It seemed like what time she was
not studying she was working.

In fact long after her friends had
called it a night Angie found her self staying up much later to study.

Not that she was complaining
because she loved it here.

But truthfully if Dean Porter’s secretary
had not came down with a bad case of the flu she could not have went home for
the holiday.

Dean Porter had contacted student
services and requested a temporary secretary until Mrs. Mason returned. Although
it was only 15 more hours than what she normally worked she almost jumped for
joy when Mrs. Wheaton sent her across campus later that afternoon with the tale
tell yellow slip from the student hall in her hand.

Bette as she had insisted Angie
call her at least while they worked together could not have been nicer to her.
She even bought her dinner when they both realized the hour had gotten late.

Bette was patient when she
explained Angie’s job duties to her that afternoon and although Angie had interrupted
her with questions Bette never seemed annoyed at her.

But one thing did strike her as
odd. Angie’s second day working for Dean Porter she had suddenly insisted Angie
join her for lunch at a local café. All through lunch Dean Porter had listened with
rapt attention as Angie regaled her with stories about growing up in the
valley.

However when Dean Porter commented
that it sounded like she had a wonderful relationship with her mother and
shared with her that her own mother had disappeared from her life at a young
age Angie’s facial expression and her meek vocalization  of…I guess caused an eyebrow raise from the
elegant Dean.

Angie went on to explain that
although her mother loved her very much they didn’t have much in common. In
fact her mother was always reserved and Angie could rarely recall hearing her
really laugh.

The Dean seemed surprised by
Angie’s words and her description of her mother while growing up. Her only
comment had been I’m sure your mother loves you very much. You are an intelligent,
beautiful, and kind young woman what’s not to love huh?

When Mrs. Mason returned to work
three days later Bette had told Mrs. Mason she had better be glad she had been
at Yale so long or she just might have to replace her with Angie. Of course she
was just joking because she smiled the whole time she was saying it.

Angie left Bette’s office that day
with the hope that she would call on her again if she needed an extra set of
hands. She could certainly use the money.

When she got back to Wickham Hall
she hurriedly grabbed her backpack and began the five block walk to the local
Greyhound Bus station glad to be going home.