“That’s right. Sure did.”
“We’re handing out Greek Day T-shirts to all the rushees. My shift starts in ten minutes.”
“Have fun, baby.”
“I will,” she hollers back, before dashing out the front door. Gamma Chis, the term Ole Miss uses for Greek Counselors, play an important role duringRush. Once the rushees get divided into groups, the Gamma Chis escort them to all the Rush parties and give advice, even comfort the girls if they happen to be cut.
Seeing Sarah gets me wondering about her parents’ divorce. And what it feels like to be in her situation. Trying to hold it together when she’s supposed to be enjoying the best years of her life. Sarah is kind and good, exactly the type of girl I would want my daughter to be like, and yet she’s dealing with terrible heartache. Heartache she didn’t bring upon herself and certainly never asked for. It makes me wonder about Autumn’s parents. Are they still together? Do they love each other? I gave my baby that name close to ten years ago. She was born the first day of autumn, and I, well, I suppose I just needed to name her.
After putting the last box of glasses in the kitchen I head to my closet for window cleaner and a roll of paper towels. Then I head over to the composites on the ground floor. I always start on the one closest to the foyer. Two thousand fifteen. With each swipe I focus on one picture of one girl, think about what she meant to me, then move on to another. Twenty-five years of knowing and missing these girls often brings a tear to my eye. Some of them, well, many of them, come back to see me when they’re in town. But there’s plenty I’ve lost contact with completely. Occasionally, I wipe the face of one who never wanted to know me. But that’s life. I don’t let it get me down.
I’m so lost in thought I don’t notice Mama Carla’s head poking out of her apartment door. Before God, it looks like there is no body attached to that little blond head.“Aaahhhh!”I scream, like I’ve just seen a spirit in a graveyard, and throw my rag way up in the air. My heart jumps into overdrive and beats so fast I have to lean against the wall to get ahold of myself. “Mama Carla! You liked to scared me to death.” Before long I get to laughing so hard I can hardly catch my breath.
“Pearl. When you’re done, may I have a word with you, please?”
Her reaction takes me by surprise. Normally she would have laughed along with me. I have never heard her use such language. Or that tone. It’s as sharp as one of Fee’s kitchen knives. This morning, before her nap, she was joking with me. Seemed to be in a great mood. What in the world has changed?
“Of course. Let me finish this composite. Be there in a minute.”
After I’m done, I lay my supplies down on the floor in front of the nextpicture and rap on her door, even though it’s standing wide open. She’s rifling through papers lying on the table next to her and looks up when she hears me.
“Come on in. I’m looking for an EOB I got in the mail the other day. I can’t seem to find it.”
“EOB?”
“Explanation of Benefits. From the insurance company?” She looks confused, like I should know what she’s talking about, then taps her forehead. “Of course you don’t know. It’s a statement the insurance company sends out after a doctor’s appointment. It gives your portion of the bill.”
I smile at her. Not her fault the rest of us don’t have health insurance.
“Pearl, I want you to be the first to know something. Sit down, why don’t you.” She points to the empty chair. Her tone has changed. And it frightens me.
I take a seat, feel the hair on the back of my neck rise.
“It’s terrible timing with Rush this week, but I suppose there’s never a good time for sad news.”
My heart stops. The medical bill she had in her hand. Her tone of voice. “Please don’t tell me you have cancer.”
“No, no no. It’s not anything that bad, thank the Lord.” She swallows and chooses her words carefully. “I may as well just say it. I’ve decided to leave the Alpha Delt House.”
I’m not completely shocked by this news. She had mentioned she might not be able to keep doing her job if things with Patrice got worse, but the reality of her leaving is flooding my heart with all kinds of emotions. Not only will I miss her terribly, but the mere thought of the transition is horrid.
The House Director we had before Mama Carla was nothing to get excited about. It’s not that she was unlikable, just boring—no personality. Nothing like Mama Carla. And the one before her—now,shewas a living nightmare. Some of my friends who work at other Houses have told me more heinous House Director stories, and as much time as I spend engaging with the House Director, this gives me reason to sink down further into the chair. “I bet you’re fixin’ to tell me you’re moving down to Ocean Springs.”
Her bashful smile lets me know I’m right. “In the house with Patrice and the kids. She’s overwhelmed, Pearl. Sad all the time, and my grandchildrenare acting out. Looks like they’ve got a messy divorce and custody battle ahead. I don’t want her losing them because she’s a stressed-out wreck. I’m afraid she needs me there a lot more than y’all need me here.”
I can feel my body shrinking. And my heart squeezing shut. “When are you leaving, Mama Carla?”
“As soon as the board can find a replacement. I wish I could stay till the end of the year, but I’m afraid that’s not possible. I’m hoping to leave by Thanksgiving.”
“That soon?”
She lets out a sigh. “I suppose I could stay a little longer if it takes awhile to find the right person, but as soon as possible.”
I have no words.
“Do me a favor and keep this to yourself. I’ll tell the rest of the staff after I’ve let Lilith Whitmore know.”
“Of course,” I force myself to say, but all I can think about is whom they might get to replace Mama Carla, and with Miss Lilith at the helm it will certainly not be me. The thought of that leaves me with only one option. “If you’re leaving then I’m leaving, too.”
