“Yes, I should. Nothing but the best for you, my little dove.”
While they giggled and spoke in what felt like a secret language, Sophia sucked on the peppermint and looked out the window as the highway miles passed. It didn’t take long before the smooth kiss of tires to the road lulled her to sleep.
Sophia jolted awake as soon as the car stopped. She looked around to catch her bearings.
Mrs. Pride said to Willa, “Your mother has insisted that I drop you off at the library, but we’ll take your bags to the house for you. Willa, go straight there, please. No dilly-dallying on campus.”
“I know my way to the library, Grandma Rose,” Willa said with a smile. “Come on, Sophia.”
Once the car pulled away, Sophia looked around and asked, “Where are we?”
“Howard University. Have you never been here before?”
“No.” She had heard about Howard University. It was where Mrs. Brown, her school counselor at Brooks High School, had attended college. Her diploma was proudly displayed in a thick wooden frame on her office wall.
As she followed Willa across the yard, she asked. “Your mother works here?”
“Yes, she’s lead archivist at the library. I practically grew up on campus,” Willa boasted.
While Sophia had been feeding chickens and milking cows, Willa had been surrounded by college kids and driven around in a chauffeured car. No wonder Max wanted Willa and not Sophia. Who would want a girl like her?
As they climbed the stairs to the library, Sophia wondered what an archivist did, but she didn’t want to appear foolish for asking dumb questions, so she just took it all in silently. As soon as the girls passed through the heavy door, Willa skipped ahead to the front desk and wrapped her arms around the waist of a slender woman wearing a mint turtleneck and pink lipstick.
“Wilhelmina, welcome home, sweetheart,” the woman said, pulling Willa into her arms and hugging her so tight that Willa opened her mouth and exaggerated trying to draw breath.
“Mommy, I can’t breathe.” She pulled away, grinning. “This is my roommate and best friend, Sophia.”
Willa’s mother turned toward Sophia, giving her a smile that started with her lips and danced around in her eyes. “Pleased to meet you, Sophia.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Mrs. Pride.” Sophia extended her hand.
“Willa has told me all about you. And please, Ms. Eleanor is just fine. My mother-in-law is Mrs. Pride,” she said good-naturedly.
“Mommy, is it okay if Sophia stays with us for Thanksgiving break?” Willa tugged on her mother’s hand like a small child.
“I don’t see why not. I’ll just need to check in with your parents to make sure it’s okay,” she said to Sophia.
Sophia fidgeted with the cuff of her coat sleeve. She could feel heat rising in her throat. “Our… power is unreliable on the farm, so unfortunately, there is no way to contact them. I assure you that it is fine. I’ve told them all about Willa too, and they won’t mind at all.”
Ms. Eleanor tipped her head to the side, and Sophia could feel her looking at her inquisitively. But then she rolled her shoulders back and smiled.
“Well, girls, I have a few more things to do before we leave. But go explore the library, and we’ll meet at the information desk at fiveto head home for dinner. I made crab cakes.” She gave Willa’s elbow a last pat and then headed up the stairs to the second floor.
Sophia chewed the inside of her cheek, feeling ashamed but also grateful that Ms. Eleanor hadn’t pried further.
“This is like my second home.” Willa waved her hands. “What do you like to read?”
“History.” Sophia pulled her satchel up over her shoulder.
“Well, I’m more into romance. Boy-meets-girl type of stuff. I’ll be in the novel section. History is over there.” She pointed to the left.
“Okay, I’ll go grab a few books.”
“There’s a lounge area in the back, near that window. That’s where I’ll be,” said Willa, skipping off.
As Sophia watched Willa head in the opposite direction, she exhaled. Finally, a moment to herself. The library smelled like coffee grounds and morning dew. The earthiness eased the tension in her belly. Sophia walked in the direction that Willa had pointed but saw only books on politics, psychology, and religion.
“Ah, a new face. Can I help you, friend?”
