Page 3 of The Secret to Belonging

this time it’s serious

intent to distribute

charged as an adult

he didn’t listen to Nancy Reagan

you go to college night alone

the gym is filled with admissions representatives

and posters of people grinning in mortarboards

everyone (but you) wears cardinal and cobalt

to show school pride (you forgot)

Northeast Eagles flying high!

class of ’84 does more!

go JUNIORS!!!

you wander around

pick up trifold brochures

logo lip balms

logo pens

logo notebooks

your guidance counselor, Mrs. Shore, waves you over

you’re surprised

you forgot she can see you

she introduces you to an admissions representative

who hands you a postcard with cherry trees blooming

in front of a big white house and young women

reading and laughing in the sunshine

a women’s college?

think about it, says Mrs. Shore. it could be perfect

for you

college is a fantasy

consisting entirely

of