Sorrento Girl Read online

  “Ah, not much. I’ve been doing some preliminary research on a new book I’m thinking of writing and getting the garden ready for planting. How about you?”

  “I talked to Mr. Ferguson, the eighth-grade teacher at Seattle Prep, who I worked with a couple of years ago, and it’s all arranged. I’ll be doing my student teaching semester for his class in the fall.”

  “That’s great! I miss teaching some days.” Rose took the turkey out of the oven and set it on the counter.

  “Do you ever think of going back? Seattle College keeps growing in enrollment. I wonder if they’re hiring.”

  “I do think about that sometimes,” Rose said. “After dinner, what do you say we take the dog for a walk around the neighborhood? It’s so nice outside.”

  After the large dinner that Rose made, a walk around the neighborhood was the only way anybody was going to be able to make room for dessert. She had baked a pumpkin pie, which looked terrific, so the group headed outside for a stroll.

  “Do you mind if we walk by the Fairbanks house?” Ann asked, referring to the home her mother and Rose had grown up in. She hadn’t seen it in a while, and she was curious to see if somebody had bought it.

  “Yes, let’s do that!” Rose said.

  Paul and Ann strolled behind Gary and Rose, admiring the expansive green lawns and tidy houses along the block. Ann loved this neighborhood. When they reached the Fairbanks mansion, what they saw was horrifying. A rock had been thrown through one of the beautiful stained-glass windows. The railing around the front porch had been knocked down. The landscaping had been neglected so severely that the grounds now resembled an overgrown jungle. Ann tried not to cry. Who allowed this to happen? Rose gasped, staring at her former home in sorrow.

  “Hey, the sale sign is still up,” Paul said. “I’ll write down this number and see if I can let the current owners know what has happened. Maybe they’re not aware. It looks like there could be squatters living there.” Sure enough, empty bean cans littered the grass, along with discarded cigarettes all over the front steps.

  “Let’s not stick around and find out. I don’t want to run into whoever did this. I think that’s a good idea to call that number, Paul,” Rose said.

  Ann was quiet for the rest of the day. She hated seeing that beautiful old house like that. Common sense reminded her that it didn’t belong to her family anymore, but that didn’t change her feelings of outrage. She’d never even had the chance to go inside and see it. And now, she was afraid to know what the vandals had likely done to the interior.

  Paul wrapped his arms around her, doing his best to comfort her. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ll do my best to make this right.”

  ***

  “Will you push me on the swing?” Sally asked. Ann had taken the Delzer children to the park that afternoon.

  “Of course, sweetie. Hold on!” Ann said as she gave the little girl a hearty push. “How was school today?”

  “I got 100 percent on my spelling test.”

  “I’m not surprised. You studied hard. Good job, Sally!”

  Just then, out of the corner of her eye, Ann saw Paul walking toward them across the grass. He stopped at the basketball court to say hello to David, signing something Ann couldn’t quite make out. Even though Paul had regained most of his hearing, he’d kept up with learning sign language so he could talk to David. It was just another reason Ann loved him so much.

  “Hey, Sally! Hey, Ann!” Paul said. “I thought I’d find you here.”

  “Hey, what’s up?” Ann was curious about both the unexpected visit and the suit Paul was wearing.

  “I had to find you because I have some good news. I start work at the Post Intelligencer next week!”

  “Oh, wow! Congratulations! That’s wonderful!” She grinned.

  “What’s the Post Intelligencer?” asked Sally.

  “It’s a newspaper, Sally. It will be my job to write about what’s going on in Seattle.”

  “I just read the comics.” Sally jumped off the swing. “But when I get better at reading, then I’ll read your paper.” She ran over where Margaret and Billy were, by the slide, to tell them Paul’s news. She liked being the one with information.

  “We should celebrate!” Ann said. “Want to meet me at Jack Frost tonight after I get off work? My treat.”

  “I’d love to, but I have an appointment in a few minutes, and I’m not sure when I’ll be done. That’s why I came and found you. I couldn’t wait to share the news. Mind if we do it tomorrow?”

  “Sure. What kind of appointment?”

  “Can’t tell you until I know more,” Paul said, grinning.

  Ann raised an eyebrow in response. Now, she was more curious than ever. “I’ll come by tomorrow at around seven. Sound good?”

  ***

  When Ann returned to her room that evening to prepare for dinner, Helen was painting her nails and listening to Judy Garland on the record player. As usual, her roommate appeared effortlessly glamorous, even with rollers in her hair. Ann sat down at the vanity and made a face. Pieces of her chignon were falling out every which way. She took her hair down and started brushing.

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do after we don’t live together anymore. You’ve been my person that keeps me from looking completely hopeless when it comes to what to wear and how to be presentable,” Ann said.

  “You don’t give yourself enough credit. You know what you’re doing. But I’m going to miss you too. I can’t believe we only have three weeks left of living here,” Helen said.

  It was the last year the coeds would have use of Hotel Sorrento as their living quarters. The new dorms that had been under construction would be completed by the time the students returned in the fall. But Ann wasn’t moving into those. She was going to live with her aunt and uncle while doing her student teaching. It was closer to Seattle Prep.

  “Paul was hired at the Post Intelligencer today,” Ann said.

  “Oh, really? That’s great! What’s going on with the two of you? Are you going to get married, for real, now?”

  “I don’t know. I’d like to. Maybe I should ask him this time. After all, he already asked me once.” Ann said it as a joke, but once she heard the words, she wondered. Would that be weird? Girls didn’t do that. Did they?

  “Hmm …” Helen was thinking. “Yes! You should!”

  “Well, I was just making a joke.”

  “It’s not a bad idea. It’s different, but hey, it’s also romantic!” Helen removed the rollers from her hair and sprayed the curls. Now the room smelled like nail polish and hairspray.

  Ann decided to change the subject. “Hey, are you going to be around tonight? If you are, we should invite Peggy and Nora over to the room. We haven’t had ‘girls’ night’ in forever.”

  “Let’s do it!”

  Ann powdered her nose and checked her watch. It was time for dinner. “Are you ready to go upstairs for dinner?” She looked at Helen, who still had a conspiratorial smirk on her face. The girl loved romance. “Hey, remember, it was just a joke!”

  Thirty-Five

  “Put down your pencils and bring your tests to the front of the room, please,” the professor said.

  Ann glanced up at the clock. The last hour had flown past. Relief, then pure happiness spread over her as she stood up and turned in her final test. She knew she had done well, and she could be proud. The only thing that stood in front of her and a degree now was one semester of student teaching.

  As Ann walked down the steps from the science building into the sunshine, she thought about how much she was looking forward to finally putting the knowledge she’d gained over these past three years to work in a classroom. She would have to pack up her things in her room at the Sorrento for the last time, and she wanted to stop by the Delzer’s house and say goodbye. Tomorrow, she’d be moving into the guest room at Aunt Rose’s home.

  Ann had decided to stay in Seattle over the summer and search for a job, hopefully something th
at paid a little more than her work as a mother’s helper. As much as she loved working for the Delzer family, the money from her college trust fund was nearly gone. It was time to start adding something to her bank account. She didn’t want to be a houseguest forever. The problem was, she had yet to find anything. There was always the option of going to Wenatchee and working for her father. But Ann wanted to be closer to Paul.

  Yesterday, Paul had asked Ann if he could pick her up and take her to dinner tonight. He said he had something to show her. The excitement in his voice had made her curious. But when she asked what it was, he’d only tell her it was a surprise.

  ***

  Paul was driving toward the Queen Anne neighborhood where Rose lived, but when they got close to her house, he drove right on. There was a picnic basket in the back seat. He had been quiet, but finally, he turned to Ann.

  “I was able to reach the owner of your grandparents’ old house,” he said. Now they were on the same street as the beautiful old mansion. “His name is Mr. Anderson. He lives in California, but he has an agent here. He was appreciative of the heads up regarding the state of the property. The ‘campers’ have been removed, he assured me. I know you always wanted to see the inside, so I asked him if I could make an appointment with his agent so you could take a peek.” At that, he pulled in front of the house and turned off the engine.

  This was one of the most beautiful things anyone had ever done for her. “Really? Thank you!”

  The house was overrun with weeds and still neglected, but Ann could see past those things. She had a good imagination. Following Paul, she excitedly got out of the car and walked toward a portly man, presumably the agent, who was waiting on the porch. The man threw the cigarette he’d been smoking on the front step and stubbed it out with his foot.

  “Are you Mr. and Mrs. Lewis?” he asked. Mrs. Lewis. Ann liked the sound of that.

  Paul didn’t correct the man. Instead, he held out his hand for a shake. “I’m Mr. Lewis. And you’re Mr. Jakes? Thank you for meeting us here.”

  “Go on inside. Take a look around. I’ll wait out here.” Mr. Jakes wasn’t the friendliest guy. It didn’t surprise Ann that the house had remained unsold for so long.

  Ann opened the massive front door, and they stepped into a spacious hall. A grand double stairway led to the upstairs landing. Crystal wall sconces along the walls matched the large showpiece chandelier hanging from the tall ceiling. Thick dust had covered every surface, casting a shade of gray over everything. Empty liquor bottles and broken glass were strewn about the place. Pieces of the banister appeared to have been ripped out and were missing. But this was where her mother and aunt had grown up. Ann tried to imagine the room as it had been. It had obviously been lovely at one time.

  For the next few minutes, Ann walked through the house, doing her best to take it all in and memorize the space. From the front hall to the left was what appeared to be a small library. Tall empty shelves reached to the ceiling. To the right of the hallway was a large drawing room. And straight ahead, through an open archway, Ann could see another hall that led to yet more spaces—the dining room, the kitchen, the game room, a conservatory, and a butler’s pantry.

  Upstairs were five bedrooms, a morning room, and two bathrooms. Up one more flight of stairs was a large attic and what was likely the servant’s quarters. Some furniture—including a grand piano in the drawing room—remained, but most of the pieces were broken. It was sad to see, but Ann was still grateful for the opportunity to explore the place.

  Standing on the front porch again, Ann and Paul thanked Mr. Jakes for his time. Paul walked Ann to the car and opened the door for her. When she got in, he smiled and said he had a question for Mr. Jakes. “I’ll be right back,” he said.

  Ann watched as Mr. Jakes lit another cigarette and took Paul’s business card, then shook his hand. Paul returned to the car. “Ready for a picnic? I thought Kerry Park sounded nice tonight.”

  “Thank you, Paul, for showing me my grandparents’ old house. That meant the world to me.”

  When they reached the park, Paul carried the picnic basket over to a low rock wall on the edge of a steep hill. In front of them, they could see the whole city. He spread out a blanket for the two of them and began digging through the basket. He pulled out some cheese, bread, salami, blueberries, two glasses, and a bottle of champagne. They took in the beautiful view as they ate.

  Ann shivered in the cool summer evening breeze and put on her cardigan.

  Paul, who had been quiet, finally spoke. “So, I have a question for you.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box. Ann could feel her heart beating faster.

  “I thought I’d try this again. Ann, I love you so much. Your happiness means everything to me. If you believe you could be happy spending the rest of your life with me, I’d like to ask you to marry me. Will you?”

  “Yes, yes, oh, yes! I wanted to ask you! I love you, Paul. I want nothing more.” She took the ring he offered and placed it on her left hand. This time, she knew it was right. She kissed him long and passionately.

  “Okay.” He smiled. “Then I have another question for you. What would you think about buying the house?”

  Ann was stunned. “Uh, can we afford it?”

  “Yes, I’ll show you the numbers. The owner and I have reached a tentative agreement, pending your approval. But as you saw, it needs a lot of work. We can also have any of the furnishings from my parents’ house in Tacoma that we want. They’re selling that house and their furniture needs a place to go, anyway. If it’s not too crazy, do you think you could oversee the project and plan a wedding over the summer? We could get married and move in by the end of summer, if you like.”

  That sounded like the best summer job ever to Ann. “Wow, I’m speechless. It’s more than I ever dreamed. Yes, let’s do it!”

  “So, you were going to ask me to marry you?” Paul was grinning. “What were you waiting for?”

  “I don’t know. I just thought it somehow would seem fair, seeing how you’ve already asked me once.”

  Paul laughed. “I got what was coming to me. I completely steamrolled you on the big decisions we were making for our future. It wasn’t right, and I don’t want to do that again. Please, tell me when I’m not listening to you as I should. I want to know.”

  “We’re both different people now. I needed to grow up some more. I needed that time. I thought I’d lost you, and it made me realize how much I love you. God brought us a second chance, and I thank him every day.” She put her head on Paul’s shoulder and admired the diamond sparkling on her finger. The happiness inside her felt like it was going to bubble over like the champagne in her glass.

  Paul raised his glass. “To you, my love.”

  “To us.” Ann raised her glass in return. Then she said one more thing that was on her mind. “My aunt let that house go because it required so much upkeep—and she didn’t think she could manage that while working at the same time. I want to teach. How will we make that work?”

  “Ann, my grandmother left behind more than enough. I’ll show you. Money is not an issue. We’ll hire the people we need to take care of the house, and you can teach. The house is back in your family where it belongs. It’s going to be an adventure. We’ll fill it with our own memories—and maybe some kids. I can’t wait!”

  “Neither can I.” And she meant it, with all of her heart.

  Epilogue

  June 1942

  “Here, everybody come over here to the front porch so you can be in the picture. Ann, you stand in the middle. Ladies, hold your diplomas up. Okay, everybody, look at the camera. Rose, I can’t see you. Stand in front. On the count of three, smile. One ... two ... three!” Uncle Gary peered through the viewfinder and took several pictures, hoping for the best. It wasn’t easy getting all those people in the frame. He almost fell over as he backed up, tripping over Ginger, the Lewis’s new puppy, as she ran around his feet.

  The lively party guests stan
ding on the front porch consisted of the dearest people in Ann’s life. They were all there to celebrate her graduation from Seattle College. Though she’d finished six months ago, the ceremony had happened earlier that day.

  Ann took Paul’s hand and looked around in wonder. “I can’t believe they’re all here,” she said. Late last summer, they had gathered in the same spot for their wedding pictures. It had been a lovely day, much like today.

  Her father and Sophie were content and settled into their new life together in Wenatchee. Sophie was good at convincing Ann’s father to work less and relax more. For Ann, this meant she got to see them more often, as they now took more frequent trips to come and visit.

  Aunt Rose and Uncle Gary were, once again, both teaching at the University of Washington.

  After the U.S. entered the war, many of the younger male professors had left to serve. Rose’s old job was suddenly available, and she had taken it—but not until she was given an apology and a hefty raise.

  Mr. and Mrs. Delzer were there too. Margaret and Billy, now both twelve, were old enough to be a significant help around the house with their younger siblings. Their mother would need their support in the coming months, as Mr. Delzer had enlisted in the navy. He was leaving for Europe in two weeks.

  Many of the Sorrento Girls were also present, gathered around in small groups on the lawn. Peggy, Nora, and Helen had also walked in the graduation ceremony earlier that morning, and this party was as much for them as it was for Ann. Helen would be sticking around, much to Ann’s delight. She’d been hired to teach at the same elementary school the Delzer children attended.

  Peggy and Joe were getting married in a week. Joe had been at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed. After recovering from some injuries he’d suffered, Joe had been honorably discharged for medical reasons. He was now re-adjusting to civilian life. They were moving to Olympia, where Peggy had recently started work as a nurse.

  Nora was planning on offering her services as a nurse in the army. She would be leaving soon. Pete, sadly, wasn’t at the party, as he had already joined the military. He had left for basic training a week ago.