Gates of Paradise (Casteel 4)

Winterhaven was and still is a highly academic school. They make their students work, and they supply them with intelligent teachers. I remember telling your mother that if she reached the top of their academic lists, she would be taken to teas and meet the people who really counted in Boston society. But you're right; she didn't like the people she met there. Oh well," he added, moving off the topic quickly, "at least you'll be the best-dressed patient in the hospital."

I wanted him to talk more about the years my mother lived at Farthinggale Manor, but I thought it best to leave that until I was actually there myself.

When one of the Pink Ladies--sweet, elderly women in pink aprons who volunteered to do charity work at the hospital--came by with the mail the next day, she had a small stack of get-well cards for me from some of my friends back in Winnerow, from my teachers, from Mrs. Avery and Roland Star, as well as cards from Drake and Luke. I asked Mrs. Broadfield to tape them all on my wall. I saw she wasn't happy about it, but she did it anyway.

The day after his card arrived, Luke and my aunt Fanny came to visit. Because I had a private room, they could come any time. My door was open, so I could hear Aunt Fanny coming down the hospital corridor. I probably would have been able to hear her even if the door had been closed. She and Luke stopped first at the nu

rse's station.

"We're here to see ma niece," she bellowed. "Annie Stonewall."

I couldn't even hear the nurse's response, she spoke so low, but Aunt Fanny didn't take a hint.

"Well, why are ya private rooms so far away from the elevata? If ya payin' more, ya should get the convenience. This way, Luke."

"My aunt's coming," I warned Mrs. Broadfield, who sat like a statue of stone by the door and read the latest issue of People magazine. Tony had sent up dozens of the latest magazines that morning, and Mrs. Broadfield had organized them by the windowsill. My room looked like a library. Some of the regular nurses came by and asked if they could borrow this or that during their breaks. Mrs. Broadfield permitted them to, but she wrote down each and every one of the names next to the name of the magazine on a little pad.

"Just remember where you got them," she warned.

She shifted in her seat when Aunt Fanny's footsteps grew louder. I could tell from the clickityclack that she was wearing high heels and was all dolled-up for this visit. She stepped into my doorway wearing a wide-brim panama hat with a black velvet sash, a short-sleeved black denim jacket and tan demin skirt over a small striped tank shirt. Naturally, the skirt hugged her hips.

Despite the way she lived and the things she said and did, I had to confess my aunt Fanny was a very attractive woman, especially when she dressed fashionably. It was no wonder young men buzzed around her like bees around a hive.

Luke came in right behind her. He wore a simple blue cotton short-sleeve shirt and jeans, but I could see he had taken extra care with his hair. He was so proud of his rich, dark hair. Other boys, envious boys, teased him because he gave it so much attention, never allowing a strand out of place.

Mrs. Broadfield stood up as soon as Aunt Fanny entered the room. She backed away as if she didn't want to chance rubbing elbows, and slapped her magazine on the sill.

"Annie, dear!" Aunt Fanny rushed over to my bed and threw her arms around me.

Mrs. Broadfield headed for the doorway.

"Don't hurry, honey," Aunt Fanny responded. I nearly laughed aloud when Fanny turned back to me, her eyes wide, her lips curled as if she had just swallowed sour milk.

Luke came up on the other side of my bed, looking timid and out of place.

"How are you, Annie?"

"A little better, Luke. I can sit up without getting dizzy, and I've begun to eat solid foods."

"That's wonderful, honey. I jist knew once they gotcha inta a fancy place like this, they'd have ya up an' about in no time." Fanny peered down at me. "That glum-faced nurse treatin' ya okay?"

"Oh yes, Aunt Fanny. She's very efficient," I reassured her.

"Looks it. I guess ya gotta have someone like that ta count out the drops'a medicine properly, only she'd be enough to keep someone in a coma."

"Everyone at school sends regards to you, Annie, and sends their condolences," Luke interjected, trying to steer the conversation away from Fanny's insults.

"Thank them for me, Luke. And thank them for the cards. I just loved your get-well card." I nodded toward the wall.

"Thought you would." He beamed.

"Where's the card I sent ya?" Aunt Fanny demanded after she perused the cards on the wall. "You sent a card, Aunt Fanny? When?"

"Days ago. I spent a lotta time pickin' out the best one, too. And I know I put a stamp on it, Luke, so don't accuse me'a forgittin'," she added quickly, anticipating Luke's theories.

"Maybe it will be here tomorrow, Aunt Fanny." "And maybe that dreadful nurse threw it out before ya got it," she said, sneering.

"Oh, Aunt Fanny, why would she do that?"