22-SCHOOLING IN SKIRTS

tity. "In fact, right now I'm wearing a denim miniskirt and makeup," I concluded.

"Oh, no," the doctor replied. "I was afraid something like this might happen. Kathy has been making such rapid progress in dealing with the death of your parents and sister that the possibility of a backlash had occurred to me. Only I didn't think it would take a form that would affect you. Remember the breakdown before."

"What can I do about it?" I asked desperately. "I can't go to school tomorrow looking like this!"

"Find some excuse to get her over to my office. I'll wait for you there. O.K.?"

"I'll try... thank you." I hung up just as my sister came into the room. "Kathy, can you take me over to Dr. Holland's office? I was just talking to her about our problem...

"Good idea. Maybe Robin can convince you to stop trying to be a tomboy." She grabbed her keys and purse. "Let's go over there right now."

In the car, I tried to soften the blow I knew was coming. "You know, miniskirts really aren't suitable for shop cour-

ses...

"I'll fix that. A girl your age really should take home economics courses, anyway." She pulled into the driveway of the medical building. "You go in and see Robin, and I'll drive over to my office and fix your class schedule.”

"But, Kathy ..." I started to protest.

Her eyes started to glaze over and her voice took on that hard edge again. "Danielle, I said go inside."

Not wanting to cross her in that mood, I got out of the car. She drove off immediately, leaving me to see her psychologist alone.

Robin Holland, Ph.D., was shocked by my appearance. "God... your sister did THIS to you?"

I nodded meekly. "See why I called you?"

CONTEMPORARY TV FICTION -23

"Kathy must really believe you're Danielle. She's apparently lost touch with the reality of the accident three years ago. But from what you've told me, we aren't going to be able to just confront her with the truth.'

"You're telling me." I told her about the incident in the car and how Kathy had gotten tougher when I mentioned my shop courses and my reluctance to come in by myself. "She's over at her office right now 'fixing' my class schedule," I concluded.

"Well," Dr. Holland responded thoughtfully, "that might be best under the circumstances. I don't really want to admit her to a hospital for observation ... that would leave you without a legal guardian in the meantime. You'd end up in some home." She looked me up and down. "At least you LOOK female... I think you could pull off the masquerade until your sister comes back to the real world." "But, Doctor," I protested, "if I go to class tomorrow looking like this...

I was interrupted by a knock on the door, followed by my sister sweeping into the inner office. "Well, Robin, did you straighten out Danielle?" she asked. "I put together a new schedule for her ... even transferred her to Kennedy so I can keep track of her better!"

I looked at the sheet of paper my sister handed me in disbelief. The name at the top said "Nichols, Danielle" and I really did have a class schedule worthy of any senior girl my age. I handed it to Dr. Holland, who shook her head sadly. "Kathy, I don't believe this is the right way to handle this

"Well, Robin, it's MY way," she snapped. "Look, you talk some sense into her ... I'll wait outside." She stormed into the outer office, slamming the door behind her.

"You're definitely going to have to be careful crossing her, Danny," the doctor said. Then, looking at the list of classes Kathy had given me, "We're going to have to keep you out of P.E., though." She went to her desk and typed out a letter. "Here. Give this to the administration office tomorrow morning. It explains that I'm treating you for fear