surprised, because of her shyness. Most of the students who chose Hi-Q, Knowledge Champs or Debate were extroverts, noisy, funny and smart.
Willow had come faithfully to practices, but she rarely joined in the clowning or in taunting the teacher. So far, she was slow hitting the buzzer to answer, as much, Fiona guessed, out of shyness as because she lacked knowledge. Fiona thought she had been gaining a little confidence lately. Willow had confided once that her braces would be coming off in March, which should help.
Bypassing the rest of the kids, Fiona went straight to the kitchen, where she found John sitting at the table with a cup of coffee.
Do you have some Tylenol or ibuprofen?
He gave her a lightning quick assessment. You okay?
Its Willow. She isnt feeling great.
He nodded. Cupboard to the right of the sink.
There was an impressive array of medications and first-aid products there, she discovered. Which made sense, given how far the lodge was from doctors and hospitals.
Thanks. She took a couple of white pills and a glass of water back upstairs.
Willow swallowed them gratefully. I wish I didnt get cramps, she mumbled, handing back the glass of water.
It stinks, doesnt it? Fiona sat back down on the bed. Do you get heavy periods, too?
The girl nodded unhappily.
Seems to be hereditary. Your mom probably does, too.
My moms dead.
Oh, no! Im sorry. I didnt realize. The father had signed the release, Fiona vaguely recalled. She didnt think shed ever met him.
It was a couple of years ago. She was in a car accident.
Were you in the car with her?
Head shake. No, but my little brother was. Hes okay, though. He just had a broken arm. And his collarbone, too. Mom had on her seat belt and everything. But, um, this car ran a red light. They said Mom didnt have a chance.
Oh, honey. Im so sorry. Fiona gently squeezed her shoulder.
Willow shrugged, mainly, it appeared, to hunch into a tighter ball. I really miss her.
I can only imagine. And its tough when youre at an age to need advice.
DaddyI mean, my dad tries.
I bet he doesnt know much about buying bras or what you wear to prom, though, does he?
A tiny smile flickered on her mouth. Uh-uh. But nobodys asked me to prom anyway.
They will, Fiona predicted. Hardly any sophomores go.
Do you think Ill make the A team someday?
Surprised, Fiona said, Sure I do. Very likely next year, with Erin and Troy gone. You just have to get bolder.
I know. She fell silent for a moment. Whats everybody doing?
Reading. Playing games.
Oh. She sounded wistful.
As soon as you feel better, go on down. Ill bet you can get in on the Chinese checkers, anyway.
She nodded, but said nothing.
Fiona hesitated. Its too bad you dont have a friend you could have talked into joining Knowledge Champs with you. With Erin and Troy graduating next year, we could use some more freshmen and sophomores.
I dont, um, really have any friends. We moved in August. From Denver. Dad took a new job in Portland. I guess he thought we wouldnt be as sad in a different place. You know.
I imagine that sometimes a change of scene does help. Its hard leaving friends, though.
Her eyes filled with tears. Nobody is that friendly here! I wish I could go to the public school, but Dad says Ill get into a better college if I stay at Willamette.
The prep school where Fiona taught did regularly send graduates to colleges like Stanford, Columbia and Yale. Still
Does he know how unhappy you are?
She shook her head. I dont want to make him sad again. He thinks I love it here.
Fiona wasnt sure what to say. Willow, her brother and dad were probably all pretending to be happier after the move, none of them willing to acknowledge anything was wrong with their new life. And, given her grief, Willow might not do any better making friends at the public high school.
With new determination, Fiona decided that she was going to do her darndest to see to it that Willow did make friends at Willamette Prep. A boyfriend would
Willow had come faithfully to practices, but she rarely joined in the clowning or in taunting the teacher. So far, she was slow hitting the buzzer to answer, as much, Fiona guessed, out of shyness as because she lacked knowledge. Fiona thought she had been gaining a little confidence lately. Willow had confided once that her braces would be coming off in March, which should help.
Bypassing the rest of the kids, Fiona went straight to the kitchen, where she found John sitting at the table with a cup of coffee.
Do you have some Tylenol or ibuprofen?
He gave her a lightning quick assessment. You okay?
Its Willow. She isnt feeling great.
He nodded. Cupboard to the right of the sink.
There was an impressive array of medications and first-aid products there, she discovered. Which made sense, given how far the lodge was from doctors and hospitals.
Thanks. She took a couple of white pills and a glass of water back upstairs.
Willow swallowed them gratefully. I wish I didnt get cramps, she mumbled, handing back the glass of water.
It stinks, doesnt it? Fiona sat back down on the bed. Do you get heavy periods, too?
The girl nodded unhappily.
Seems to be hereditary. Your mom probably does, too.
My moms dead.
Oh, no! Im sorry. I didnt realize. The father had signed the release, Fiona vaguely recalled. She didnt think shed ever met him.
It was a couple of years ago. She was in a car accident.
Were you in the car with her?
Head shake. No, but my little brother was. Hes okay, though. He just had a broken arm. And his collarbone, too. Mom had on her seat belt and everything. But, um, this car ran a red light. They said Mom didnt have a chance.
Oh, honey. Im so sorry. Fiona gently squeezed her shoulder.
Willow shrugged, mainly, it appeared, to hunch into a tighter ball. I really miss her.
I can only imagine. And its tough when youre at an age to need advice.
DaddyI mean, my dad tries.
I bet he doesnt know much about buying bras or what you wear to prom, though, does he?
A tiny smile flickered on her mouth. Uh-uh. But nobodys asked me to prom anyway.
They will, Fiona predicted. Hardly any sophomores go.
Do you think Ill make the A team someday?
Surprised, Fiona said, Sure I do. Very likely next year, with Erin and Troy gone. You just have to get bolder.
I know. She fell silent for a moment. Whats everybody doing?
Reading. Playing games.
Oh. She sounded wistful.
As soon as you feel better, go on down. Ill bet you can get in on the Chinese checkers, anyway.
She nodded, but said nothing.
Fiona hesitated. Its too bad you dont have a friend you could have talked into joining Knowledge Champs with you. With Erin and Troy graduating next year, we could use some more freshmen and sophomores.
I dont, um, really have any friends. We moved in August. From Denver. Dad took a new job in Portland. I guess he thought we wouldnt be as sad in a different place. You know.
I imagine that sometimes a change of scene does help. Its hard leaving friends, though.
Her eyes filled with tears. Nobody is that friendly here! I wish I could go to the public school, but Dad says Ill get into a better college if I stay at Willamette.
The prep school where Fiona taught did regularly send graduates to colleges like Stanford, Columbia and Yale. Still
Does he know how unhappy you are?
She shook her head. I dont want to make him sad again. He thinks I love it here.
Fiona wasnt sure what to say. Willow, her brother and dad were probably all pretending to be happier after the move, none of them willing to acknowledge anything was wrong with their new life. And, given her grief, Willow might not do any better making friends at the public high school.
With new determination, Fiona decided that she was going to do her darndest to see to it that Willow did make friends at Willamette Prep. A boyfriend would
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