Web of Dreams (Casteel 5)

"Jennifer," Miss Mallory said, "this is Leigh VanVoreen and her stepfather, Anthony Tatterton."

"Pleased to meet you," Jennifer said and extended her hand first to Tony and then to me under Miss Mallory's scrutinizing eyes.

"Jennifer is in all of your classes," Miss Mallory continued. "1 thought you two would like that. Jennifer will show you around after you settle in and then, you will report to my office to discuss your schedule. Jennifer, you can then resume your own schedule."

"Yes, Miss Mallory," Jennifer replied, but there was a gleam in her eye when she looked at me. I liked her immediately.

"Mr, Tatterton," Miss Mallory said. "I hope this meets with your satisfaction."

"Well, it's really Leigh who has to be satisfied," Tony said, gazing at me with his characteristic smile.

"I'm all right," I said.

"Well, then," Miss 'Mallory said. "We'll leave you two to get acquainted. As soon as you've completed your tour, Leigh, please report to me promptly."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'll see you on the weekend," Tony said. "Call if you need anything, however, for I am in town every day."

"Thank you, Tony, and give my love to Troy."

"I will." He kissed me quickly on the forehead and followed Miss Mallory out. Jennifer didn't move or say a word until the door closed. Then she exploded with an energy that overwhelmed and amused me.

"Hi. I'm so glad to have a roommate. Your name's Leigh? I'm from Hyannis Port. Have you ever been there? Oh, of course, you must have been there. Or at least have driven through it. Do you want me to help you unpack your things? This is your dresser and closet, but if you need more room, you can use some of my closet. There's room. That was your stepfather? He's so handsome. How old is he'?" She paused to take a breath and I laughed.

"Oh, I'm talking too much. I'm sorry. You probably have a thousand questions for me. Go ahead, ask away," she said folding her arms and standing back.

"How long have you been at Winterhaven?"

"All my life. No, I'm joking. Three years. It's a junior and senior high school, you know. I'm sentenced to spend it all here. Where did you go to school before?"

"In Boston at a public school."

"Public school! You lucky one--classes with boys in them and boys in the hallways and in the cafeteria. Here we see boys only when the high priestess permits a dance."

"High priestess?"

"Miss Mallory. You know she's only twentysix, but Ellen Stevens told me she heard that Miss Mallory has taken a vow like a nun, dedicating herself to education. She will never marry. She lives here and never has a date!"

"Ellen Stevens?"

"Yes. Oh, you'll meet everyone at lunch. We have the best table in the junior high wing. There's Ellen and Marie Johnson, whose daddy makes all those automobile tools, and Betsy Edwards, whose father runs the Boston Opera House, and Carla Reeve, whose . ."

"Is everyone known by what their father does?" I interrupted. It took the wind out of the sails of her excitement.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I just thought you'd like to know. At least, most girls who come here want to know those things."

"Well I don't," I said sharply. Her face sagged. "All right," I said, "what does your daddy do?"

He was a lawyer, one of the best in New England," she said proudly. And then her smile turned as fragile as paper-thin glass. "but he died last year."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"I suppose that's why I brag about everyone's fathers." She dropped her eyes and then raised them quickly as a new thought reinstated her enthusiastic mood. "but how come you have a stepfather and one so young?" I was sure she thought my father had died too and we had much more in common than just our ages and classes.

"My mother divorced my father," I blurted. I didn't see the point of hiding it. Eventually, everyone would find out anyway. Her eyes widened.

"How sad," she said. "Is it hard for you to see your real father?"