by Claire Fogel
I rolled my eyes. “No cute guys, Amy. I’ll be concentrating on art, nothing else.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Listen, young lady. There will be cute guys, have no doubt. And I know they won’t be able to resist those big green eyes and that pretty face of yours. Promise me you’ll at least be friendly.”
“Okay, okay, Amy. I’ll be friendly. But that’s it. I’m not planning on dating, or parties, or any of the things you’re interested in. I think you know why.”
It was her turn to roll her eyes. “Yeah, I know. Your missing bodyguard.” She shook her head. “It’s been almost a year, Cara. Without any word from him. It might be time to accept that he’s gone and might not return. Don’t waste your life waiting for him, sweetie. You deserve more.”
There was no sense arguing with her. She wouldn’t understand how committed, or “mated,” I already felt. Which made me wonder why she didn’t feel the same things for Kevin. Maybe it just hadn’t happened to them yet.
I decided to give my father his portrait later that night, when it was just the three of us.
After Amy left, I said, “I have a gift for Dad in my room. Would you both come upstairs with me please.”
They followed me up to my room, my father looking curious.
When we were all standing in front of my easel, I looked at Mom.
“Mom, we’ve been together for over seventeen years. I think you know how much you mean to me. I know I don’t say it often enough, but you’re a wonderful mother, as well as a great friend.”
I turned to my father. “Dad, you’ve become such an important part of my life, I often forget we’ve only been together for about fifteen months. A few weeks ago, you reminded me of this when you said that I’ve only been part of your life for a year. And that’s not very long. I don’t think I’ve ever told you how much you mean to me. So, before I leave for Art school, I wanted to find a way to show you.”
I pulled the cover off the pen and ink drawing I’d done of my father and heard two gasps from behind me.
This picture was much larger than most of my drawings, measuring about nine by twelve. I thought it was the best work I’d ever done.
I’d shown my dark-haired, green-eyed father leaning against a pine tree, his arms casually crossed against his chest, and a loving but mischievous smile on his handsome face. It was a more detailed version of the picture he’d mentally sent to me, which I’d unknowingly drawn into the landscape picture I’d been working on that day more than a year ago.
The love he felt for me was clear on his smiling face, and so was the fact that he knew he was taking liberties with the promise he’d made to my mother when I was born. I hadn’t had my sixteenth birthday yet, and he’d promised my mother to stay out of my life until I was sixteen.
Mom was looking at my father, with a knowing smile on her face. My father’s eyes were glued to his portrait. He finally looked at me, his smile full of understanding as well as his love for me.
His voice was soft. “My Cara, what a splendid gift you’ve been all your short life, and especially these past fifteen months. Thank you for this incredible portrait. ” He held his arms out to me and I walked into them. No one gave hugs like my dad.
By Wednesday morning, I was packed and ready to go. Mom made pancakes, of course, and after breakfast, Dad loaded my bags into the trunk of my totally repaired car. The Chief had told the body shop to pull out all the stops in getting my car repaired, and its black paint gleamed, not a ding or a dent in sight.
After hugs and kisses from my parents, as well as the usual advice from Mom about getting enough rest and eating healthy, I got in my car and headed for Syracuse. I finally felt that I was really, finally on my own. My heart was, in equal parts, both elated and sad. There would be no memories of Adam to haunt me in Syracuse.
There was no sun that day, but I hoped the rain would stay up in the clouds where it belonged. The weather cooperated and I made it to my new home before it started to rain.
I pulled up in front of the yellow house on Birch Street around lunchtime. Miss Williams must have been catching up on her gardening because all of the shrubs and flowers that bordered her front yard looked neat and beautiful, with lots of gold and orange tones complementing the house’s cheerful yellow paint. It had looked a little overgrown the last time I’d been here. Today the colorful flowers were like a welcoming smile.
Using the front door key Miss Williams had given me, I lugged in the wheeled suitcase and unlocked the door to my apartment, wishing the duffle bag still in the trunk had wheels too.
I was about to go back to the car for the duffle when I heard my landlady coming down the stairs from the second floor.
She was smiling. “Welcome, Cara.”
I invited her in and we both sat down on the brand new couch and chair that had been delivered while I was still in Thornewood. Miss Williams had the delivery men place them in front of the wall of bookshelves, where they looked perfect.
After we’d chatted for a while, I jumped up. “I’ve left my car’s trunk open and the bag holding most of my clothes is still out there. I forgot all about it while we were talking.”
I rushed to the front door only to find my duffel bag sitting in front of it. I looked out at my car and saw that the trunk had been closed.
I looked at Miss Williams. “I wonder who my Good Samaritan was this time?” I explained about the van that had led me through a snowstorm in January.
She chuckled. “I have some very nice neighbors, Cara. We do little favors for each other all the time. It was probably one of them who brought your bag up to the door.”
As she got up to leave, I complimented her on the beautiful garden in her front yard.
She smiled. “I just had some gardening done last week. There’s a young man who’s been working in this neighborhood recently. He did gardening for my next-door neighbor a few weeks ago. He came over and asked if I’d like to have my yard worked on. It obviously needed it, so I agreed. He did a marvelous job, didn’t he?”
“Absolutely. All these cheerful flowers were like a welcome sign when I pulled up in front of your house. Your yard looks great.”
“Thanks, Cara. That young man obviously has a very green thumb. A lot of these plants looked dead, but he brought them back to life.
“When will you be starting school?” she asked.
“There’s an orientation on Friday. Classes start next Monday.” I grinned. “I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve dreamed of Art school for years.”
“It’s nice to see a student so enthusiastic about starting school. I’ll leave you now to get settled. Don’t forget to call me if you need any help.”
She went upstairs to her apartment while I looked around the neighborhood from the front door. It seemed quiet now, but I realized that would change once school started next week.
The chore of putting everything away, including my purchases from weeks ago, which were still sitting on the floor in the kitchen, seemed overwhelming at that moment. My stomach growled and I realized it was past lunchtime. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast and there was no food in the apartment. The obvious solution was to walk across the street to Barrett’s campus and find the Café. I hoped it would be open since school hadn’t officially started yet.
The house on Birch Street faced the rear of the Barrett campus. In the distance I could see the dorms on one side of campus. I couldn’t see the Café from where I stood, but I didn’t think it would be more than a ten-minute walk.
Walking across campus was enjoyable with all the leafy trees, green grass, and some fall flowers already blooming along the brick walkways. It took only ten minutes to reach the Café, which thankfully was open.
When I walked in, the place was empty. I only saw one girl behind the counter. She was scrubbing something vigorously and didn’t see me.
“Hi,” I said as her head popped up. She was obviously surprised to see me.
She looked a little annoyed. “S
orry, we’re not open for business yet. Someone left the grill filthy and I haven’t cooked anything yet. But there’s coffee, if you’re interested.” She waved at a table in the corner where there were two coffee pots on warming stands.
“One’s decaf. The other is fully leaded,” she said. She looked up at me again, her eyes widening as she got a good look at me.
“You’re the girl in the photo collage.” She finally smiled. “Cara, right?”
I nodded. “Lily warned me everyone would recognize me when I got here.” I chuckled. “She wasn’t kidding.”
She stuck out one wet hand. “I’m Ginger. Welcome to Barrett.”
When she realized her hand was wet, she wiped it on her apron and stuck it out again, laughing. I shook her hand, laughing with her.
“Thanks. I just drove in a little while ago and haven’t stocked up on groceries yet. I was hoping I could get a bite to eat here. I’d be glad to make myself a sandwich if you’ve got bread and something to put on it.”
She pointed at a box on the rear counter. “We’ve got bread, cheese, peanut butter, and even some bacon. Help yourself.” She smiled and began scrubbing the grill again.
When I looked in the box on the counter, I was delighted to find bagels and bacon.
Ginger must have read my mind. “Look in the fridge back there. I think there’s some lettuce, a few tomatoes, and some cream cheese.”
She was right. “I can make bagel sandwiches with what’s here. Would you like one?”
She nodded, grinning. “Sounds perfect, Cara. It’s always more enjoyable when someone else does the cooking.”
I put bacon wrapped in a paper towel in the king-sized microwave, popped two bagels into a big four-slice toaster, sliced up tomatoes, and proceeded to make two Sunrise Specials. When I handed one to Ginger, she wiped off her hands and looked surprised.
“Cara, this looks great. I may start offering these to our starving students for breakfast. What should we call them?”
“I’ve always called them Sunrise Specials, but you can call them whatever you like.”
We sat down at the counter with our bagels and I could hear satisfied sounds coming from Ginger as she enjoyed her lunch.
When she’d finished, she smacked her lips and asked, “Do you cook too?”
I shook my head and laughed. “To my mom’s continued disappointment, no, unless you consider using a toaster and a microwave ‘cooking.’ The stove and I really don’t get along. Although I have recently mastered boiling water,” I said with a smile.
We chatted over lunch. She told me the students who worked at the Café were all volunteers, receiving their meals free while they worked there.
“For a lot of us, this is a great deal. Have you priced groceries lately?” She groaned.
“Not yet, but I have to find a grocery store this afternoon. My cupboards and apartment fridge are completely empty.”
“Well, prepare yourself for a shock. You won’t believe what bacon costs!”
She gave me directions to the most reasonable grocery store in the area. “Family Foods isn’t a chain store. They use produce from local growers when it’s available, and I think everything else is bought from a distributor who specializes in goods nearing their ‘Sell by’ dates. It’s the only place I shop. By the way, where are you living? Obviously, not in a dorm.”
When I told her which house I was renting my apartment in, she grinned. “Lucky girl. That’s a nice house, although the owner is kind of fussy about who she rents to. You’re probably her ideal tenant, one girl rather than a group. You’ll love it there, Cara. It’s a short walk to anywhere on campus.”
I was ready to leave so I thanked her for lunch and for all the information.
“I’m here three days a week for lunch and early dinner, so stop back anytime.” She grinned. “Don’t be surprised to see your Sunrise Special on our breakfast menu!”
I continued along the brick walkway toward the dorms, passed them and headed for the Administration building. I wanted to say hello to Mrs. Barrett if she was working today.
When I reached the Administration building, I peeked in the window and saw Mrs. Barrett at her desk. I went inside and tapped on her open door.
She greeted me with a smile and waved me into her office. “How are you? Have you moved in yet?”
I told her where I would be living, gave her the address and my phone number, and said I was on my way to a grocery store. “I just wanted to say hi. I know you must be busy with classes beginning next week.”
She nodded with a tired smile. “Yes, it’s always a little frantic this time of the year. But thanks for stopping in, Cara.”
I left and walked back to the yellow house on Birch Street. I definitely had to get to a grocery store this afternoon. As appealing as it was, I couldn’t eat all my meals at the Café.
Down at the end of the block, I saw a green van parked at the curb. I stopped. Of course, there were plenty of older green vans around, but I didn’t think there were many with dark green curtains hung over the rear windows. I’d seen this particular van before.
I couldn’t help smiling. Was the owner of that van my Good Samaritan? If I ever saw him, I’d have to ask!
By mid-afternoon, I got back to my apartment with more bags than I expected to bring home. I had forgotten about all the condiments, paper supplies, and cleaning products I would need in addition to food. My checking account had taken a huge hit.
I put the kitchen and cleaning stuff away quickly, but still had my clothes to unpack. Since I’d need clean clothes the next day, I couldn’t put it off. But I could take a quick break. I made a pot of coffee in my new coffeemaker and sat down with a cup. The coffee actually gave me a little burst of energy, which I really needed. I couldn’t help thinking how much fun this would be if Amy was with me.
Sighing, I finished my coffee and trudged into the bedroom to empty the duffel bag, quickly realizing I’d need a larger dresser. The one Miss Williams had left me was too small.
Maybe I could find one second-hand.
The dresser had filled up quickly so I stacked up the rest of my foldable clothes on the top. The bedroom closet wasn’t very big, but I didn’t have a lot to hang up. Once I’d lined up my boots and shoes on the floor, I was finished.
I’d already hung the colorful shower curtain in the bathroom, put out clean towels, and put my few toiletries away. It was a very warm day, and I’d worked up a good sweat while I unpacked. A semi-warm shower might restore me.
Once I was clean and dried off, I put on shorts and a tank top and padded into the kitchen to see what I might be able to make for dinner. It didn’t take long to discover I had plenty of food for breakfasts and lunches, but unless I wanted soup or a sandwich for dinner, I’d have to go back to the Café.
Living alone was going to take some getting used to.
I could have skipped Orientation on Friday. I’d already had a tour of the Barrett campus, including the classrooms. But it was pleasant walking around the campus with a crowd of other first-year students, listening to their excited comments.
Most of them were living in the dorms. Many of those comments were irritated rather than excited, the lack of living space the complaint heard most often.
As we passed the various studios, the door to the photography studio opened and I spotted Lily walking with a short, heavyset young man. She was speaking excitedly, waving her arms around, repeatedly smacking her companion in the gut. Then she spotted me in the crowd.
“There she is! I’ve been waiting for you, girl,” she called out as she waved me to her. I made my way out of the crowd, delighted to see her. With a huge smile, she hugged me quickly and announced, “This is the person responsible for that A+ I received for second half!”
She was so excited, I couldn’t help laughing. “I doubt I’m fully responsible for that impressive grade, Lily,” I said.
“That photo montage I created for the Barrett Yearly Art Exhibit is what got me that A
+,” she told me. “And without you as my model, I doubt I would have gotten better than a B. I didn’t tell you but I used your name, “Cara,” as the title of the montage. So everyone now knows your face and your name.”
“Yeah, I wondered how Ginger knew my name when I walked into the Café at lunchtime today.”
She looked at the young man next to her. “Sorry, where are my manners? Cara, this is my good friend, Freddy. Actually, Frederick Van Wyck the third, to be accurate. But he’ll answer to Freddy. He’s one of the few students here at Barrett who’s interested in someone other than himself. Artists are a strange lot, in case you didn’t know.”
I hated to admit that I didn’t know any others, other than Francis Sullivan, and he wasn’t strange at all. Unless you considered Elves strange.
“It’s nice to meet you, Freddy,” I said to the smiling young man. He took my hand and kissed it, bowing in a courtly manner. I giggled, feeling like an idiot.
“The pleasure is all mine, Cara, and I truly mean that. Really.” He grinned at me.
Lily asked, “Do you have plans for dinner? I’m meeting Freddy and a few of the more interesting students at the Café for dinner tonight. Join us.”
“I’m glad you suggested it. I don’t cook so the Café will probably see me for dinner every night while I’m at Barrett,” I said.
“Great! Come over around five and we can catch up. See you then, Cara. Come on, Freddy, I have some shopping to do and I’ll need your car.”
Freddy looked at me with a rueful smile. “She only loves me for my car. But I adore her so I don’t care.”
I was still laughing as they strolled away. I smiled to myself as I jogged ahead to catch up with my Orientation group. By the time I left for my apartment, I knew where everything was on campus, and there was no way I’d get lost.
I had to change my clothes before I went back to the Café to meet Lily and Freddy. The weather was still hot enough for shorts, but I needed boots to hold my knives. I wouldn’t give up carrying them just because I now lived in Syracuse.
