Southern Lights: A Novel

He picked up his cell phone at the house. “Stanford, Harvard no, Brown wait-list, yes GW, Duke, and …Princeton!” she screamed into the phone, and he grinned broadly. “I’m going to Princeton, Daddy!” Like Turner, he would have preferred Duke, but he was partial to southern schools. And Princeton was very impressive. All her choices were. She had aimed high and done well. He was very proud of her.

“Congratulations! Let’s celebrate tomorrow night. I’ll take everyone to dinner. Congratulations, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you!” She thanked him and went back to her mother and grandmother then. They sat talking about it for ages, and then went out to dinner at Savannah’s favorite restaurant. It was noisy and friendly and full of college students. Most of her friends had heard about their colleges that week, and true to her word, Julianne hadn’t applied and was taking a break year, but was a little sorry now. She felt left out, so Savannah didn’t call her and rub it in. But she called Turner before they left the hotel, and he was thrilled for her, although disappointed she didn’t want to go to Duke with him. But he knew how much Princeton meant to her, and he promised to come and visit her as often as he could, and she vowed to do the same.

It was a wonderful night, and Savannah still looked ecstatic as they walked back to the hotel. Her grandmother was enjoying the city. She had always liked it when she visited Alexa there when she and Tom were married. She thought it had a huge amount of charm. They sat and talked for an hour before they all went to bed, still excited by Savannah’s great news. And the next morning Travis called to congratulate her, and so did Daisy. She wanted to know if she could visit Savannah at Princeton, and her older sister said of course she could. Henry called her after that and was thrilled, although he said he was hurt she wasn’t going to his alma mater, and asked to speak to her mother after that. He and Alexa chatted for a few minutes, and Alexa was smiling when she handed Savannah the phone. Everyone had called. And her grandmother Beaumont was next. She told her she should have gone to a southern school, but if she was going to a Yankee school, Princeton would do very well.

“Isn’t that all men?” Eugenie asked, somewhat confused.

“It used to be,” Savannah answered. “Not anymore.”

“What’s the world coming to,” Eugenie said, smiling on her end of the line, and then said that she would like to come to tea to see Savannah’s mother and grandmother at the hotel that afternoon. Savannah was stunned. She said she was sure they’d be delighted, and thanked her grandmother for making the effort. “I’ll have your father bring me.” She suggested four o’clock. Savannah hung up, and hoped her mother wouldn’t object to the visit.

“I think that’s very sweet of her,” Alexa said nicely, with a somewhat reserved tone. This was the woman who had orchestrated her downfall ten years before, and destroyed her life, but she was Savannah’s grandmother, and she was willing to be gracious about it. Alexa was determined to make the effort for her daughter, and her own mother was proud of her. Alexa said she had seen Tom, she supposed she could see his mother, although she didn’t have warm feelings about her.

“Thanks, Mom,” Savannah said gratefully. She knew what a huge gesture it was for her grandmother Beaumont to come out. She very seldom left her house anymore. She was old enough to be her other grandmother’s mother.

They continued to celebrate all day, and went to the spa together. Muriel loved it, and got her hair and nails done after a massage. They were all back in the suite at three-thirty to dress to meet Mrs. Beaumont for tea at four.

She arrived promptly with Tom. Savannah was excited to see her, Muriel greeted her cordially, and Alexa looked tense. Grandmother Beaumont walked straight to Alexa first.

“I owe you an apology, Alexa.” She stood resting on her cane and looked straight into Alexa’s eyes with a serious expression. “I ruined your life, and my son’s. No apology will ever cover that. But I want you to know that I’m aware of it and I’ll answer to my Maker for it one day. But you have a wonderful daughter, and I love her very much.” Alexa thanked her quietly and embraced her graciously. It was true, an apology would never make up for her marriage. But at least she had the grace and the courage to acknowledge what she’d done. Tom stood behind her looking embarrassed, and didn’t meet Alexa’s eyes.

And after that, it was pure celebration. Alexa showed Grandmother Beaumont the brochure of Princeton. It was a beautiful school and campus, and Savannah could hardly wait to get there. She had called several of her New York friends that morning, and e-mailed others. And two of her friends were going to Princeton. She was planning to room with one. They had it all worked out.