Now that she wasn’t working, she had plenty of time to serve as a parent volunteer, just as she used to when Elizabeth was in grade school. But this time she didn’t think Elizabeth was thrilled about having her mother along. Not that it mattered. Lucy had a motive of her own for coming along—she planned to do some research of her own on Carol Crane’s college career. “Thanks so much for helping out today,” said Mrs. Crowley, the middle school librarian, falling into the seat beside her as the bus turned a corner. “I can’t tell you how much I dread this trip.” “Why is that?” “It’s too long—it’s nearly a two-hour drive. The kids are cuckoo by the time we get there.” “Why do they keep doing it—they go on this trip every year, don’t they?” “That’s exactly right—it’s a tradition.” Mrs. Crowley rolled her bright blue eyes, which peered at the world over her half-glasses. She wasn’t the sort of woman who bothered much about her appearance. Today she was wearing her usual denim skirt and print blouse, with a cotton sweater thrown over her shoulders.
