Chapter 12
Nancy (May 1957)
...
This morning was a dreaded morning. Nancy woke up with a scowl on her face; as it was the day she would leave her family to live at the Sequoia Bay Hotel and attend Bradley Diamond's. She quickly washed up and got dressed, ate breakfast with her mother for the final time, and hugged her brother Tommy goodbye.
"Why can't it be you taking me to the hotel?" Nancy asked while hugging her brother. She pouted as hard as she could.
"I wish I could, Nan. But Dad thinks I'll help you run away." He smiled.
Nancy chuckled. "That would be a wonderful idea. Let's do that!"
"Willard is taking you. That's final."
"Nothing against Willard, but he's not my brother. I feel terribly homesick already."
"At least I get to drive you both to the train station. You will do wonderfully. And you'll be back in no time!" Tommy held his baby sister's shoulders and stared at her with sadness. "You'll be back in no time, Nan. You're a tough one. A fighter!"
"Oh, I'm a fighter all right. I could teach them a thing or two!" She held up her fists and threw a few punches in the air.
Tommy titled his head in a jokingly serious manner. "Now, now. Don't partake in any nonsense. No fighting. You need to come home with that fancy diploma."
"Yeah, yeah. But I won't like it. Any of it!"
"Good luck, Nan," Tommy said while squeezing Nancy into a final hug. She didn't want to let go.
Tommy helped Nancy carry her bag to the car and Willard followed behind them. Nancy was happy he would at least drive her and Willard to the train station but was saddened at the fact that the train station was not a far drive. She shared a cigarette with Tommy and basked in Willard's silent disapproval as they pulled out of the driveway. Their mother waved goodbye from the front porch but their father was nowhere in sight. He was already off at work in important meetings making deals; proudly raking in more money for his firm and himself. Nancy was not surprised by her father's lack of attendance. She quite expected it. He was known to miss birthdays and important events in order to stay tethered to phone calls and to set up last-minute meetings with important people across the country. His day trips by plane ride were of more importance than attending silly school plays and other menial things. His lack of attendance at her departure left Nancy feeling relieved. She was sure she would hear nothing but lectures from him. it was better this way, unfortunately so.
When they arrived at the train station, Willard promptly hopped out of the car to retrieve Nancy's luggage from the trunk and then opened the passenger door for her to leave the car. She hesitated for a moment and looked back at Tommy who simply nodded, urging her that everything would be okay. She stepped out of the car and stood next to Willard as they both waved goodbye to Tommy.
"I will be back here to pick you up, Willard," Tommy shouted to the butler. "Make sure she gets there safe!"
"I will, Master Thomas." Willard bowed his head and Tommy drove away.
Once they had purchased their tickets, they waited to board the train.
"Only a few more minutes before the train's arrival," Willard informed Nancy.
She watched the people around them walking by, busy with their own lives and unaware of the situation she was in. She knew these people could care less; they were busy with their own personal matters. She saw a woman consoling her crying baby and imagined the father had abandoned them and the mother had no choice but to catch a train back to her own mother's home. She watched businessmen in nice tailored suits reading newspapers and thought that it would be quite possible for one of them to be cheating on his poor wife with a secretary out of state. She witnessed possible lovers meeting after what seemed to be a long time. She observed many smiles, plenty of frowns, and felt the array of emotions that twirled through the busy train station. These scenarios danced in Nancy's head while the crowd paid her no mind. She stood close to Willard, unable to carry her own luggage because he was such a gentleman. But she wanted to carry her own bag; she was never able to do things for herself. There was always an au pair, or maid, or kind butler that was like an uncle to her. Nancy was encouraged to allow others to work for her but she grew to loathe the help; not the people helping her but instead the idea that she wasn't capable of carrying her own bag or the idea that she couldn't prepare her own plate of food at the dinner table. She wished she could help herself but her mother and father wouldn't have it that way. She knew she was spoiled and she hated every moment of it.
"The train is arriving, Miss Nancy," Willard said and pointed in the direction of the tracks. Nancy could see the train in the distance with smoke rising from the smokestack and the sharp whistle singing, announcing its arrival. They boarded the locomotive in a timely manner and once they were seated, Nancy relaxed a bit. Willard took off his glasses to clean them and placed them back on, wiggling his nose and mustache to adjust them.
"Willard?" Nancy asked.
"Yes, Miss Nancy?"
"I really don't want to go."
"I'm sorry to hear that, miss. But it is your father's orders."
"I know."
"I'm sure you will have a grand time, miss. You'll meet other fine young ladies such as yourself. You'll make your mother proud."
"I know."
Willard was silent for a moment. "You are strong, Miss Nancy. Stronger than your parents. I think even stronger than Master Thomas."
Nancy scoffed. "I'm no stronger than a daisy weed."
"Well, Miss Nancy, the thing about daisy weeds is they will grow strong in any place no matter the conditions."
Nancy looked at Willard who smiled at her. She returned the smile and leaned back in her seat, waiting for the train to arrive at its destination.