“Plus Arnie Berkowitz says the daughter will definitely get tossed out of Spence and it’s not so clear that even any third-tier school is going to have her now. She could end up at the Valley Forge Military Academy.”

“I like Jessica,” Clarice said honestly.

“Oh come on, Clarice. You’d kill yourself if one of your daughters became a slut like her. As far as I’m concerned, Albert can read my daughters to sleep until their wedding night. Maybe even on their wedding night.”

“Carumbo!” Judy suddenly exclaimed while looking at her watch. “I’ve got to get home. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m taking my twin boys for a little bit of lipo. Arnie Berkowitz says boys are as narcissistic as girls these days.”

“But do your kids really want to do this?” Clarice was genuinely surprised.

“It really isn’t up to them. You’re too nice a person, Clarice. But then again that’s why everybody loves you. Everyone just puts up with me because I make Albert throw gobs of money at them.” Judy laughed.

Clarice shook her head. “That’s not true.”

“Yes it is. How do you think I managed to become a benefit cochair?” Judy kissed Clarice on the cheek. “Bye, dear. I’m so excited about our little project.”

When Judy left, Clarice began making lists. She would find out from Pippa Rose who to meet for the flowers, the food, the lights, the party favors, the entertainment, even the invites. She knew that the development office at the museum had talented people in charge of all those things, but she decided she wanted to keep her hand in it. Judy was right: this was her opportunity to take her place in New York without Barry.

Even in college Clarice was never particularly attracted to feminism or the idea of a woman’s need to define herself outside her family. But thinking about this event, Clarice had a new sense of importance. For the first time, she understood that style was not just a cashmere uniform but a powerful skill.

“Mom, want to hear what happened to Jessica Rodman?” Venice bounded into the apartment after school.

“She sold drugs to a Nightingale sixth grader at the Colony Club.” Clarice looked up. “How stupid is that?”

“Mom. Who told you that?”

“Nobody.” Clarice answered.

“Was it Pippa Rose?”

“No.”

“Jennifer says her mother gossips.”

“No, it wasn’t Pippa Rose,” Clarice answered.

“Well, whoever it was got it wrong. Jessica was smoking marijuana in the bathroom of the Colony Club during one of those stupid Knickerbocker dances. And this girl from Nightingale asked for a puff and Jessica wouldn’t give her any, so she went and got the security guard.”

“That’s a terrible story! How do you know this?” Clarice asked.

“Everybody in New York knows this, Mom.”

“Honey, do you think we should just leave and move to Philadelphia?” Clarice asked her daughter.