Sorrento Girl Page 6

  She opened the note.

  I’ll come by the Sorrento tonight for the poetry reading.

  I look forward to seeing you.

  Love, Paul.

  Love? Ann’s heart skipped a beat, and she walked upstairs with the biggest smile on her face.

  ***

  Ann found Helen, Nora, and Peggy at their usual table in the dining room upstairs and sat down.

  “Hey, Ann. How was your day?” Nora looked up from her plate of spaghetti and meatballs.

  “Full. I had teaching practicum, school, the newspaper, and work. But it was good. I took the Delzer children to Monkey Island.”

  “I don’t know how you do it all,” Nora said.

  Peggy almost bounced from her chair. “Hey, Ann, did you hear? Emily and Matthew got engaged.”

  “I heard she’s leaving school after this semester,” Helen said with a shrug.

  Ann sat quietly as she took a bite of spaghetti. The news gave her an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Emily was another one of the Sorrento girls. She had been training to become a nurse, so why would she leave after only one semester?

  There weren’t any women students at Seattle College, that Ann knew of, who were already married. Why? It seemed to be an unspoken rule that once a coed became engaged, it was time to quit school. Ann didn’t like that, and she didn’t appreciate the feeling that there didn’t seem to be much choice.

  “I don’t see why she should quit school just because she’s engaged,” Ann said, with a tone that relayed her disappointment.

  Helen laughed. “She accomplished what she came for.”

  “There’s no reason she couldn’t be a wife and a nurse,” Ann said.

  “True, but Matthew comes from a traditional family.” Helen reached for her glass of water. “I’m guessing they wouldn’t like that.”

  The conversation changed to a lighter note after Peggy mentioned the chocolate cake for dessert. Ann pushed aside her concerns and got herself a piece of cake.

  The cake was moist, and the creamy chocolate frosting melted in Ann’s mouth. “Are any of you going to the poetry reading tonight in the Fireside Room?”

  “I’m going, and I have a poem to read,” Nora said. “Bobby mentioned he might come by tonight.”

  “Oh, good. Paul is coming too.” She was excited to see him.

  “You and Paul have seen a lot of each other lately,” Nora said with a wink.

  “Yes, he asked me to go steady with him last Sunday.” Ann replied shyly.

  “And you said, yes?”

  Ann nodded. “I did.”

  “Swell!” Nora said with a twinkle in her eyes. “You two certainly make a cute couple!”

  ***

  There were only two weeks left until Ann would be able to go home for Thanksgiving. She was excited to see her father again and just as happy to have a few days off from school. It would feel good to be back in Wenatchee and to see the valley during one of her favorite times of the year. Today was Saturday, and Ann was running a few errands around the city on her own. She thought she’d stop by King Street station and purchase her ticket home. She didn’t want to take any chance of having the train sold out when the time came.

  It was nice to have some time alone with her thoughts as she walked. She had finished the observation portion of her math practicum, and on Monday, she would be teaching twenty-five eighth grade boys for the first time. She’d written the plans, and Mr. Ferguson had signed off on them. The boys in his class were respectful and listened well, but was that because Mr. Ferguson was the kind of teacher who naturally commanded respect? How would they be when she was in charge?

  Strolling up Fourth Avenue, Ann watched the people around her with curiosity. She loved living in the city because there was activity happening all around. It infused her with energy. There were also a lot of beautiful buildings, which she never tired of seeing. But other things she observed broke her heart. Soup kitchens with long lines of hungry people outside, waiting for what might be their only meal of the day, were a common sight.

  As she walked past one such kitchen, she glanced inside. Mr. Ferguson—the very person who had been on her mind—stood with apron on, ladle in hand, serving soup on his day off. He glanced up at that moment, saw her, and waved. Ann waved back and smiled. She would have liked to have gone in and visited a while, but he was busy, so she continued on her way. She continued to think about Mr. Ferguson in the soup kitchen long after. Maybe she could do something like that.

  She wanted to stop at the Bartell Drugs store and buy some new lipstick. Paul was taking her to the movie, Angels with Dirty Faces, that evening.

  Should she have invited Paul to come to Wenatchee with her for Thanksgiving? When was the appropriate time to do something like that? She didn’t know. She hadn’t even told her father about him yet. She knew Paul well enough to know that he, like most of the other students at Seattle College, came from a very different world than she had, one of relative wealth and privilege.

  She hadn’t hidden anything about herself from him, but how would he react when he saw her humble roots? She wasn’t ashamed. That would be the wrong word. Ann loved her home, and she was proud of her father. But would Paul’s opinion of her change? He hadn’t yet offered to take her to meet his grandmother, who lived in Seattle—so maybe it was too soon.

  A bell on the door of the drugstore rang a greeting as she entered. The smell of fresh coffee wafted in from the back where the soda fountain was located. She’d rest awhile and warm up with a hot coffee before heading back into the rain and returning to the Sorrento.

  Ann sat down at the counter and pulled over a newspaper that had been left behind. She read about how things were getting bad for the Jewish people in Germany. All the Jewish owned businesses had been closed per a new decree excluding Jews from German economic life.

  “Coffee, miss?” a young girl behind the counter asked.

  “Yes, thank you.” What was happening to this world? She was thinking about the Jewish people in Germany and what it would be like to suddenly have one’s livelihood ripped away for no good reason. Ann had become more adept at pushing away uncomfortable thoughts lately. These things didn’t seem suitable to bring up in the type of social settings she now inhabited. But sitting alone at the counter that Saturday morning, her mind lingered on the inequalities around her. She thought again about Mr. Ferguson in the soup kitchen, only a couple of blocks away. He was doing something good for people. She wanted to do something useful too.

  On her way home, Ann saw a man selling apples on the corner. The boxes said, Northern Fruit, Wenatchee, WA. That was her father's employer. This little reminder of home made her feel happy. “How much for a whole box?” she asked.

  “Fifty cents, miss.”

  “I’ll take it.” Ann had one more stop to make. She doubled back the way she had come earlier, carrying the heavy box in her arms, returning to the soup kitchen where she had seen Mr. Ferguson. There was still a line of people stretching out the front door. Ann passed out the apples to anyone who wanted one. They were gone quickly. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

  Ten

  “My grandmother would like me to bring you to dinner at her house on Sunday,” Paul smiled as he sat down next to Ann.

  “Oh? Well, that’s very kind. This Sunday?” Ann was taken by surprise. She bit the lower corner of her bottom lip.

  “Yes, one o’clock, right after Mass.”

  “Okay, yes. I’d like that.” It was a big deal. Ann wasn’t quite sure what to think. Paul’s grandmother, Elizabeth Lewis, was well known among Seattle society. A wealthy widow, she lived in a big old house on the lake in the Laurelhurst neighborhood by herself, and, as Ann already knew, it was considered a big honor to be invited to one of her tea parties.

  Ann and Paul were working on homework together in the library that Wednesday evening when he’d asked. She’d missed him while being away in Wenatchee over Thanksgiving break, and she had, until a minu
te ago, been feeling content, relaxed, and happy to be near Paul once again as they worked side by side. Suddenly, her shoulders tensed.

  “What should I wear?” Ann asked.

  “You’re always beautiful. Don’t worry. Grandmother will love you. Wear the dress you were wearing when we first met—the green one,” Paul said as he reached over and squeezed her hand.

  It was getting late. Paul offered to walk Ann back to the Sorrento. Light snow was falling when they exited the library—the season’s first. Barely visible, except under the glow of the streetlight, but there, nonetheless. The tiny flakes kissed their faces as they gazed up with excitement.

  “I hope it sticks!” Ann twirled around with her hands reaching toward the sky.

  “Ann,” Paul said, grinning at her, “I love you.”

  Ann didn’t hesitate in her response. “I love you too!”

  ***

  The next morning, Ann woke up to the sound of Helen’s delighted exclamations as she peered out the curtains onto a sparkling white world below them. Their room felt cold, and Ann struggled to push the warm covers off of her and get up. She loved the snow too, but she had to get across town to Seattle Prep. Hopefully, the streetcars would be running on their regular schedule. She’d need to bundle up and dress warmly.

  She had finished her unit plan with the eighth-grade boys, who had been a pleasure to teach, and all she needed to do was return one more time with the corrected tests and the grades, then say goodbye. Ann would get to pick up Mr. Ferguson’s assessment of her teaching as well, and hopefully, have a chance to talk to him. She had loved her time in his class, and she was eager for her future career in teaching.

  After a quick breakfast of oatmeal, Ann was out the door. Thank goodness she’d given herself some extra time, because the first streetcar that came along was on time, but it was full. She had to wait for the next one. Nobody wanted to drive in the snow. Finally, another trolley arrived, and she was on her way to Seattle Prep.

  When Ann walked through the crowded hallways of Seattle Prep this time, she did so with confidence. Now, the students were used to seeing her around, and her presence was no longer a novelty. She arrived at Mr. Ferguson’s classroom several minutes before the first bell.

  He was sitting at his desk. “Hello, Miss Brooks. Last day, huh? We’re going to miss you around here.” The teacher leaned back in his chair and smiled. “Maybe you should take my job when I retire.”

  “Yes, last day. I’m going to miss all of you too.” A brief wave of sadness washed over her. She really was going to miss them. How kind of Mr. Ferguson to share his confidence in her. “The class did wonderful on their last test. Thank you for having me these past few weeks.”

  Mr. Ferguson handed Ann an envelope with his assessment and smiled. “You’re a fine teacher. I gave you high marks in all areas.”

  “Thank you.” Ann’s cheeks warmed at the compliments. It felt good to hear that. “I learned a lot from watching you.”

  The students were coming into the classroom now, and they were finding their seats. The first snow had brought a high level of excitement, and though she knew she would be sorry to say goodbye, Ann was somewhat relieved that Mr. Ferguson would be the one who’d need to try and hold their attention that morning. It certainly wouldn’t be easy.

  ***

  Paul pulled his red Plymouth up to the front of the Sorrento on Sunday, and Ann met him at the door. She carried a small box of chocolates as a hostess gift.

  “Are those for me? How’d you know the secret to my heart?” teased Paul.

  “I’m hoping they’ll be the secret to your grandmother’s heart.”

  “She loves chocolate, and she’ll love you.”

  Ann hoped he was right. Paul drove slowly along the icy streets, and she was grateful for the extra time alone with him. He had a way of calming her nerves and making her feel better.

  They arrived and parked in the circular driveway in front of the home. Ann placed her hand in the crook of Paul’s arm as they walked up to the front steps to his grandmother’s old Tudor-style mansion. She tried her best not to gape, open-mouthed, at its grandeur. Before they reached the door, it opened, and a friendly gray-haired older man wearing a black suit greeted the couple, welcoming them into the front hall.

  “Hey, Pepper!” Paul said, helping Ann with her coat. “How’re you, old guy?”

  “Mr. Lewis! I’m doing fine, thanks. It’s good to see you. And you, lovely lady—you must be Miss Brooks! Let me take your coats for you.” Pepper took both and draped them over his arm.

  “Thank you, sir, so nice to meet you,” Ann said, appreciating the warm welcome.

  Just then, an elderly, elegant lady approached the group. Dressed in black, she wore a stern expression, and her white hair was pulled into a tight chignon.

  “Paul, dear, thank you for coming tonight.”

  “Grandmother, it’s a pleasure. I’d like you to meet my friend, Ann Brooks. Ann, my grandmother, Elizabeth Lewis.”

  “Welcome, Ann. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am. Thank you for having me. These are for you.” Ann gave Mrs. Lewis the chocolates, and though the woman was perfectly polite, it was difficult to ascertain how she felt about the gift—or Ann.

  She examined the home Paul had lived in throughout his high school years. A glittering chandelier dominated the space in the front hallway.

  Mrs. Lewis set the box of chocolates down on an antique credenza next to a crystal vase of roses. “Come, let’s go into the dining room. Dinner is ready.”

  The evening went pleasantly, and Ann was reasonably satisfied that she hadn’t embarrassed herself by breaking any rules of etiquette or offending Paul’s grandmother. Paul adored her, so it was essential to Ann that she made a good impression on Mrs. Lewis.

  ***

  Christmas break was the following week. Ann would be returning to Wenatchee on the train. It would only be for a few days because Mr. and Mrs. Delzer had asked Ann to come back to Seattle early. She would stay with the children while the two of them went on a New Year’s holiday ski trip.

  When she’d called her father on the Sunday after the dinner at Mrs. Lewis’s house, Ann had finally told him about Paul. He hadn’t seemed as surprised as Ann had expected him to be but said he was pleased for her—as long as Paul was a good guy, and Ann was happy. She’d reported on Paul’s admirable qualities and assured her father that she was happy. Paul would be spending Christmas at his grandmother’s house, and he would be spending a few days skiing in the mountains too.

  Paul and Ann were having lunch together in the newspaper office on a Thursday afternoon. “I know you have plans for Christmas already, but if you’d like to come to Wenatchee for a day or two before, I’d love for you to meet my father, and I could show you my hometown,” Ann said.

  “I’d like that. Thank you! Maybe I could ride over on the train with you and keep you company.” Paul put his hand over the top of Ann’s.

  Ann didn’t know why she’d been so nervous to ask, but she was relieved and excited that Paul had accepted her invitation. She thought about what she would like to show Paul while he was in town. Maybe he would want to go sledding on Badger Mountain. That was one of her favorite activities to do at Christmastime.

  ***

  Calvin Brooks was waiting on the platform at the train station when Paul and Ann arrived. She ran straight toward him and gave him a big hug and kiss on the cheek.“Father! Merry Christmas!” Ann took a step back and grabbed Paul’s arm. “I’d like you to meet my friend, Paul.”

  The two men shook hands and said their greetings. Ann was happy to have the two of them finally meet and even more pleased when her father told her that he would be able to join them when they went to Badger Mountain for sledding the following day.

  Her father took Ann’s suitcase from her and led the group toward his truck.“Have you two had dinner yet?”

  “Yes, we had dinner o
n the train,” Ann said.

  The streets were covered in snow, and the town resembled something from a Christmas card. Paul commented on how pretty it all looked, and Ann felt proud. In no time at all, her father was parking the car in front of the little Cape Cod-style cottage on Hawthorne street that she had always called home. Her old cocker spaniel, Noel, was waiting at the front door to greet them.

  Paul stayed for two days, sleeping on a cot in the basement. Ann took delight in cooking for both Paul and her father—and in introducing Paul to her friends and neighbors. Paul and her father seemed to enjoy each other’s company, and Paul was gracious, seemingly oblivious to the stark contrast of the simple life Ann and her father lived to the opulence of his grandmother’s home.

  He helped Ann and her father cut down a Christmas tree in the woods, bring it back, and decorate it. Before his departure, Paul and Ann exchanged gifts. She gave Paul a silver money clip, and he gave her a beautiful pair of pearl stud earrings.

  Ann wanted to know what her father thought about her relationship with Paul. Did he think they were getting too serious, too fast? He didn’t say anything, and Ann never asked.

  ***

  It had been a whirlwind holiday season full of fun and activity. Ann had done her best to keep the Delzer children busy while their parents were gone. The more downtime they had, the more mischief they seemed to find. They had gone ice skating together, had visited parks and museums, baked cookies, and read countless stories. Ann loved the children, but she was ready to say goodbye and return to the relative peace of the Sorrento when Mr. and Mrs. Delzer came home.

  Tomorrow, a new semester of classes at Seattle College would begin. For now, she was resting in the Fireside Room with a hot cup of tea and a book. Paul had told her he would stop by and say hello that evening. She hadn’t seen him since they had been in Wenatchee together, and she was excited to hear about his vacation. Just then, he breezed through the entrance with his usual confident smile, seemingly brightening the entire room.

  “Hi, Ann,” Paul said, kissing her on the cheek. He had a bronzed face from his ski trip, appearing more handsome than ever to Ann.