Fat Tuesday(28)

Here at Blessed Heart we take very seriously the responsibility of guiding our students in every area of their lives."

"It's because of those high standards that Flarra is enrolled here."

"Yet she seems determined to break the rules, which are in place for her safety, as well as to instill self-discipline. If something like this happens again, we will be forced to expel her." "I understand," Remy said, feeling soundly chastised herself.

Although it had been twelve years since she graduated from Blessed Heart Academy, the few lectures she'd received for disobedience or poor performance were embedded in her memory. For all the benevolence of their profession, the boarding school's administrators knew how to magnify a minor infraction until it seemed a cardinal sin.

"May I see my sister alone now, please?"

Sister Beatrice stood."Certainly. You may have use of the office for fifteen minutes. Please give my regards to Mr. Duvall and thank him on behalf of the faculty for his latest endowment. His generosity never ceases. God will bless it."

"I'll tell him."

As Sister Beatrice moved past, she paused and laid her hand on Remy's arm."How are you, Remy?"

"Very well."

"Happy?"

"Certainly."

The nun had taught Remy English literature before becoming principal of the school. She could be stern when required, but she was as kind as she was strict. Her life and her career had been devoted to education, but she might have been equally as successful as a psychologist. Or a detective. With unsettling perception, she peered deeply into Remy's eyes.

"I still think of you often, Remy. And when I do, I pray for you."

"Thank you, sister."

"Sometimes I question ..." She let the thought trail off without vocalizing it, saying instead, "I love all the young ladies God places in my charge. But I'm human. Every now and then one comes along who touches my heart in a special way. You can't be surprised to know that you were one of those select few, Remy. I doubt I hid my partiality from anyone, especially you."

"I sensed your love, yes. I'm still grateful for the attention you gave me when I needed it most."

"I wanted very much for you to be happy. I would hate to think that your life hasn't been all that you hoped it would be."

"If I seem a little out of sorts today it's because I'm upset by Flarra's latest stunt."

Sister Beatrice studied her face a moment longer, then patted her arm before releasing it."Don't worry too much about Flarra. Your sister is a delightful girl. A bit more headstrong and impulsive than you."

"Or simply more courageous." "Perhaps," the nun said with a small laugh."You came to us much later than she did. You had seen more of the world."

"What I had seen of it didn't hold much allure for me."

Sister Beatrice smiled sympathetically."Flarra regards that lack of exposure a curse, not a blessing. Her problem isn't disobedience so much as curiosity. She feels constrained." After a slight hesitation, she added, "As much as I'd hate losing her, it might be time for you to consider moving her into another school, where she'll have interaction with other young people and get a better feel for what the world is like."

"I'll think about it."

Sister Beatrice withdrew slowly, gracefully, and silently, except for the whispering of her habit and the clacking of her rosary beads.

In contrast, Flarra flounced in and slammed the door closed. Her expression mutinous, she threw herself into the chair facing Remy's and glared hard at her older sister."Well? Are they kicking me out? I hope."

"No such luck for you."

Flarra's resentment lasted only another few seconds before her hauteur collapsed and her eyes filled with tears."Remy, I can't stand it in here any longer!"

"Is that why you and three of your friends sneaked out?"

"We didn't get very far."

A policeman had seen the girls, recognized them as too young to be out walking past midnight, picked them up in his patrol car, and returned them to the school.

"Where were you off to?" Remy asked.

"The French Quarter."

"At that time of night? Don't you see what an irresponsible and crazy thing that was to do, Flarra? The Quarter isn't safe."

"I wouldn't know. I never get to go."

"Pinkie and I take you there all the time. You've eaten in the finest restaurants, shopped in the best boutiques."

"With you and Pinkie. Big deal. It's not the same as going with a group of friends."

Remy conceded that her sister had a point, and her tone softened.

"No, I'm sure it's not."

Noticing the change in her sister, Flarra looked across at her.

"Did you ever sneak out?"

"Once," Remy admitted with a mischievous smile."Two of us. But we didn't get caught. We sneaked back in before we were discovered missing."

"If you confessed to Sister Be today, she'd probably make you do penance."

"Probably." Remy laughed."Actually I wasn't so scared of her finding out as I was that Pinkie would hear of it."

"How old were you?"

"Seventeen. Thereabouts."