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“It’s far too early for the school to determine that,” I said.

“Not according to Dr. Steiner. The boy running second isn’t even close, and they decide on the basis of only two more grading periods. Wouldn’t that be something?” he asked Jordan. “She’ll be making the speech at graduation. Won’t you be very proud?”

“Of course.”

“What a publicity campaign I could run for this school, taking a girl with her background and bringing her to the top of her class.” He paused and said, “If I were so inclined to do so. However, this is all too personal for us,” he quickly added. “Nevertheless, we are very proud of you, Sasha, and to show our pride, I bought you a little gift. It’s time you had some of your own jewelry, anyway, and stopped being dependent on Jordan or Kiera.”

He handed me the box. I looked at Jordan.

She was as surprised as I was, only she didn’t look happily surprised. She looked a little angry, in fact. “Why didn’t you tell me you were going to do something like this, Donald?” she asked. “I think I might have helped choose something appropriate.”

“Oh, I think this will be appropriate.”

“And when did you have time to shop for such a thing, or did you assign it to one of your secretaries?”

“No, no, I did this myself. I told you I was going to devote more time to my girls, didn’t I? Now you can think about the dress you’re going to buy her this Saturday an

d how it would go with what’s in the box. Of course, she can wear it at dinner tomorrow night as well.”

“Really? Well, what’s in the box?” Jordan asked, and nodded at me to open it.

I looked toward the kitchen door. Either Donald had told Mrs. Duval and Mrs. Caro to hold dinner, or they were listening and waiting to give the three of us time alone. I began to tear away the gift wrapping. I opened the box and took out a beautiful black pearl necklace in a setting of diamonds with a white gold chain. It glittered in the light of the chandelier. Donald leaped out of his seat and came around behind me. Jordan had yet to speak.

“Let’s just see how it looks on her now, huh?” Donald said, taking the necklace from my fingers and undoing the clasp. He put it around my neck and fastened it. It fell softly a few inches below the base of my throat. “Well?”

“That’s the most beautiful piece of costume jewelry I’ve seen lately,” Jordan said. “I’ll have to compliment you, Donald. Very nice.”

“It’s not costume jewelry,” Donald replied.

“It’s not?”

“She’s doing real things. Why not give her real things?”

Jordan was speechless again. She rose out of her chair slowly and came over to look more closely at the necklace. Then she looked at Donald. “You never bought anything this expensive for Kiera.”

“Kiera barely graduated, Jordan, and have you forgotten those diamond earrings of yours she lost? What were they, five thousand dollars?”

“You didn’t make a big thing of it then, Donald. You claimed it on insurance.”

“Why make a point of it now?” he said sharply. “Doesn’t this look beautiful on her? Make sure you get a dress for her that shows the necklace well,” he added. “Do you like it, Sasha?”

“How could anyone not like it? It’s very beautiful,” I said. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. As I said, we’re proud of your accomplishments and very impressed with all of the top schools that have accepted you, some offering scholarships. You know they want you very much, and why shouldn’t they? It adds to their prestige to have students like you.”

He returned to his seat. Jordan stared at the necklace for a moment more and then returned to her seat. I looked at the necklace again. The first thought I had was, what was Kiera going to say when she heard about this? Her father didn’t have time to talk to her, but he had time to go shopping for a necklace for me? Her last remark on the phone echoed. Any other girl in my position would probably be ecstatic to be given such a piece of jewelry, but I felt as numb as someone seeing an impending storm charging in from the horizon.

“Mrs. Duval,” Donald called, and the kitchen door opened. Mrs. Duval and Mrs. Caro paraded in carrying the dinner. All that was missing was a drumroll. Mrs. Caro had a dish with a silver cover, and Mrs. Duval had our salads and bread. Mrs. Caro placed the silver-covered dish in front of Donald.

“What are we having?” Jordan asked, which surprised me. She was always in charge of the dinners.

“Another surprise,” Donald said. He nodded at Mrs. Duval, who moved forward to lift off the silver cover. “Lobster fra diavolo,” he announced.

I looked at Jordan to see if she was as shocked as I was.

I had told her that was what the Garfields were having tonight. Had she told Donald, or was this all an amazing coincidence?

“It looks absolutely delicious, Mrs. Caro,” Donald said. “I’m sure it matches any other lobster fra diavolo anywhere,” he added, directing himself more to me than to her. “Mrs. Duval, let’s pour the wine, and tonight, be sure to give our future class valedictorian a glass.”