Chapter 27
Her father and Cecelia had taken matters in hand, bypassing her efforts to play her own ball game. They kept going to bat for her. She was up to the plate, but they were always grabbing the bat and swinging for her.
That was the word picture that framed itself in her mind.
“Father, please. It is unfortunate. You’ve already talked to the council. It’s pretty cut and dried. Nothing personal.”
“How can you say that, Edwina? Being fired is personal.”
“Yes, I know, Father, but maybe it happened for a reason.”
“You’re right. Certainly. But you need to learn how to stand up for yourself and fight when you’ve been wrongly accused.”
“They wouldn’t listen.” Her words were gentle.
“Okay. I’ve given it my best. You’re a grown woman. Tell me what you want to do.”
“Thanks, Daddy. I was thinking... and tell me if you’re not interested, okay?”
“All right.”
“Well... I was thinking perhaps I could come up and be your assistant. In exchange you could help me with my expenses, just until I get on my feet. I think I’ll go for my master’s degree in Library Sciences.”
“Honey, good choice. Of course we’ll help. Victoria will not mind you living here, I’m certain of it.”
“Daddy,” Edwina interrupted before he called for the moving truck, “I can’t live with you and Victoria, you know that. I’m too used to living on my own. There are plenty of apartments... I’ll find an efficiency and a part-time job to cover expenses. I’ll need up-front money for my classes and books, that’s all. I don’t want to use my savings.”
“Good decision on all counts. When are you coming? September is barely a month off.”
“I know. Let me get my thoughts together. I’ll let you know as soon as I know.” Edwina put the phone down. Perhaps she should have spent time looking for a job locally before making her decision to further her education. She could always start the second semester. Dipping into her savings was not an option.
For two weeks she pounded the pavement dropping off resumes, dressing for success, and making the necessary appointments. She even made an index card for each attempt. There were two offers, both unacceptable for one reason or another.
Cecelia called and said the Gillespies were due to arrive Thursday afternoon. Would she come and help out?
“Yes, I need a break. You’d think since I’m not working every day I would have all the time in the world, but I’ve been searching for a job.”
“A job? I thought you decided to go back for your master’s.”
“You’ve talked to Father then?”
“Mother, but that doesn’t matter.”
“Well, I’m not sure yet. I might change my mind and find a new job.”
Edwina heard the disapproval in her sister’s well- educated, well-modulated voice. She believed in a good education too, but it wasn’t everything. She was finding out nothing was certain, not even a bachelor’s degree and a job she’d hoped to grow old in.
“They’ll arrive here at O’Hare on Thursday at 8:30 a.m., so if you want to come on Monday, I could sure use the help. Spencer is on vacation, and the house is an absolute fright. He returns Wednesday, thank heavens.”
Edwina’s calendar was empty. All loose ends had been tied up long ago, so it was an easy decision. “I’ll be there early, so I can clean your already immaculate apartment.”
“Oh, you have no idea, Ed—Look, someone’s beeping in, and for heaven’s sake, Edwina, bring a few nice clothes. We’ll be entertaining the Gillespie’s, and this production thing just has to be perfect.”
“It will be fine.” Edwina spoke to dead space. Her sister had already clicked to the other call.
“At least I’ll be busy, and I can call home for messages in case I get an interviewing call,” she said to the air. Then, “I need to get a cat.”
On the way to pack, she stopped in the hall and stared at her face in the mirror. It looked pale. Hooking her thick hair behind her ears, she knew it was time for a makeover. But how should a recently unemployed librarian look anyway?
She rubbed her eyelids and smoothed the skin beneath her eyes. Yes, maybe a new hairstyle would lift her spirits. Her long, straight hair was mostly pulled back with combs or secured primly in a ponytail at the base of her neck. A simple style for a simple librarian.
Edwina shrugged and said aloud, “But I’m not a librarian anymore, so maybe I should consider a new look. . . .” Her thoughts trailed off, already forgotten. She hated to worry about things like style and perms and greasy lipstick, not to mention blush. Why did a female need two pink dots on her cheeks anyway?
“Hmm, a few nice clothes.” Those were Cecelia’s exact words. Exactly what did that mean? She pulled the black dress from the closet first and packed her new black flats and the Birkenstocks. She had learned from her sister those shoes were more important than gold to the gold diggers in 1849. History, she knew. Style, she didn’t have a clue.
Monday morning started early. Up and showered by six a.m. she was ready to pack. Twenty minutes later she was still rifling through her meager stack of skirts. Two were acceptable, but even they were a little outdated. Now tops, she had a slew of those. The local Goodwill store was an eleven-block trek. Every single top she owned had come from that store. Perhaps—she checked her watch. Yep, still time to make it, if she walked quickly.
Today was her lucky day, at least that’s how she felt leaving the store. They’d had a new shipment since her last visit, and even she thought her choices outstanding, not to mention prices. Half-price sale day. She’d missed that in the newspaper, what with all the job searching and everything. She never missed half-price sale days.
The best find had been a long flowing skirt. It had a cream background with soft purple pansies and green vines. Then when a cream colored top appeared right before her eyes, she snatched it up immediately. An armful of clothes today—twice the value for half the cost.
She’d walked out laughing and talking with the sales lady. They were pretty good friends, and the woman loved to read.
Humming, she climbed the stairs with the bagful of purchases and unlocked the door. It was an especially beautiful day. First came the sorting of clothes and a gentle wash in the machine.
Rhythm and blues played from the old radio she’d gotten for a mere five dollars. She tuned to a more upbeat station and laid out her clothes. She knew not to pack too many. She would surely receive Cecelia’s disapproval on most every- thing anyway and would no doubt be carted off to Marshall Field’s, just a few blocks from her condo, to purchase another dress that cost as much as her monthly car payment.
This felt like a small adventure. Not as huge as Scotland had been, but a venture out into something new, no less. And it would be good to see the Gillespies.
With everything folded neatly into one small case, she sat down at the table as the sun was heading downward toward the horizon. A grilled cheese sandwich filled her up after her one excessive purchase that afternoon in town—a small sack of Charlie Chaplain from Veni’s Sweet Shop, her favorite corner chocolate shop in the center of town. Chocolate, marshmallow, and pecans. Even now she wished she’d saved a piece.
Edwina noticed that clouds hung heavy in a dark blue sky. “It’s going to storm and after such a nice day...,” she murmured as she slipped her feet into her old flats. She would keep the well-worn shoes forever. The case came down in one trip, along with her red umbrella and were stashed in the front seat. A breeze stirred the blue-green air that was charged with electricity. She could envision the white streaks zigzagging across the sky any minute.
The white Volkswagen pulled out of the drive and she was off. A sense of gladness at her freedom washed over her. With a push of a miniature button, she searched and found an easy-listening station. It seemed to match her melancholy, yet happy mood. She turned on her windshield wipers. Things were bound to change. She could feel it in her bones
.