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Show 283 There was an awkward moment in which Sharon felt her face flushing, but Sister Joan seemed not to notice; instead, she told Sharon that she was flying to Chicago for her niece's first communion. "Sister Guadalupe is accompanying me," she turned to the other nun and introduced her; she was a short, stocky Mexican-American with a round face, and a big smile full of crooked teeth. A friendly woman, Sharon liked her. They exchanged pleasantries for another minute, and then it was time to go; after all, Sister Joan said, the plane wouldn't wait. "But what about you?" Sister Joan asked, before turning to leave, "What are your plans for next year?" She wanted to go to Mount Saint Mary's, Sharon told her, she would file her application next month. Sister Joan's eyebrows raised. "You are to be complimented on your aspirations," she said, "but isn't it rather expensive?" She would try for a scholarship, Sharon said. "Well, I wish you success." Sister paused for a moment, as if she were going to add something. But then she seemed to change her mind. "May He be with you." "Thank you, Sister." Sharon went directly to the car; she wasn't that late, she would be there in time for her second period class. She even took a minute to put the top down. It would be a brisk drive, but it was worth it. Sister Joan had been a good teacher, completely dedicated. But she had always held Robbie's study habits up to her, she had always seemed somewhat disappointed in Sharon. And Sharon had resented that. Even today, after all those years, Sharon could feel the old resentment. |