Free Falling Stars by V. C. Andrews Page B

Wagner at the
Met?'
"Why not do both?" Mr. Marlowe interjected. "Of course we will," Madame Senetsky said.
She turned to us again, "Ms. Fairchild will discuss
your first weekend with you tomorrow," she told us.
"We have arranged for you to visit MOMA." "Visit who?" I blurted. I think it was the wine
going to my head that gave me the courage or
unfastened my tongue from the roof of my mouth. "The Museum of Modem Art." Howard quickly
explained in a stage whisper.
"Oh." I felt the heat in my face. Did they all
think I was a country bumpkin? "Sorry."
"Yes, and that night you will all attend an offBroadway production of modern dance," Madame
Senetsky continued, not pausing for a beat. "Sunday
afternoon, there is a lecture on Renaissance theater at
the New York Public Library. All of your
transportation will be arranged.'"
"You're pretty lucky kids," Cameron Demetrius
said.
"Let's hope they appreciate it." Mr. Berman
added.
"Oh, they will," Madame Senetsky said. She
seemed to be looking more at me than the others. 'If
not tomorrow, then the day after."
She then announced that we were excused.
Howard rose first and thanked her and our teachers.
They stood to say good night. I couldn't help but
notice how Edmond Senetsky held Rose's hand a little
longer than he held Cinnamon's. Ice's, or mine, and
how his eyes fixed on her face as well. Howard smiled
slyly at me, and then we all left the room and headed
for the stairway.
"That was fantastic," Howard began before we
were too far. "It was like being on public television or something. Can you realize and appreciate who our
teachers have met, worked with, known?"
"Do you think Mr. Bergman might have known
Mozart?" Steven joked.
"Don't be an idiot. You better not fool around
with Bergman or you'll be out on your Mozart ear."
Howard warned him.
Steven shrugged,
"Daddy will find m e somewhere else before I'm
in the taxi cab," he replied.
I could see how his nonchalance infuriated
Howard Rockwell.
He pounded up the stairway ahead of us. At the
top he turned, a wry smile on his face.
"Anyone notice how much flirting Edmond
Senetsky did with Rose here?"
"Stuff it. Howard," Cinnamon snapped. He laughed.
"Good night, girls. I'm getting some rest for the
big first day." He walked off.
Steven looked after him and then shrugged. "I've got some calls to make. See you in the
morning," he said. "Remember, don't disappoint!" he
warned with a silly smile and followed Howard. Rose looked upset.
"Don't let Howard get to you," Cinnamon told
her. "Was he right?"
"No," I said quickly.
Once again, they followed me into my room. "Close the door." Cinnamon told Ice, and she
did so.
Cinnamon then sat on the floor in front of my
bed and leaned against it.
"I thought Mr. Marlowe was very goodlooking. but Mr. Bergman looked like he was
suffering from hemorrhoids,'" she added, and
everyone laughed. "Sorry for you and Steven. Honey,
He looks tough."
I sat beside her and sprawled. Rose followed,
and then Ice sat in front of us.
"Honey's not the only one who should worry.
Mr. Littleton is not going to like my singing voice. I
don't sing opera," she moaned. "My daddy brought me
up on jazz."
"That won't matter. Ice." Rose said. "It's like
training with a long-distance runner even though
you're going to specialize in the sprint."
"That's a very clever way to put it," Cinnamon
said. nodding. "Were you a good student?"
"I was on the honor roll a few times, but my
family moved often and I attended too many schools." "Why?" I asked.
She looked like she wasn't going to answer, and
then said. "My father was trying to avoid
responsibilities."
"You mean with his other child and the other
woman?" Cinnamon asked.
"yes, and he was just a man who got bored
easily. The longest we were anywhere I can remember
was nearly two years."
"That didn't give you much of a chance to make
really good friends or boyfriends, did it?" Cinnamon
asked.
"No, but as I told you. I have a boyfriend
attending NYU. When my mother and I moved after
my