Her sweet face nearly exploded with delight as she said, "Are you sure you want to? You really don't have to do that, Mrs. Evans."

"Definitely. I never get to shop for Jamie anymore, and I really do love it."

"Okay," she said with a giddy laugh.

Catherine decided to take her to Nordstrom's, since she didn't want to overwhelm her with her normal elegant boutiques. She shied away from the area that catered to Jennie's ago group, and took her to the area for young professionals. A friendly young woman came over and asked, "Can I help you today?"

"Yes," Catherine said. "This young woman is interviewing with some exclusive prep schools in the area, and she wants to make sure she fits in."

"You've come to the right place," the clerk replied with a smile as she led Jennie to the attractively displayed racks of merchandise.

An hour later Jennie emerged from the dressing room looking absolutely fabulous, if not a little stunned. She wore an elegant, stylish navy blue double-breasted blazer, a short sleeved white cashmere sh.e.l.l and a pair of slate gray pleated slacks held up by a thin black leather belt. Thin black trouser socks and highly polished black leather flats completed the ensemble that gave every indication that this was a young woman from old money, who was recovering from some sort of injury that had regrettably required her head to be shaved. Catherine wished once again that the interview could take place in a week or so since Jennie's brush cut was nearly at the point of lying down, but even her unconventional haircut did not detract from how lovely she looked. "I just knew there was a beautiful young woman hiding under those baggy clothes," Catherine teased her.

"I don't know what to say, Mrs. Evans..." she began.

But Catherine placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, "Do you like the clothes?"

"Yes!" she cried.

"That's all that matters," she said firmly. Looking up at the sales clerk she advised, "We'll take these, and I want to add the long-sleeved gray turtleneck sweater in the same shade as the slacks."

"Great, would you like hangers or boxes?"

"Jennie, would you like your things on hangers?"

"Can't I wear them?" she asked tentatively.

Yes! Catherine cried internally. But she smiled sweetly and said, "You can if you want to, dear. They're your clothes."

After lunch in the store's cafe, they headed over to the school. "I've never been over here, except to go to Ryan's," Jennie commented.

"To PacificHeights, dear?"

"No, to San Francisco," she said hesitantly.

My G.o.d! This child lives three minutes from one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and she's never been here! "Maybe we'll have to remedy that," Catherine said as she smiled at her.

When they arrived, one of the younger teachers was enlisted to take them on a thorough tour of the facility. The school was not at all large, and was mostly contained in one building, a former mansion that had been beautifully converted to cla.s.sroom s.p.a.ce. The high tuition, and "A list" of alumnae worked to provide top quality facilities. Catherine thought she would have to carry her young friend when she spied the beautifully equipped art studio. Jennie reverently moved about the room as she lightly touched the potter's wheels, mounds of modeling clay, tubes of oils and watercolors, stacks of canva.s.ses and piles of sketchbooks. Their tour guide made eye contact with Catherine, and they both smiled at the patently ecstatic look on Jennie's face.

As luck would have it, they were able to observe a music lesson being conducted in the large music studio. Several girls were playing electric keyboards while they wore headphones so they could hear only themselves. Tiny soundproof booths surrounded the large s.p.a.ce, and each room held a student playing a woodwind. The instructor sat at a console outside of the rooms and listened to each girl in turn. She could speak to them, and they could reply, but other than her soft voice, the s.p.a.ce was absolutely quiet.

As they walked back to the office, Catherine pulled Jennie over to the large trophy case near the front entrance. "Someone you know is mentioned a few times on these trophies," she informed her, having been clued in by Jamie.

Jennie looked at the trophies, her smile growing wider by the minute. She looked up at Catherine with near adoration in her blue eyes and gushed, "She's really something, isn't she, Mrs. Evans?"

"She is indeed," the older woman agreed wholeheartedly.

Just before they entered the office to meet Sister Mary Magdalene, Jennie asked if she could use the rest room. When she emerged, every hoop and stud was removed from every obvious piercing. I think she likes it here, Catherine mused with a smirk.

The interview went well to Catherine's experienced ear, and when it was over Sister suggested that Jennie go back down to the art studio and observe the cla.s.s that was being conducted. "I'll come fetch you in a few minutes," Catherine a.s.sured her.

As soon as they were alone, Sister Mary Magdalene smiled at Catherine and said, "Ryan was right. She seems like a very sweet girl, but I just don't see her fitting in here."

"Why not?" Catherine asked calmly.

"Despite her outward demeanor, she has had some serious behavior problems, Mrs. Evans. Her grades have not been good, and she's basically learned nothing so far this year. She would be seriously behind the other freshmen, and I doubt that she could keep up without substantial outside help."

"What type of help?"

"She would need a private tutor at the very least. And even though she's beautifully dressed, I think it's obvious that she's from very humble circ.u.mstances."

"Your point being?"

"We couldn't afford to provide tutoring for her, Mrs. Evans. I don't know how her family can afford tuition, but I can't imagine they could afford a private tutor also."

"Money need not enter into this discussion, Sister. Jennie will have everything she needs."

"But it's unfair to allow her to enter when her grades are so suspect. She'll be taking the place of a girl who would be more deserving academically."

"Others might be more deserving academically, Sister, but I guarantee no other girl would benefit more from this experience. Isn't it worth the risk to have a hand in actually saving this child's life?"

Sister blinked slowly. "Do you honestly think she's in that much danger?"

"She was in terrible danger just a few weeks ago, Sister. But Ryan has made a commitment to protect her, and she will do that - one way or another. Jennie seems to like it here, and I think the structure would be very good for her. She's far too worldly about some aspects of life, but incredibly naive about others. I think this atmosphere will allow her to regain her innocence."

"I would need to be a.s.sured that she will receive all of the outside help she needs, including psychotherapy if necessary," she said as Catherine felt her begin to cave in.

"She will have it. I will personally see to it," she said firmly.

Sister nodded her head, and closed her eyes for a moment. Looking up, she tilted her head a little and asked, "What led you to become involved with Jennie, Mrs. Evans?"

"Ryan introduced us. And if Ryan believes in her, that's good enough for me."

"And what is your relationship with Ryan, if I may ask?"

"She's my daughter-in-law," Catherine said with a smile.

Sister's eyes nearly popped from her head at that response, then her smile returned as recognition dawned, and she said, "I met your daughter this summer. She seems like a fine young woman."

"She is," Catherine said proudly, "and I believe Jennie can also become a fine young woman, with just a little help." She stood and fixed her gaze on the older woman as she asked, "What shall I tell her?"

"If she wants to attend, she may start on January the tenth," Sister replied firmly.

Catherine looked at her as her face curled into a smile. "I noticed that the lighting in the art studio is not very good quality."

"No, regrettably that's been a luxury we haven't been able to afford. The florescent lights leave quite a bit to be desired."

"How long are you closed for winter holiday?"

"Two weeks, why?"

"That should be just long enough to have professional quality studio lighting installed. Do you mind if I have my electrician contact you regarding your plans?"

"N... N... No, of course not, Mrs. Evans. That would be wonderful!"

"His name is Kevin Driscoll, Sister. I'll have him call you on Monday."

As she arrived back at the art studio, Catherine peeked in and saw Jennie sitting on a stool, absently fingering a pile of gray modeling clay. Her eyes were so fixed on the instructor that she didn't see or hear Catherine when she came up behind her. "Ready?" she asked quietly.

She started, but smiled back at Catherine and joined her in the hall.

"Do you have plans for January the tenth?" Catherine asked lightly.

"No, not that I know about."

"How would you like to start school here on that day?" she asked.

Jennie stopped dead in her tracks and stared at Catherine with her mouth gaping open. "Really? Really?" she cried with a huge grin.

"If your mother gives her permission, Sister would love to have you," she replied.

"Mrs. Evans I'd give anything to come here," she said with wide eyes. "It's the coolest place I've ever been! But I don't think my mom will let me," she said as her face fell. "I talked to her on the weekend, and told her that Ryan was going to try to help me go to a better school." She looked embarra.s.sed as she said, "She told me that it didn't matter what kind of education I had. She says all that's important is that I'm going to h.e.l.l if I don't stop being gay." Her watery blue eyes looked up at the older woman as she asked, "Do you think that's true, Mrs. Evans? Do you think that about Jamie?"

Catherine draped an arm around her small shoulders and said, "I don't believe the same things your mother does, Jennie. I believe in a G.o.d who loves everything that he created. I think he did a very good job when he created you," she said softly as she brushed her hand along the side of Jennie's face. "If your mother does give her permission, would you mind coming this far to school?"

"How would I get here?" her ever-practical mind asked.

"Don't worry about that, Jennie. I just want to know if you want to come here."

"Yes, I do," she said decisively. "I... I don't think I'm ever going to be able to go home, Mrs. Evans, so I won't be able to go to my old school."

"Do you want to go home, Jennie?"

Her head nodded briefly. "I miss my mom," she said softly. "But us living together is gonna get me killed," she added as a tear slipped down her cheek.

"Not a chance, Jennie," she a.s.sured her as she gave her a hug. "You have some very powerful protectors in your corner now."

PART 5.

AS SOON AS she dropped Jennie off, Catherine drove to Jamie's to apprise her of the events of the afternoon. Luckily, Jamie had come home before her last cla.s.s, but she was on her way out when Catherine pulled up. "Mom, I've got to go," she said regretfully.

"That's all right, dear. I have quite a few phone calls to make. Do you mind if I make them from here?"

"No, not at all. I'll be home by 6:15. Do you want to stay that late? If you do, we could have dinner."

"I'll take you out to dinner, honey. Maybe Mia will join us. I haven't spent any time with her in an age."

"She usually has a date, but if you see her, ask her, okay?"

"I thought her boyfriend went to U.C.L.A," Catherine commented.

"Long story," she said as she kissed her mother goodbye, "but he's history."

Catherine went into the kitchen to make her calls from the kitchen table so she could make notes while she talked.

After calls to Kevin about the electrical work, a friend whose husband ran the department in City Hall that approved building permits, her lighting designer, and Ryan, she was absolutely talked out. It was just after six when she heard the front door open, but instead of Jamie's voice, she heard Mia giggling as she ran across the parlor. "No!" she screamed. "Stop it! Stop it!" It sounded as if she was running away from someone, but her voice was giddy and playful, so Catherine didn't worry. "At least let me get a soda before you ravage me!" she cried.

Oh, Lord! I think I'd better announce my presence before we're all embarra.s.sed. But just as she started to speak, Mia came sliding across the kitchen floor followed by a wildly grinning Jordan. Catherine was shocked into silence as Jordan backed her prey up against the sink, and started to kiss her pa.s.sionately as she ground her hips against her. Mia threw her arms around the strong neck and returned her heated kisses as a low moan escaped her. "I guess I don't really need a soda," she murmured s.e.xily as she tried to catch her breath. Her shrieks resumed as Jordan picked her up, and tossed her over her shoulder to start to make her way back to the parlor. Mia's head was facing away from the kitchen table now, and since Jordan was so focused on her captive, she didn't notice Catherine, either. As they made their way up the stairs, Catherine mused, Well, that makes a long story short. Mia's old boyfriend is obviously history!

Ryan lined up with the other players waiting to board the bus to Fresno on Friday afternoon. Since most of the players' legs were too long to fit into a bus seat in the traditional fashion, most of them took a seat alone and sat sideways. Ryan was one of the last to board, and as she pa.s.sed row after row of solitary women she thought, Good thing I brought my laptop with me. She nodded to Janae, but the large woman would never be able to share a seat - even if she wanted to, so Ryan kept going until she found a vacant one. The trip was expected to take about four and a half hours; she knew they could shave an hour off if they flew, but the athletic department tried to cut corners wherever possible, and bus trips were one way to do so.

Since she was blessed with the ability to be able to concentrate fully for long time periods, she hardly noticed the pa.s.sing hours. A gentle hand on her shoulder caused her to look up with a start into the eyes of Lynette Dix. "Do you want to sleep on the bus?" she asked with a smile.

"We're here?" Ryan asked in amazement. "I had no idea."

"Studying for your test?" Lynette asked, as she craned her neck to get a look at the laptop.

"Yeah," she smiled. "I'm not sure how much help it is at this point, but it keeps my mind occupied and makes the trip go faster."

"Well you'd better get moving or they won't save a room for you."

"Don't we have a.s.signments?"

"Nope. First come, first served."

"Oh, there you are," Sh.e.l.ly, the student manager said when she spotted Ryan in the lobby. "I guess it pays to be last. You get the single," she informed her as she held out the key. Before Ryan's hand reached hers, Janet Vidal, the senior point guard, and one of the pair that seemed most antagonistic to Ryan, grasped Sh.e.l.ly by the arm and hissed, "May I speak with you, in private?"

The look on her face did not indicate flexibility, so Sh.e.l.ly withdrew her arm and allowed Janet to lead her a few feet away. Ryan cooled her heels while the discussion continued, but she could not help overhearing words like 'newcomer', 'paying her dues', and 'playing favorites' coming from Janet's mouth. Ryan felt bad for Sh.e.l.ly, but she decided to let them work it out however they saw fit. A few minutes later, the red-faced manager approached Ryan tentatively and opened her mouth to speak, but Ryan graciously cut her off. "I don't care where I sleep, or how many people I share a room with. I could actually be okay on the bus," she said with a smile.

Her face relaxed into a grateful smile as she whispered, "Thank you, Ryan. They're just not paying me enough to take this c.r.a.p."

"They don't pay you at all, do they?"

"Not a dime," she admitted with another grin. "Be right back with your key."

She walked over to Janet and handed her the key to the single and accepted the previously allotted key in return. As she started back towards Ryan, Janet's friend and starting forward, Wendy Dakin, grabbed her and pulled her back next to Janet. Wendy was much more animated than Janet had been, and it quickly became obvious that she was incensed - not only at being dumped by Janet, but also at the thought of sharing with Ryan. Her face was clouded with anger, and she had the temerity to actually point at Ryan several times. Once again, Ryan tried to let Sh.e.l.ly do her job, but when she heard Wendy spit out the word "lesbian", she decided that she'd had enough.

She marched over to the front desk and quickly secured an available room for herself. Strolling back over to Sh.e.l.ly, she dangled her key and said, "I got my own room, Sh.e.l.ly."

The team manager looked like she wanted to kiss her, but her professional ethics rea.s.serted themselves immediately as she said, "That's not necessary, Ryan. I can work this out."

"I'm sure you can, Sh.e.l.ly. I'll just feel more comfortable if I don't have to worry about my ostensibly straight roommate 'accidentally' climbing into bed with me. I've always found that the people who act like they hate it the most are dying to try it." She gave both Wendy and Janet a big smile as she turned on her heel and strode off in her supremely confident style. An even wider grin graced her face when she heard the sputtering women unsuccessfully trying to form their outrage into words.

The next afternoon Cal and FresnoState were knotted at 60 points when Wendy was called for her fourth foul. Ryan was itching to get out there and help, but with eight minutes left, she had not yet been called on. She knew they should be beating FresnoState by 20 points, and having no opportunity to contribute was about to drive her wild. She had been staring a hole in the back of Coach Hayes' head as the coach paced in front of the bench, but she knew it wouldn't do any good. As a matter of fact, it seemed that the more she indicated her eagerness to play, the less she was called on. As the coach turned around, she forced herself to look bored and, to her amazement, the woman knelt down in front of her and said, "We need offense, Ryan. I know that defense is your specialty, but they've been double-teaming Drzislava all afternoon. Do you think you can knock down some jumpers?"

"I'll do my best," she said as she ripped off her warm ups. She ran over to the scorer's table and announced herself, indicating that she was to replace Wendy. It was the practice to take a towel with you and hand it off to the person you replaced, as a token of appreciation for their contribution. But when the whistle blew and Ryan pointed at Wendy, she watched in amazement as the player deliberately cut across the court to avoid Ryan's outstretched hand. She was forced to dash back to the sideline to deposit the towel she had carried, but as she ran back to her position, she thought determinedly, Wendy, you've just dissed the wrong woman !

Her intense focus and well-contained rage allowed Ryan to put on a show that amazed everyone - herself included. The first time she touched the ball, she dropped back and canned a trey, grinning and pointing at Franny Sumitomo who had fed her. As Fres...o...b..ought the ball down court, she easily stripped it, and was waiting under the basket to bank it in when Franny fed her again. During the next seven minutes, the double team switched from Drzislava to Ryan; but even with two defenders on her, she readily head faked both of them out of their shoes for one bucket after another. She noticed that Janet did not throw the ball her way once in the entire seven minutes, but every other player focused on her exclusively. At the end of the game, she had racked up 16 points, and was the high scorer of the afternoon. In a somewhat surprising display of unity, every player except Janet and Wendy congratulated her enthusiastically as they made their way to the visitors' locker room. Janae draped her ma.s.sive arm around her shoulders and said, "I've never seen a performance like that. Especially when the point guard won't throw you the d.a.m.n ball!"