“Okay, Dr. Lindstrom. This is where you’re going to be bunking.” The woman showed her a map and indicated a building designated W-1. “Go get settled and unpacked. You’re due to report for orientation at 0800 hours tomorrow.”

“0800?”

“Eight o’clock tomorrow morning.”

“Ah. Where should I report?”

“Come back to the reception desk. Someone will direct you.”

“Thanks.” Nora turned to go. “Um… How do I get out of here?”

“Turn right, go down the corridor until you can’t go anymore, then turn left, go down the stairs, and follow the exit sign.”

“Okay. Thanks.” Nora picked up her suitcase and accepted the proffered map. Whatever she’d been expecting when she said yes to Dr. Lawrence’s invitation, what she’d seen and been through so far left her questioning her judgment.

CHAPTER SIX

The cap tilted at an angle and Mary feared that if she turned her head too quickly, it would fly off and poke somebody’s eye out. The graduation gown was several inches too long and a size too big for her petite frame. She pulled up the sleeves so that they didn’t swallow her hands.

“Stop fidgeting.”

“I can’t help it.”

“Try,” Phyllis whispered.

Mary was glad the school had decided to let Phyllis graduate, despite missing the last few weeks of classes. “Your dad would be so proud of you right now. I bet he’s up there looking down on us.”

Tears sprang to Phyllis’s eyes. “I hope you’re right. I bet your father is really proud of you too.”

Mary fingered the letter she carried in the pocket of her gown. Her mother had handed it to her right before she’d gotten out of the car. She hadn’t read it yet, beyond seeing that it was from her father and that it was addressed to her. She didn’t want to read it now in front of Phyllis—that would be insensitive. Besides, she didn’t want to invite scrutiny over her reading abilities.

The principal stood in front of the students. “Class? It’s time to line up. As we discussed, you’ll be seated alphabetically by last name. Since you’re about to graduate, I sincerely hope you can figure out where you belong. Just in case, I’ll make it easy for you. Line up behind the big sign displaying the first letter of your last name, and the teacher assigned to your group will call your names in order.”

Mary found the “Ts” and took her proper spot, between Sylvia Topsail and Lucius Turner. She fingered the letter again, determined to open it.

“Aren’t you nervous? I’m terrified,” Sylvia said.

“No. I can’t wait for it to be done with.”

“Rumor has it Sam proposed to you. Is that true?”