Chapter 3

When Valerie arrived at her bus stop, she saw a thin, fiery-red figure standing at the station. Emma was easily recognisable, because she always looked too prestigious for the area, she was living in. Emma looked like one of those porcelain dolls.

Her long red dyed hair perfectly matching her light green eyes, that often looked grey. Her hair made her stand out the most. That was not really a hair colour a decent woman should have had but that didn't concern Emma much. Her skin used to be fair when she first came to States but as she continued to work and live there, she got a bit of a nice tan.

She came to the States in 1961, when she was only seventeen. She was often called as a "wild girl", the girl that loved both learning and having fun. She came to experience the life and to live a little, which made her perfect to be Valerie's best friend.

As Valerie got out of the bus she was met by frail body of her friend. "I'm so happy you're here." Emma exclaimed, which made Valerie laugh. "Emma, you know that I live only a few stations away from here. And you saw me during the morning shift yesterday."

"Yes, but that was so long ago." she said with exasperated sigh. "Let's go, Val. You'll love the place." As she said that, they started going down the main street. The way to the apartment was filled with Emma's constant chatting. She could always talk a lot and on every subject at that, since she was smart and had interest for everything. At that moment she was discussing how she met an interesting neighbour earlier that evening.

Her name was Sophie and she lived two doors down from Emma and she worked at the movie theatre on the next block. Emma explained that Sophie didn't really wanted to talk to Emma but didn't want to be rude, so she listened to her talking. "Well, that does sound like something that would happen to you." laughed Valerie.

While they were chatting, they neared the white two-story building with a lot of windows. "Here we are." Emma said as she led Valerie up the narrow staircase. "Home, sweet home." As Emma opened her front doors, Valerie could see the peach-coloured walls, decorated with pictures and newspaper articles. In the hallway, that led to small living room, was a shoe closet and few coat hangers. The whole place was well lit.

When she stepped into the living room, she saw brown leather sofa in the middle of the room. In front of it was television, the thing she didn't have at her house, since her father preferred radio. Beside the television was radio and Emma's wooden easel. On the other side of the room stood kitchen cabinets and all kitchen appliances, such as stove and dishwasher. Fridge did take up quite a lot of space in the room, Valerie noticed.

"And this is the bedroom." called out Emma from other room. "I am sorry to say that we only have one bed. I think it will fit us both just the same. Right?" Emma looked at Valerie, waiting for confirmation.

"Yes, don't worry. I am very grateful to you." said Valerie. "You didn't have to do this, but you still decided to share your apartment with me."

"Nonsense." scoffed Emma. "You know that I always get bored by being alone in this place." Valerie looked around the bedroom. It was very simple, the bed being in the centre of it and Emma's closet and vanity being by the large window. Valerie saw the door to her right and assumed that was the bathroom.

"Okay, so I will leave you to unpack that thing you call a bag, and then we can eat something." said Emma as she left for the kitchen.

When Valerie was left alone, she decided to freshen up a bit and get out of her waitress uniform. She put her clothes and the books she had in the empty half of Emma's closet. She changed into a green button up and slim pants.

"Dinner's ready." she heard from the kitchen. "My father would be ashamed if I called this dinner, though." Always the comedian Emma added her little commentaries on everything she did. That was one of the reasons Valerie liked her so much. Emma's carefree spirit was well matched with Valerie's.

She often perceived Emma as a child waiting to grow up. It goes without saying that where there was a need for seriousness, Emma did a 180-degree turn. If she saw somebody being mistreated, she would become a protective mother hen, but scarier. It probably had a lot to do with Emma being the only child, her father always dotted on.

Valerie could never imagine the freedom Mr. Thornbridge gave Emma all the time. She always thought that he gave her so much love and freedom because her mother died when Emma was only six. But when she met the man, she soon realised that he was simply a man like that.

"Val, didn't you hear me?" Emma's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. "Yes, yes, mother I am coming." said Valerie sarcastically.

The dinner consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a glass of milk. While eating, they chatted excitedly about their new living situations. Since, Emma was very excited that Valerie was going to stay with her, Valerie didn't want to dampen the mood by thinking about her parents. They did know about Emma and her mother always said that Emma was a bad influence on her.

She was sometimes right about that. Especially the times Emma introduced her to new movements or took her out to dance deep into the night, which would usually earn her a slap from her mother or father. Disciplinary actions, as they called it. While sitting in Emma's kitchen Valerie just prayed that her parents wouldn't find her.

"Hey, I was thinking." Valerie was once again pulled from her thoughts by cheerful voice. "Since your parents know where we work, how about tomorrow we find new jobs? Both of us."

"I actually think that is a good idea." Valerie responded. "I don't want to risk it."

She stood up to put her glass and plate into a dishwasher. "So, you have anything in mind?"

"Maybe." said Emma. "Remember that guy I was dating? Simon, was it? Anyways, he works as a librarian at George Washington University. He always told me I looked too pretty to be serving coffee." At that both laughed. Valerie did remember Simon. He was a nice guy, a bit nerdy, which Emma liked in a guy. He wore square glasses and tight clothes, one of those "fun" blazers.

"What about it then?" asked Valerie. "We could always ask him to put a good word for us and apply for librarian job. You know we always wanted to work there, but you couldn't because of your parents, and I didn't want to go without you. Now, that you don't have to worry about your parents anymore, we could try to apply."

"I mean, yes, we could. But how do you know they will accept us? I mean we only finished school, not that we are stupid, but we don't have any degree or experience in that job."

"Oh no worries. That kind of job is got by relations. And even if Simon cannot help us, we could always ask Mindy."

"Mindy? The girl living next to the dinner?" asked Valerie. "What could she do?"

"Well, she is the daughter of Chief Librarian there." said Emma wearing one of her signature grins.

"Oh, I didn't know that. Now that I think about it, that isn't such a bad idea." said Valerie and sat down on the sofa. "We'll look into it tomorrow."

"Yes, we will." jumped Emma on the sofa. "Tomorrow will be better day. I just know it."