“Thanks, Mommy,” she whispers back. “You’re pretty incredible yourself.”
None of us are paying attention to what the Whitmores are doing. Nor do we care. We’re having an impenetrable family moment. Finally Haynes touches me on the shoulder and says, “Let’s go, honey. The girls have a lot of unpacking to do.”
Ellie and I peel away from each other, but I can’t take my eyes off her.
From somewhere else in the room I hear Gage say, “We won’t be far behind you.”
Lilith taps me on the arm. “Before you go, I have something to talk to you about.” She turns. “Hang on, Haynes. This won’t take but a minute.” Shemotions me out the door, and I follow her down the hall, away from the hustle. I suspect this must have something to do with the safe, or Rhonda Taylor, or perhaps she wants to get together for lunch.
“You know I’m House Corp President now, right?” Lilith says after stopping a few rooms down.
House Corp President means she’s head of all sorority relations and represents Alpha Delt to the University. She makes all the operational House decisions and manages the housemother, all on a volunteer basis. I don’t know much more about it, nor do I care. It sounds like a ton of work to me.
“No, I didn’t. Congratulations?” This is meant to be a question. Like I said, it sounds like a full-time job. With no compensation.
She clasps both hands to her chest. “Yes, thank you. I’m thrilled. I was a Rush Advisor last year, but I wanted to be more involved. I’ve been needing something like this for years. Since I became a sustainer in the League.”
With my head tilted curiously I ask, “The Junior League has a chapter in Natchez?” Jackson is the only town in Mississippi with a chapter—at least that’s what I’d been told.
“I affiliated in Jackson. And I’m glad I did. I know so many Jackson people now.”
It takes two hours to get from Natchez to Jackson. That must have been quite a commitment,I think without commenting.
“I love my garden club, don’t get me wrong, it’s just”—she looks off, like she’s choosing her words—“frankly, I feel like this will keep me young. Plus I’ll have a bird’s-eye view into Annie Laurie–world for the next four years. That’s if she decides to pledge Alpha Delt, which, in my mind, is not up for discussion.”
Hearing her say Annie Laurie had to be an Alpha Delt takes me aback, but I don’t comment. “So you’ll be around the entire time she’s in school? I assumed House Corp President would only be a one-year position.”
“It’s for as long as I want the job, girlfriend. Not everyone wants a full-time job with a volunteer’s pay.” She snickers nervously.
I sure wouldn’t, but to each his own.
“Anyway. Back to what I wanted to talk with you about. I think you should be a Rush Advisor. Anne Marie Norton had to leave the board unexpectedly and we need someone to take her place.”
Hmm. I shrug, contemplating her offer. “What exactly would I be doing?”
“Acting as a mentor. Helping out with Recruitment.” Her hand cups the side of her mouth. “Spying,” she whispers conspiratorially. “You could know what Ellie’s doing without her knowing you know what she’s doing. Does that make sense?”
“Ahhh,” I say with a nod. Now it’s making perfect sense.
“Honestly. It’s a way to see her more often. Plus I really enjoyed my work as a Rush Advisor. I think you will, too. It’s fun.”
The thought of getting to see Ellie lessens the sadness I felt before we left the room. Maybe this is my answer. I’d never spy on her, never in a million years. But I’d certainly love to peek in on her every now and then. “Where do I sign up?”
Her eyes pop like she’s surprised by my answer, and then she grins impishly. “All you do is tell me you want to do it and that’s it. We had Recruitment meetings at the House every day last week. Even though it doesn’t start till October now, we did all the normal pre-Rush stuff. It’s not much different than when we were in school.”
“Learning about all the girls and deciding which ones are and aren’t ‘Alpha Delt Material’?” I say, with a chuckle. That’s the way we used to put it when we were in the sorority. Hearing my words makes me cringe to think how narrow-minded and snobby we once were. Maybe as Rush Advisor I can help with that.
“Exactly. We have one more meeting tomorrow. Why don’t you stay tonight?”
“Darn. I can’t. Haynes and I rode together. I wouldn’t have a way home.”
“Can’t you borrow Ellie’s car?”
“She didn’t bring one this semester, remember?”
Lilith’s top lip curls.
“Haynes is old-fashioned that way.”
