Bertie's Place

Chapter 1 Wednesday, June 2, 2010 “I think I’m dead!” Molly fell backward, her curly auburn hair splayed out on the living room rug. She had just taped her umpteenth moving box. Eva laughed, tossing her straight blonde locks in amusement. Molly Parsons and Eva Blake were exact opposites. Eva came from money; her family owned Blake Custom Builders. Molly’s family was middle class; her mother had been a bank teller, and her father had worked in construction. Eva’s parents were healthy seventy-year-olds. Molly’s mother died of cancer when Molly was sixteen; her dad had a fatal heart attack when Molly was a college freshman. Eva socialized with friends, ate in restaurants, and went to movies and rock concerts. Molly worked thirty hours per week in addition to being a full-time student. Even with the scholarships she had received from Ohio State, Molly had a mountain of student loans to pay back. Eva, of course, was debt-free. Molly’s white T-shirt was drenched in sweat, her old, faded jeans were covered with dust, and her feet were filthy. Eva still looked fresh in her tailored chinos and multicolored polo shirt. How does she do that? Molly wondered. “Hey, Moll, what do you say to dinner tonight at Garrison’s? Celebrate our graduation?” “I say, I can barely afford a cup of coffee there.” “My treat!” “You don’t have to do that!” Molly protested. “My graduation present to you. I’ll make a reservation for seven.” “You’re too good to me!” “Well, sometimes.” Eva pulled out her cell phone and dialed Garrison’s. It was remarkable that two elementary schools in the same town had openings for both women! Eva would teach second graders at Kimball Elementary, and Molly would take on fifth graders across town at Garfield Elementary. The schools were in Winslow, a small farming community in northeastern Ohio. They had traveled there two weeks before and secured a two-bedroom apartment. Eva was accompanying Molly to set up their living space and then returning home to Canton for a leisurely summer. Molly would stay on to teach a summer “Reading Enrichment” class. She wasn’t envious of Eva’s wealth, but Molly was looking forward to a time when every decision she made wasn’t based on money. After a wonderful dinner, Eva and Molly sat with an after-dinner drink. “Thanks, Eva. Wonderful food, good company. Nice to relax for a bit. Plenty to do before heading out Friday.” “Yeah, about that,” Eva said. “I won’t be going with you.” “OK. Someone up there can help me unload the heavy stuff.” “No, I mean that I’m not going to Winslow at all.” “Very funny! You signed a contract to teach there, remember?” Molly laughed. “I got out of that last week. Signed a contract at Roberts Academy in Canton for next year. Much better pay, a social life, friends. Couldn’t ‘slum it’ on the amount I’d be paid in Winslow.” Molly exploded. “But we have an apartment! I can’t afford to live there on my own! When were you planning to tell me?” “I’m telling you now,” Eva said nonchalantly. “I can’t believe this! I thought we were friends!” “We are. We just come from different worlds, Moll. You’re used to working hard, watching every penny. I’m not. It’s as simple as that.” “I get that, Eva, but we’re talking about a promise to a friend here. That has nothing to do with money!” “Sorry, Moll … I put the clothes and books I’ll need in my car. Heading home to Canton tonight. Remember Mark Albers? He just graduated from Yale Law. We have a date Saturday night! Anyway, you’ll find somebody to help you out.” “What about the rest of your stuff?” “Keep it or pitch it. Getting late. Better hit the road.” Eva stood up and threw some money on the table for the meal and tip and gave Molly a brief hug. “Good luck in Winslow, Moll. Write sometime, OK?” Molly couldn’t even squeak out a goodbye. She sat alone at the table, her head in her hands, and started to cry. The mountain of packing, driving a U-Haul across the state, starting a new job … all on my own! The waiter approached. “Do you need anything, ma’am?” Molly sobbed. “Coffee please. Thank you.”