enough for everyone around her to hear. “Someone like you could never be a nurse. That takes college, and you’re a foster kid.” She had flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder, and her clique of popular girls had added their own little snickers.
Thinking about the humiliation of that day, Teresa wished now she’d asked her to explain that comment. Did someone like her never have a chance at an education like Prissy Wilson had?
She tucked the diary back into the drawer, went down to check on Miss Janie, and found Sam and Kayla sitting beside Miss Janie’s bed.
“Good mornin’,” Sam said. “I stopped by and Kayla treated me to leftover breakfast. I’m goin’ to weigh two hunnerd pounds if you girls don’t stop feedin’ me. If I wasn’t so damned old and if I hadn’t promised Delia there’d never be another woman in my life, I’d ask Kayla to marry me.”
“Why Kayla and not me?” Teresa asked.
“I got my reasons, but they don’t matter none, since y’all are both too young for this old rooster. Kayla, are you goin’ to your class reunion?” Sam asked.
“I always go to the alumni dinner,” Miss Janie said. “But since my hip is hurting, I guess I won’t go this year.”
Teresa patted her arm. “Maybe next year you’ll be all healed and you can go then. This year we’ll send Kayla to it, and she can tell everyone that you said hello.”
Kayla shook her finger at both of them. “No, thank you. I didn’t fit in with that bunch of kids when I was in school, and I’m not going to go and let them put me down again.”
Miss Janie’s chin began to quiver. “You have to go or else no one will be there to tell them hello for me.”
Kayla cut her eyes toward Teresa. “Look what you caused.”
“I always go to the reunion, and the kids miss me if I don’t.” Tears welled up in Miss Janie’s eyes. “I’m glad I broke my legs in the summer, so I don’t miss the first day of school.”
Teresa wondered how many of the thousands who’d passed through the high school would remember the school secretary or even come to the funeral when she passed away.
“It’ll be good for you to go to the reunion,” Sam said. “Ten years changes a lot of people. Going might make you feel better about them, and about yourself. Besides, you need to bring home stories to tell Miss Janie.”
“All right then, I’ll go,” Kayla agreed.
“You will come back, won’t you? You promised you’d stay with me.” Miss Janie’s expression had gone from happy to weepy to frantic in a matter of minutes. No wonder she needed so many naps—that had to be exhausting.
“I’m not going anywhere today. We were talking about my class reunion. I’ll go, but I’ll only be gone for an hour or two.” Kayla reached through the hospital rails and held Miss Janie’s hand.
Teresa could loan Kayla a dress. She had a cute little sundress that she’d gotten at a thrift shop before the divorce last year, but she’d never had a chance to wear it herself. She grimaced at the idea of her foster sister getting to wear one of her few pretty things before she did.
Do it for Miss Janie’s sake, the voice in her head said loud and clear.
But I never got to wear it, Teresa argued. And she’s only been nice a few times in her life, so why should I let her have my best summer dress?
“We could go shopping for a dress. There’s a couple of thrift shops in Sulphur Springs.” Teresa was willing to compromise that much.
Kayla shook her head. “Hell no! What if I bought something that had belonged to one of the girls I graduated with? That would only give them more ammunition to throw at me.”
“I’ll loan you a pair of my overalls,” Sam chuckled. “You can fancy them up with fake diamonds on the pockets. Girl, you need to get comfortable in your skin and not give a damn what folks think. Prove ’em wrong by showin’ ’em who you are at heart.”
“Where’s Noah?” Miss Janie asked.
“Right here.” Noah came into the room and stood behind Sam’s chair.
“I want you to take Kayla shopping for a new dress for the reunion,” Miss Janie said. “I will pay for whatever she needs.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Noah said.
Everyone’s willingness to help—especially Sam’s words—pierced Teresa’s heart like a sharp dart. “I have a dress she can have.