Where the Sun Sets Read Free Page A

I?” was her only response.
    Slightly irritated by her attitude, the
doctor turned on the bright overhead light with a snap. “Please lay
back, ma’am.” Josephine did as directed. The bright light now
glaring into her eyes caused a sharp pain to cross from temple to
temple. Her hand involuntarily came to her forehead. “Please, you
have to try to keep your eyes open for at least a moment.” He took
out his pocket light and flashed it on and off in her eyes. Then he
touched her face and neck gingerly as he watched for her reaction.
He moved her head, slowly, in a circular manner. Again he shined
the light into her eyes. Again the pain shot across her head. He
gave her a shot in the arm, of what Josephine had no clue. The good
doctor was explaining to her as she drifted out of this world and
into her past.
     

Chapter Two
     
    They met the second week of September, 1970
on a gray, windy and very damp day. They met at Saint Agnes, school
for girls. An exclusive private school limited to six girls per
grade, first through tenth. Students were expected to excel
academically and reach college level by the age of sixteen. To
outsiders it looked more like a reform school. It had high walls
and fences which refused admittance. Very narrow windows allowed no
insight, no distractions. But to the girls it was home. It was a
very strict, but loving home. Most students only went home for
summer vacation, limited to six weeks. But not everyone did, there
were several who stayed all year, every year.
    The large wooden doors squealed with the
excitement of being opened. Or so it seemed to Antonia, who had not
seen them open once since arriving last week. A family of three
walked in. Antonia looked back to the book she was reading. Volume
S, of the school’s only encyclopedia set. Hand in hand, the family
walked past along the marble floors into the main hall. Sister
Ursula, all four feet three inches of her, greeted them with a
fevered cheerfulness. As she led them away, Antonia looked up once
again and watched the father holding the child’s hand and the child
holding the mother’s hand. She watched until they reached the door
into the Office of Acceptance. She watched as they were beckoned to
sit. The father placed a single suitcase on the floor and pulled
out the chair for the mother, who seated herself ever so
gracefully. He then did the same for the daughter, who turned and
made eye contact with the eyes in the hallway.
    Sister Ursula closed the door leaving the
family alone with the Mother Superior, Sister Katherine. As she
exited the room, she walked toward Antonia, who was still watching
the loving scene playing on in her mind’s eye. Antonia was startled
when Sister approached her and jumped, dropping the book. “It’s all
right.” The Sister comforted her. “Calm down, Antonia. Calm
yourself child. Let us get out of this hallway and find something
to eat OK? Come on child,” she said as she pulled Antonia into her
embrace. The hug was one sided as Antonia was stiff and protective
The Door of Acceptance opened once again, and a very stout
authoritative Sister Katherine appeared. “Is everything OK out
here?”
    “Yes, yes, fine. We will go to the kitchen
now, forgive our interruption Mother. Come child.” And Sister
pulled ever so gently on Antonia’s arm. The two left without
another sound.
    Sister Katherine closed the door and returned
her attention to her new fledgling and financial supporters. She
prided herself on being the best sales-person the Catholic Church
had ever been blessed with. It wasn’t always easy to convince
parents to part with their cash, especially when their emotions,
their thoughts were wrapped up in parting with their own child.
    Sister Katherine was quick to restart the
conversation. “Pardon the interruption, please, go on Sir.”
    The mother interrupted, “The child in the
hallway...”
    “Oh you needn’t worry ma’am, she will not be
here long. We are currently waiting for her