Mixed Bags (12 page)

“No way!” said Eliza.

“Way!” Rhiannon laughed.

“Wow!” DJ tried to wrap her head around this. “That just does not compute. I cannot imagine you being even a little bit like Taylor.”

“Ask Bradford,” said Rhiannon. “Or Emery, the girl who invited me to her church.”

“And how long ago was this big transformation anyway?” asked DJ, still feeling a little skeptical. Not that Rhiannon would lie, but it was hard to believe.

“Not quite a year. I gave my heart to the Lord in October.”

Just then the other girls started coming into the room and the conversation switched gears. Still, DJ couldn’t help but wonder at Rhiannon’s strange story. She simply couldn’t imagine the sweet, kindhearted Rhiannon being anything like the self-centered and mean Taylor. It was like saying day was night or white was black. It just made absolutely no sense.

“WeLcome TO THe Carrer House,”
said Mrs. Carter as she entered the room like she was gliding down a fashion runway in New York. DJ noticed that her grandmother had changed her outfit. She was now wearing a cream-colored silk pantsuit that sort of flowed as she walked. This was stylishly combined with some large pieces of very expensive-looking gold jewelry. She had touched up her makeup and even had on a pair of gold metallic sandals. Even DJ had to admit that, with her platinum hair, expressive eyes, and high cheekbones, she was rather striking—at least for a woman her age.

The girls became quiet as they watched her position herself in front of the fireplace, placing some things on the mantel. “I’m so glad you’re all here now,” she continued. “I think we’re going to have a wonderful year at the Carter House. I have so much planned for you, and when we’re done, I think you will all blossom into the beautiful young women that you are meant to be.”

Then she gave a brief—okay not so brief—history of her illustrious fashion career, starting from when she was first discovered. “I wasn’t much older than you girls, almost eighteen and a senior in high school. My parents were shocked when a family friend who was working in the fashion industry suggested that I might have what it took to model. I was taller than most girls; five nine back then was considered quite gangly for a girl. And I also had a good figure. Interestingly enough, models back then were heavier than nowadays. Photographers were looking for girls with curves.” She smiled. “But that was the fifties. Times have changed, haven’t they?”

The girls sort of nodded like they understood. And DJ had noticed already that both Eliza and Taylor seemed to be constantly watching what they ate. Even tonight, DJ hadn’t seen Eliza eat more than a few veggie sticks, and she didn’t even dip them. For that matter, it seemed that she, Kriti, and Rhiannon were the only ones “indulging” in the chips and salsa. Well, whatever. DJ wasn’t into that. And it appalled her to see how emaciated some of the girls in the fashion magazines looked. No way could those stick girls do sports. They wouldn’t have the stamina. That whole skin-and-bones look just didn’t appeal to her.

“But even when I was accepted at a top-notch modeling agency, my father put his foot down,” Grandmother continued. “He thought modeling was scandalous. But my mother was more open-minded. She liked the idea. And finally, we worked it out so that both Mother and I could live in New York where we gave the modeling scene a whirl.” She laughed. “And, oh my, did we whirl. My parents had no idea that I would be such a success.”

DJ had heard most of this before, but she was somewhat impressed at how her grandmother was able to hold most of the girls’ attention, almost as if she really were someone famous. For that matter, maybe she was, or had been back in her day. All the girls were listening and watching her as if they really thought she was something. Well, except for Casey who was sitting off by herself and looked as if she wanted to be anywhere but here.

Finally, DJ was curious as to whether or not her grandmother really intended to go over the rules as she had suggested. It seemed that tonight’s meeting was all about her, and after an hour, she suspected that everyone was getting a little bored. Or maybe it was just her.

“Excuse me,” said DJ, when there was a brief pause. “Are you going to go over the house rules, Grandmother?”

Her grandmother smiled. “Yes, thank you for reminding me.” She took the small stack of papers on the mantle and handed it to DJ. “Can you give each of the girls one of these?”

DJ distributed the papers, which looked like they were from the contract.

“But before we go over this, I think we should make sure that everyone has met. We had two new girls arrive while the rest of you were at the beach.” Then she introduced Rhiannon and Casey. “Perhaps we should all go around and say a bit about ourselves. You’ve heard part of my story…now it’s time to hear yours.” She seemed to consider this. “Perhaps you could tell us your name, where you are from, and what you expect to get out of your stay here.” She nodded to DJ. “Desiree will start.”

DJ controlled herself from rolling her eyes. “I’m DJ,” she said.

“Please stand,
Desiree.
And face the audience.”

DJ let out a big breath, but obliged. “My grandmother, Mrs. Carter, insists on calling me Desiree, but I go by DJ. DJ Lane. My real name is
Desiree Jeannette.
” She used an authentic French accent, which made some of the girls—not Taylor or Casey—chuckle. “It was because my mother spent some time in France, and she must’ve thought she was going to have a lovely little French girl. Instead she got a tomboy. Anyway, I lived in California…outside of San Francisco…until my mom died. Then I lived with my dad. Now I’m here.” She looked at her grandmother. “What was the other question?”

Even her grandmother looked stumped.

“What do you expect to get from your stay here?” offered Kriti, who had obviously been paying attention.

“Oh, yeah. What do I want to get?” She looked at her grandmother. “Maybe some peace and quiet.”

The girls laughed. Well, except for the two grouches. Casey and Taylor looked like they might get along.

“Thank you, Desiree, that will do.” Grandmother pointed to Eliza now.

“I’m Eliza Wilton, and I’m from Louisville, although my parents are living in France right now. And I hope that I will make some new friends, and maybe I’ll learn to be as fashionable as Mrs. Carter by the time I’m done.”

“Thank you, dear,” said Grandmother.

Then Kriti took a turn, explaining how she was originally from India and more recently New York City, where her parents still lived. “I hope to get an exceptional education, make excellent grades, and get accepted into an outstanding college.”

Casey made a sound that was a cross between a grunt and a laugh.

“How about you, Casey?” said Grandmother with a narrowed gaze. All the girls turned around and looked at Casey now. DJ had a feeling that Casey’s days here were numbered, maybe even in the single digits.

Casey shrugged. “I’m Casey Atwood. I lived in Sacramento. And I don’t have the slightest idea what I’m supposed to get out of being here.”

Grandmother cleared her throat. “Yes, we’ll see what we can do about that, dear.” She smiled at Taylor. “Go ahead, Taylor.”

“I’m Taylor Mitchell. I lived in LA with my mom who’s a singer. I came here to learn to be a proper young lady.” Taylor said this with a completely straight face, and DJ felt relatively sure that her grandmother actually bought it.

“Taylor’s being modest,” said Grandmother with a proud expression, “Her mother is Eva Perez, the internationally renowned recording artist.” Now she nodded to Rhiannon. “And our latest addition to our little family.”

Rhiannon stood. “I’m Rhiannon Farley. I used to live in Crescent Cove, but then we moved to New Jersey to live with my aunt for a while. I consider myself very blessed to be back here now. And I hope to make the most of my time in the Carter House. I would love to learn to be more fashionable and refined. I’ve admired Mrs. Carter and her sense of style for several years. And I absolutely love designing clothes as well as other forms of art. I think being here is going to be a great experience.”

Grandmother smiled. “Thank you, Rhiannon. Thank all of you. I just know that you girls are all going to be close friends—almost like sisters. I never had the opportunity to be in a sorority when I was young. I was too busy modeling and traveling. But I imagine this will be somewhat like that experience. I realize that you girls are a bit younger than college students, but I expect you to conduct yourselves with maturity and respectability. That is the beauty of being a Carter House girl. You will stand out in the community as a girl who’s committed to excellence, whose future is bright.” She beamed at all of them.

DJ glanced around the room, wondering if anyone else felt like gagging just now, but the girls—other than Casey who looked like she’d like to throw something—all appeared to be on the same page. Although it was hard to tell with Taylor. DJ was ninety-nine percent certain this was simply an act. In fact she decided that, although Casey was fairly irritating, she preferred Casey’s outright rebellious attitude compared to Taylor’s hypocritical pretenses. At least everyone would know where Casey stood. Taylor would be the wild card.

Grandmother was still droning on. DJ wondered how much there could possibly be to say about this, but then she decided perhaps she should tune in a little better. Just in case there was a test afterward.

“And I know that you will all make me proud of you.” Grandmother paused to reach for the things that she’d set on the mantel earlier. “However, it has been brought to my attention by a concerned girl that perhaps I need to clarify some things. As you all know I’ve tried to keep the rules simple, and you’ve all signed your contracts, but perhaps we should go over the rules more carefully again.” She put on her reading glasses, unfolded a piece of paper, and then cleared her throat and read.

“Any questions?” asked Grandmother as she removed her glasses.

“Some of those rules seem pretty subjective to me,” said Casey in a challenging tone.

“For instance?” Grandmother gave Casey her most intimidating stare.

“Like what does
maintain their appearances
mean?”

“It means Carter House girls will practice good hygiene, use good fashion sense, and dress neatly and cleanly and respectably.”

“According to who?”

Grandmother stood straighter, holding her chin out. “According to me, Casey. This is, after all,
my
house. If you do not like the rules, no one is forcing you to remain here. We are not a detention facility. We are here to teach young ladies how to conduct themselves with dignity and in a way that will give them a cutting edge with all the challenges of life.”

“All the
challenges of life
?” Casey laughed as she shook her head. “Do you have any idea what you’re talking about?”

“Perhaps this is a discussion we should conduct privately, Casey.”

“Yeah, maybe so.” Casey didn’t look exactly thrilled with this suggestion. DJ suspected Casey would prefer keeping it public. But then Grandmother wouldn’t want the discomfort that would go along with that.

“Are there any other questions?”

No one raised a hand.

“So, I think that covers it. If any of you have questions in the future, you know that I am here for you, girls. And, of course, I’m happy to speak to you privately if necessary. I hope that you’ll all be happy here, and I encourage your independence. I hope that you will respect yourselves and that you will respect the rules of the house. Thank you and good night.”

And then, as dramatically as she entered, Grandmother glided out of the room in a graceful exit.

“How old is she anyway?” whispered Eliza. “I was just doing the math, and if she modeled in the fifties…she’d be like in her seventies, wouldn’t she?”

“No way,” said Rhiannon. “She doesn’t look much older than my mom.”

DJ considered this. Rhiannon’s mom didn’t look too great anyway. “It’s just because she keeps herself up,” said DJ. “And she gets work done, you know.”

“Even so,” said Eliza. “My grandma is in her sixties and she looks way older than your grandma.”

“You are all so freaking superficial,” said Casey from where she was still sitting in the back of the room. “Do you honestly think that the world is going to bow down to you because you wear expensive clothes and have your hair done in the latest stupid style?”

The girls turned around to look at Casey now. There was such a drastic difference between everyone here and Casey. If DJ had felt like odd girl out before, Casey was going to be even more of a misfit.

“Well, why don’t you tell us a little about your look,” said Taylor as she stood and went closer. She put her hand on her chin and peered down at Casey as if she were an insect in a jar. “Are you supposed to be Goth? Or perhaps you’re a rock star wannabe? Or maybe you’re just a freak who can’t fit in so she decided to drop out.”

Casey stood now, facing Taylor with arms at her side, but fists curled as if she were about to punch her. “None of your business,
witch
,” she seethed.

“Come on, you guys,” said Rhiannon. She hopped up from the couch and went over to stand next to them. “We’re all different. Can’t we just respect our differences? I don’t think Mrs. Carter wants us all to conform ourselves into mirror images of each other. I mean, look at me, I don’t have expensive clothes. I can’t afford them, but even if I could, I don’t want them. I’d rather express my uniqueness by wearing my own designs.”

Taylor turned and frowned at Rhiannon. “Yeah, that’s fairly obvious.” Taylor turned to the other girls and laughed. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw what she was unpacking tonight. I thought I’d died and gone to hell and it was a thrift store.”