Besides being fired, her landlord threatened to evict Eloise from her apartment. This was the third month she had been late and behind in rent. Either she made the payment by tomorrow or she was out. Eloise was overwhelmed. The only solution was to leave during the night as she and Nora had been forced to do in the past.

Eloise and Nora had grilled cheese sandwiches and leftovers for dinner. While they ate, Eloise’s thoughts spun out of control. Unaware of her mother’s dreadful mood, Nora chatted happily about tomorrow’s award assembly. “Mama, what should I wear? How about my blue and white dress? It’s my favorite. What do you think?”

Eloise hesitated before she answered. She knew the news would destroy Nora.

Nora looked at her mother. “Don’t you like the blue and white dress?”

“It’s not the dress. I wish it was. I’ve dreaded telling you this since you got home.” Eloise couldn’t look directly at her daughter.

An alarm went off in Nora’s mind. She stared hard at her mother. “We’re moving again, aren’t we? When?”

“Tonight!”

“We can’t. I won’t—it’s not fair!” Tears streamed down Nora’s face.

Eloise tried to explain the circumstances, but her daughter wouldn’t listen. Backed into a corner, Eloise’s only way out was to leave town before dawn. The more she struggled to defend her situation, the harder Nora cried as they left early in the morning. She never received the science award or saw Mrs. Welsh or her school friends again.

***

Nora stirred. She raised her hand to her cheek, surprised to feel real tears on her face. Even in the safety of her bed, her other hand was balled into a tight fist. She vowed she would never let herself be set up for such disappointment again.

Eventually, Nora’s eyes grew heavy. She hoped all would be better at the new apartment.

Chapter 6: October 1969

Chapter 6

October 1969

Leaves dotted the landscape with reds and yellows. The weather was warm for the last week of October and good for a tennis game. Jorden and Matt sat on the bleachers near the tennis hut. He had reserved Court Three for five thirty.

Matt pointed toward Court One. “Look at them. They’re good. The rhythm of the ball is smooth with quick, even strokes, and their forehand and backhand appear strong. The players on Court Two are also good, but Court Three is having problems.”

“I’m not any better than they are.” Jorden’s eyes settled on Court Three.

“Watch Court One. They’re a good example to follow,” Matt suggested.

“They make it look so easy. Maybe we should just watch today,” Jorden proposed.

“You’re no fun. It’ll be fine. Remember, you said you made an A,” Matt replied.

“But, it was my sophomore year of college. I haven’t played much since then.”