Chapter 15
Nancy (May 1957)
...
The train Nancy and Willard were on had made it to its destination. They arrived at the train station and Willard checked his watch. The bus they needed to take would arrive soon.
"I apologize, miss," Willard said to Nancy.
"Whatever for?" Nancy was confused as to why Willard was apologizing.
"We must take a city bus the rest of the way."
Nancy laughed. "Don't be ridiculous! I've been on plenty of buses before, Willard. This is hardly the first. I'm not too good for it."
He sighed and then smiled. "I'm glad."
Willard led Nancy to the bus stop and held tightly onto her suitcase. He still would not allow her to carry it herself even when she insisted upon it.
"Look, Willard. Look at that woman over there," Nancy said as she pointed to a woman walking down the street. "She's carrying her own bag!"
"I won't allow it, Miss Nancy," Willard said. "I'm here so you do not need to waste energy carrying luggage. That and to get you to the Sequoia Bay Hotel safely."
Nancy tilted her head to the side and rolled her eyes. "Can't I just for a moment?"
"No."
"My father won't even know."
"No, Miss Nancy," Willard said strictly. Nancy knew the conversation was over. She didn't like it when Willard became too stern.
The bus had finally arrived and Willard urged Nancy to board first and to pick a seat while he paid the fare. He sat down next to her as she stared out of the window.
"Have you ever been to the hotel?" Nancy asked.
Willard shook his head. "No, miss. Never."
"I wonder what it'll be like."
"You needn't worry about anything other than classes and schoolwork," Willard said. "Do not forget that you have extra work to do in order to catch up. You are arriving late."
"Only a bit late."
"Late nonetheless."
"I'll do my best curtsy and balance the most books on top of my head!" Nancy laughed. Willard did not find it as funny.
"You will be a fine student, Miss Nancy."
"I sure hope so," Nancy replied. "I just want to go home."
"In one year's time."
The bus had finally made it to where Nancy and Willard needed to get off. The sight of the hotel was grand and Nancy was struck with awe as the two of them exited the bus and stepped onto the sidewalk in front of the large building.
"Look at this," Nancy said to Willard. He smiled at her as she took in the scenery. Willard led Nancy to the front entrance of the hotel and they were greeted by the doorman who directed them to the front desk. Willard went straight to the desk while Nancy dawdled behind in order to get a good look at everything around her.
"Miss Nancy," Willard called to her. She snapped out of her trance and hurried over to Willard at the front desk of the lobby.
"Hello," Willard said to the man behind the front desk who was reading a book. "This young lady is here to attend." Nancy looked at his nametag. He was called Roger.
"Ah, yes," Roger said. "Mistress Laurier will be down in a moment. You're both right on time." After he spoke to them, he turned his nose back into his book.
"What are you reading?" Nancy asked.
Roger looked up, surprised. No one had ever asked him what he was reading before. "It's Lovecraft."
"Might I borrow it when you are done?"
Willard looked surprised at Nancy's bold question. "Now, Miss Nancy, I do not think you should bother Roger here."
Roger laughed. "Oh, it's fine. No problem at all. When I'm done you can borrow it. You're stuck here for a year after all."
Nancy smiled.
"Miss Nancy Adler," a voice called out. Willard and Nancy turned to see Mistress Laurier walking toward them. She held out her hand to Willard who gently took it. "Mistress Laurier, it is so good to meet you," Willard said.
"It is good to meet you too," the mistress replied. "It is good to meet you too as well, Nancy."
"Hello," Nancy said shyly.
"Hello, Mistress Laurier," the mistress corrected. "You are to refer to me as Mistress Laurier, dear."
Nancy was taken aback for a moment. This woman was fancier than anyone she had ever seen. "Yes, Mistress Laurier."
"Good."
Willard said goodbye to Nancy and the two of them hugged. He set her suitcase down on the floor next to her. Now it was finally her time to carry her own bag. She wondered if Willard thought about bothering a bellhop to carry it to her room for her. He did no such thing. Nancy watched as Willard left the lobby of the hotel. She waved as she wished she could've gone with him. Nancy was now at the mercy of the mistress who ordered her to follow her up the stairs to floor C. Mistress Laurier explained the class schedule and went over things she went over with the other girls on day one. Nancy listened to the mistress closely, nervous that she would ask her a question. Nancy did not want to speak, she had a long day.
"You will be in room C7 with Miss Carolyn Moore," Mistress Laurier said as she showed Nancy the door. "She briefly had a different roommate, but the girl was sent home, sadly. She wasn't cut out for Bradley Diamond's." The mistress chuckled and then gave a soft knock on the door. There was silence for a moment.
"One moment please," a small voice called out from the other side of the door followed by the sound of shuffling.
Nancy and the mistress waited patiently until the door of room C7 opened. A young woman stepped out, about Nancy's age. Her posture was excellent and her room was tidy.
"Miss Moore," the mistress said, "I see your room is in order! I'd like to introduce you to your new roommate, Miss Nancy Adler."
"Hello, Carolyn," Nancy said and smiled.
Carolyn smiled back. "Hello, Nancy."