In A Time And Place

Chapter 12

               I changed from my nightgown to the green dress. Today, I would look for my great aunt. But, well, how would I start? I haven’t done much so far. I was afraid to fall asleep last night for a number of reasons. I thought I’d wake up from a possible dream and be back in 2013. And, my fears suddenly kicked in. I threw up about 3 times last night.

               It was awful. I stayed up till 3, not so hard to do, but my nerves made me feel 100. Now, I slept in till 1and hung around till 3 being nervous to venture out again. I was also dazed by the paper Richard gave me and the people walking along the streets outside my window. It seemed like every noise I heard made a note for a 1950’s musical.

               I made sure my hair looked all right then went out of my room. I walked down the hall and down the stairs. The man waved and smiled to me as I left the hotel with of course, my wallet. I felt so vulnerable without a cell phone though.

               Sure, no one could contact me now, but, I just felt so, different without it. Different was bound to happen though. Look at me! A chic teen of the 50’s! Could I pull this off?

               So far I didn’t get any weird looks. Except for talking to total strangers about the year. Day would’ve been fine. Year? What was wrong with me? I tried to follow the classy strut most women did in their pencil skirts. I can see now how, graceful I wasn’t. I would always walk sloppy. What girl doesn’t in my year? But no. Here, one foot in front of the other.

               I couldn’t help but feel proud as I marched my feminine march.

               But… where was I marching to?

               I stopped suddenly and thought for a moment. Where did my mother say my great aunt went to school? Oh dear. Uh, Manhattan High? Must be it. But, oh!

               Best way to get there. I turned and smiled at the many taxi’s I saw on the road. I put out my white gloved hand and waved for a taxi. Soon, one pulled up and I got in.

               “Where to miss?”

               “Manhattan High please.”

               The man nodded and then drove off. I looked in my wallet and saw at least 300 dollars inside. I shut my mouth as quick as I could. Would this be enough? Well, it should be. I sighed and just sat looking around. I smiled at all I could see. This wasn’t a movie! I was here! In this time frame. Oh I’ll never get over this!

               Soon the taxi stopped and I gave him about 15 dollars and got out. I looked before me and saw a school housed inside a brick wall with a black painted steel gate at the moment, open. Above the gate were some words from one side of the brick column to another. It read,

               “Manhattan High”

               Obviously. I walked in and looked at the campus ground. The school looked sort of like a monumental courtroom. It had style. 3 stories high, stairs, bushes, white columns, brick… classy. And our school was, plain, ordinary, and a dump.

               I’d have to stop comparing. I’d become depressed about the thought of going back home. If I went back home. Nothing was clear at the moment. I’d make myself sick again if I thought about it.

               I walked on the pavement, towards the stairs. I stopped and marveled at the place. At least my clothes didn’t look like I was a child. What time was it? I really must get some sort of watch. That’s one thing my cell phone was always handy for.