Fic: Bones: In the Trenches, Part 21/30
Chapter 21: Making the Grade
Author: amilyn
Rating: PG-13 (themes, abuse)
Chapter 20
Chapter 21: Making the Grade
***
Temperance sat down in the cramped cubicle opposite the registration advisor. She held out her envelope.
The woman, who wore a neat suit and whose name plate read "Lorena Ochoa," paged through her application and transcripts.
Temperance read over the summer catalog for the tenth time.
"Well, Ms. Brennan, you're in the system and have been processed for summer coursework. What class would you like to take?" Ms. Ochoa made eye contact and held a pen at the ready.
Temperance shook her head. "Class? No, I've chosen four classes to take."
Ms. Ochoa pressed her lips together and shook her head. "This is your first time in a college setting, Ms. Brennan. I can see from your transcripts that you're motivated and eager, but the transition to college is more than most students are ready for, and the condensed nature of the summer semester makes that an even greater concern. We don't want our students to become overwhelmed."
Temperance's pulse spiked. She set her jaw. "Overwhelmed? Did you even read my transcripts just now? I had five AP classes this year and Latin. I got a five on my AP US History exam last year. I have the highest GPA in my school even though this is my third high school. What could possibly lead you to be concerned that I wouldn't be prepared for introductory coursework at a junior college?"
"Like I said, this is just policy. We only allow high school students to take one class in their first semester. Which of the classes are you most interested in?"
"I'm most interested in all of my classes."
"You're going to have to choose one, Ms. Brennan."
Temperance bit back indignant words. A year ago she wouldn't have hesitated to make her demand. Six months ago to do so would have ensured her face would be stinging from the impact of Claire's hand.
But the words her mother would have said sprang to mind, and since her mother wasn't there to say them, Temperance would have to.
She sat up straighter and looked Ms. Ochoa in the eye. "I want to speak to your supervisor."
***
Temperance climbed into the Explorer and fastened her seatbelt. When the truck didn't start, she looked up to find Nora watching her.
"Well? Can I see your schedule?"
Temperance handed it over.
"Three intro classes. Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology," Nora read. Her eyebrows rose. "They let you take three?"
Temperance nodded.
"They never let Polly take that many in the summer."
"I had to show them my transcripts and point out that I've been successful in all five AP classes and Latin this year."
Nora nodded and smiled. "If that wouldn't convince them, nothing would. I'd say you won that round." Nora started the truck.
Temperance nodded. "They wouldn't let me take Human Physiology, even though I took half the class as a sophomore and memorized most of the information on my own. So the introductory courses don't seem like much."
"Well, you've got to start somewhere." Nora turned on the signal.
Despite having three instead of four classes, Temperance's chest and belly fluttered with excitement. Real college classes. She was taking real college classes.
Nora parked outside the psychiatrist's tired office building. "I know you hate this, but Mrs. Dougherty made the visits mandatory. Sometimes you've just got to jump through hoops."
Temperance gritted her teeth.
"I know Dr. Allen's not a good fit for you, but he's the only state-approved counselor near us."
"I know." Temperance stared at her hands and nodded. "Nora?" She took a deep breath and spoke quickly, "Thank you for paying for the classes."
"You're welcome." Nora placed a hand lightly on Temperance's shoulder.
"You didn't have to." Temperance looked up, and she saw that Nora was smiling softly.
"I know. We didn't have to become foster parents either. But it's a way we can help pass on our good fortune." Nora looked at the door. "Go on. The sooner you get in, the sooner you'll be done."
When the office door latched behind her a few minutes later, Dr. Allen greeted her brightly. "Good afternoon, Temperance. Do you have anything you'd like to talk about?"
She rolled her eyes and followed him into his office.
~August 1993~
That summer passed much faster than the previous one. The apparent discrepancy between the absolute physics of the passage of time on Earth and the relative perception of it was something Temperance pondered on her rides to and from classes.
As soon as the school year was over summer classes had started. The reading and homework were quick to finish, and the discussions of the material were engaging. Time seemed to pass more quickly while she was doing class work. The older students were distant, but that was often the case in classes, and since the instructors were pleased with her, she didn't mind.
At least she was free of the waste of time that was counseling. Nora had believed her when she said she'd forgotten the two appointments in a row she missed with Dr. Allen, and even Mrs. Dougherty took it as a sign that she didn't need his services if she was forgetful about attending.
She continued to help Nora cook, prepare for, and serve at the Bradenton's cocktail parties, and her bank account held over a thousand dollars--enough to cover the application fees at several universities. In her free time she researched colleges and programs in preparation for applying.
In August she turned in her last paper and took her last exam. Each evening, when the sun got low in the sky, she ran five to eight miles with Burtonsville's cross country team as part of August training. When she was running, it was like she slipped out of real time and into a separate system for counting the forward progress of the universe. She wondered sometimes at that feeling. She knew time continued to exist, but she felt apart from it, somewhere her breath sounds and the slap of her feet on the ground measured this other sort of time.
A week after her last exam Temperance was stepping off the bus, organizing her locker, and following her schedule for the first day of her senior year.
At the end of the day she filled her backpack with the textbooks she'd been issued and walked to the groundskeeper's workshop. Before she could knock Mr. Buxley opened the door and extended his hand.
"Welcome back, Temperance." His handshake was warm and firm. "Come see what I've got for you."
She followed him in, and he pulled back a tarp to reveal two terrariums. One held a field mouse nibbling on a kernel of corn with a spider's web strung across the corner and a wolf spider perched in the middle of the web. The other terrarium had rocks and a snake curled up on the flat rock under a lamp.
A flutter ran through her. "Mr. Buxley! I-- I don't know what to say." She walked slowly toward the terrariums, keeping her movement steady, and watched the animals.
"That's a garter snake I found this summer. Almost cut him in half with the mower. I didn't think he'd eat, but he's been real fond of the crickets I've brought him. Little Mickey Mouse there, he's been willing to eat as well, especially corn and peanuts. I was really hoping they'd take to captivity so I could share them with you. Thought you could use some pets."
She swallowed a lump in her throat as she watched the twitching nose of the tiny rodent. "Look at his bright eyes. You've kept him very healthy. And the micro-contractions of his facial muscles that twitch his nose and whiskers indicate that he's curious instead of afraid. They're beautiful." Her cheeks ached from smiling by the time she looked up and extended her hand again. "Thank you, Mr. Buxley."
"You're very welcome, Temperance."
"I've got to get going. I have cross country."
"Oh, you're running this year?"
She nodded.
"Well, I know you'll knock 'em dead." He raised a hand in farewell as she left.
***
It was eight school days later when she arrived home to find a tan Buick in the driveway. Chills washed through her before a name rose to the surface. Mrs. Dougherty. That was Mrs. Dougherty's car.
The Bradentons were at the kitchen table when she opened the front door. Jake was never home from work this early. As soon as Temperance stepped inside, she saw Mrs. Dougherty. The social worker was sitting in Temperance's spot and fidgeting with a coffee cup.
"Ah, Temperance! I'm glad you're home."
Nora stood at her husband's words. When she turned around, Temperance thought the smile on her face looked...wrong, somehow. Nora spoke quickly. "Let's all sit in the living room, shall we?"
Temperance put her backpack on the floor and sat on the edge of the floral sofa, her hands in her lap while her teeth ground together. "What's wrong?" she asked, forcing words past her tight throat.
All three spoke at once.
"Temperance, we're so very sorry," from Nora.
"We have a very exciting opportunity," from Jake.
"I'm sure you're going to be very happy in your new placement," from Mrs. Dougherty.
Temperance heard the rest of the conversation as though from a great distance, like the chaos of overlapping voices at the cocktail parties. Their voices slowed down, and the sounds echoed off the walls as though the syllables were rubber balls.
"Jake has gotten a prestigious promotion..."
"We'll be relocating to İzmit, Turkey."
"You see, of course, that the Bradentons can't turn down an opportunity like this, and I've made sure you can stay at Burtonsville."
"We made Mrs. Dougherty promise to find a good home for you."
"The company is letting me take the lead in the European Escort launch at the Otosan plant."
"I'm sure you'll do fine in your new home. The Bradentons said you've been very personable with them."
Time speeded back up, and Temperance heard it rushing through her ears. It whistled like winter wind off Lake Michigan at first, then became louder and louder until it resembled a jet engine whining at full speed. The last things she heard Nora and Jake say ricocheted inside her skull--or would have, if they could--while she packed her belongings into black trash bags.
"We're sorry we didn't think to get you luggage."
She carried the two bags to the living room, holding tight to keep them from slipping from sweaty palms. She retrieved her winter coat from the hall closet, and stood silently, waiting, heart pounding.
Mrs. Dougherty stood up first. "Looks like you're all set. Say goodbye, Temperance."
"Goodbye, Mr. and Mrs. Bradenton. I appreciate all you've done for me." Her mouth was dry, and she knew her voice was flat. She couldn't bring herself to look at them. Terror gnawed at her. The next home could be worse than the Maxwells.
"It's been great to get to know you, Temperance." Jake extended his hand, but Temperance picked up her bags and walked toward the door.
"Take care of yourself, Temperance. I'll miss you."
She walked past Nora and heard Mrs. Dougherty apologizing behind her. She stood by the trunk of the Buick, staring at her toes, trying not to wonder where she was going. There was no point in asking. It wouldn't make any difference.
Mrs. Dougherty yanked the trunk open. "Temperance, that was rude. The Bradentons have been especially kind to you."
Temperance put her bags in the trunk, walked to the passenger door, and stood there silently, one hand on the handle. She didn't wave as they drove away.
***
Chapter 22
***
Posting Schedule: This story has 30 parts, which will post here and at ff.net on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Author's Notes
Thanks upon thanks to my wonderful betas and sounding boards: jennasq, b1uemorpho, and havocthecat. HUGE and effusive gratitude to my line-editor and prodder to make this story as good as I could at this time, as well as encouragement and sounding board services while I planned and wrote for two years to Ayiana2.
Feedback is most assuredly welcome.
***
Author: amilyn
Rating: PG-13 (themes, abuse)
Chapter 20
Chapter 21: Making the Grade
***
Temperance sat down in the cramped cubicle opposite the registration advisor. She held out her envelope.
The woman, who wore a neat suit and whose name plate read "Lorena Ochoa," paged through her application and transcripts.
Temperance read over the summer catalog for the tenth time.
"Well, Ms. Brennan, you're in the system and have been processed for summer coursework. What class would you like to take?" Ms. Ochoa made eye contact and held a pen at the ready.
Temperance shook her head. "Class? No, I've chosen four classes to take."
Ms. Ochoa pressed her lips together and shook her head. "This is your first time in a college setting, Ms. Brennan. I can see from your transcripts that you're motivated and eager, but the transition to college is more than most students are ready for, and the condensed nature of the summer semester makes that an even greater concern. We don't want our students to become overwhelmed."
Temperance's pulse spiked. She set her jaw. "Overwhelmed? Did you even read my transcripts just now? I had five AP classes this year and Latin. I got a five on my AP US History exam last year. I have the highest GPA in my school even though this is my third high school. What could possibly lead you to be concerned that I wouldn't be prepared for introductory coursework at a junior college?"
"Like I said, this is just policy. We only allow high school students to take one class in their first semester. Which of the classes are you most interested in?"
"I'm most interested in all of my classes."
"You're going to have to choose one, Ms. Brennan."
Temperance bit back indignant words. A year ago she wouldn't have hesitated to make her demand. Six months ago to do so would have ensured her face would be stinging from the impact of Claire's hand.
But the words her mother would have said sprang to mind, and since her mother wasn't there to say them, Temperance would have to.
She sat up straighter and looked Ms. Ochoa in the eye. "I want to speak to your supervisor."
***
Temperance climbed into the Explorer and fastened her seatbelt. When the truck didn't start, she looked up to find Nora watching her.
"Well? Can I see your schedule?"
Temperance handed it over.
"Three intro classes. Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology," Nora read. Her eyebrows rose. "They let you take three?"
Temperance nodded.
"They never let Polly take that many in the summer."
"I had to show them my transcripts and point out that I've been successful in all five AP classes and Latin this year."
Nora nodded and smiled. "If that wouldn't convince them, nothing would. I'd say you won that round." Nora started the truck.
Temperance nodded. "They wouldn't let me take Human Physiology, even though I took half the class as a sophomore and memorized most of the information on my own. So the introductory courses don't seem like much."
"Well, you've got to start somewhere." Nora turned on the signal.
Despite having three instead of four classes, Temperance's chest and belly fluttered with excitement. Real college classes. She was taking real college classes.
Nora parked outside the psychiatrist's tired office building. "I know you hate this, but Mrs. Dougherty made the visits mandatory. Sometimes you've just got to jump through hoops."
Temperance gritted her teeth.
"I know Dr. Allen's not a good fit for you, but he's the only state-approved counselor near us."
"I know." Temperance stared at her hands and nodded. "Nora?" She took a deep breath and spoke quickly, "Thank you for paying for the classes."
"You're welcome." Nora placed a hand lightly on Temperance's shoulder.
"You didn't have to." Temperance looked up, and she saw that Nora was smiling softly.
"I know. We didn't have to become foster parents either. But it's a way we can help pass on our good fortune." Nora looked at the door. "Go on. The sooner you get in, the sooner you'll be done."
When the office door latched behind her a few minutes later, Dr. Allen greeted her brightly. "Good afternoon, Temperance. Do you have anything you'd like to talk about?"
She rolled her eyes and followed him into his office.
~August 1993~
That summer passed much faster than the previous one. The apparent discrepancy between the absolute physics of the passage of time on Earth and the relative perception of it was something Temperance pondered on her rides to and from classes.
As soon as the school year was over summer classes had started. The reading and homework were quick to finish, and the discussions of the material were engaging. Time seemed to pass more quickly while she was doing class work. The older students were distant, but that was often the case in classes, and since the instructors were pleased with her, she didn't mind.
At least she was free of the waste of time that was counseling. Nora had believed her when she said she'd forgotten the two appointments in a row she missed with Dr. Allen, and even Mrs. Dougherty took it as a sign that she didn't need his services if she was forgetful about attending.
She continued to help Nora cook, prepare for, and serve at the Bradenton's cocktail parties, and her bank account held over a thousand dollars--enough to cover the application fees at several universities. In her free time she researched colleges and programs in preparation for applying.
In August she turned in her last paper and took her last exam. Each evening, when the sun got low in the sky, she ran five to eight miles with Burtonsville's cross country team as part of August training. When she was running, it was like she slipped out of real time and into a separate system for counting the forward progress of the universe. She wondered sometimes at that feeling. She knew time continued to exist, but she felt apart from it, somewhere her breath sounds and the slap of her feet on the ground measured this other sort of time.
A week after her last exam Temperance was stepping off the bus, organizing her locker, and following her schedule for the first day of her senior year.
At the end of the day she filled her backpack with the textbooks she'd been issued and walked to the groundskeeper's workshop. Before she could knock Mr. Buxley opened the door and extended his hand.
"Welcome back, Temperance." His handshake was warm and firm. "Come see what I've got for you."
She followed him in, and he pulled back a tarp to reveal two terrariums. One held a field mouse nibbling on a kernel of corn with a spider's web strung across the corner and a wolf spider perched in the middle of the web. The other terrarium had rocks and a snake curled up on the flat rock under a lamp.
A flutter ran through her. "Mr. Buxley! I-- I don't know what to say." She walked slowly toward the terrariums, keeping her movement steady, and watched the animals.
"That's a garter snake I found this summer. Almost cut him in half with the mower. I didn't think he'd eat, but he's been real fond of the crickets I've brought him. Little Mickey Mouse there, he's been willing to eat as well, especially corn and peanuts. I was really hoping they'd take to captivity so I could share them with you. Thought you could use some pets."
She swallowed a lump in her throat as she watched the twitching nose of the tiny rodent. "Look at his bright eyes. You've kept him very healthy. And the micro-contractions of his facial muscles that twitch his nose and whiskers indicate that he's curious instead of afraid. They're beautiful." Her cheeks ached from smiling by the time she looked up and extended her hand again. "Thank you, Mr. Buxley."
"You're very welcome, Temperance."
"I've got to get going. I have cross country."
"Oh, you're running this year?"
She nodded.
"Well, I know you'll knock 'em dead." He raised a hand in farewell as she left.
***
It was eight school days later when she arrived home to find a tan Buick in the driveway. Chills washed through her before a name rose to the surface. Mrs. Dougherty. That was Mrs. Dougherty's car.
The Bradentons were at the kitchen table when she opened the front door. Jake was never home from work this early. As soon as Temperance stepped inside, she saw Mrs. Dougherty. The social worker was sitting in Temperance's spot and fidgeting with a coffee cup.
"Ah, Temperance! I'm glad you're home."
Nora stood at her husband's words. When she turned around, Temperance thought the smile on her face looked...wrong, somehow. Nora spoke quickly. "Let's all sit in the living room, shall we?"
Temperance put her backpack on the floor and sat on the edge of the floral sofa, her hands in her lap while her teeth ground together. "What's wrong?" she asked, forcing words past her tight throat.
All three spoke at once.
"Temperance, we're so very sorry," from Nora.
"We have a very exciting opportunity," from Jake.
"I'm sure you're going to be very happy in your new placement," from Mrs. Dougherty.
Temperance heard the rest of the conversation as though from a great distance, like the chaos of overlapping voices at the cocktail parties. Their voices slowed down, and the sounds echoed off the walls as though the syllables were rubber balls.
"Jake has gotten a prestigious promotion..."
"We'll be relocating to İzmit, Turkey."
"You see, of course, that the Bradentons can't turn down an opportunity like this, and I've made sure you can stay at Burtonsville."
"We made Mrs. Dougherty promise to find a good home for you."
"The company is letting me take the lead in the European Escort launch at the Otosan plant."
"I'm sure you'll do fine in your new home. The Bradentons said you've been very personable with them."
Time speeded back up, and Temperance heard it rushing through her ears. It whistled like winter wind off Lake Michigan at first, then became louder and louder until it resembled a jet engine whining at full speed. The last things she heard Nora and Jake say ricocheted inside her skull--or would have, if they could--while she packed her belongings into black trash bags.
"We're sorry we didn't think to get you luggage."
She carried the two bags to the living room, holding tight to keep them from slipping from sweaty palms. She retrieved her winter coat from the hall closet, and stood silently, waiting, heart pounding.
Mrs. Dougherty stood up first. "Looks like you're all set. Say goodbye, Temperance."
"Goodbye, Mr. and Mrs. Bradenton. I appreciate all you've done for me." Her mouth was dry, and she knew her voice was flat. She couldn't bring herself to look at them. Terror gnawed at her. The next home could be worse than the Maxwells.
"It's been great to get to know you, Temperance." Jake extended his hand, but Temperance picked up her bags and walked toward the door.
"Take care of yourself, Temperance. I'll miss you."
She walked past Nora and heard Mrs. Dougherty apologizing behind her. She stood by the trunk of the Buick, staring at her toes, trying not to wonder where she was going. There was no point in asking. It wouldn't make any difference.
Mrs. Dougherty yanked the trunk open. "Temperance, that was rude. The Bradentons have been especially kind to you."
Temperance put her bags in the trunk, walked to the passenger door, and stood there silently, one hand on the handle. She didn't wave as they drove away.
***
Chapter 22
***
Posting Schedule: This story has 30 parts, which will post here and at ff.net on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Author's Notes
Thanks upon thanks to my wonderful betas and sounding boards: jennasq, b1uemorpho, and havocthecat. HUGE and effusive gratitude to my line-editor and prodder to make this story as good as I could at this time, as well as encouragement and sounding board services while I planned and wrote for two years to Ayiana2.
Feedback is most assuredly welcome.
***