Bill stepped threateningly in her direction, but his father positioned himself between them. “Both of you, stop it. Bill will come to work for me in the shop, and one day he’ll take my place. There will be no further discussion of this, not now, not ever. It is done. Do you understand me?”

Nora’s hands balled into fists. Her chest heaved with unspent anger. Bill’s eyes flared dangerously. Finally, he blinked first and backed away to stand by the large bay window.

“Why are you here?” her mother asked.

“Nice to see you too, Mor.” Nora unclenched her fists. “Actually, I came to share some really exciting news with all of you. Given what I just witnessed, though, I imagine you’ll be less enthusiastic than I hoped.”

“Nonsense. What is it? What’s the news?”

“Sit,” Her father’s tone softened. “Tell us.”

Bill continued to stare sullenly out the window, and Nora debated whether she should simply leave without further comment. Her parents looked at her expectantly. Tell them. Don’t let that yellow-bellied sapling ruin your moment.

“All right.” Nora squared her shoulders. “I’ve got a job offer and I’m going to take it.”

“What? That’s fabulous!”

“I didn’t realize you were applying anywhere.”

“I wasn’t. I received a letter from Dr. Ernest Lawrence from the University of California, Berkeley.”

“California is so far away.”

“I don’t think I’ll be going to California, Mor. I don’t really know where I’ll be going. I only know that whatever it is, it’s important, and it’s for the war effort. Unlike Bill,” she practically spat out his name, “I can’t wait to do my part and make a difference.”

“What do you mean you don’t know where you’ll be going? How can you accept an offer if you don’t know where it is?”

“What will you be doing for this Dr. Lawrence?” her father asked.

“I’m not really sure.”

“That’s rich,” Bill interrupted. “You’re taking a job someplace, to do something, and you have no idea what, or where it is. That’s my brainy sis. Head in the clouds and no idea how to navigate the real world. Do yourself a favor. Keep your head in the books you love so much and leave the living to those of us who know how to do it.”

“You mean cowards like you? No thanks. I’m happy to do my part, whatever, wherever that takes me.” Nora strode out of the living room, through the foyer, and out the front door without so much as a backward glance.