Read The Shells Of Chanticleer for Free Online Page B

when he smiled at me.
    “This is Macy. She is new today.”
    “Ah good, a pretty one!” he exclaimed and he stepped quickly across the room and grabbed my hand and shook it hard. I wondered why he was so happy to meet me.
    “We were just finishing up our conversation,” Miss Clarice said. Bing grinned unceasingly and rubbed my shoulder as if we were old buddies.
    “It can all come as a bit of a shock your first day,” he said to me. “So what’s on for today? The usual?” His eyes widened knowingly as he looked at Miss Clarice.
    “Yes. Please escort her to the Prime Minister’s,” she said.
    A wry smile crept across Bing’s face. “My pleasure,” he said.
    I panicked and thought I have to go with him? He was a stranger, but immediately I saw my predicament. They were all strangers. I’d have to get over that fear. Hesitantly, I stood up to go.
    “Before you go, a few more details,” said Miss Clarice. “You will have a mailbox from which you will be given daily instructions. Here is your number. It’s your responsibility to check it often. When you are not doing coursework, there is reading. The reading material will be in your mailbox as well. You can sign in at the library on your off days. It’s not required that you spend all your free time there but if you don’t spend any you’ll fall behind. So pace yourself.
    “If you need help at anytime during your stay, please consult the staff. Look for anyone wearing a navy blue sweater. It’s their job and their pleasure to be there for you, so for goodness sakes don’t be shy about seeking help. Anyone wearing the white sweater like you’re wearing is in your same position; please take their advice with a grain of salt.”
    I took the card with my mailbox number and noted that both Bing and Clarice wore navy sweaters. Each had an elaborate C embroidered on the left, just like mine did. Must be the dress code here.
    “We’re right on schedule,” Clarice concluded.
    This Prime Minister sounded scary. I didn’t know anything about politics or government in foreign countries. They weren’t my best subjects, despite how bright Miss Clarice had said I was. I hoped I was going to survive.
    As if reading my mind, Miss Clarice tried to calm me. “Go with Bing, Macy. He will be your shadow guide during your time here. He has been here a while and he will take good care of you. Commit yourself to what is ahead, and your reward will be great.”

Chapter 4
     
    Bing motioned toward the door and held it open for me. He wasn’t shy.
    “Well, Macy, you are a lucky girl to be in Chanticleer,” he said. “You are probably wondering who we all are and when you can get back to familiar territory, but before long you won’t be thinking that anymore. When I remember my first day here, I laugh at that scared boy. So do me a favor and laugh at yourself now. Laugh at yourself for being worried or afraid or wanting to go home. Laugh at who you are because that girl is going away.” Bing practically hopped as his long legs propelled him down the walk.
    I scrunched my face and glanced at Bing out of the corner of my eye. I did not want to laugh as it wasn’t my idea of a good time. I felt like a character in an old novel that had been abducted by pirates who wanted me to keep smiling throughout my captivity. Bing sounded a little nutty to me, but he was right about one thing: I did want to go home. The night before and that morning had started off reasonably well, but I was a little disappointed in what Miss Clarice had said to me. It sounded as if I had just unwittingly walked into some well-meaning character formation boot camp. Nice, if you are into that sort of thing. I wasn’t.
    “Are there any beaches here?” I asked Bing, intent on getting that spring break feeling anyway I could.
    “Beaches? Beaches? Now that’s a first for me. Are there any beaches here? Hahahaha, that’s a good one. I haven’t heard you laugh yet,” he said, staring at me