It was sad saying goodbye to the Whittards. I have grown very fond of the family, especially the boys. But even sadder was saying goodbye to Gertrude. She was very upset, because where they will be in Florida is so much further away from Philadelphia, where her boys are. And she needs the work. She can’t just walk out because it would be so difficult for her to get a new position. Life just isn’t fair for some people, Katie. America is supposed to be a free country, but things are not equal. I feel quite stirred up about it sometimes.
I can’t believe Rachel is pregnant again! Please give her my regards when you speak to her. It’s so kind of you to help her out with her baby. I can’t think of anything I would less like to do. You mustn’t be jealous of her, Katie. My goodness, no. She must be so worn out and tired. Remember she didn’t even want to marry Silas? So don’t get carried away now. I know you’re frustrated Matthew hasn’t proposed yet, but you’re so young, and there’s plenty of time to think of settling down.
We have a pool table in one of the bars Ava and I go to, and it always makes me think of you and Mom at the lace stand, making the nets for the balls. Have you thought any more about dressmaking? I do believe you have inherited this talent from Mom. Can I suggest the fact Matthew hasn’t proposed yet is a sign to move on? I am sure there are plenty of gorgeous young men who would snap you up if you were available. Really think about it, Katie, before you push Matthew further. Do you really want to be a lobster fisherman’s wife in Vinalhaven for your whole life? Take a good look at Rachel’s situation. Do you really want what she has? There is a big world out here!
I’m due on shift now, so I shall post this letter on the way to the coffee shop. Write back soon.
Susannah brewed the coffee on top of their little stove. Early morning was the best time of day. The late winter sunlight cascaded through the window, dappling the wooden floorboards with shadows of new leaves and branches from the trees. Outside, the city was all fresh and new for another day. The sidewalks damp from night-time rain, the air busy with the sounds of people on their way to work or school or college. After the stillness of the dark, the motion of first light always infused Susannah with an appreciation of all she had. And she felt rich right now. Maybe not in dollars – they were both working every hour they could between studies to meet the rent. But Susannah had learnt a new lesson with Ava. Being wealthy wasn’t the only thing that could make you happy. Many times, she’d believed her mother’s misery was due to the fact they’d been so poor. Always struggling. She’d listened to her mother’s daily moans about how hard it was to be a widow. It was unkind of her to criticise her mom, but she saw now that if only her mother had chosen to see what they did have, then they might all have been happier. And perhaps Kate wouldn’t be imprisoned with her now.
Ava had been awake for a little while when Susannah brought in her coffee. She was sitting up in bed, writing a college paper, in her black silk pyjamas. The top button had undone and Susannah could see one of her breasts. She ached to get back into bed with Ava, but she knew her paper was due that afternoon and she mustn’t distract her. Besides, she had a lecture herself in an hour.
The two girls lived in blissful harmony. Their domestic chores were seamlessly shared. Ava did most of the cooking, and Susannah visited the laundromat once a week with their washing. They shared the cleaning between the two of them, which wasn’t much, as the place was so tiny. But it was theirs! They were living like Milly and Jocelyn back in Oxford, England, although of course none of their friends knew about the nature of their relationship. Twice, after sharing a bottle of wine, Susannah had been tempted to kiss Ava in public. Let the whole world know, because she didn’t care what they thought – but Ava had counselled her not to.
‘You have no idea how prejudiced people can be,’ she told her. ‘Believe me, I’ve experienced enough of it already.’
One night, not long after they’d moved in, Ava told Susannah she’d grown up on an American Indian reservation in the Puget Sound.
‘You’re a Red Indian?’ Susannah had declared in astonishment. She hadn’t even considered that might be why Ava had slightly darker skin than her. Her assumption had been that maybe there was some Hispanic blood in Ava’s family, going back some way. To be honest, she hadn’t really thought about it much. Ava was Ava, pure and simple. She didn’t need to label her. But clearly it was important to Ava.
‘Honey, calling me a Red Indian is not something I like.’
‘Sorry.’ Susannah instantly felt terrible. ‘But how did you get to be here at Harvard?’
‘With a lot of grit,’ Ava replied. ‘It was one of the reasons I was so attracted to you, you know. I could see you were poor, too. That you’d had to fight to be here.’
‘My mom still won’t ask me
