[trojangal]

18th century architecture.

As Cassie studied and discussed the styles of architecture in the 1700's, her mind kept flying back to the events of the last few days.

Spencer's attention was wonderful, and the trip to the headquarters was completely awesome. Being named as the White Rose for Sigma Xi was still unreal..."oh my gosh"...she murmured. I still need to let Mom and Dad know! In all of her excitement over the last few days, she had totally forgotten to call her parents!

At the conclusion of class, she walked out to find Spencer waiting for her underneath the awning. "So..how was class?" he asked, smiling at her.

"It was pretty good. Spencer, do you have the information about the White Rose Ball? I should probably start making those plans to find a dress and everything."

"Why, of course, darling. White Rose Ball is always the last Saturday of January. We traditionally hold it then because by then we've increased our number of brothers because they've been initiated. That's one of their first real privileges is to attend the ball as an initiated brother and they are wearing their badges that evening."

"Hmm..let's see...last Saturday of January. That would be the 28th, correct?"

"Yes, that's correct. "

" I have a question. Would it be appropriate for my parents to attend?"

"Well, normally, it's closed to the brothers of the fraternity...but..seeing how your dad IS a Sigma Xi, I'm sure that the chapter wouldn't mind having an alumni guest attend that evening."

"Okay..hang on a second." She grabbed her phone out of her purse and dialed her phone number at home. "Hi Mom...how are things? No, everything is all right here..hey, is Daddy around? He is? Okay, could you put him on the phone, too? Oh, Spencer. He's doing well. We actually went out a few times. Daddy, are you there?"

"Hello darling..how's my girl? I hope everything's okay?" her father's pleasant voice rumbled into the phone. "How's that nice young man we met? You know, it's always nice to meet a polite young man..but even better to find out that' he's a fraternity brother!"

"Well, Daddy, that's why I called. I have some really exciting news...Mother..are you still on?"

"We're both here, sugar. What's up?"

" Well, I wanted to let you know something really neat. I'm going to the White Rose Ball at the end of January!!"

"Well, sweetheart, that sounds like a lot of fun" said her mother. " Are you excited?"
"Darlin..that's wonderful..are you going with Spencer?" her father asked.

"Well..sort of..umm" she laughed and looked at Spencer shrugging her shoulders. " It's a really big deal, and I wanted to ask if you would come up for the weekend."

"Darling, I'm not sure yet. Let me look at the calendar," her mother paused.

"Momma..it's really important." Casse murmured into the phone.

"Cassie, may I speak to your parents" interrupted Spencer.

"Sure...Daddy, Mother, Spencer wants to say hi to you guys..hang on a second."

"Mr. Mackay, Mrs. Mackay, I hope things are finding you well. I asked Cassie to hand me the phone. As president of Sigma Xi, I wanted to extend to you a personal invitation to attend the White Rose Ball. Mr. Mackay, we wanted to invite you as a brother. HOwever, this is also to let you know that you'll recieve a formal invitation in the mail, that Cassie is being honored at the White Rose Ball. She was chosen as our White Rose." Cassie leaned into the phone to hear her parents.

"Well, well, well..." rumbled her father's deep voice. "Julia..how about that....our little girl is a White Rose!!! Darling...I am so proud of you...I do hope that you know the honor that these young men have given to you."