Chapter 3
Growing Pains
Boston – Late Summer 1992
Elspeth took a job for the summer at a lodge in upstate Vermont. It was hard work, but she welcomed both the distraction and the time away from the stress of going to college. By the end of the summer she was well beyond ready to get back to school.
On her return to Boston she headed directly for the post office, where she was handed an entire box full of junk mail. Lugging it back to her apartment, she tugged the door open, only to be hit by that musty smell that signifies stale air due to a lengthy absence.
Once she had opened the windows, put away her things, and grabbed a cup of tea, she set to thumbing her way through the box of mail. Near the bottom of the box she found a small envelope postmarked Edinburgh, Scotland. The return addressee read C. Stuart.
Perplexed to have received a letter from Connor, Elspeth placed it on the table and settled into her easy chair. Why on earth would he have sent her a letter on the eve of his return? Still, a letter might be nice. It seemed like forever since she had seen him, long enough for her to not only forgive him, but more, for her to realize just how much she’d missed him.
Opening the letter, she read as follows:
August 27, 1992
Dear Elspeth-
I imagine that you may not want to hear from me, but I simply could not let things remain as they stood at the end of the spring semester. You see, I have been expelled from Harvard, and as a result I shall not be returning to Boston in the fall. I hope that this news does not disturb you terribly so, but in all honesty, I cannot say the same for myself. I am, to say the least, devastated. Being expelled from college is certainly awful for me but, to be quite honest with you, it is nothing compared to the realization that I may never see your lovely face again. I don’t mind telling you – I am quite disconsolate at this possibility.
I have been accepted into the University of Edinburgh, where I shall continue my studies. Should you find it within your heart to ever forgive me, I would welcome a letter from you. In the meantime, I wish you well, and I hope that yours is a fruitful and happy life.
Best Regards-
Connor Stuart
Frozen within her chair, Elspeth stared incredulously at the letter. Suddenly tearing up uncontrollably, she dropped the letter to the floor and curled up in a tiny ball. For the second time in her life she had been torn to pieces by loss.
A Month Later
Elspeth was, as usual, camped out within the Nob Hill Coffee Shop. Ever since school had begun, she’d found it impossible to concentrate on her studies. As a result, she had increasingly escaped to the coffee shop, memories of happier times somehow providing just enough sedation for her to concentrate on schoolwork. And although the shop was often crowded with students, she had by her aloof demeanor managed to keep to herself. Having managed on this particular day to engross herself within the mathematical beauty of a uniquely challenging theorem, she failed to notice the tall young man as he entered and strode deliberately to her table.
Arriving at her side, he announced hesitantly, “Hello, Elspeth. How are you?”
Struck by the unexpected intrusion, she glanced upward and, recognizing her visitor, she exclaimed distantly, “Oh, hello, Farhan. I’m fine, and how are you?”
At this he replied hopefully, “I’m quite well,” following it with, “May I?”
“Of course,” she responded pleasantly, and as he did so, she added, “So, what have you been up to since last we met?”
“I went home to Egypt for the summer. It was great, but I’m glad to be back in Boston, if you must know.”
“I can understand that,” she responded, “I do so love Boston,” and flipping her hair self-consciously, she added, “Anna is back as well. She too seems to be glad to be back in Boston.”
“Yes, I know,” he replied, “I’ve already seen her.”
“Oh? I hadn’t realized,” she responded, “I assumed you wanted to meet me to talk about her.”
“No, in point of fact, I wanted to talk to you about Connor.”
“Connor? You mean, Connor Stuart?”
“Yes, of course,” he responded in surprise, “Where is he?”
“What, you haven’t heard?” she blurted in amazement.
“Heard what, Elspeth?”
“He’s not coming back, Farhan.”
“What! How can that be, Elspeth? The last thing he said to me before we parted in May was that he would see me in the fall!”
“Yes, well, the vermin seems to have gotten himself expelled from Harvard. So, you see, he’s not coming back.”
“What! Expelled!” he exclaimed in apparent shock, “What on earth are you talking about, Elspeth? Why was he expelled?”
“I’ve no idea,” she responded, “Actually, I was hoping that you might be able to shed some light for me.”
He eyed her momentarily and the queried, “How should I know? After all, we weren’t even majoring in the same subject. I rarely saw him except on weekends and in the one class we took together in the fall.”
“So I take it then that you have no idea either?”
“No, none whatsoever, Elspeth.”
“Damn!” she blurted dismally.
“You miss him, don’t you?” he inquired.
“Supposing I do,” she mumbled, “What of it?”
“I don’t know, perhaps I could write to him and intercede on your behalf.”
“To what purpose, Farhan? We were already done before he left. Really, there is no point. Just let it lay.”
“Alright, if that is what you want, Elspeth,” he responded and, covering her hand with his own, he offered, “What say we try to move on.”
She stared incongruously at his hand for a moment and then, slowly withdrawing her own, she murmured, “Good idea. Any suggestions?”
“Well, er, why don’t the three of us have pizza together on Friday night, just for old time’s sake?”
She glanced up at him and queried, “You mean, with Anna?”
“Of course,” he responded politely, “Perhaps that will help.”
At this suggestion Elspeth relented.
Friday Night
Elspeth barged her way into the pizza parlor and, seeing the pair seated in her favorite corner, she strolled over and observed, “Just like old times, eh?”
“But for one thing, yes,” Anna posited.
“Seems like ages ago, the four of us sat right here at this very table,” Elspeth exclaimed morosely.
“You miss him terribly, don’t you,” Anna suggested.
“Aw, hell, I suppose I do,” Elspeth blurted, “But I have to grow up sometime, and there’s no time like the present. Life is full of surprises, I suppose, and I admit that I was rather looking forward to dressing down that son-of-a-bitch on his return to Boston. I had it all planned out. I was going to make him squirm, and then I was going to kiss and forgive…”
“Yeah, well, you’ll have to fly to Scotland if you still want to see him squirm,” Anna put in serendipitously.
“Not going to happen,” Elspeth responded matter-of-factly, “So, we three, let’s get on with it. There are more fish in the sea, and with a bit of luck, I shall land another.”
“Right,” Farhan agreed, “That’s the spirit, Elspeth. Now, let’s have some of that famous pizza. I confess, I’ve been dreaming of that pizza ever since I went home in May!”
“Me, too,” Anna exclaimed, at which the three twittered in unison.
Perhaps time would indeed heal the wounds.
Three Months Later
Elspeth met him at the coffee shop. On seeing him, their eyes met and she asked nonchalantly, “How are you, Farhan?”
“Fine, and you?” he responded.
“Okay, I guess,” she murmured lackadaisically, “My studies are keeping me busy, you know.”
“Mine, too,” he responded, and then he added, “I know you’re won
dering why I asked you here for coffee.”
“Yes, of course,” she replied.
“Well, to the point then – it seems I’ve heard from Connor, Elspeth.”
Arching one eyebrow in surprise, she responded, “Oh?”
“Yes, he wrote to me, you see.”
“And what did he say?”
“Oh, nothing specific…”
“Really? Did he ask about me?”
“Well, er, not exactly, although he did ask me if I’d seen you.”
“And?”
“Well, if you must know, he asked me to look after you, Elspeth,” he murmured.
“You’re kidding!” she exclaimed.
“Actually, he suggested that I should ask you out on a date, if you must know.”
“Really!” she blurted incredulously, “That asshole! I always knew he was a jerk!”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Farhan responded defensively, “Perhaps he just wants me to look out for you, Elspeth.”
“I seriously doubt that, Farhan.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Just this, Farhan. Did he mention any part of my anatomy?”
“What! Of course not!”
“Oh, come now, Farhan – boys will be boys. Fess up – he figures if he can’t have my ass, why not you, right?”
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about, Elspeth!”
“I doubt that, Farhan. I saw how you were playing those girls at the Valentine’s Party last February. Don’t toy with me – I can tell you’ve been around the block.”
At this he blushed and objected, “I’m just trying to be a go-between here, Elspeth. That’s all.”
She eyed him viciously and responded, “I ask you - to what possible end?”
“You’ll have to ask Connor, I’m afraid.”
She stared out the window but, suddenly turning back towards him, she blurted, “Alright, I’ll do it.”
“Do what?”
“Go out with you, damn you!”
At this revelation he peered pensively at her for a moment and then he responded contritely, “Alright, but just as friends, Elspeth, just to sort of put this all behind us.”
She grimaced and, rising from her seat, she commanded, “Friday night, 7PM, my place.”
“Yes, of course,” he responded, but she was by then already out of earshot.
Friday Night
Elspeth met him at the door and, upon seeing her dressed in a gorgeous black dress, he sucked in audibly. Having accomplished her opening move, she purred, “Good evening, Farhan. How are you tonight?”
“Great!” he replied, and his nervousness obvious to her, he appended, “Never better.”
They strolled arm-in-arm to a nearby restaurant, where they shared an absolutely scrumptious meal. The conversation was both polite and convivial, and throughout it all, the name ‘Connor’ never came up even once. Finally, over dessert, he inquired, “Connor once told me your parents were killed in the Lockerbie bombing.”
Eyeing him suspiciously, she responded, “That’s correct.”
“It must have been horrible for you,” he replied compassionately.
Seeing his obvious concern, she responded nonchalantly, “It was a long time ago. I’m over it now.”
“I would have thought one never gets over something of that nature,” he observed.
“Well, that may be, but I’m doing just fine, Farhan. On that note, suppose we go back to my apartment for a nightcap.”
“Sure,” he responded, and he even paid the check.
Once back at the apartment, she poured them each a shot of scotch and inquired, “Straight, or on the rocks?”
“Straight,” he posited.
“Ooh, too strong for me,” she replied and, dropping ice within her own glass, she handed him a rather large shot.
They then retired to the sofa, where their respective drinks disappeared effortlessly in the midst of an incongruous conversation regarding the merits of, among other things, horseback riding. Eventually, his glass drained, she inquired as to whether he would like another.
“Depends,” he responded diffidently, “Are you having another?”
“But of course,” she replied woozily.
“Alright, then I shall as well,” he replied confidently.
Midway through the second glass, she crossed her legs enticingly and, taking it as an invitation, he inched his way closer to her.
At his gesture she smiled alluringly and suggested, “Do you yourself prefer to ride bareback, or in the saddle, Farhan?”
His eyes widening in surprise, he replied carelessly, “Why, bareback, of course. Every man who is worth his own weight prefers to ride bareback.”
“I’ll just bet, Farhan – I’ll bet you could ride bareback all night long.”
At this rather beguiling suggestion, Farhan leaned forward and, kissing her lightly on the lips, he posited self-assuredly, “I can assure you, you would win that bet.”
As she did not resist, he pressed his advantage, in the process kissing her ever more deeply. At length, he pulled back, searched within her eyes, and suggested, “Shall we go into the bedroom?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” she replied inscrutably and, taking his hand within hers, she drew him through the bedroom doorway.
Once there, she said, “I must make myself presentable, Farhan. I shan’t be but a moment,” and so saying, she darted into the bathroom.
Within seconds she reemerged, a pistol held within her hands, and commanded, “Farhan, you son-of-a-bitch, get your ass out of my apartment, and don’t you EVER come back here, do you hear me?”
Seeing the firearm aimed directly at him, he rose cautiously from her bed and responded, “You will regret this, you bitch!”
“Not a chance!” she exclaimed and, waving her pistol at him, she added, “Get the hell out of here, and tell your buddy Connor Stuart that nobody gets into my pants!”
By this point in time, Farhan had reached the apartment door and, peering back over his shoulder, he scowled at her and spat, “This isn’t the end of this, Elspeth Moorehead, not by a long shot!”
“Fuck you!” she screamed, but by then he had already slammed the door behind him.
Boston – January, 1993
A light snow was falling as Anna boarded the train for Baltimore. Although she was quite nervous, something inside of her refused to back down. She reasoned that she was on her way now, and nothing could stop her.
Upon her arrival in Baltimore she quickly removed her hijab and took a taxi to the club in Little Italy. As it was a Saturday night, there was a sizable crowd wandering the streets despite the inclement weather. Fear welled up within her as she stood outside the club but, throwing caution to the wind, she rushed inside. She hastily introduced herself to the bouncer, informing him that she was here for the amateur competition. Inspecting her up and down for what seemed an eternity, he at length pointed silently to the dressing room door.
Anna’s turn came shortly before midnight. Fortunately, she kept the mask on throughout her performance, otherwise she doubted she’d have had the nerve to complete her routine. Still, by the time she had shed her entire costume, she felt a tremendous sense of euphoria. For the first time in her life, she felt in control. Wearing exactly the opposite of what she had been forced to wear her entire life, she felt empowered to express her womanhood for the very first time. And although she’d had no idea what she was doing, the crowd had seemed to enjoy her every move. Each time she’d shed an article of clothing they had screamed in unison, thereby encouraging her to continue her performance right down to the very end.
Once she had achieved complete nudity, she had danced sinuously for what seemed an eternity, the crowd continuing to enjoy her every move. She had always suspected, whenever she’d had the nerve to observe herself in the mirror, that she was beautiful. Now she could rest assured that her suspicions had indeed been correct. Hours later, when
she stepped off the overnight return train to Boston, she was still basking in the glow of her triumph.
The following day Anna awoke feeling guilty and ashamed. Hardly speaking to anyone for days, she repeatedly prayed to Allah for forgiveness. Having no idea what had induced such depression, even Elspeth couldn’t drag her from her malaise.
The Following Month
As the days passed into weeks, Anna slowly began to recover. Six weeks after her initial sojourn to Boston, Anna suddenly felt the urge to perform yet again. And so she did. Returning to Baltimore, she put on a spectacular performance that won her second prize. By the time she had returned to Boston, she had already vowed that the next time she went to Baltimore she would win first prize.
Scouring shops in her spare time for just the right implements, Anna put together a stunning outfit within the secrecy of her apartment. Two weeks later she returned to Baltimore, and this time she fulfilled her vow to take the grand prize. But the money she collected was nothing compared to the self-esteem she gained. She was hooked, and from then on she made the trip to Baltimore whenever possible.
Early April, 1993
One Saturday evening Anna was feeling particularly lonely. With nothing better to do, she went for a walk by herself. Seeing crowds of effervescent students pouring into and out of bars, her feelings of loneliness grew accordingly. Having no sense of how to behave in public when she was ensconced within her hijab, she wandered into a particularly crowded bar, where she was jostled about until she found herself at the bar. Afraid of making a public spectacle of herself, she ordered a glass of scotch. One glass turned into two, and by then she was engaged in conversation with a complete stranger.
His name was Willis, and he seemed to be a nice sort. They chatted idly for a few moments, and then he suddenly inquired where she was from. She told him, and one thing led to another, until he bought her yet another drink, this time a double. Shortly thereafter he had the temerity to ask her to remove her hijab, but by then she was too far gone to maintain civility. Grabbing his drink, she tossed it in his face and, abruptly turning on her heel, she raced out onto the street, whereupon she burst into tears.
Reassuring herself that he hadn’t followed her, she subsequently headed in the general direction of her apartment, whereupon she realized that in her current state of inebriation she was too disoriented to determine which way she should go to return home. Standing on the street in a state of confusion, she suddenly noticed a sign that read “Tantalizing Tattoos”. Somehow assuming that this might offer temporary refuge at least until she could regain her senses, she pushed open the door and stumbled within, only to find herself within some sort of den of inequity.
Turning immediately to exit the shop, she was stopped short by a pleasant sounding female voice that drawled, “May I help you, miss?”
To make a long story short, that was the night that Anna got a tattoo, something that was strictly forbidden in her culture. When she realized what she had done the following morning she was horrified. Still, reality slowly inching its way over her, by afternoon she had recovered from her fear, especially since the tiny butterfly was well hidden at the base of her spine, a spot that would surely never be seen by anyone who could do her harm.
Early May, 1993
Anna’s sense of dejection grew with each passing day and, fueled by her extreme state of misery, her trips to Baltimore continued with predictable regularity. Her brief spans onstage had become the only joy she felt, an elixir partaken whenever her misery exceeded her sense of propriety. Things finally came to a head near the end of the semester, when the pressure of final exams caused her anxiety to peak to such a state that she felt in need of release in the middle of the week. Searching frantically through the newspapers for someplace, any place both secure and closer to home, she finally located a bar that was advertising a Wednesday night amateur contest that was in Worcester, far enough from Boston to be safe. So off she went, and sure enough, the events of the evening served to mitigate her extremely agitated state.
Unfortunately, when her time came to perform, she was unaware that an acquaintance was ensconced within the crowd. At the completion of her act she flinched when her pale blue eyes met a pair of equally pale blue eyes through the smoky haze. Still, she did her best to continue as if naught had transpired, consoling herself that surely the mask would protect her identity. But just to be certain, on completing her act, she raced to the dressing room and quickly donned her normal attire, thereby making her way home entirely unobserved.
Two Weeks Later
Elspeth and Anna met at the Nob Hill Coffee Shop. Anna was still distraught for some reason or another, which didn’t help Elspeth’s mood at all. Eyeing her over the rim of her coffee cup, Elspeth posited, “Damn it, snap out of it, Anna! With Connor gone, you’re my only close friend here at Harvard. And believe me, I need all the friends I can get!”
“I’m sorry, Elspeth,” Anna retorted, “I’m trying, I really am.”
“What the heck is wrong, Anna?”
“Oh, nothing. Perhaps I just miss home,” Anna blurted.
“How are you getting along with Farhan?”
“Farhan!” Anna exclaimed, “I thought you’d heard!”
“Heard what?” Elspeth inquired blankly.
“Farhan left Harvard a week ago, Elspeth.”
“What! Why ever for?”
“No idea. Perhaps it had something to do with that run-in the two of you had last fall.”
Elspeth eyed her a moment and responded, “I doubt that very seriously, Anna.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Anna! There was really nothing to it! I’ve told you before – we only went out on the one date together, and we just didn’t hit it off. Besides, I was never interested in Farhan, if you must know.”
“Well,” Anna murmured, “He sure was interested in you!”
“That’s ridiculous!” Elspeth blurted in disgust.
“Perhaps, perhaps not,” Anna responded, “But I suppose it really doesn’t matter anyway. He’s not coming back, of that I am quite certain.”
At this Elspeth stared off into space for a moment and then mumbled, “Weird. It seems like only yesterday, the four of us sat right here in this coffee shop together, so filled with life, and so fulfilled by our mutual friendship.”
“Yeah, it is weird,” Anna agreed.
“Well, now it’s just the two of us, Anna. So you’d better get your act together. I for one can’t make it through the next two years without your friendship!”
At this revelation Anna studied her for a moment and volunteered, “I’ll be alright, Elspeth. As long as I have you, I’ll be fine.”
“Ditto, Anna, ditto,” Elspeth posited grimly.
Two Weeks Later
Elspeth and Anna were by now on their third glass of whiskey, their mutual misery having driven them a bit beyond acceptable behavior. Still, they had survived the spring semester and they were within the safety of Elspeth’s apartment, giving them ample reason to celebrate.
“Why do you suppose Farhan left school?” Elspeth inquired blearily.
“No idea,” Anna replied, “But you cannot imagine how glad I am to find out that bastard has left Harvard.”
“Why? What did he do to you, Anna?”
“Now that he’s gone, I suppose I can tell you, Elspeth,” she responded. “You see, Farhan was watching my every move.”
“What exactly do you mean, Anna?”
“Well, for instance, remember that first semester, when we went to the Halloween party?”
“Of course,” Elspeth replied with a grin, “Who could forget that night?”
“Yes, well, I’d certainly like to,” Anna posited.
“Why?”
“Because that bastard beat me up, that’s why!”
“What! What the hell are you talking about, Anna?”
“Surely you remember, I showed up a c
ouple of days later with bruises on my shoulder and leg.”
“Oh, my…” Elspeth murmured, “My God, Anna, I swear, I had no idea!”
“Of course you didn’t, because I didn’t want you to, Elspeth! Why do you think I skipped the Valentine’s Day slumber party? He would have had my hide that night for sure!”
“But…” Elspeth shook her head in confusion, “I’m afraid I don’t understand. Why did Farhan beat you up?”
“Elspeth, I can see you’ve quite a lot to learn,” Anna retorted, “A Muslim woman is never supposed to show her hair in public. And that night, I removed my headdress for all to see.”
“But…” Elspeth blurted, “But we’re in the United States, for God’s sake! We’re not in the Middle East!”
“Matters not in the slightest to a Muslim man,” Anna responded, “The fact is, under Islamic law Farhan had the legal right to beat me.”
“But the United States does not observe Islamic law,” Elspeth exclaimed.
“Ha!” Anna yelped, “Elspeth, had I known that Farhan was going to attempt to seduce you, I’d have told you what he did to me. But, as it develops, you were perfectly capable of defending yourself against that asshole.”
“Yes, well, that may be true, but from what you tell me, my animosity may have been misdirected that night.”
“What do you mean, Elspeth?”
“What I mean is this – I actually thought that Connor had put Farhan up to it.”
“Elspeth, my dear friend,” Anna posited, “You have it all wrong – Connor is your knight in shining armor. He was simply the perfect match for you.”
“Yes, well, that may be, but it’s water under the bridge, Anna.”
“Perhaps, perhaps not.”
“What!”
“Elspeth, there may be a great body of water between the two of you, but where I come from, that is nothing compared to the tiniest sliver of love.”
“Love! Who said anything about love!”
“Well, since you asked – he did!”
“Who did?”
“Connor did, you imbecile!”
“I don’t understand,” Elspeth murmured in obvious despair.
At this Anna arched one eyebrow and posited, “Before he left last summer, Connor confessed to me that he was in love with you.”
January, 1995
Elspeth had now been at Harvard for nearly four years. After Connor’s abrupt departure from Boston three years earlier, she had essentially kept to herself. The pair of them being both profoundly introverted, she and Anna had maintained a close friendship, one that had been sufficient to sustain her scant need for human companionship. Having always found it difficult to strike up conversations with strangers, Elspeth had instead spent the majority of her time focused on her studies. And, just as Connor had predicted so long ago, her grades had shown it, eventually placing her at the top of her class in the Mathematics Department at Harvard University.
Accordingly, Elspeth had sought advice and, having been told that she would be readily accepted into graduate studies, she had contemplated long and hard on her future. In the end, she had decided that she needed a change, and not just something small. Mind you, she wasn’t of a mind to go into the workforce just yet. Instead, she felt the need to see something of the world.
After consulting with her grandmother, she settled on going somewhere abroad to further her studies. She had taken French at Harvard, but the possibility of studying in France was somehow a bit too daunting. That left an English speaking country and, surveying her options, she determined that her best opportunities lay in England or Scotland.
Ruling out Scotland for obvious reasons, she concentrated on England, eventually coming to the conclusion that the most attractive location therein was clearly London. From there it was an easy choice, Imperial College offering by far the best program in mathematics within the capital city. Accordingly, she had made application three months earlier, but for some reason she had heard nothing since.
Her concerns by now mounting daily, Elspeth hovered at her mailbox every day, impatiently awaiting the arrival of the daily mail. Finally, one unusually cold day in late January, her patience having by then completely escaped her, she sat scrunched upon the front steps of her apartment building, her arms wrapped tightly about her in a futile attempt to ward off the frigid weather, the daily mail her singular concern.
Spotting the mailwoman coming along the walk, she hopped to her feet and inquired in obvious anticipation, “Good morning, Janey, any mail for me today?”
At this the mailwoman smiled knowingly at her and, approaching directly to her side, she announced playfully, “Now, what was it you said you were waiting for, Elspeth? Let me see…”
Grinning at her, Elspeth posited, “You know perfectly well what it is – a letter from England!” And, her visage changing instantaneously to one of anxiety, she queried, “Is there anything, anything at all today, Janey?”
A twinkle in her eye, Janey checked the small stack of mail in her hand and observed, “Hmmm…I don’t see anything – bill, bill, bill…nope,” and then her face breaking into a broad smile, she appended, “Oh, I almost forgot,” and, tugging a large envelope from her pack, she announced, “There seems to be one more small item for you today, Elspeth.”
Her eyes suddenly lighting up in anticipation, Elspeth exclaimed, “Janey! You huckster…I should have known!” And, reaching for the outstretched envelope, she immediately tore into it. Voraciously reading the enclosed materials, her frown suddenly changed to a most enchanting smile as she proudly announced, “Oh, Janey, I’m in!”
Grasping Elspeth in a matronly hug, Janey responded, “Oh, Elspeth, I’m so proud of you! We’ve all been pulling for you!”
“Thanks, Janey,” Elspeth responded and, surreptitiously rereading the letter, she suddenly giggled and screamed with delight, “Oh, yay! I must call Gran and tell her the news – I’ve been admitted to graduate studies at Imperial College for the fall term!”
May, 1995
Elspeth surveyed the cacophony within the enormous backstage area and approached Anna, in the process noting that she looked absolutely smashing in her graduation gown. “I can’t believe it,” Elspeth gushed as she came closer, “The day has finally arrived! We’re about to be graduates of one of the most highly regarded universities in the world, Anna!”
“Yes, I’m all too aware of that,” Anna responded morosely.
Frowning at Anna’s attitude, Elspeth queried, “What’s wrong, Anna? You don’t sound excited at all!”
“Well, it is quite an honor I suppose, but unlike you, I’ve nothing to look forward to. I’m going home to Egypt in two weeks.”
“Yes, but you’re going home, Anna – home to your family!” Elspeth offered, then added sadly, “I wish I had a family to go home to.”
“Yes, well, I do miss them, but the thought of returning to Egypt really makes me sick,” Anna retorted.
“Why? Is it truly that bad?”
“You’ve no idea. Not only is it a different world physically, the culture is stifling, especially for a woman.”
“Oh, well then, why not come to London and study at Imperial College with me?”
“I would love to do that, Elspeth, but the admission process is quite difficult, especially for a Muslim woman, and to make matters worse, Imperial College is quite expensive. Perhaps even too expensive for my family to afford.”
“I thought your family was well off, Anna.”
“Not at all. I seem to have an uncle who is well set, but my mother and I have lived a rather Spartan existence. So, unless my uncle volunteers, I doubt that there are sufficient resources for me to afford Imperial College.”
“Ah, well then, why not come to London and visit me, Anna? Perhaps we can find something else for you to do there.”
“Thanks for offering, Elspeth, but it will be up to my family to decide such important matters.”
“I understand, Anna, but you must promise me you will at least try.”
“Yes, of course. Now, let us get to our proper place in line. We wouldn’t want to miss our own graduation now, would we?”
“Ha! I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
As anticipated, though lengthy, the graduation ceremony went off quite smoothly. After all, Harvard University had been awarding diplomas for more than three hundred and fifty years. Surely someone during that span of time had figured out the process down to the smallest detail. At any rate, there was an enormous celebration developing on the lawn as Elspeth and Anna exited the auditorium. Everywhere Elspeth glanced, graduates were being congratulated by family members. As she and Anna had no relatives present, they decided to depart thereafter and head directly for their favorite coffee shop. Once there, well aware that a chapter of their young lives had just come to a close, the pair of them settled in for a farewell party of sorts.
Part II
Crossing the Atlantic