1910

Chapter 1

Sorry the first chapter is short. The next is a little longer so yeah! I hope you guys like it :)

Chapter 1

I step outside into the warm summer day. I preferred the dark coolness of my home over the blistering sun. Living in Albany, New York though, I knew that in a few months I would be praying for this heat while I almost freeze by the gas heater. I check to make sure that my hair is still intact and start making my way to my job at the girls school. I was a young woman teacher. The work is long, but making 14 dollars every 2 weeks was worth it.

I walk into the school and smile at the students and my fellow coworkers passing me.

"Good morning, Ms. Catlett!" One of the girls say.

"Good morning!"

I walk into my classroom and put down my briefcase. Today would be a long day, but I also got through it and it wouldn't be any different today.

...

At 3:00, I depart the school, but am stopped by a new coworker of mine.

"Good afternoon...um..." She stutters.

"Elizabeth." I say. "Any your name?"

"Bonnie," She starts. "I'm a new teacher here. I'm from Massachusetts but I couldn't take it anymore and came to the big city."

I smiled. After a year of working here, I have yet to make a friend and maybe this will be it.

"Well, welcome! I grew up here so I'm used to it. I could show you around the area if you would like. We could go to the library after too if you'd like. I have to pick up a book anyway."

"That sounds wonderful!" She says enthusiastically.

"Okay, I think the best idea would be to walk, so we can see everything."

We start to walk towards the library and I show her everything. Eventually we arrive and I go to the front desk.

"Can I please pick up the copy of The Scarlet Letter?" I ask. The man at the desk smiles and hands me the copy. "Thank you sir!"

Bonnie and I stroll toward her house now.

"It was so nice meeting you Bonnie. Maybe we can go to a show sometime!" I say once we get to her town home.

"Of course!" She says. She walks to her house and waves. "Goodbye!"

I wave back and make my way to the house. I live in the lesser parts of town in a small town home. I barely had any money when I moved out of my parents home and I didn't bother moving once I made enough money to. I was perfectly content here, so why would I leave?

I step into my small kitchen and start the gas stove. I put on a boiling pot of water and throw in some potatoes. Many man think that women should not work, and should always be in the kitchen, but I never found the need to have a man to support me. I didn't have much gift in the kitchen and cleaning, so I wouldn't make much of a housewife anyhow.

After about 20 minutes, I cut the potatoes up and eat them. I wash my plate and turn off the lights, making my way upstairs to my bed. I take off my dress, leaving me in my underclothes. I lay in bed and fall asleep, not bothering to take them off.