Early Morning at John & Sara's Home, Acton Road
The alarm clock rang in Chastity's room. She quickly turned it off. The room was still dark. As she lay under the warm blanket she remembered she had an appointment with Joseph Johnson, her academic adviser at 9:30 a.m. this morning in his office at Denny Hall.
She forced herself to get out of bed and walk over to the small table next to her bedroom chair to get her purse. She opened it and pulled the card out that Joe had given her with this office address printed on it. She turned the small lamplight on that was sitting on the table, and looked at the address.
It read, "164 Denny Hall & John Glenn Avenue. Then she heard a knock on her door, and her Aunt Sara's voice, "Chastity, I'm getting ready to make breakfast for your Uncle John and would be happy to make yours too. I know you have an early appointment with your academic advisor, I would like for you to have a good breakfast for your busy day."
"I smiled, opened the door, and said, "Thank you, Aunt Sara. Yes, I will join you and Uncle John for breakfast. Do I have time to take a quick shower and get dressed?"
"Of course, dear. John and I just got up too. Come out to the living room when you're dressed and you and John can talk while I'm finishing up."
"Thank you, Aunt Sara. You've been so sweet and kind to me. I've really appreciated being here amongst family."
I've enjoyed having you here too Chastity. You grew up so quickly. Where did all that time go?"
I headed for the shower. After I dried off I looked in my closet and decided to wear slacks and my wool sweater. I chose some natural-looking make-up and combed my hair so it curled around the base of my neck, and also applied a light pink lipstick. I looked in the mirror before joining Uncle John in the living room. He was reading the Columbus Dispatch, but he greeted me warmly.
Aunt Sara called us to the table and we sat down to scramble eggs with mushrooms, bacon, and a side of blueberry pancakes, and hot coffee. "Wow! Aunt Sara. This breakfast looks appetizing and nourishing."
"It's going to be a colder day today, and I want John and you to have some food that will supply your bodies with warmth and energy." She came in with a plate of pancakes and asked Uncle John to say grace."
After breakfast, I looked at my watch and said, "Thank you Aunt Sara for a delicious breakfast. I better head for the bus stop on High Street so I don't miss the next bus. I hope you have a good day too, Uncle John and Aunt Sara. I will call you in the afternoon Aunt Sara to inform you of my activities." I gave them both a kiss on the side of their cheeks. Then I put my wool coat on, wrapped a scarf around my neck, and put my mittens on my hands. I grabbed my purse and a small notebook and pen and headed toward the bus stop. I was so happy to see the bus loading passengers a stop north of my street. I waited for the traffic light to change and scurried across High Street.
The bus was pretty full but I was able to get a seat next to a middle-aged woman. We talked briefly and I told her I was on my way to the OSU campus to meet with my academic advisor.
I said "I am going to be a freshman this year and I'm majoring in science."
She smiled broadly, and said, "I'm glad more young women are majoring in math and science. Did you graduate from a high school here in the city?"
"No madam, my parents live in Fairborn, Ohio, and I graduated from Fairborn High School."
"Oh, I thought you were a local Columbus girl since you boarded the bus at Acton Road."
"I'm staying with my Aunt and Uncle until I can get an apartment."
"Good luck with finding an apartment. Most people come up in the summer to look for apartments. Did you submit an application for a dormitory room?"
"Yes, a couple of weeks ago when I finally decided to go to school here. I was planning on going to Miami University in Oxford, Oho, where my sister is a student, but then I changed my mind. I decided I wanted to attend a big school located in a bigger town."
"Oh, I see my stop is coming up. It was nice talking to you Ms.."
" My name is Carolyn. Carolyn Baker."
"My name is Heather Wallace. I hope I see you often, I enjoyed talking to you, Carolyn."
"Me, too Heather. It was wonderful meeting you. Good luck on locating housing and your meeting with your academic advisor."
I exited the bus, took the card from my purse, and looked at the address again. As I walked through the gates to the Oval Mall, lined with buildings, I spotted campus policemen who seemed to be patrolling the area. I walked up to him and asked, "Which way to Denny Hall, located at 164 Annie & John Glenn Avenue?"
He smiled and gave me specific directions. I finally arrived in front of Denny Hall at 9:10. I climbed the steps and entered the building. I was glad the building was heated. I looked at the card again and found Joe's office listed on the directory near the stairs. He was located on the main floor so I looked around and saw where it was located inside the building.
Chastity opened the door and walked inside. There were no other students waiting. His secretary looked up, and said, "Can I help you?
"Yes, My name is Heather Wallace. I have an appointment this morning to meet with my academic advisor, Mr. Joseph Johnson at 9:30 a.m.
His secretary, Miss Dorothy Cox, opened a notebook, ran her finger across the page, looked up at me, and said, "Sit down Miss Wallace and I will tell him you're here. As she rose from her desk she said, "Miss Wallace, here at the university students refer to faculty members who have earned a Ph.D. degree as doctors. Dr. Johnson has a Ph.D.
"Oh, thank you ... Miss Cox, for that information."
"You're welcome, Miss Wallace."
She knocked on Dr. Johnson's office door. She could hear Joe's voice saying, "Please come in." Miss Cox entered his office.
She returned and said, "Dr. Johnson will see you now, Miss Wallace."
I got up with a smile on my face, thanked Miss Cox, and opened the door of Dr. Johnson's office, and walked in, closing the door behind me.
Joe was already on his feet and approaching me with a huge smile spread across his face. "Good morning Heather." He reached out and wrapped his arms around me and gave me a passionate kiss on my lips. He held me in his arms for several minutes and said, "I'm so glad you're here Heather. Please come over to this table and let me help you take off your coat. I will hang it up on this coat rack."
How has your morning unfolded for you my dear? The temperature sure dropped last night."
"Yes, Joe, the morning has gone well for me this morning. My Aunt Sara fixed me a nurturing breakfast before I walked to the bus stop on High Street. One of the campus's security guards gave me good directions to find Denny Hall, ... and just a few minutes ago I received an important tip from your secretary, Miss Cox."