"We'll see," she said.
"Ian has a way of amusing himself all day anyway," Grandmother Emma said. "So, tell me, now that we finally have a quiet moment, how or why did he get into a fight at the lake? It's not in his nature to be physical."
"I don't know." I said quickly, too quickly, because she pursed her lips and narrowed her eves with disappointment.
"Perhaps you'll talk about it with Miss Harper,' she told me.
"Of course she will," Miss Harper said. "When she and I have gotten to know each other better, she won't keep any secrets from me. We already agreed she would be honest and truthful all the time, didn't we, Jordan?"
I started to nod and then quickly said, "Yes."
Grandmother Emma smiled at her. "I am grateful you could come to my assistance, Millicent. You can see how much work has to be done on these children, and with my son and daughter-in-law in the condition they are now in. I needed professional assistance. It's fortunate for all of us that you were available and agreed to come here."
"After all you've done for me and my mother. I'm grateful to repay you in any way I can."
"Thank you. Your mother and I were once inseparable. I do miss her."
"I'll see about having her visit," Miss Harper said.
"Yes, that would be nice. Well. I'll have Felix drop me at the supermarket first since it's on the way and then he'll take you back to the house. After I'm finished there. I'll make a trip to the hospital and see about Christopher."
"Can I go too?" I asked quickly.
"No, you can't. You will have too much to do at home and your father is not ready for visitors. I'll tell you when it's the right time for you and Ian to visit him."
"I don't have anything to do," I said. If it's not time for visitors, why are you visiting?"
"I hardly think it's necessary to explain why to you, Jordan. I have much more to do there than just chat with your father, who I do not believe is even up to that, and you do have much to do. You just heard Miss Harper. You're going to set up a schedule with her. Please don't waste my energy on such questions,'" she added.
As soon as Grandmother Emma stepped out of the limousine at the supermarket, Miss Harper turned on me.
"I thought you and I had discussed why you shouldn't do that with your elders, Jordan. You never, ever cross-examine your elders like that. Not only is it impolite, but it's a sin of very poor upbringing and reflects badly on your parents. I'm not surprised, however. Most children your age have not been properly schooled in their manners and decorum. Parents today are too involved in themselves. They are not willing to make the sacrifices in time and energy. Hereafter, before you question anyone, you'd better look to me to set if you should. I'll nod or shake my head and that will help you to know."
"What if you're not there?" I asked.
Once again, she gave me that cold, ice blue start first. 'I'll always be there now," she replied.
Always? Will she follow me around
everywhere? What about after Mama returns? I wondered, but decided not to ask. Instead. I curled up in the corner of the seat and became an Ian caterpillar until we arrived at the house. Ian was outside with his big magnifying glass looking at something in the grass. I practically leaped out of the limousine and started to run to him.
"JORDAN!" Miss Harper shouted. It had the effect of a lasso thrown around my neck.
I stopped short and turned.
"You're to go directly to your room. We're going to begin there," she said.
"I want to talk to Ian," I said.
"Go directly to your room, please." She took a step toward me.
Ian stood up and looked at us. He knew where we had gone, of course. "Jordan," he said. "Did the doctor say anything new?"
"JORDAN!" Miss Harper cried. "You have been told not to discuss your problem with anyone, especially your brother. Now go directly to your room. I will not tell you again. If I do, I'll count it as a serious demerit."
"Demerit?" Ian asked, smiling. He walked toward us. "What's that mean? Are you going to take away her dolls or something if she gets too many demerits or are you going to assign her to detention?"
"That's enough from you, young man. You can be sure I'm keeping track of your misbehavior, too. Jordan, do as I say."