The Summer of Sunshine and Margot(82)

Bianca winked. “Next time, darling. Next time.” She set down her glass and looked at Sunshine. “Now I want to know all about you. I recall from our dinner that you’re a nanny and you’ve gone back to college. Is that right?”

Sunshine looked a little surprised Bianca had remembered so much. “That’s right.”

“Curious. Because with your looks and body, you could take a much easier road in life.”

“I’ve tried going that way. It never works out. I think I’m better off trusting hard work and my better instincts than letting it all ride on my boobs.”

“That is the correct moral choice, I’m sure. What are you studying?”

“I haven’t fully decided. Early childhood development or child psychology. Right now I’m taking my general education classes.”

Bianca looked at Margot. “You should go into business with her.”

Margot opened her mouth, then closed it, mostly because she had no idea what to say to that. “I’d love to work with Sunshine,” she finally offered, then realized it was true. Working with her sister would be great fun, but doing what?

“Margot has a degree in hotel management,” Sunshine said quickly. “I want to work with children. Besides, we’re at different stages of our careers. I’m barely getting started. College is a lot harder than I thought it would be.”

“Pish posh.” Bianca finished her glass of champagne and held it out for more. “You have street skills, my love. That’s worth five degrees.” She touched Sunshine’s hand. “Margot has told me a little about what it was like growing up with your great-grandmother. Margot had the looks and body to earn the crown, but you’re the one who wanted it, weren’t you?”

Sunshine looked at Margot as if to say, You’re right—she is scary insightful, then smiled at Bianca.

“I did. Obviously that was never going to happen. Now a job at Hooters was certainly an option.”

Bianca glanced between them. “You had difficult childhoods. Believe me, I know all about that. You either build character or you’re crushed. Neither of you were crushed. Yes, you should be working together. Maybe a nonprofit. Something with young girls in unfortunate circumstances. Oh, I could be your seed money and your front person. I can still draw a crowd.”

“That is a suggestion, isn’t it?” Margot reached for her champagne, thinking she was so glad they’d Ubered to the restaurant because she was definitely having a second glass.

“Dismiss me all you want,” Bianca told her. “But one day you’ll figure out I’m right. In the meantime, let’s change the subject. Sunshine, did you know your sister is sleeping with my son? They make a charming couple and they’re very careful to make sure I never walk in on them doing the deed.”

Sunshine did her best not to laugh. “Margot has always been thoughtful that way.”

Margot looked around and wondered if it was too late to go directly for the hard liquor or if she should trust the champagne to get her drunk enough that she would completely forget this lunch had ever happened.

  Sunshine signed in at the math lab and took a seat to wait. She was careful not to look at anyone, afraid they would be able to see her shame. Despite the hours of study, despite trying desperately to understand the material, she’d gotten another C minus on a test. Not even just a C. She honestly didn’t think she could work any harder. It was just one class and she was already studying over fifteen hours a week, not counting class. At this rate, she could never take more than one class a semester and she would be close to retirement age by the time she finally graduated—probably with a C minus average.

Tears burned, but she blinked them away. She wasn’t going to cry—not here. She would wait until she got home.

To think, just a couple of days ago, she’d been feeling so good about herself. She’d thought she’d done okay on the test, she’d had a fun lunch with Margot and Bianca, she liked her job. Everything had been on track and now this.

A few minutes later Sunshine heard her name called. She stood and walked toward a gray-haired woman wearing jeans and an “I’m with the Band” T-shirt.

“I’m Ann Lambert,” the woman said. “You’re having trouble with your math class?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Just checking. You’d be amazed how many history students we get in here. I don’t know what part of ‘math lab’ is confusing, but you would be shocked by the number.”

Ann led her into a small office with a desk and two chairs, where they sat next to each other.

“Show me what you’re working on,” Ann said.

Sunshine opened her backpack and her test fell out. When she saw the large C minus in bright red, tears filled her eyes.

“I just don’t get it,” she said, feeling her frustration welling up along with the tears. “I’m studying so much and I’m not making any progress. I never applied myself before. I didn’t go to college, and in high school I didn’t care. I just assumed I was smart, but maybe I’m not. I should accept I can’t do it.”

Ann opened a desk drawer and pulled out a box of tissues. She waited until Sunshine took one to say, “If you’re here for help with your math class, then great. If you’re here because you expect me to feel sorry for you, then get out. We need the space for someone who actually plans to get through their class.”