The Wilson Sisters

They hurried to catch up with Mama, who crossed another street lined with small clapboard houses. One had a hand-painted sign: Laundry — Cheap. Across the way were larger brick homes with upstairs windows. They began climbing a hill where the houses grew bigger. From the top, they could see an even larger one — two stories high, five windows on the upper floor and four on the lower, a heavy oak door right in the center. Children’s voices floated out through the open windows on the second floor. Ruby and Helen instinctively took a step back as Mama climbed the steps. “Come along, girls,” was all she said. Ruby looked at Helen, whose eyes were brimming with tears. She squeezed her hand, took a deep breath, and led her up the ten steps. Mama stood waiting at the top, her face unreadable. When the girls reached her side, she lifted her hand and knocked. They stood on the wide shaded porch, waiting. The August breeze carried the scent of flowers, and birds chirped somewhere nearby — but all Helen could hear was the thumping of her own heart, faster and faster in her ears. The door opened, and a girl about Elsie’s age stood there, looking at each of them in turn. She gave a sad smile. “How can I help you?” “Hello,” Mama said, her voice cracking. “I’m here to see the headmistress.” “Of course.” The girl opened the door wider. “Come on in.” We stepped inside. The walls were white and the air cool, with a faint smell of soap and polish. An aging ornamental runner lined the staircase ahead. To the left was a heavy dark door with a round black knob; to the right, a walnut pocket door stood partly open. The girl shut the front door behind us and turned to Mama. “Your name, please?” “Annie… Anne Wilson.” The girl nodded. “Wait just a moment.” She disappeared through the door on the left, closing it softly behind her. Helen’s stomach tightened. She felt like crying. Dear Jesus, where are You? she prayed silently. Ruby’s face had gone pale as a sheet. Helen grabbed her hand and moved closer. Alice was tugging on Mama’s skirt, babbling a song to herself. Mama stood very still, her face blank, as if lost in thought. The door swung open again, and the girl stepped out. “You can go right in, Mrs. Wilson.” Alice started to follow Mama, but the door closed before she could. “How about an introduction?” the girl said kindly. “My name is Victoria. What are yours?” Ruby sniffled. “I’m Ruby Wilson.” “Nice to meet you, Ruby.” “I’m Helen,” Helen said, “and this is our sister Alice.” “Let’s sit over here on this bench,” Victoria said, leading them away from the door. “Now then—how old are you?” “I’m seven,” Helen said. “How old are you?” Victoria raised her brows. “Why, how rude! You should never ask a lady her age.” Ruby jumped up. “She wasn’t trying to be rude! She just didn’t know.” “I’m sorry,” Helen cried. “I thought you were still a girl. You just look close to one of our older sisters who’s still at home.” “You have more sisters?” Victoria asked, her tone softening. “Yes, ma’am,” Ruby said. Victoria nodded. “And how old are you, Ruby?” “I’m ten.” Ruby decided it best not to say too much. Victoria turned to Alice. “How old are you, little one?” Ruby wrapped her arms around Alice and whispered, “Tell her you’re three.” “I twee,” Alice said, then snuggled into Ruby’s side. “Well, I’m eighteen,” Victoria said proudly. “How old are your other sisters at home?” Helen looked to Ruby. Ruby’s lips pressed together, but finally she answered, “Gladys is thirteen, Elsie’s almost eighteen like you, and Pearl is twenty.” Just then the door opened. Mama stepped out, followed by a woman in a long navy skirt and crisp shirtwaist. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun, her expression firm. Mama clutched a hanky, tears glistening in her eyes. The woman walked to the center of the hall and cleared her throat. A key on a rope hung around her neck. “Girls, come over here, please.” Ruby and Helen each took one of Alice’s hands, but Alice broke free and ran straight to Mama. The woman’s face softened only slightly. “My name is Mrs. Marlow,” she said. “I’ll give you a moment with your mother.” She nodded to Mama, then stepped back toward the front door. Mama knelt and hugged Alice tightly, then put an arm around Ruby, whispering something in her ear before kissing her forehead. She placed Alice’s hands into Ruby’s arms and turned to Helen. Dropping to her knees, she took Helen by the shoulders. Helen looked into her mother’s eyes — and in that instant, she knew her fears were coming true. Mama pulled her into a fierce hug, then rose. Mrs. Marlow opened the front door. Without looking back, Mama stepped through. The door closed and locked behind her.