Once the lunch had been ordered. Tina started a conversation with Suzanne to try to get to know her. She asked her about her family, what she planned on studying and how she came to choose Yale as her college of choice.

Suzanne was born and raised in Baltimore to an average middle-class family. Her father was a mailman and her mother was a clerk at an elementary school. She was the oldest of four children having two brothers and one sister. It was a huge surprise to the family when Suzanne had qualified for a full scholastic scholarship to Yale University. Although her parents where very supportive of Suzanne getting more than a secondary education, they had always perceived that she might become a teacher, find the right guy, marry and have a family. Suzanne had pretty much self-directed her academic achievements, taking advanced placement courses and excelling in her studies. Her parents seemed supportive but hardly aware that their daughter was far more than an average student. Suzanne had worked as a student assistant in the local hospital during the summer. She assisted reception by obtaining supplies, directed patients to where they would receive the appropriate attention, provided wheelchair service to patients being dismissed from hospital stays. The hustle and bustle of the hospital environment fascinated her. So, she became focused on the medical profession.

Bette and Tina were impressed with this young lady. She seemed very focused for someone her age. However, they knew that this was for her and for Angie the first time they would be in complete control of all the decisions with respect to their lives. The next six months would be a totally new experience. Freedom without the total responsibility for the cost. But Tina could tell that Suzanne knew what an opportunity she had been given and that she was not likely to squander it by not doing the work to get her education.

The food was excellent and hit the spot. The morning had been busy and physically challenging for all of them.

Bette: Okay, we are now going to check into our hotel. It’s almost 3:00. Why don’t we get settled into our rooms and get some rest? If you want to swim in the hotel pool, fine. Do whatever you like. But do not leave the hotel unless you let Tina and I know. We will meet in the hotel lobby dressed for dinner at 6:30. We will go and have a cocktail before dinner and then dinner. I have arranged for a car to pick us up and bring us back to the hotel. Daniel? You and grandmother Mary will be sharing a room. Angie, you and Suzanne will be sharing a room. And Tina and I will be sharing a room. And of course, you are free to watch a movie on your TV. They will simply add the charges to your room bill.