Sorrento Girl Read online

  ***

  It was Good Friday. Ann had just finished her last class before Easter break. She would be taking the train to Wenatchee in the morning. This time, she was going by herself. She was excited to see her father again. Paul had offered to take Ann to the station, but after that, he would be going to Tacoma to spend the weekend with his parents. She would see him again on Monday. Helen had already left to go home, so Ann had the room to herself.

  The gray leather suitcase, the one her father had given her the Christmas when she was fourteen, would be just right for a quick weekend away. It was sitting on her bed. Ann had about an hour to spare before she needed to pick the Delzer children up from school, so she planned to do her packing now. She had dinner plans with Paul later that evening.

  Ann was getting better at managing a busy schedule. School, work, a social life, writing for the school newspaper, and volunteering at the soup kitchen. It was a lot. Ann loved those things, but she was also happy to return home for a couple of days. Life there was more straightforward. Wenatchee would be beautiful this time of year. The foothills around the valley would be a deep velvety green, and the apple blossoms in the orchards would just be starting to bloom.

  A knock sounded on the door. Ann answered and saw her friend in the hall.

  “Hey, Ann, I just wanted to say goodbye on my way out. I hope you have a good visit to Wenatchee,” Nora said as she reached out to hug Ann.

  “Thank you! I hope you have a nice vacation. I’ll miss you!” When Ann closed the door, she thought about how quickly the year had already flown past. She still thought of Wenatchee as home, but the Sorrento had become her home too. The girls who lived there were like a family. How would she feel when she had to say goodbye to them—for good?

  Eighteen

  The cinnamon rolls were ready. Ann pulled the pan out of the oven and breathed in the delicious scent, then set it on the counter next to the plate of bacon her father had just cooked. It was their tradition. Father and daughter had been making this special breakfast together every Easter morning since Ann was ten years old.

  Dad poured coffee into two mugs and brought them to the table. Already on the table, in Ann’s spot, sat a small box wrapped in pastel pink paper. It was another tradition, and Ann already knew what was inside. Each year, her father gave her a new pair of white gloves for Easter.

  “Thank you,” Ann said, smiling as she sat down. They had both woken early, anxious to have some time together before they left for church. They’d enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and though her father never talked much, it was good to be with him in companionable silence.

  Ann quietly snuck a piece of bacon under the table, giving it to Noel.

  Her father smiled. “Your dog has missed you, but don’t be giving her any more bacon. It’s not good for her.” Then, he noticed the sparkling diamond ring on her left ring finger. “Paul did a fine job picking out that ring. It’s very nice.”

  “Yes, it’s beautiful.”

  “Have you decided where you want to have the wedding? Wenatchee or Seattle?”

  “No, we haven’t talked about that yet.” Would her dad have strong feelings one way or the other? “You know he’s Catholic, right?”

  “Yes, he told me. It doesn’t bother me. How does his family feel about him marrying a Protestant? I’ll understand, and I’ll support you if you want to become Catholic. I hope you know that.” He peeled the shell from an egg as he spoke.

  “I don’t think they’re pleased, and I haven’t decided yet what I want to do.” She appreciated his support, and felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. “Paul has only had one job interview so far, and it was in Portland.”

  “Oh?” Her father lifted his cup of coffee and took a gulp. “And how do you feel about that?”

  “Worried.”

  ***

  “I’ll do the dishes tonight,” Ann said after dinner that Sunday evening.

  “Let the dishes wait,” her father said. “I have something to show you.”

  Ann followed him to the small attic room upstairs and watched as her father moved some boxes around. He uncovered a trunk Ann had never seen before. “This is your mother’s wedding dress. I don’t know if it’s still the style, but if you want to wear it, it’s yours now.”

  Ann reached into the trunk and felt the soft material against her fingers. She’d only seen this dress in a photograph, and her mother had been beautiful in it. Tears pricked at the corner of her eyes as she carefully pulled the dress out, removing the tissue that had been protecting it. The garment was fashioned in the late Edwardian style—tussore silk, with floating silver lace panels down the sides and inserted around the neckline and bodice. “Thank you!”

  “You’re welcome, sweetheart. I’m sorry she’s not here right now. I know it must be hard for you doing all of this without her. You know, I don’t think I told you this before, but when your mother first started working for the American Red Cross, during the war, the headquarters were at Hotel Sorrento. And now, that place has played a special role in our family’s history twice.”

  ***

  Ms. Patrick had called the Sorrento Girls together for a house meeting on Tuesday evening after Easter break. The school year was in its final stretch, and there was one more social event on the calendar. The Sorrento Girls would be in charge of organizing the annual Mother-Daughter Tea.

  Helen, Nora, Peggy, and Ann sat together on a couch in the Fireside Room, waiting for instructions. It was a chaotic scene at the moment. Small groups of girls were chatting in various corners, and people were moving in and out of the room.

  “Attention! Attention!” Ms. Patrick was trying her best to call the meeting to order. “The Tea will be held right here on Mother’s Day. We’re going to start the planning by taking nominations for the chair positions.”

  Ann wanted to disappear. She generally felt this way every year around Mother’s Day. It had always been awkward—all through her school years, and even now, into college. She desired neither pity nor any attention called to the fact that she was motherless.

  Helen, as if sensing Ann’s discomfort, reached over and squeezed her hand. “You can sneak out if you want. I’ll cover for you,” she whispered.

  Ann nodded, gratefully, and made a quick exit to the lobby. Much to her surprise, Paul was there, waiting. “Well, hello!” Ann said.

  “Hi. I didn’t want to interrupt. I can wait until your meeting is over.” Paul kissed her on the cheek. “I was just wondering if you wanted to walk over to Jack Frost and get some ice cream.”

  “You’re not interrupting at all. I didn’t want to be there. Let’s go!”

  The two of them walked, hand in hand, out the front door and down Madison street. Last week, when most of the students were gone, Ann and Paul had been able to spend more time together than usual. Ann had worked each day, helping Mrs. Delzer with the children, but her evenings were free. With no homework, they were able to go for walks around the neighborhood, enjoy picnics in the park, and just hang out together.

  Today, Ann was quieter than usual, but she couldn’t help it. This time of year, she always felt the loss of not having a mother.

  “Is anything bothering you?” Paul asked.

  “It’s just the Mother-Daughter Tea. That’s what the meeting’s about in there. I don’t want to go, and I don’t want to help organize it, but I’m not sure if Ms. Patrick will stand for that. You rescued me, actually,” Ann said.

  “Ah, glad to be of service!”

  “So, I was thinking. I’m going to take the classes, and I’ll do what I need to do to become a member of the Catholic Church. I’ve grown to love and appreciate it since I’ve been here, and I know it’s important to your family—so, it’s important to me too. We can still visit the Presbyterians from time to time,” Ann said.

  “You mean that? Wow. I don’t know what to say. Thank you,” Paul said.

  Ann was happy with her decision. There was still much to work out, so m
any things to talk about—but at least this was one less thing.

  ***

  The Sorrento Girls voted for Helen as chair of the Mother-Daughter Tea committee. It was a monumental task that occupied all of her free time and also a good portion of the room she shared with Ann. Currently, tissue paper flowers covered both of the beds, a work in progress that was a part of the decorations.

  In spite of her initial reservations, Ann had given in and offered to help. Helen was her friend, after all, and she couldn’t abandon her now. She still didn’t want to go, but she would contribute her efforts toward the planning and execution of the event.

  Helen fluffed one of the paper flowers. “Why don’t you invite your Aunt Rose to the tea?”

  Ann considered it. “That’s a good idea. I hadn’t thought of that. She has been like a mother to me in many ways.” She sat on the edge of her bed. “Do you think it will be okay?”

  “Of course!”

  “I’m going to go downstairs and call her right now.” Ann set the tissue paper flower she had been working on aside and shook out her hands. They were cramped and sore from all the twisting and cutting involved in the project.

  A long line of women trailed down the hallway, all waiting to use the phone, but Ann didn’t mind. At least she was getting a break from the flower making factory that her room had been turned into. Where were Peggy and Nora? They should be helping too!

  When it was Ann’s turn to use the phone, she called her aunt. “Aunt Rose? Hello! I wanted to ask you something.” Tentatively, she explained the situation to her aunt, as though she were asking for a considerable favor.

  “I’m honored you would ask me,” Rose said. “I’m excited!”

  “Oh? I’m so happy! Thank you!” Ann hadn’t expected her aunt to respond with so much enthusiasm or emotion. “By the way, how’s your book writing coming along?”

  They talked for a few more minutes. It was a conversation that left Ann feeling loved, and it was a good reminder that she wasn’t alone. A lot of people loved her.

  Ann was encouraged to hear that her aunt seemed genuinely happy with the direction her new career was taking. Aunt Rose was a strong woman. She wasn’t surprised about how quickly Rose had recovered from losing her faculty position at U.W. It was the school, and the students there, who had missed out on one of their best teachers. The Mother-Daughter Tea was in two weeks. Ann was looking forward to it for the first time. She couldn’t wait to introduce her friends to her aunt.

  Nineteen

  The lilacs were in full bloom, scenting Mrs. Lewis’s back garden with their beautiful perfume. A small bistro table on the lower terrace overlooking Lake Washington had been arranged with a silver tea service for two. The sun felt warm on Ann’s skin, and it was impossible not to appreciate the setting in which she found herself in, even if her nerves were on edge. It was the first time she’d been alone with Mrs. Lewis.

  Taking a delicate bite from the buttery scone on her plate, Ann listened to her future grandmother-in-law’s story about how the garden they were enjoying was designed. Ann smiled and nodded when appropriate, all the while knowing she had not been summoned there merely for small talk about gardening.

  Mrs. Lewis had sent an invitation earlier that week to the Sorrento for Ann to come to Saturday afternoon tea at her home. She had even arranged for her driver to pick up Ann and deliver her. Ann was both delighted and nervous. She knew Mrs. Lewis would have questions for her, and she’d want to talk about the upcoming wedding. It was hard to forget Paul’s words regarding his grandmother’s feelings for Ann. Uttered several weeks prior, the simple “she’ll come around” hadn’t exactly inspired confidence.

  “Would you like some more tea, dear?” Mrs. Lewis picked up the teapot.

  “Yes, please.” Ann could sense the conversation was about to take a turn toward the real reason she was here. She prepared herself.

  “I had reservations initially about this marriage, you know—not because you’re not a lovely girl. You are. My concern regarded the differences between your different religious upbringings, but Paul told me that you were willing to convert. I appreciate that.” She lifted her teacup and took a sip. “I want you to know that I no longer have those reservations, and I would like to extend an offer to host an engagement party for the two of you. I know we don’t have very much time before the wedding, so my thought was to plan a small affair, here at the house. It would be held on the second Saturday in June. You can give me a list of names of people you would like to invite.”

  It was more than she had ever expected. Ann felt her tense muscles relax. “Thank you. That is very kind, and I’m grateful.”

  The rest of the afternoon was spent discussing wedding plans. Ann did not want a large wedding. She and Paul had already decided on a private ceremony, with family only, at St. James, followed by a reception in August, which Mrs. Lewis had also insisted on hosting. It was all happening very fast.

  When the car dropped Ann off at the Sorrento later that day, Ann decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood instead of returning to her room. She needed to be alone, and she needed time to think.

  ***

  The day of the Mother-Daughter Tea arrived. Aunt Rose gave Ann a hug when she saw her. “It's all so lovely! Thank you for inviting me.”

  The Sorrento Girls had transformed the seventh-floor dining room. A pink and white confection of flowers and balloons filled the space. The hours of hard work the women had poured into the preparations now seemed worth it. A string quartet provided music, although it was barely heard above the voices of the women, excitedly making introductions and chatting with each other.

  Ann led her aunt toward the corner where Helen and her mother were standing together. Helen smiled as they approached. “Hello, you must be Mrs. Francis. I’m Helen, Ann’s roommate, and this is my mother, Gloria West,” Mrs. West, who had the same beautiful red hair as her daughter gave a friendly nod and extended a hand in greeting toward Aunt Rose.

  Introductions were made, and soon Peggy, Nora, and their mothers were happily chatting together. There were so many in attendance that it was standing room only. Nora was part of the entertainment that afternoon. She sang the song, “A-Tisket-a-Tasket” in the style of Ella Fitzgerald. The women had always thought their friend had some star quality to her, but now they knew for sure. Nora performed as if she were born for the stage. It was a delightful surprise to see her talent on display and hear the applause when she was finished.

  The women enjoyed a light buffet of finger sandwiches, cake, and tea. In a quiet moment, when it was just the two of them, Aunt Rose asked Ann about her upcoming plans for the wedding. Ann was relieved to finally have something concrete to tell her, though she still didn’t have answers for the more significant questions—those concerning their plans for their life together after the wedding. Paul was still waiting to hear back from the newspapers where he’d applied. And until they knew where he’d be employed, they wouldn’t know where they’d be living. Because of that, Ann had delayed in registering for the fall semester at Seattle College.

  “You are still planning on continuing school next year, aren’t you?” Rose asked.

  “Yes, yes, of course,” Ann said. She felt uncomfortable with her aunt’s question, though she didn’t know why. She had been clear with Paul that finishing school was necessary—and he had agreed, offering his support and assurances that it would be possible.

  “Good, I’m glad. You’re going to be a wonderful wife to Paul. You’ll also be an outstanding teacher.”

  “You’re going to come back to school after you get married?” asked Mrs. West, who had just caught the tail end of their conversation. “They let you do that?”

  “Yes, that’s my plan, ma’am,” Ann said with more confidence than she’d recently felt.

  Mrs. West’s raised eyebrows expressed surprise and she seemed to be searching for her next words, “How very modern, dear. Good for you.” An awkward silence ensued until Nora
and her mother returned to the table, offering a new topic of conversation.

  “Nora! I had no idea you could sing like that! You were fabulous!” Ann said.

  “Yes, Nora, you really must do that more often!” Helen said.

  “Thank you! I was nervous at first, but it was a lot of fun,” Nora said.

  When the event was over, the Sorrento Girls made quick work out of putting the dining room back in order. It was a lot easier to take down the decorations than it had been to put them up. The tissue paper flowers that had taken over Helen and Ann’s room, along with many hours of their time, went into the trash bins. Ann would cherish her memories of sharing a room with Helen, listening to the radio, cutting and twisting tissue paper into flowers, and laughing and talking together late into the night.

  She would also hold dear the memory of having Aunt Rose by her side for the tea, not as a replacement for her mother, but as a beloved family member who filled an important role in mothering her over the years. Inviting her had been the right thing to do.

  ***

  It was the last week of school. All that remained were final exams. Ann would be moving into the Delzer’s guest room at the end of the week. Mrs. Delzer asked Ann to stay on for one more month to help with the children. It was a beneficial arrangement for everyone, as Ann needed to be in Seattle, making preparations for her new life as a married woman. There was still so much to do.

  Ann grabbed the box containing her favorite hat and brought it down from the top of the wardrobe. Arranging the hat carefully on her head, she assessed herself in the mirror, satisfied that she was ready. Paul would be waiting for her downstairs within the next few minutes. They both had a lot of studying to do and had decided to take their books to the park. The evenings were warm now, and it wouldn’t get dark for several more hours.

  When Ann made her way downstairs, she found Paul using the phone in the hallway off the lobby. She kept quiet during the conversation, trying not to eavesdrop, but he didn’t sound happy. Who was on the other end of the line?