by Lori Wick
"Janet has good flavor," Sophie now commented.
Rita laughed. "Good taste."
"Yes, this is word. Good taste."
"Oh, Sophie, Ijust remembered. Janet included a letter to you in the box." Rita ran back upstairs for the note, and when she returned she saw the blueberry muffins.
"Oh, blueberry! These are my favorite, but then you knew that," Rita said with a smile. "How did you know?"
"I asked Tory."
"Thank you, Sophie." Rita impulsively hugged her, and Sophie's heart nearly burst.
"I also have gift for you, Rita."
"Sophie," Rita said with surprise, "you didn't have to do that."
"It is little thing," she explained.
Rita opened the small wrapped package to reveal eight hand- painted note cards and envelopes.
"They are painted with hand by my cousin. He lives in Bratislava near Austrian-Hungarian border."
"They're beautiful, Sophie. Thank you."
Again they hugged, and Sophie held Rita for just a moment longer. Her heart swelled with happiness when she saw that the new 17-year-old was not embarrassed or swift to pull away.
It was early yet, so Craig and Tory were slow to join them. But when they appeared, they both remembered to wish their sister a happy birthday. Tory informed Rita that she would have to wait for that evening to see her presents. What she didn't tell her
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sister was that they hadn't been shopped for yet, and her littleheartwas still praying that her father wouldn't forget to comeandget her from school as planned.
They went off to school in great humor, especially Rita, andSophiewent to work on the special meal she had planned for the evening. She was still familiarizing herself with the American system of measurements and the Rileys' kitchen, so baking thecakeand making the frosting was an adventure. However, thetaskwas completed in good time. With most everything caughtupin the house, Sophie went out to start the small lawn mower in order to cut the grass.
***
"I thought you forgot," Tory spoke to her father as she climbed in his truck.
"No, I didn't. I'm not sure what we're getting, but I didn'tforget."
"Ihaveanidea. A long time ago Rita saw this little stuffedbunnyat the Hallmark store. I thought we should see if it's stillthere."
"Allright, butIalso want to get her something that will makeherfeel 17. We can't be all day about this, Tory. You have to gobackto school and I have to get to work."
"But,Dad," Tory argued logically, "you work every day and Igoto school five days a week. Rita's birthday only comes once ayear."
Theywere stopped at a red light, and Alec turned his head tolookat his youngest child. "That's very true, Tory," he spokegently."Thank you for reminding me."
An hourand a half later Alec was regretting his words. Intruth,he didn't mind shopping, but they simply could not findanythingthey could agree upon, and Tory was determined tostay outuntil they did.
"Tory,"Alec tried to reason with her, "I really think she would enjoy agift certificate. It would allow her to pick out anythingshewants in the entire mall." It was not the first time he had suggested this, and Tory now looked like she might consider it.
"Iknow it would give her lots of choices, but it's just so cold,Dad. I mean with a sweater or a purse orsomething,she'd have more thanapiece of paper to hold on to."
"Well, Tory, she will have the bunny you got her, and you toldme
Sophie gave her note cards. And Janet and David sent her
sweaterandjeans. It's not like she won't have anything."
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"But this is from you," Tory countered. "Craig could get her a gift certificate, but from you it's got to be special."
Alec had no argument for that, so he walked a little farther and sat on one of the benches that lined the middle of the mall. Tory sat beside him, the bunny in one bag and Rita's favorite candy in the other. He wasn't really looking at anything in particular, but his eyes suddenly caught something in one of the shops.
"What's your sister's winter dress coat like?"
"She doesn't have one."
Alec now turned to look at her. "What do mean she doesn't have one? What happened to it?"
"Well, she had a green one, but it's way too small now, and last winter she just wore her ski jacket to church and stuff."
Where have you been?was the only thought that would come to Alec's mind even as he gestured with his head and drew Tory's eyes to the store as well.
"Let's go look at 'em," she said, her eyes telling Alec that they finally might be on the verge of agreeing on a gift.
Fifteen minutes later the sales-lady was boxing up a beautiful navy wool dress coat. The styling was very simple and elegant and shouted "Rita" every time Alec looked at it. It also shouted "Vanessa," but he worked at keeping his pain hidden.
"So how did I do?" Alec asked Tory as they left the store and started back down the mall. Hanging from his fingertips was a huge box, and Tory smiled before she answered.
"Great, Dad. Now we just need to get her something from Craig."
"How about the candy?"
"Oh." Tory had not thought of that. "That would be okay, but since we have to go back through Penney's to get to the truck, there is one more thing I want you to see."
The suddenly weary father gave a long, drawn-out sigh. "You're going to be the death of my wallet, Tory Riley."
"I know, Dad," she agreed with him, "but what a way to go."
Alec's laughter could be heard several stores away.
***
"Hey, Rita."
Both Rita and Tina turned away from the locker they shared to see Nicole Smith approaching.
"Shawn tells me that he asked you out and you turned him down."
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Rita didn't answer, and the other girl's face flushed with rage.
"What is it with you, Rita? Shawn's the best-looking guy in your class. Just exactly what type of Prince Charming are you waiting for?"
"That is none of your business, Nicole," Rita finally managed in a low voice.
"You're a real snob, Rita. Shawn and Ashley have broken up, and now you've hurt him, too. I hope he never asks you out again."
Nicole spun on her heel and walked away. Rita turned back and opened her locker, even though she had all her books. Hot tears stung her eyes, and she pressed her fingernails into her palm to keep from breaking down.
"Consider the source, Rita," Tina told her. "Nicole's never happy with anyone, and she's so protective of her cousin that I wouldn't wonder if they get married someday."
Tina's voice was so comical that Rita couldn't help but smile. The girls turned away from the bank of lockers to go to class, and that's when they spotted Shawn Smith. He was at Ashley's locker, his face close to hers. If either of them moved, their lips would meet. The girls watched as Ashley smiled up into Shawn's eyes and took his hand.
"He's heartsick all right," Tina commented. "I can see it from here."
This time Rita really laughed.
"He must have asked you out to make Ashley jealous. Doesn't it feel good to know you did the right thing, Rita?"
"Yes, and I'm not about to let their little soap opera ruin my birthday." The girls walked to class, both making an effort to put the whole episode from their minds.
Sophie was expecting the kids in less than an hour when someone rang the front doorbell. This had happened occasionally for Sophie, but each time someone was peddling something and, when they heard her accent, they quickly moved on their way. They must have thought that she couldn't understand them. In many ways it was easier to let them believe this, since Sophie was not at liberty to buy just anything for the family. This time she walked to the door wondering how long it would take for this one to run away.
"Gladys!" Sophie said with some surprise and swung the door open wide. "Come in. I am glad to see you."
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"Oh, Sophie," Gladys spoke as she stepped across the threshold. "This i
s a beautiful home. I've never been in it before. It'slovely."
"I think it is very pretty too. Come in and sit down."
Sophie didn't feel right about using the living room for her own company, so she led the way back to the kitchen. The women took places at the kitchen table, and Sophie asked Gladys how she was doing.
"I'm doing fine, but my daughter is not."
"Oh, no."
"Yes. She called from Green Bay last night and the doctor has ordered bed rest until she's past the first three months. Her husband's family is over there, but she asked that I come and help with the boys."
"Green Bay is here in Wisconsin?"
"Yes, over by Lake Michigan."
"I am glad you are able to go. Can I do something for you?"
"No, Sophie, but thank you. I've hired a little neighbor girl to water my plants, and I think everything else will be all right. I'm not exactly sure how long I'll be gone, but I wanted you to know that I wouldn't be around on Sundays for a while."
"Thank you for telling me. I will pray for you and your family."
"Thank you, Sophie."
"Do you have time for coffee?"
"No, I really don't. I've got three hours on the road ahead of me, so I best head out."
She walked back to the door, Sophie on her heels. Gladys stopped with her hand on the knob and turned to face Sophie.
"This house looks wonderful, my dear. The Rileys are very blessed to have you."
Sophie smiled in genuine pleasure. "It is nice to have work noticed."
"Yes, it is, isn't it?"
The women embraced and the door was opened. Sophie moved onto the front porch to see her off, but Gladys stopped halfway down the path.
"Sophie, did you tell me that you don't drive, or that you don't drive because you don't have a car?"
"I don't drive."
Gladys nodded. "I'm driving my husband's car these days, but mine is still in the garage. If you do learn to drive, let me know, u I still have my Ford, I'd be willing to sell it to you."
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"Thank you, Gladys."
"You're welcome."
"Have a good trip."
They waved and Sophie watched her drive away. She stood for a moment on the porch and thought about Gladys' offer, the smell of the newly cut lawn assailing her senses. With a determined move Sophie went back into the house to the kitchen. She opened the huge Madison phone directory that always sat on the counter and turned to the Yellow Pages. It took some looking, but then she found them: two full pages of driver-training courses.
Taking up much of the page, one ad in particular jumped out at Sophie. It read:
IT'S EASY!
We Train Anyone-Adults or Teens!
Seven Days a Week and Evenings!
Dual-Control Cars! Use Our Cars for Your Road Test!
With a shaking hand, Sophie lifted the phone and dialed the number. She was able to dial the number without adding a one, so she knew it was not long distance. Her nerves did nothing for her grasp of the language, but the kind woman patiently answered all her questions. She learned that she would pay by the hour, and the time needed would be determined by how well she did. The woman told Sophie that an instructor would actually come to the home of interested adults and take them out on the road.
Payment was expected at the end of each lesson. Although the hourly fee was high, it was lower than another ad that required hundreds of dollars up front. Sophie was not certain what a dual- control car was, but she did understand that they would even allow her to take her driving test in one of their vehicles. Whentheyhung up, her heart was pounding.
"I want to do this, Lord. I want to learn to drive." There was no one in the house to hear her, so Sophie talked out loud to her heavenly Father in Czech as she absentmindedly moved about the kitchen. "I know I could. I didn't need to drive at home, but I new how. And there would be so many things I could do for theRileys if I could drive. And Gladys' car-she has offered it to me.Well, maybe that's too much. Her things are pretty nice and they
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look expensive. I don't know how costly it would be, but at least Rita could stay home from Woodman's.
"Of course, Madison is pretty busy, but I would get used to that. And then if I didn't have to wait until after school to shop, I know it wouldn't be as crowded. Actually," Sophie had yet another thought, "Mr. Riley has already said that I'm to use their van, so I wouldn't even need Gladys' car. Ijust know I should get my license."
Sophie stopped talking then. She had not been moving for several minutes, and if someone had come in they'd have found her standing in the middle of the room, the dishcloth grasped in her hands, and her head tilted upward as she prayed.
"I will make the first step, Father," she now whispered. "The woman said they have an opening on Tuesday morning. I'll ask Mr. Riley if I can have Tuesday mornings off and see what he says."
Sophie called the driving company back and scheduled an appointment for the following Tuesday. She was careful to find out about the cancellation policy and was told they needed 24 hours' notice or she would be expected to pay half the fee. Sophie prepared her heart to talk to Mr. Riley sometime before Friday.
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The next morning Sophie took time to fill out a grocery listof her own. She didn't think they would be going shopping until next week, but she wanted to be prepared just in case. Mr. Riley had given her a generous check last week, but she had been too upset over Craig to remember to get anything when they had shopped Monday. She didn't feel right about using anything of the Rileys that she didn't have to, so laundry soap was added to the list of her other personal items.
She had just written hand soap on the list, when she thought of Rita. She had come down that morning wearing the most beautiful navy winter coat Sophie had ever seen, and on her head was perched an adorable matching beret. She had looked wonderful.
"They're from my dad," Rita had told her, the young woman's eyes sparkling with happiness. "He and Tory shopped yesterday when I was at school. I can't believe he did that. They'll be great this winter!"
Sophie was a little amazed herself and wondered at the same time if Mr. Riley understood how much this meant to his daughter who stood on the threshold of womanhood. She prayed that his eyes would be opened if they were not already and went back to her list.
Craig and Tory came home from school with catalogs and order forms to sell chocolate. Craig's look was a bit guarded, but he sat at the kitchen table with Sophie and said, "We're putting the money toward computer equipment. We have one upstairs, but a lot of kids don't, and this is their chance to learn."
"What a good plan," Sophie told him and paged through the large brochure. "It all looks so good, but I have not made cash from my check, so I do not know if I can order."
"You don't have to pay now unless you want to," Craig explained. "You pay when the order comes in, and that won't be for six weeks."
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"Oh, well, in that case, I shall pick something. I think these ones with pecans look good."
"Will you buy something from me, Sophie?" Tory wanted to know.
"Of course, Tory. There is a tin of nuts I could send to my grandmother."
"They'll do it for you," Craig put in, his eyes watchful. He had not been very kind to Sophie, and here he was asking favors of her. He was certain that she would send him packing any minute.
"Oh, that will be easy."
"Yeah. You just have to fill out this section here," he pointed to the place, "and they'll mail anywhere."
"Oh, this is convenience."
"Sophie," Rita came into the room, "I'm going to run to the bank to cash my birthday checks. I'll be right back."
"All right."
"Sophie," Tory took her arm, "have Rita cash your check."
Rita turned around. "Sure, Sophie. You can come with me or just send it along."
"You will not mind this?"
"No."
"I will go up
and get it now."
"Can I go with you, Sophie?" Tory asked, and Sophie turned back to see her small face looking very excited.
"Of course, Tory. Come."
"I just remembered that I have a phone call to make," Rita told Sophie, "so take your time."
Sophie kept her key pinned to the inside of her skirt waistband and, as the two climbed the stairs for the apartment, she took it out. The place was as clean as Tory would have expected, but the lack of furniture was a shock. She usually blurted out everything she was thinking, but on this occasion she was silent.
"It's in my bedroom, Tory. I'll just be a minute."
Tory didn't know if she was supposed to follow, but she did. Sophie's back was to her as she took in the neatly arranged blankets on the floor and Sophie's clothing lined up in orderly piles against one wall. Sophie had gone to the closet for her purse, and Tory was given a chance to see how few things hung inside. Her eyes dropped to the place where Sophie kept her underpants; there were two pairs and next to them was one bra. Did Sophie have so few things, or was most of her stuff in the
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wash? The answer came when Tory looked up again. On the floor of the closet was an empty laundry basket.
"All right, Tory. I have it signed and ready. What is it, Tory?" she asked after seeing the strange look on the ten-year-old's face. The question caused Tory to start.
"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking."
Sophie smiled and took her at her word. She led the way back out of the apartment and to the Riley kitchen. The check was handed over to Rita before Sophie sat back down and finished her chocolate order with Craig. Neither one noticed the quiet way Tory left the room.
***
Tory woke to the sound of running water at 10:30 that night and knew her father was showering after his late-night run. Ignoring her robe, Tory slipped from the bed and walked quietly down the hall to his room. The light was on in his bedroom, so Tory simply climbed beneath the covers to wait.
Her sleepy eyes roamed around the room and actually closed before her father appeared. She must have dozed off because she felt him gently lift her before she could get her lids back up.