I didn’t know what to say.
She smiled.
“Good night, Semantha,” she said, and went into her room, closing the door behind her and leaving me shivering in the darkness of my own bedroom.
The Deal
DADDY WAS GOING to return to work the next day right after a little breakfast, but Cassie asked him to leave later so we could have a family meeting.
“Then you don’t want to return to school yet?” Daddy asked.
“No. This is why we must meet and have a family discussion,” she told him.
The idea of it being a family meeting without Mother seemed strange. I winced at the sound of it, but Daddy agreed, so right after breakfast we all went into the living room, where Cassie could discuss important matters. She would say nothing until Daddy and I were seated. Even then, she paced back and forth for a few moments, looking as if she was taking great care about how she expressed herself.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her, and I was holding my breath in anticipation, but Daddy looked quite subdued, his gaze on the floor. I didn’t expect him to be himself, of course, but he looked as if all of his strength, his love of life, and his energy had been buried alongside Mother in her grave. Maybe that was why he was so willing to agree with Cassie, why he presented little opposition to her requests, which sounded more like her usual faits accomplis.
She began.“You might have noticed, Daddy—although if you didn’t, we understand, of course—that few, if any, of our classmates were at the church for Mother’s funeral services.” She turned to me. “Am I right, Semantha?”
I looked at Daddy and nodded. He said nothing, but the sadness in his face deepened.
“As you know, Daddy,” Cassie continued, “both Semantha and I have never been happy in public school. For me, it’s been little or no challenge, and as some recent events proved, it’s not been a happy time for Semantha, either. It’s not your fault, but because you are so successful, because the Heavenstones are so well known and respected here, Semantha and I are often resented at school. So many are jealous of us and eager to criticize us or see us have misfortune. Even our teachers look at us though green eyes of accusation, accusing us of thinking we are better than anyone else.”
“Have any of them said such a thing?” Daddy asked.
“No, but it’s not hard to see the thought rolling around in their heads and hear it in their tone of voice whenever they speak to either of us.”
I nearly smiled when Cassie said this. Why was she making it sound as if that made her unhappy? She certainly believed we were truly better than everyone else and had not failed to tell me so one way or another practically every day of my life.
“I do know what you mean,” Daddy said, nodding. “It’s often more of a burden to be held in high regard in your community. I can sympathize, because when I was growing up, I felt much the same way you two do, but—”
“But we have a solution, Daddy,” Cassie interrupted.
He nodded. “What’s that?”
“Well, as regards me, I’m dropping out of school for now. I’m putting my formal education on hold for a while.”
“Oh, I don’t think that’s—”
“You have often told me how Grandfather Heavenstone only went through the eighth grade, but his business acumen guided him to slip into his father’s shoes and continue to build a successful enterprise. Whenever you talked about him, I could see in your face how proud of him you were.”
“He was an extraordinary man,” Daddy agreed.
“And I don’t think I’m being immodest by saying I have proven to be somewhat beyond my peers and even most of my teachers. You know that’s true, Daddy.”
“I’ve always said that, Cassie, and so did your mother. We’re very proud of you and your accomplishments.”
“Which is exactly why you shouldn’t be worried about my hiatus from formal education.”
“But what will you do?”
“I have a lot to do here now, and I’d like to become more of an assistant to you, learn more and more about our business. You’re carrying the whole load on your shoulders, Daddy. Don’t pretend you’re not, and don’t pretend that Uncle Perry can shoulder much or any of that responsibility.”
“Perry has other talents,” he said as a way of agreeing with her.
“But not executive talents,” Cassie insisted. “You’re still a young man, Daddy, but you’re not Superman. With all that’s happened, you need someone upon whom you can safely and comfortably rely. I know I can be that someone for you. Mother never took much interest in the Heavenstone Stores. I’m not faulting her. I know it just wasn’t her cup of tea, but she was at least supportive, and you need someone like that on a daily basis. You need reinforcement. I’m not saying you’re not up to your responsibilities, but it’s good to have someone you can trust watching your back.”
Daddy nodded and then finally smiled.“You are truly a very bright and thoughtful young woman, Cassie. I wish your mother was here to listen to you.”