“Of course it was. You know the Bronsons. Amelia is their only daughter, and they made every effort to give her the best.”
“I wish I could have gone, but I was already committed to be at the Johnsons’ for Sarah’s birthday.”
“Well, I’m quite sure you didn’t come here to talk to me about parties. Tell me what has you traipsing in here at such a late hour.”
Meredith drew a deep breath. “I need advice.”
Evie sat down at her dressing table. “I’ll try to give you my best, but first I must know what’s going on.”
She nodded and looked away. “I don’t want to go.”
“Go where?” Evie frowned, having no idea what her sister was talking about.
“I don’t want to go to school ... to college.” She glanced back at Evie as if expecting outcry.
“Who said you had to?” Evie knew their parents were of a mind that education was important, but they would never force any of their children to pursue advanced education unless they wanted to.
“I don’t want to disappoint Mother and Father. They expect me to go and learn something wonderful and do something marvelous with my life. Frankly, I just want to get married and have children. I suppose that sounds awfully dull to someone like you.”
“Not at all. I want those things for myself.”
“But you also wanted to be a nurse, and now you are. You’ve made Father so proud that he never stops telling us how great it is. Since Andrew announced that he wants to be a surgeon, Father is over the moon. He’s even suggested all of us become doctors and nurses so he can open a massive hospital to rival some of those back east.”
“He’s joking, of course. He knows we girls will marry, and no married woman works outside of her home.” Evie avoided saying much else about the matter. How could she confess her own feelings to Meredith when she couldn’t share them earlier that day with Evan?
“Do you think they’ll hate me if I tell them I don’t want to go to college?”
Evie went to her sister and hugged the eighteen-year-old close. “They would never hate you, Meri. They just want good things for each of us. Mother has always said that knowledge is power. Learning things is helpful for navigating the world. But Mother would be just as happy to have you learn to sew or cook or whatever pleases your heart.”
Meredith sat up, rather surprised. “You really don’t think she’d mind if I learned to cook?”
“Not at all. Is that something that interests you?”
Her sister nodded. “I’ve always loved to sneak into the kitchen and watch Mrs. Niedermeier mixing things up and baking them. She was always so much more willing to show me than the old cook. I would like very much to learn how to do those things properly.”
“Then talk to Mother. I know she’d understand. Neither she nor Father would want you to go away to school if you have no interest in it. It’s very expensive, you know? I’m sure in this economy it would be a relief not to have to pay extra tuition.”
“I’m so glad I talked to you. I didn’t want to keep that inside of me. Not only did I not want to go, but I was ... well ... I was afraid. I love my family and Minneapolis. I never want to leave here.”
“Then don’t.” Evie reached out to Meredith.
She stood and embraced Evie. “It’s so good to have you home, Evie. I wish I could be more like you.”
Guilt washed over Evie. Meredith wanted to be more like her. But Evie was living a lie, while Meredith just found the courage to be honest about what she felt.
You don’t want to be like me, Meri. You really don’t.
3
Max Garrison sat opposite his father and spread out numerous papers that represented the family holdings. Having just turned thirty, Max was confident of the knowledge he had in business. He had worked overseeing his father’s western investments, while his two older brothers took care of everything back east.
“The economy is in a terrible state,” his father said, pushing the papers around with barely a glance.
“Indeed it is. What news do you bring from New York and my brothers?”
“It’s madness there. Sheer madness. As you well know there have been quite a few bank closures. Many railroads are failing. That’s why I advised you to sell out all our shares.”
“I’m not entirely sure I agree with your choice to do so.”
