Out of Time (Book 1)

Motorcycles and Milkshakes

1934

It was warm that afternoon so Betty had taken off her coat and draped it over her arm as she waked back from the library. She could hear Steve and Bucky talking excitedly to each other before she'd even turned the corner into the alley that led to the back of their apartment block. She cast her eyes around the yard at the back of the apartments and saw them both stood in one corner, backs to her. She tried to walk past, she really did, but curiosity got the better of her and, with a frustrated sigh at herself, she headed on over to the pair to see what they were up to.

"Oh, dear Lord! I have no words." Her mouth dropped open in shock.

"You always seem to have plenty of words Betty," snarked Bucky, but he grinned all the same.

"And before you say anythin' else, Ma already knows." Steve butted in, anticipating Betty's comeback.

"You have got to be kiddin' though. Motorcycles?! You're both idiots." She cast a disparaging eye over the two chunks of dusty metal. "Do they even run?"

"Sorta'. They'll run even better when we've finished with 'em, and the dames are gonna love 'em." Steve was full of enthusiasm. Both of the boys looked so proud of themselves. Betty shook her head with a sigh.

"I've gotta go and do my chores. Is Ma home?"

Steve nodded and Betty headed on up to the apartment. Her mother was sat in the easy chair mending one of Steve's shirts. Betty gave her a kiss on the cheek and took the sewing off her.

"Hey Ma, I'll do that, you just rest. You're back at work in an hour."

"Thank you, darlin'." Sarah smiled at her daughter.

"Ma, about these motorcycles..." she began. Sarah let out a sigh.

"I know, I know, Betty. He's worked so hard to save for it and he was so excited. I couldn't say no. He's sixteen now and I know his health isn't great, but I want him to at least be able to do some of the things his friends do. You know Bucky wouldn't let him get hurt."

"I guess not. You're right. I hope they can get 'em to run properly though."

"I'm sure they'll give it their best shot. How about you anyway? How was the library, did you get everythin' you wanted?" she gestured to Betty's basket.

"Yeah, I did. Actually Ma, there's somethin' I wanted to talk to you about." Sarah raised her eyebrows in a question. "I, uh, I'd really like to apply to go to nursin' school after I graduate. Would that be OK with you? I really don't think I'd be able to, you know, be a secretary or somethin'. I want to study more and help people." Betty lowered her head as a blush spread across her cheeks.

Sarah got up and walked over to her daughter, rubbing her shoulder, and placing an affectionate kiss on the top of her head.

"I have never thought of you as the secretary type Betty, my love. Of course, I don't mind if you want to go to nursin' school. You'd probably give most of the doctors a run for their money!"

"Thanks Ma!" Betty returned her mother's hug. "I've got the applications in my room, and I have a couple of teachers at school who could give me references. There's a scholarship programme that I can apply for too."

"Well, if you need any help with anythin', let me know. I've got to go and get ready for work but there's a pie in the oven for your dinner later. Enough for Bucky too if he's stayin'."

"If..." Betty rolled her eyes as her mother chuckled.

Later that afternoon, after their mother had gone to work, Betty served up the dinner and then stepped out of the door to call for the boys.