"Why?"
Katherine returned her eyes to the letter and began reading it aloud. "Dear Ms. Samuals, We appreciate the time and work you've put into your novel but unfortunately we cannot represent it at this time. The agent who began this project with you is no longer with our agency and we do not feel that your book follows along with the type of work we are currently handling. We wish you the best of luck in placing your manuscript elsewhere." She stopped and looked up at Denise. "That's it. End of story."
Denise's eyes grew wide. "How can they? You worked so hard."
Katherine shrugged and placed the letter on the table. "I was never promised it would be represented," she reminded her. She really didn't know what to say. It was a great disappointment.
"I'm sorry, Kathy. I know how much this meant to you."
"Maybe I should just face the fact that it isn't good enough. After two years of rejections, I should finally get the hint."
"No, that's not true," Denise said vehemently. "Don't say that. It is good enough for publication. You just haven't found the right agent or publisher. You can't give up."
Katherine sighed. "Denise, no one wants it. I have to face that fact. I can't keep believing in something that isn't going to happen. It's hard believing in yourself when no one else does."
Denise looked at her with serious eyes. "I still believe in you, Kathy. So does The Times. And so does Darla. She believes you can do anything."
Katherine pondered this. Yes, incredibly, even Darla believed she was capable of doing anything. But as much of an accomplishment as that was, it didn't help Katherine believe in her manuscript any longer. She'd put her heart and soul into that book and had received nothing in return. And yet, everyone expected her to keep trying. She felt worn out and beaten just thinking about it. Yet, all night and through the next morning, Katherine thought of nothing else. Finally, she gave up on self-pity, placed her book in the bottom drawer of her desk, and moved on. She might not be able to do anything about the book just now, but she could push ahead with what Darla wanted to do, a task Katherine felt confident she could handle.
And handle it she did. First she talked to Gary, who loved the idea immediately and agreed to have the board add her request to the upcoming meeting's agenda. Next, she and Darla sat down and made up a list of topics she'd cover in her speech so the board would have an outline of what she intended to talk about. They chose their words carefully as well as the topics, but not so conservatively that the subject would be whitewashed.
By the next Monday night, when they were due to appear before the board with their request, they were ready. Darla had caught a cold the week before and looked worn down with dark circles prominent under her eyes but when she appeared downstairs in somber black pants and a black and white sweater, she looked acceptable enough to be anyone's mother.
Everyone rallied to her side that night. Craig came to the meeting, as did Chelsea, Chris, Katherine, and Denise. Denise still wasn't sure if she agreed with the idea but went along for support just the same.
They sat together in a row of metal chairs in the High School Library where the board met. It was a familiar scene for Katherine, who had covered many board meetings for the King County Journal. The faces were familiar to her, too. Aside from Gary, who she knew would support their request, there was Elijah Parker, a local clothing store merchant, Bob Lundstrum, who owned a bustling service station, Marie Preston, a full-time mother who volunteered her services to many local committees and charities, Marjorie Crump, a sour-faced, retired city librarian, and the Board Chairman, Eric Anderson, a local real estate developer. It was a widely varied group and Katherine knew from experience that the majority of them were open-minded on new issues. Her biggest concern was with the new Superintendent, Ronald Tuppman, who she didn't know well and who looked a bit stuffy, and old lady Crump who soured at any new idea. As Katherine sat through the meeting, she tried to anticipate any objections they might voice. She wanted to be ready for them.
The usual business came first, bids on new school busses, picking a contractor to repair the plumbing at one of the older elementary schools, and hiring a new cook for the high school. The group sat patiently for over an hour and a half until they finally got to Darla's request. Gary read aloud to the board the letter from Darla about her proposed speech. Then he explained that Darla and her friend, Katherine, were there for any questions the board might have.
The board members sat quietly as all eyes fell upon the two women sitting in the small audience. Marjorie Crump's eyes narrowed at them, her lips a thin line of disapproval. But the others looked curious, not judgmental.
"This is a very unusual request," Chairman Anderson said at last. "Please tell the board, Ms. Richards, why you are interested in doing this."
Darla stood up on shaky legs. Her head ached and she felt a little nauseous from having sat waiting so long. But she stood tall and straight, looking acceptable in her conservative outfit, her shoulder length, blonde hair curled at the ends and pulled back with a black headband. Despite her pale face, sunken eyes, and exaggerated thinness, she looked ready to take on the entire school board.
"I think it's important to talk to the students honestly about what it's like to live with AIDS," Darla said, her voice clear and strong despite her physical appearance. "If they hear what AIDS is really like from someone who has it, from someone whose friends have died from it, they are better able to comprehend how serious AIDS is."
"You mean as a scare tactic?" Marjorie Crump piped up in a nasty, pinched voice.
Darla didn't miss a beat. "No. As reality. The kids hear about AIDS on television commercials, they read about it in health books, and they hear about celebrities who die from it. But they really have no comprehension of what the disease really does to a person. It's not real to them. And until it is, they won't take it seriously."
"And what makes you think that the children today aren't taking AIDS seriously, Ms. Richards?" Chairman Anderson asked.
"If they were, then the AIDS cases wouldn't be rising all over the United States. If they did take AIDS seriously, then harassment episodes like the one that happened to my daughter at the middle school wouldn't happen."
The board members looked around at each other in surprise.
"I wasn't aware about the situation with your daughter," Chairman Anderson said. "Mr. Spheres, would you like to enlighten us on this?"
Mr. Spheres rose reluctantly from his seat among the other principals in the district. He cleared his throat. "There was only a slight altercation, Mr. Chairman," he said. "Some students were teasing Ms. Richards' daughter about her mother having AIDS and a small fight occurred. Ms. Samuals and I have already handled the problem."
"Hmmm," Chairman Anderson mused before turning his attention to Katherine. "Well, Ms. Samuals, you are as familiar with our schools and the district policies as any of us on the board. I'd be interested in hearing what you have to say about all this."
Katherine stood up, feeling confident. "I think Darla Richards has a good idea in wanting to talk to the students about AIDS. From what I can tell, especially after the episode with her daughter at the middle school, our children aren't learning enough about the disease from second hand information. Darla can make them understand the importance of AIDS in a way that no textbook could ever do."
"I have to agree," Gary spoke up from the table. "Firsthand information is always the best way to teach. We take the children to drug treatment facilities to teach them the effects of drug use. We take them to emergency rooms to teach them safety. This really isn't any different than those tactics of teaching."
The other board members nodded in agreement but they were still a long way from agreeing to her request.
"As a mother, I'm concerned about how you would approach such a delicate subject," Marie Preston spoke up. "What topics do you plan on discussing?"
Katherine answered, for Darla had long since sat down from exhaustion. "We have a list of topics she'd like t
o touch on." She stepped up to the board members and handed them each a copy. The members studied the list, each nodding over it as if in approval.
"This looks like it would be both interesting and educational," Chairman Anderson stated. Several other members agreed. "But of course, we have to consider what other parents might deem acceptable for their children's ears. And if we were to go ahead with this, we'd have to send out permission slips to parents to allow them the choice of their child participating."
"You do that for the Sexual Education Program already," Katherine said from her seat back in the audience. "And from what I understand, ninety-five percent of the kids participate in that. This wouldn't be much different." Katherine drew in a breath of anticipation. The expressions on some of the board members' faces showed that they were seriously considering their request.
"Well, I for one think this would be an interesting and informative opportunity for our children," Chairman Anderson said. "Do any of the board members have additional questions?"
They all stared at each other a moment as Darla, Katherine and everyone in their group waited hopefully for a positive outcome. Then, Crump spoke up again.
"I have a question," she said in her tight voice. "How do you plan on handling the delicate subject of homosexuality? It seems to me, I remember reading about the two of you demonstrating about lesbianism." She sat back, confident she'd burst their bubble as the other board members drew in breaths of shock. Uneasiness filled the conservative room.
Katherine rose swiftly to tell the board the truth of the situation, but before she could speak, a deep chuckle came from Gary. It started out as a low rumble, turning into outright laughter. The other board members looked at him as if he'd gone crazy.
"Although I don't see why it matters, I can assure you all that these women are not lesbians and will not be promoting any particular lifestyle," Gary said. "I know this family personally. The story that Ms. Crump is referring to was an outright exaggeration of a good deed these women were participating in and has no bearing on their sexuality."
The board members all relaxed at this since they held high regard for Dr. Harris. Everyone that is, except Marjorie Crump, who only pursed her lips tighter. Katherine smiled appreciatively at Gary as Denise beamed proudly at her future husband.
Katherine spoke up. "Of course, homosexuality will be touched upon as it is a factor connected with AIDS. But no one lifestyle will be promoted to the students."
Chairman Anderson nodded at this. "Mr. Superintendent, what are your thoughts on this proposal?"
Superintendent Tuppman looked up from the papers he was studying in his seat beside the Chairman. He adjusted the glasses on his face and spoke out in a clear voice. "I believe this young woman is very brave to want to discuss such a delicate topic with our young people and I agree it is important to do so. A very good friend of mine died of AIDS last year, so I understand how important AIDS education is." He paused a moment, letting everyone absorb what he'd said. Katherine sat, stunned at what she'd heard. To her, his words meant another stumbling block had been removed.
In the same strong, yet quiet voice, he continued speaking. "My only suggestion is for Ms. Richards to submit to the board and school's principal, Mr. Spheres, a copy of her speech so we can approve what she says to the students. That way, also, the teachers can prepare for any additional questions that might arise in the classrooms after the students have heard Ms. Richards speak."
"I think that's an excellent idea," Chairman Anderson stated. "Would you be willing to do this, Ms. Richards?"
From her place in the audience, Darla was just beginning to absorb the full meaning of what they were saying. The board was on the verge of agreeing. She glanced over at Katherine, who nodded to answer yes. Turning back to the board, Darla said, "Yes."
Chairman Anderson smiled. "Well then, if there are no further objections or comments, I move that we vote to allow Ms. Richards to speak to the students of Whitman Middle School about the topic of AIDS, contingent upon her allowing us to approve her speech prior to her speaking."
There were no other comments, so he continued. "How many 'Ayes'?" Five hands raised and five 'Ayes' were counted from the board table.
"How many 'Nays'?" Only one from Marjorie Crump.
"The 'Ayes' have it," Chairman Anderson said, smiling at Darla and her group. "I look forward to reading your speech, Ms. Richards. I'm sure it will be very interesting." He went on to adjourn the meeting as Darla and the group sat quietly, absorbing what had happened. Craig squeezed Darla's hand and she turned to Katherine. "We won. They agreed," Darla said in amazement.
Katherine grabbed for Darla's other hand and squeezed it gently. "We did it," she said. "This is wonderful." A look passed between them, an understanding that they were both connected somehow, on common ground, united completely. Nothing else they'd experienced together had reached them like this. And although the feeling touched them for only a brief moment, they both knew, in that one small moment, their relationship had taken a turn and would be changed forever.
Suddenly, the room began to buzz and everyone was hugging them, shaking their hands, and congratulating them. The Superintendent, the Chairman, the Board Members, except for Crump who'd slipped out of the room, congratulated them. Gary came up and hugged them both and Katherine thanked him for his support. It was all so unreal and felt so good. They were going to make a difference, she and Darla. And they both knew it and felt it in that moment the gravity of their achievement.
Chapter Twenty-Four
In the days that followed, Darla and Katherine worked diligently on a speech that would please the board, yet express the message Darla wanted to convey. The school had set a tentative date for the middle of October for her to speak, so they had to work fast to meet the deadline.
Katherine found that working with Darla was just as difficult as living with her. They bumped heads several times over appropriate topics for her speech.
"I want to tell the kids how I got AIDS," Darla insisted.
Katherine wanted to be less informative. "Darla, you can't tell a group of teenagers you slept around. The school would have a conniption fit."
Darla waived her hand in the air, brushing Katherine's concern away. "I don't care how you word it, I want it worked in. It's a fact of life, people get AIDS that way. It's important."
Katherine sighed and shook her head. It did little good to fight with Darla. She also wanted to talk about Allison and Susie and how the group supported each other, and also about the many illnesses she'd experienced since becoming HIV positive.
There was so much to cover and every word had to be chosen carefully, and Darla put the entire writing process upon Katherine. Katherine knew that, in the end, Darla really wouldn't follow the speech word for word. But she hoped that her influence of sensitive wording rubbed off on Darla a little otherwise they might be facing another disaster like the florist shop incident.
The speech was completed and turned in and the board accepted it enthusiastically. The date was set, and permission slips were sent out to parents. Then, five days before Darla was to speak, she woke up sick with intense vomiting, diarrhea, and a high fever. Denise and Katherine stayed with her constantly, monitoring her fever, helping her to the bathroom, and making sure she drank fluids so she wouldn't become dehydrated. The doctor said that was all they could do for her for now, and if she grew worse, she'd have to be admitted into the hospital.
Darla fought hard to stay out of the hospital and after two days her symptoms let up a little and she was able to keep fluids and food down. But the illness had ravaged her already weakened body, leaving her unable to sit up for long periods of time. Katherine secretly worried how Darla would ever be able to stand in front of an audience and talk for an hour.
Craig spent hours each day with her but he didn't look any better than she did. He'd been hit hard with colds and infections over the past weeks and had lost a lot of weight. Katherine could tell that he ached all the ti
me from the way he winced with every breath or movement. "Old age and AIDS," he'd joked when she asked him about it. But Katherine felt it went deeper than that. She suspected he said little about his own problems because he didn't want to upset Darla. Craig knew how important this speech was to her, and he rallied at her side to keep her spirits up. Katherine couldn't help but admire him for his commitment to Darla and think how lucky Darla was to have finally found someone like him, especially now.
As the date of the speech drew near, Darla grew stronger but was still unable to walk without assistance or stand for any length of time. They didn't know how she'd make it through the speech, but she insisted they not cancel or postpone it. "This may be my only chance to do this," she told Katherine one afternoon when they were alone. "I don't want to give it up, even if I have to crawl on stage."
Katherine understood her urgency. She and Darla were the only ones in the household who seriously acknowledged time was running out. Neither said so to the other, but they both knew.
The day arrived for Darla to speak. Denise took the day off to help her shower and wash and style her hair. Both Denise and Katherine worked through the morning, helping Darla prepare slowly so as not to wear her out. Darla had regained some strength but still couldn't stand for long periods of time, so it was decided she'd sit during the speech. Finally, the afternoon came and they all loaded up in the van and headed to the middle school.
Gary and Carl came and met them there. Marcia and Dan did, too. Craig was unable to attend, he had tests scheduled with a specialist in Vancouver that day but said he'd be back that evening to hear how Darla had done. Jeff and some of the volunteers came to listen, too. He'd brought along his video camera to tape her speech. Jeff thought it might be a great resource for other schools in the future if all went well.
Once Darla, Denise, and Katherine arrived, Principal Spheres escorted them to the lunch room to settle in before the students filed in. Katherine had requested they use the lunch room instead of the gymnasium because the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The tables and chairs had been moved to one end and a small platform sat in the middle of the room with a chair on it for Darla. The students were to sit on the carpet in front of her and a few rows of chairs had been placed in the back for teachers and other visitors.
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