“Yes, you are—you’re the grandest all around sport in school—you and Betsy.”
While she was in a confidential mood she continued:
“Every one in Prep Hall is sorry you won’t be on our team. Betsy is sorriest of all. She keeps going around saying it was all her fault but she is going to make up to you for it. She is—please, cross your heart not to tell a soul. She wants to surprise—”
But before Mimi had time to promise, Sue dashed in to get her music, leave Mimi a candy bar and a letter from Jean. Before she left for her practice room, Chloe was home. She seemed quieter and more occupied with her own thoughts than usual.
So beautiful, Mimi was thinking as she watched Chloe stare out the window, so perfectly beautiful like a Magnolia or a lily or a tube rose; something that darkens and withers if you touch it. Chloe’s mother must have been beautiful, too—and what about her father? All the girls knew about Chloe’s family was that her allowance came from her Aunt Marcia. Bad as they wanted to know, they did not ask. Maybe her parents were divorced. Her mother must have been so beautiful that men might have kept on falling in love with her.
“Guess I’d better go,” Madge said putting the top back on the peanut butter jar. She had been eating and hoping Chloe would leave as Sue had but Chloe seemed settled for the afternoon. “Please, don’t mention anything I’ve told you.”
“Certainly not.”
Giving Mimi an impetuous hug she hurried out.
“Isn’t she queer?” Mimi said to Chloe.
“Kind of. Almost as queer as I am,” Chloe answered quietly.