Free Getting the Boot by Peggy Guthart Strauss Page B

Wainwright is a friend of my family. Since you were wait-listed at S.A.S.S., he was probably reluctant to accept you into the Programma at all. We’ve only been here a few weeks, and already you’ve hooked up with the class slacker, gone out of your way to learn absolutely nothing, and showed up at the Vatican in freaking hot pants! Every immature, irresponsible thing you do is a bad reflection on me.”
    Kelly was her father’s daughter. How would a lawyer argue this case? She paused to compose herself. “First of all, they’re not hot pants. They’re cargo shorts. Second, I’m my own person; I certainly don’t think anyone is confusing me with you. And you know, you might have warned me about the clothing thing.”
    â€œAnd when would I have done that?” Sheela’s voice was really rising now. “After dinner, when you ran off to party with Joe? When you came stomping into the bedroom at four A.M., giggling? Or perhaps this morning, when you slept through not only my alarm, but yours, too. Both times it went off. So typical of you to think that what happened today is anybody’s fault but your own.”
    Kelly sank deeper into the couch. Perhaps the best defense wasn’t a good offense, after all. She had never seen Sheela so furious. Even if she didn’t rat her out to Dr. Wainwright, Sheela could do even more damage by telling Kelly’s parents.
    â€œI’m sick of this, Kelly. I’m sick of feeling embarrassed for you, and I’m so sick of making excuses for your crappy behavior. This is exactly what I was afraid would happen if you came here.”
    With much effort, Sheela hiked her bag back over her shoulder and walked to the door. “I didn’t travel four thousand miles to watch you screw up and ruin everybody else’s summer. Do me a favor—from now on, whatever you choose to do, do it without me.”
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    Kelly stared at the computer screen for the longest time, her eyes prickling with tears. She was getting nowhere with her homework. She was dying for a BLT, a Fluffernutter, or anything that wasn’t pasta and didn’t have olive oil in it. She was starting to fantasize about finding a little pensione somewhere, with fluffy pillows like she had at home and lots and lots of extra-icy air-conditioning.
    She had thought that catching up to the group would make everything okay, but Sheela was so pissed anyway that Kelly might as well have blown off the trip entirely and gone shopping. Worst of all, while she was sitting in the bathtub that morning trying to shave her legs, she had overheard two girls, whose voices she didn’t recognize, talking about her.
    â€œShe completely embarrassed herself yesterday. Minnie says she’s a total brat—she acts all superior, and keeps borrowing their stuff all the time without asking. And don’t even get me started on her fling with that loser Joe—I don’t know what that girl is thinking.”
    â€œShe’s not thinking, obviously. And poor Sheela. They know each other from home or something—I guess that’s why she feels like she has to apologize for Kelly all the time.”
    For the second time in as many days, Kelly felt utterly humiliated. She put down her razor—she was too upset to maneuver it safely—and sat in the tub until she was certain the girls had left. Then she got dressed and went down to Joe’s room. But instead of being sympathetic, he almost ruptured himself laughing.
    â€œI’m sorry, babe, but it was so freakin’ funny yesterday—you should have seen the look on your face. I can’t believe you blew off the reading assignment—it was only like two pages long.” Joe playfully ran a finger down her cheek. “If only I had been in your room to help you get dressed, this never would have happened.”
    Kelly swatted his hand away. “It’s not funny, Joe! I made a deal with my