That was the first summer the two girls spent together. In late August, Annie had returned to Texas and school, so she and Susan had exchanged letters—these letters. Or at least these were the letters Susan had written to her.
Annie opened one at random. How it took her back. She was fourteen again, and everything was so important.
I got an A+ on my history test. I couldn’t remember which president was Old Hickory, but I must have guessed right … My mom got me some new tap shoes, and I’m taking lessons in Brunswick now. Mom says I needed a better teacher than Mrs. Herttenberger if I’m going to be a real dancer someday … Billy Kinneman sits behind me in science this year …
Laughing softly, Annie returned the letter to its envelope and chose another. More smileys and rainbows and hearts.
Daddy got me my own telephone for my birthday. I wish it wasn’t long distance to call you. Why do you have to live in Texas anyway? … Bobby Marchment tried to sit by me on the bus to the planetarium, but Billy made him move … Bunny had four puppies last night …
One more, Annie promised herself, and then she absolutely had to get some housework done. She chose one toward the bottom of the stack, postmarked May 1980.
ANNIE!!!!!! You won’t believe it! I’m going to live in New York! I didn’t tell you because I was afraid I wouldn’t be chosen, but I auditioned for a dance program there and was accepted! Mom and Dad didn’t think they could afford it, but I’m getting a scholarship and everything! My Aunt Kim lives there, and I’m going to get to stay with her! Isn’t it cool!!!!
Annie shook her head and laughed again. All those exclamation points. How excited Susan had been, and Annie had been almost as excited for her. It must have been a busy time for her, too, because there weren’t many letters after that, and Susan hadn’t come back to Stony Point the next few summers. Annie had lost track of her. Her marriage to Wayne, college, and helping him manage their Chevrolet dealership had kept her close to home in Texas. Gram had to come visit her there instead of Annie coming to Grey Gables. But what had become of Susan?
Annie sighed. Could it be thirty years ago already? It seemed incredible, but the time had passed in the blink of an eye. Did Susan ever become a “real” dancer and perform on Broadway as she had so often dreamed? Perhaps her days on the stage were over, and now she was the one teaching young hopefuls. Maybe her hair, like Annie’s, was showing some silver in the gold. Had she kept in touch with Billy Kinneman, or was someone else the love of her life? Did she have children? Grandchildren? Maybe she, too, was widowed.
Somebody in Stony Point had to have kept up with Susan. Wouldn’t it be great to see her again?
Annie tapped the stack of letters against the edge of the coffee table, thinking. Mary Beth knew everything about everybody. Too bad the needlework club didn’t meet until Tuesday. The meeting would have given her the perfect opportunity to ask about Susan. Of course, if she were to start on a new sweater, she’d need some more yarn. A perfect excuse to visit A Stitch in Time for supplies and a little information too.
She could always call Alice. Alice had been in Stony Point all her life, and she knew almost as much about everybody as Mary Beth did.
Annie reached for the telephone, but jumped with surprise when it chose that moment to start ringing.
“Hello?”
“Annie? How’d you know I was on the line? It didn’t even ring.”
“Alice!” Annie laughed. “Well, it rang here. Startled me! And you must have read my mind or something. I was just about to call you.”
“Oh yeah? I bet it’s about the harvest banquet thing at the church. I got a message from Clara about it.”
“Yeah, me too. Of course, I may be back in Texas by the time they have the banquet.”
Alice snorted. “Don’t be silly. You can’t go back yet. You haven’t gone through even half of the stuff your grandmother left up in that attic.”
“Tell me about it. In fact, that’s what I was going to call you about just now. Boots got up into the attic, and she was sleeping right on top of some old letters from when I was in junior high.”
“Ooooh, from an old boyfriend?”
Annie chuckled. “Don’t be silly. I was only thirteen or so.”
“Don’t you be silly. You know you had a crush on that boy who played the drums one summer. What was his name?”
“The drums?” Annie thought for a moment and then laughed. “Dan. Dan Foster. Oh, and he never even talked to me.”
“And you cried and cried when you had to go home that year.”