Pressure Cooker
Copyright© 2022 by Old Man with a Pen
Chapter 6
Tiffany, Please, was in Dad’s study ... with the door closed. Amber was uncomfortably seated in the hall. The dresser was there to make sure Amber didn’t spy.
When mom was alive, Daddy never closed the door. Amber was always welcome ... even when mom and dad were ‘having a chat.’ Having a chat usually meant mom was worried about Amber’s growth ... spiritual, personal or civic.
But the door was closed, locking Amber out of the decision making.
Fairly soon ... not soon enough for Amber, the hall chair was awful, her back and bottom hurt ... the door opened and Amber was summoned.
“It has been decided that ‘Finishing School’ would be good for your development. Arrangements have been made for a cruise to Europe followed by a tour of the continent. You will visit England, France, Italy, possibly Spain ... not Portugal ... the Central Eastern States, the Netherlands ... Holland, Denmark and Belgium. Sweden and Finland are including due to your ancestry. The school is in Switzerland and will be last on your tour.
“You will be accompanied by a professional guide. Your guide will always be in sight.”
“Umh...”
“No,” said Tiffany, Please, “The decision has been made ... you will go.”
So ... in due course ... Amber graduated from Freshman to Sophomore ... and from limousine to railcar to taxi to liner ... Liner. She hated New York City ... but her time there was so short, she never got a real taste.
The Queen Elizabeth 2 was on her maiden voyage. The New York to England part was scheduled to begin on the Eighth of May, 1969.
Amber’s professional courier deposited her at the gangway ... and left. She would be met, she was told. Her baggage disappeared into the ship, she mounted the gangway. Approaching the podium she gave her name to the exceedingly stern and suspicious officer, a clerk. The passenger list was checked ... her name was found and, much to the ire of the clerk, Amber was supposed to be on the cruise. A conductor waiting in the wings was was summoned. His eyes widened when he was informed of ‘the young miss’s status.’
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