White Chocolate Moments Read Online Free PDF Page A

ignored it:' Arcineh said offhandedly, reaching for more crackers and adding cheese. "You know what rich kids are like."
    "I think I do, but what do you mean?" Sam was calming in the wake of her nonchalant attitude.
    "They believe their money defines them and makes them special. It's pitiful'
    "You don't think you're special?"
    "I'm very special, but it has nothing to do with money. Only an idiot would believe that."
    Sam was so struck by the fact that he and Arcineh had never talked this way before that for a moment he couldn't speak. Arcineh took his silence as negative.
    "Do you think money makes you special, Grandpa?"
    "No, I don't. I think you have the right idea."
    "Is this person a friend of yours?" Violet asked, unable to let it drop.
    "Not at all." Arcineh made a face. "He's older and completely full of himself"
    The adults fell silent then, their eyes meeting for just a moment. Arcineh was going to town on the crackers. At another time Violet might have reminded her of dinner, but these days any food she ate seemed to be a bonus.
    And Violet was pleased she stayed quiet. By the time she served dinner, Arcineh was hungry again. Violet took this as a good sign. Things seemed to be finding a routine. Arcineh was starting to sound
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    and act more like the girl she had been, and even though "normal" meant that Sam worked too much, it still had a right feel to it.
    Right up to the moment Geneva Sperry paid Arcineh another visit.
    (
    Violet and Arcineh had been home from school for an hour when the front doorbell rang. Sam Bryant did not get many visitors, and they were not expecting anyone, but Violet still answered the door. She didn't know this woman by sight but somehow knew who she was.
    "Hello:' Geneva said softly. "Is Arcie home?"
    "Yes, she is," Violet answered, moving back to allow her entrance. "May I tell her who's calling?"
    "I think we must have talked on the phone. I'm Geneva Sperry, her dance teacher."
    "Please come in and sit down," Violet invited. While Geneva headed into the family room, Violet took the stairs to Arcineh's room. Arcineh heard her coming and came into the hall.
    "Your dance teacher is here'
    Arcineh looked nervous, a look that brought Violet's chin in the air. "What's wrong?" Violet wished to know.
    "I don't want to tell her. She won't like it:'
    "That's her problem, not yours."
    Arcineh looked the housekeeper in the eye and knew why she'd always liked her. Violet Kray was no one's fool. Arcineh went toward the stairs. She smiled at the sight of Geneva in a bright pink and orange outfit, her hair a shade of purple this week, and realized for the first time she was as flamboyant a dresser outside the studio as in.
    "Hello, Arcie," the older woman greeted, hugging the child in genuine affection.
    "Hello, Geneva."
    "May I talk to you?"
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    "Yes:'
    It was not lost on Geneva that Arcineh sat as far from her as politeness would allow. The old Arcineh would have taken the other end of the plush leather sofa, but not today.
    "I was wondering, how are you doing?" Geneva forced herself to ask this question when all she wanted to do was tell Arcineh to return to her studio that week.
    "I'm doing fine."
    Geneva nodded, sure that was all the more she would say. "How is your hip?"
    "It's not too bad. It still hurts some."
    "Well, I want your doctor to give you permission to come back,
    but even when he does, we'll take it very slow for a while'
    "I'm not coming back," Arcineh said quietly, and then waited. Geneva did not miss the stubborn, albeit guarded, look in the
    child's eyes. As passionate as she was about Arcineh's talent, the
    teacher knew better than to argue with her.
    "When did you decide this?"
    "Just a few days ago. I don't want to dance anymore."
    "Can you tell me why?"
    Arcineh shrugged. She wasn't keeping a secret. She truly didn't know.
    "Well, I'll miss you:' Geneva said working to keep her voice calm. "And if you change your mind--" She deliberately let the sentence hang and then