Snowbound by Janice Kay Johnson Page B

solitude back.
    Just not yet.

CHAPTER SIX
    A FTER DINNER , Willow disappeared again. At first, Fiona didnt pay any attention. Shed probably just gone to the bathroom. But when she didnt come back, Fiona set down her book on the upholstered chair shed been occupying a cozy distance from the crackling fire, and went upstairs.
    The doors to both girls bedrooms were open, Willow in neither. Only the bathroom door was shut. Fiona knocked lightly.
    Willow? Are you okay?
    Ms. Mac? The voice was high and shaky. Are you by yourself?
    Everyone else is downstairs.
    My period started! she wailed.
    Surely, surely, not her first one, Fiona prayed.
    I left tampons in the basket on the counter.
    I cant use them. She was definitely crying. Theythey hurt. I never use them!
    Oh, Lord. Fiona stood facing the door panel. All right, she said. Ill ask the other girls. Maybe one of them has a pad in her purse.
    Otherwise, they might just have to go back to the ragstheir great-grandmothers would have used. She decided not to mention that option yet.
    Why dont you just fold a bunch of toilet paper inside your underwear for now?
    There was a pause, then a horrified, Toilet paper?
    Nope. Fiona definitely wasnt saying a word about rags, or the interesting historical fact that women on the Oregon Trail had had to reuse them without washing when no water was available, and had dried them by hanging them on the back of the wagon. Diapers, too. Must have been a pretty sight for the driver of the next wagon in line.
    Ill be back, she said.
    She paused for a moment on the stairs, looking at the tableau below her. Everyone was lounging, one group playing poker, a few reading or listening to music. They looked amazingly content, considering they were stranded here and not on vacation. Unaware of her above, John tossed a log onto the fire, raising a storm of sparks. For just a moment, she couldnt help letting her gaze linger on his broad shoulders andokay, admit itthe way his jeans clung to muscular thighs and butt. His shoulders were nice, too, broad and strong.
    Willow, she reminded herself.
    Continuing down, Fiona caught Erins eye. Erin had been reading, sitting on an area rug, legs outstretched, and leaning against the massive leather sofa. Troy lay on the sofa, eyes closed, headphones on, his fingers drumming on the leather.
    Erin stood and casually made her way over to the teacher. Is something wrong?
    Willows period started, Fiona said in a low voice. Shes not comfortable using tampons. Any chance you have a pad?
    Erin shook her head. I use tampons. Besides, I just had mine. I didnt bring anything.
    Okay, Ill ask the other girls.
    Tabitha threw down her cards and stood. Im going to get something to drink, she announced.
    Fiona stopped her on the way to the kitchen and repeated her question.
    Tabitha, too, shook her head. Uh-uh.
    Kelli had her back to Fiona, so Fiona signaled to Amy next.
    Amy didnt want to be separated from the boys. When Fiona gestured for the second time, she said, What?
    Can I talk to you for a minute?
    She was aware of John Fallon turning from the fire and watching them. No surpriseshe was always aware of him when he was in the room.
    Amy rolled her eyes and stood. When Fiona quietly repeated the question yet again, Amy curled her lip. Why cant she use tampons like everyone else?
    Is something wrong? Hopper asked.
    Amy looked at somethingor someonebehind Fiona, then said deliberately, pitching her voice so everyone could hear, Willows having her period. And she doesnt like the tampons the rest of us use. Like its any of your business.
    They all heard a gasp.
    Fiona turned to see Willow halfway down the stairs, her face blanched. For a long, suspended moment, sheand Amy stared at each other. Then Willows face crumpled and she turned and fled.
    Keeping her voice level with an effort, Fiona said, That was mean. I thought better of you, Amy.
    What? she snapped, tossed her head. Like boys dont know we menstruate?
    Everyone was listening,