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I found Mankato West High School on the other side of town near the Minnesota River It was a rades nine through twelve, and it took its security seriously I was intercepted first in the parking lot and then just inside the front entrance by people ere very keen to know iven both a visitor’s tag that I wore around my neck on a chain and an escort to Grace Monteleone’s office

The years had not been as kind to Monteleone as they had been to Suzi Shied the color of her hair froray, and her face was etched with the lines of responsibility Her eyes were clear, yet held the slightly wearied expression of so trouble getting used to it

Monteleone’s greeting was friendly, yet not war the Victoria Seven?" she said, repeating what I told her over the phone "I’et a sense of the worab hold of The carpet matched the drapes, which matched the chairs, which were made of the same wood as the desk, credenza, and file cabinets Plaques testifying to Monteleone’s cohteen inches apart I could sniff the aros Nor were there any unsightly stacks of paper or loose pads and pens lying about The room could have been a display in an office furniture store showroom for all the personality it revealed, except for the few photographs arranged neatly on the desk

"Your fahter-in-law" Monteleone held up the largest of the photographs "This rapscallion"--she spoke the word proudly--"iskid," I said

"Yes, and he knows it, too" Monteleone sirls are swarht, too But you have to keep an eye on hiittarians are adventurous, which means he can be a lot of trouble Fortunately"--Monteleone set the photograph back on her desk--"that’s hter-in-law’s problem I’ve already done raph It was s soldier taken with a pocket ca badly

"Is that your husband?"

"Yes," Monteleone said

"Suzi Shimek said he was killed in Vietnam"

"You spoke to Suzi?"

"Yesterday"

Monteleone nodded

"Suzi never knew my husband I hardly knew him We found each other in June after I ht before he shipped He was killed on Christmas Eve"

"I’m sorry," I said

"Thank you" Monteleone returned the photograph "Why are we ?"

"John Allen Barrett He was one of your students in Victoria"

"Governor Barrett Yes, he was my student, I am proud to say"

"Why proud?"

"When a teacher sees one of her students become a success, she likes to think she played a small part in that success"

"Suzi said he was your pet"

"Teacher’s pet?" Monteleone chuckled "I suppose he was I wanted hi so very well"