Where the Sun Sets
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 okay? 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 okay 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 knew
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 placement in foster care."
"So she is not a student here?" Inquired the father.
Seeing the opportunity to play upon the hearts of those more fortunate
financially than she, Sister took the time to explain. "Antonia came to us from
the State. Her upbringing was far less than acceptable. The authorities said
she had been severely abused, physically, mentally, verbally, for her entire
life. Or so it would seem." The mother winced and brought her hand to her mouth.
"While it is not the purpose of this facility to take in orphans..."
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