Amy Signs: A Mother, Her Daughter, and their Stories

41. Plans in Turmoil

260 41 Plans in Turmoil Rebecca and Amy For years, Amy has spent more time at school than she does at home. I’m happy she does not cry or complain when her worn blue trunk is brought up from the basement each August. I loved going to school, so I understand why she’s excited to return to her friends, but as her mother, I wish she showed a bit of regret when she leaves. Only Jupiter, her cat, gets a fond farewell complete with tears. ) I was excited when I could move from the second floor of the girls’dorm to the first for my high school years. As Mother and John prepared to carry things into the dorm, I said to John, “Don’t worry. You don’t have to carry my rock of a suitcase upstairs this year.” I don’t recall what he said, but I am sure he felt relieved. But, he still had to haul all my stuff to my room anyway. Inside the dorm, a house parent said, “This year things have changed. Ninth, tenth, and twelfth grade girls will all be in the hall to the right.” “Why?” I asked. “Because there are so many eleventh-grade girls, about fifteen. They fill the entire left side.” “Wow! I get to be near the seniors.” Amy Signs Main Pgs 1-320.indd 260 6/27/2012 10:37:48 AM Plans in Turmoil 261 In my freshman class there were only four girls, so in my hall there were only a total of eleven students: four freshman, three sophomores, and four senior girls. Since there were not as many girls in the dorm this year, or during any of my high school years, I had a room all to myself with two beds, two closets, and two dressers. What a blessing to have two closets and dressers. I had plenty of room for all my clothes. From the angry looks my freshman classmates and I received from the seniors, we knew they disliked hanging around with us, but for the most part, we had a blast living with the senior girls. ) By April of 1984, our European trip plans are complete. I’ve booked a three-week tour; we’ve obtained passports, bought travel books, and purchased foreign money. Since we will be traveling for three weeks, I allow two “ultimate choice” votes. Amy invokes this right for the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum in London. John and I agree on visiting East Berlin, Postjana Cave in Yugoslavia, and the Vatican museums, specifically the Sistine Chapel. We will fly to London two days after John finishes his junior year. But, as often happens, the best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray; my scheduled life is thrown into confusion when Mrs. Ferguson, the NSD school secretary, calls me in the middle of May. “Allegations of improprieties have been lodged against Superintendent George Collins and some of the NDS dorm staff,” Mrs. Ferguson tells me. “Why? What’s happened?” I recall my father’s concern that students at NSD might be treated like the orphans Dickens wrote about in his novels. “I’m not at liberty to discuss that,” she says. A torrent of questions fills my mind. When did this start? Who’s involved? Why hasn’t Amy said anything? I ask the most important question. “Is Amy all right?” “Yes, the children are fine. I called to inform you the school is being closed, pending a full investigation. All the children must go home tomorrow. They’ll return to finish the school year the second Amy Signs Main Pgs 1-320.indd 261 6/27/2012 10:37:48 AM 262 Amy Signs Monday in June.” Her voice sounds weary and rote. Having to telephone one hundred and sixty parents has taken a toll on her usual pleasant demeanor. “Return in two weeks! Amy can’t do that. We’re leaving for Europe on May 29th. I can’t change our plans.”I pace the kitchen floor, gnawing on a fingernail. “Don’t worry about that.” Mrs. Ferguson sighs. “Other children have similar problems. A trip to Europe is a great educational opportunity , one few children have. None of our students have traveled abroad. Go to Europe, enjoy yourself. I’m sure her teachers will agree, but check with them tomorrow...