“Why are they all staring at me?” Heidi asked herself. She checked her clothes. Shoes, socks, dress—nothing was undone. She put on her very best outfit for the first day of her new school. Momma made sure her long sleeved blouse was starched, her knife pleated jumper neatly pressed, and her oxford shoes polished. Two thick braids bounced behind her ears. Momma tied the ends of each braid into a large bow using wide bubble gum pink satin ribbon. Heidi was impressed with the image in the mirror as she passed her dresser and closed the bedroom door.
Momma walked her to the classroom and left her in the hands of Miss Lehrer, who eyed Heidi above rhinestone studded cats-eye glasses precariously perched on the edge of her nose. Miss Lehrer pointed to a desk and chair, and motioned for her to sit down. Faces were staring at Heidi, sending signals that ranged from curiosity to disdain. Heidi slid into the seat and kept her eyes focused forward to avoid making eye contact with the menacing faces that scrutinized her.