Are Parents People?

In the quiet stone chapel of Elbridge Hall, a chorus of girls fills the air with the hymn “Jerusalem the Golden,” their voices a mixture of youthful sharpness and sweet clarity. At the center of the procession is Lita Hazlitt, the diminutive yet competent chairman of the self‑government committee, whose practical mind makes her the go‑to problem‑solver for anyone in need of a geometry tip, a mended typewriter, or a freshly knit sweater. As she kneels in prayer, she watches her mother in the gallery—elegant, poised, and ever‑ready with a wry comment—while the weight of the day’s expectations settles around her.

The story follows Lita through the rituals of senior year, offering a candid look at the clash between a teenager’s yearning for independence and the overbearing presence of well‑meaning parents. Her father’s sudden, unannounced appearance beneath the gallery adds a sudden jolt of tension, forcing Lita to confront the different ways her parents shape her world. Through witty observations and vivid school life, the narrative explores how young adults navigate the fine line between being cared for and being controlled.