss Evans accepted the position of Head High School Teacher. She came with excellent references, a graduate of a Normal School, a college dedicated to training teachers. Since Tori had attended the same school, she and the teacher had a lovely chat after the meeting.
“Hello, Tori.” Penelope rose from behind her desk to greet her. She gave her a warm and friendly smile.
Tori relaxed, Penelope gave no indication of a serious problem. “I got your note. Is everything all right with Michael?”
Penelope’s small delicate hands indicated the chair in front of her desk. “Have a seat.” She perched on the edge of her desk, her hands resting on the polished wood.
“Michael is a very smart young man.” Their eyes connected. “I have every confidence he will go far in life. Of course, getting more education will be very important for him.”
Heat crept up Tori’s face. “I agree with you, but I’m afraid there isn’t money for Michael to go to college. He’s hoping to work a couple of years when he graduates to put money aside so he can pay his own way.”
“I’m glad to hear he’s anxious to continue his education, which brings me to the problem I want to discuss with you.”
Tori leaned forward in her chair as the teacher cleared her throat and continued. “I believe Michael could qualify for a college scholarship. I am in touch with several foundations always on the lookout for bright students to sponsor.”
Tori beamed at her. “How wonderful, I’m sure Michael would be thrilled to have a scholarship.”
“What I thought as well, which is why I’m confused at his lack of interest in getting the paperwork to me.”
Tori leaned back and frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I.” She fiddled with the timepiece pinned to her blouse. “Let me try to explain. I gave Michael the application for the scholarship a few weeks ago. He seemed excited at the time, but so far he hasn’t returned the application to me, and the deadline is a few days away.”
“Does he understand how important the paperwork is, and the deadline?”
“I’ve talked to him a few times. He repeatedly says he has it all filled out, and that he only has to finish the five page essay, which is a required part of the application. But every time I ask him about it, he shrugs and says it’s not done yet.”
Tori shook her head. “I don’t understand, but I’m glad you let me know. I’ll speak with Michael tonight.”
Both women stood. “Thank you. I’m fond of Michael, and I know he would do well in college. I hate to see him lose this opportunity.”
Chapter 15
Tori strolled past the newspaper office, absorbed with thoughts of Michael. Too late she saw Mrs. Boswell striding toward her. She glanced left, then right, hoping for an escape. No such luck, since the town-bully-disguised-as-community-leader already had her in her sights.
“Mrs. Cochran, just the person I wanted to see.”
Tori got a whiff of lavender as the older woman whipped a small notebook out of her reticule, and flipped through pages of notes.
“How are you, Mrs. Boswell?” Tori reconciled herself to having another unwanted job foisted on her.
“I’m fine. I wanted to make sure you’re ready for our meeting tomorrow night. You may bring the cookies again. This will be the final planning session for our Ladies League for Decency march.”
“I’ll try, but I’m a little busy right now.”
“Nonsense, I will expect you at eight o’clock. You have young children in your charge. You must make sure they have a decent place to grow up.” She stared down her nose, a remarkable feat since Tori stood an inch or so above her.
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll try.”