CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Fall had settled in around New Orleans, and the weeks flew by until Thanksgiving came around. The afternoon before, Winter’s pupils performed at a concert in their school auditorium. Winter had to be careful to stay out of sight of the local press who were taking pictures of the young performers, but she made sure they all knew how proud she was of them. They in turn showered ‘Miss Woods’ with boxes of chocolates and flowers, their grateful parents singing her praises.
That’s who I am now, she thought to herself. Winnie Woods. It still felt alien and a part of her ached to be able to be herself again—to reclaim her name.
She shook the thought away. It was worth it to be here, to be safe. And now she had a few weeks of vacation to relax and spend time with Sukie. She p
