The Photographer by Barbara Steiner Page B

Harlow tried to smile. The witch behind Cynthia’s bed hung askew, the tape losing its stickiness. One streamer was down, crumpled in the corner. Cynthia’s roommate was gone. Mrs. Harlow saw Megan glance at the empty bed. “Since the doctors didn’t know what they were dealing with, they moved Geri out.”
    â€œThree girls are sick.” Megan told them about Bunny and Roxie’s illness.
    Cynthia didn’t wake up while Megan was there. After about ten minutes, she felt uncomfortable sitting there. No one knew what to say. So Megan excused herself and left, promising to stay in touch.
    Megan’s mother questioned her in the car. “Did any of you eat at the same place recently?”
    â€œThe school cafeteria. But if that’s where this came from, everyone would be sick.”
    â€œDo you feel all right, Megan? I don’t want to go on my trip if you’re getting sick.” Her mom had a modeling trip to the Caribbean coming up.
    Megan felt awful, but it was mental, not physical. “I’m fine, Mom. Don’t start worrying. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m going to find out. I’m not a reporter for nothing. There has to be something in common with these three girls.”
    Three turned to six on Monday after the rumors were tracked down. Candy Gilford, Marva James, and Lora Santana were absent. All the Homecoming attendants were ill. So maybe the illness had something to do with the Homecoming festivities or a time that these girls were all together. Did they eat or drink anything in common during the ceremonies? Or during practice?
    Before Megan could start any investigation, Mrs. Leffingwell, the assistant principal, called her in. Now what? Megan couldn’t take much more trouble.
    â€œMegan,” Mrs. Leffingwell said, getting right to the point. The last three issues of The Owl were spread on her desk. “I’m not a fanatic about women’s lib, but I’m not too happy with the trend your photography for the paper is taking.”
    â€œWhat do you mean, Mrs. Leffingwell? I feel that the photography for this year is excellent.”
    â€œIt’s not the quality of your work, Megan, it’s the subject matter. Look. Beauty, beauty, beauty. Homecoming queens, attendants, two issues of that. Pretty girls in costume for Halloween. I know it’s news, and that it’s the time of year for all this, but can’t you balance it out with other photos—women athletes, women in the chem lab, not to mention some boys who aren’t on the football team?”
    â€œMmmm, I guess you’re right.” Megan understood what Mrs. Leffingwell was saying. Not being one of the school beauties, she should have been sensitive to it herself. But she didn’t expect to have her picture splattered over every page.
    â€œI followed this a little farther, Megan.” Mrs. Leffingwell placed a folder full of photos on the desk and spread them out like cards in a player’s hand. “These are the recent photos that have come in for inclusion in the annual. The same type of photos, school beauties. Even all the informal shots are of these girls. There’s not one photo of the student council president, Jolene Peterson. No photos of the girls’ gymnastics activities, the other girls’ sports this semester. Maybe you planned to take those later, but if you don’t get some soon, those sports will be over.”
    Megan studied the photos over Mrs. Leffingwell’s shoulder. “I’m sorry you had to call this to my attention, Mrs. Leffingwell. I should be more aware in my job. Robert might not notice this, but I should. May I borrow all these photos so I can make a presentation to the staff in the morning?”
    â€œCertainly. But return them to the annual when you’re finished. They may want to use some of them—or even all, if they’re balanced out with other pictures. Selections