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I covered it quickly and hurried out.

"Well. I'd better be off." I told my mother. "I've got to return the rental car and all."

"Call me."

"Every day."

"If I'm not here. I'll be at the hospital until he's released."

"Please take care of yourself." I told her.

"You do the same." she said.

We hugged and held onto each other as if we were never going to see each other again. Neither she nor I wanted to be the first to let go, but she finally let go and kissed my cheek. She smiled and went back inside quickly.

With tears streaming down my face. I carried my suitcase up toward my car. Halfway there. I heard Bunny call to me. She came down from the rear loagia, a glass of "shampoo" in her hand.

"Leaving us?" she asked, her voice back to sounding childishly joyful.

"Yes, for a while. I have things to take care of back in South Carolina."

"It's probably much better for you back there, anyway," she said. 'Everyone knows the story by now. I had to tell them why my party was ruined. didn't I?" she followed, defending herself. "Anyway, what's done is done. Leaving is smart. You'll only be tainted by your family's history here, and a young woman like you doesn't need all those disadvantages and burdens."

'Thanks for the silly advice." I told her.

She pulled up as if I had snapped a whip beside her.

"If you think that's silly advice, you're not half as intelligent as I thought you were. Let me give you some advice that's definitely not silly." she continued rapidly. "Don't think that Thatcher will be here waiting for you, feeling sorry for you or otherwise. I would never permit him to throw his life away, his wonderful reputation and his career, by marrying a Montgomery woman."

"I am not a Montgomery woman." I said, closing on her, my spine a steel rod. "My name is Willow De Beers, and my father was one of the nation's most prominent psychiatrists. What happened to my mother was tragic, but that doesn't make her in any way inferior to you or anyone in your family. Bunny,

"And as for Thatcher, if he doesn't have a mind of his own when it comes to his own life and who he wants to be with and love. I wouldn't want him calling me. anyway. I certainly wouldn't chase after him."

"That's ridiculous, Why any woman would give her--"

"I'm not any woman. Bunny, at least any woman around here," I said firmly as I pulled up my shoulders. "Have a good night, or should I say good party?"

I turned sharply and walked on, my heart pounding. I hoped I could live up to all I had told her.

Don't you believe you can? I heard my father ask.

Yes, I said.

Then you can. Challenge every doubt about yourself as soon as it rears its ugly head.

I got into the car and drove away without looking back, even when I reached the gate and waited for it to open. I wanted only to look forward now.

The flight was delayed at takeoff but afterward was quick and uneventful. Mr. Bassinger was there at the arrival gate to greet me. He took my bags, and we went directly to his car. I could tell immediately that he had something to reveal,

"You didn't just come here to pick me up. Mr. Bassinger. What's wrong?"

"I didn't want you to be surprised." he began. "but your aunt Agnes is at the house. She knew about Miles, of course, and she had her attorney call me. There's no legal grounds for her to have a say in anything, but that doesn't mean she can't cause a commotion. She's been digging around, trying to find out why you went to Palm Beach and what you are doing there." he continued. "I'm not asking you to give me details. but I don't want her challengingevery action we take with your estate."

"I'd like to tell you what I was doing. Mr. Bassinger. I think my father intended for me to do that after I opened the envelope and read his papers."

"If you feel it has nothing to do with any of this. I don't have to know." he said.

"It's fine, You were his trusted friend, and that makes you mine. too."