A second finger ticked off. “Fanny is moving to New York to study poetry. She plans to become a bohemian and smoke cigarettes.” Recalling this bit of information, I felt a twinge of envy. New York City. Tea at the Plaza. All those museums. How glamorous it sounded.
Jack interrupted my thoughts. “What kind of unorthodox institution are those women running?”
I dropped my hand. “Rebecca already has her early acceptance letter from Barnard. Myra is sending in her application to the University of Washington. Charlotte, Emmaline, and Grace are all going to the University of Oregon.” I set the book and the itinerary on the table, beside a well-thumbed copy of American Architect. “And Margaret will wait for Harris. Then there’s me. I do know I want to attend university. Maybe study art. But I don’t really care to paint portraits. Or landscapes.” I bit my lip, considering. “Maybe I can study French. But what does one do after studying French?”
“Marry,” Jack said. Lucy smacked his knee lightly, but she smiled.
I looked into the fire, feeling gloomy. My schoolmates at least had an inkling of a plan. I had nothing. No plan. No dream. No calling. The uncertainty bothered me, like a speck in the eye that refused to budge.
“I am utterly without ambition,” I said.
At this, Jack leaned forward, pointing his glass at me. “Now you’re just being melodramatic. Not everyone leaves school knowing their life’s purpose, Cleo. And those who do often change their minds ten times over.” He waved a hand toward the window. “Sometimes you need to go out in the world and live a little first.”
Lucy reached over, gathered the itinerary, and tapped it against the table until the edges lined up. “Go to university,” she said, sympathetic. “See what interests you. Young ladies today have the freedom to do what they like.”
“Except become a bohemian,” Jack said with a warning glance. He tossed back the rest of his drink and stood. “There are enough sapphists in this city as it is.”
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About the Author
Author photo by Jenny Bowles
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MAKIIA LUCIER grew up on the Pacific island of Guam and holds degrees in journalism and library studies from the University of Oregon and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her debut novel, A Death-Struck Year, was named to the Best Books for Children list by the American Booksellers Association. The world of St. John del Mar, in which Isle of Blood and Stone and Song of the Abyss take place, was inspired by a childhood love of the Indiana Jones movies, as well as a lifelong fascination with old maps.
Visit her online at www.makiialucier.com
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Song of the Abyss Page 27