Erskine, Judy

English

Digital Commons @ Butler University

32 MANUSCRIPTSFor Evan's SakeJudy Erskine"PARDO.N me, did you drop this?" asked a soft, gentle voicebehind me.I was sitting in the Philadelphia International Airportlounge waiting for the next plane to Boston, Massachusetts. Turningto look in the direction of the voice, I saw a short stocky woman 111her sixties holding up my billfold. "Why yes, I did! Thank you."I replied gratefully. The woman sat down beside me and began toquestion me: "Where are you from? Where are you going? Are youtraveling alone ?"Instantly suspicious of her intentions, I glanced around theairport for a policeman. Seeing none, I turned and looked squarelyat the stranger for the first time. I saw grey hair, thin spectacles,an old fox stole, and deep pleading eyes. Relaxing somewhat, Ibegan to chat with this woman who apparently only wanted acompanion.vVe discovered that we were both heading for 'Boston, Mas-sachusetts, and had tickets for the same flight. Thus we decided totravel together. Miss Evans-that was her name. "You can't forgetit," she remarked. "Just remember 'For Evan's sake!" She told methat she was a retired school teacher, and by conversing with herI learned that she had traveled all over the world.As she spoke, I crawled with her in the pyramids of Egypt,danced at the Mardi Gras, was escorted to the West Point MilitaryBall, and dined with important political officials and televisionpersonalities. Through her words I saw the starving people inChina, rested in the shade of a sidewalk cafe in Italy, and rompedin the snow on a Switzerland mountain top.A loud voice over the P.A. system told us that it was time toboard our plane. ·We found seats beside each other and after theexcitement of rising into the air, began talking again. I begged herto continue with more of her experiences, but she insisted that Italk for a while. I told her that I was on my way to spend a collegeweekend at Harvard University at the invitation of a very specialfriend. A high school senior, I was very excited about this, andcould barely speak of it in an even voice.Sensing my apparent youth and inexperience, she proceeded tolecture and advise me about how to behave during the visit. Al-though I did not resent her advice, I did not encourage it, for Iwanted to hear about more of her fascinating travels and experiences.All at once, she squeezed my hand and said in a voice so lowthat I barely could hear, "Have a good time, sweety, but always actlike a lady. Gentlemen marry ladies, you know." I nodded my headto indicate that I understood what she meant, but I knew I didn'tMANUSCRIPTS 33understand fully when she added, "Did I tell you? My name is MissEvans." Then she turned towards the plane window and said nomore until we landed at Boston.As we walked down the ramp together, she smiled and thankedme for listening to her. Suddenly I became very sad. "Have a zoodtime, sweety," I heard her say. "You look like a dream-s-good-byenow!" I turned to mumble a good-bye to her, but she had gone."Veni. Yidi, ..Michele BurnsITWAS A gray, dreary: rainy aft~rnoon when even .the buildingsseemed sad. As jessica sat lookmg through the window of herdark hotel room at the misty city below, a flashing, blue neonsign cast grotesque shadows on a tear-stained, lonely young face.Jessica had a decision to make, one which could change her life in amatter of moments. She relived the hours of the preceding clay withthe faint hope that something would help her ....A small, dark-haired dancer stood at the foot of cement stepsleading to one of New York's most eminent theatres. As she stoodclutching her dance bag, the words "AUDITION TODAY"screamed at her from a massive, oak-paneled door. When shemounted the steps and closed a trembling hand over the doorknob,the cold brass shocked her senses. She wanted to run."Now just a minute," a little voice said to her, "why are youafraid? You haven't studied dance for ten years just to run awayfrom what might be your big chance!"Jessica took a deep breath and opened the door. The richmajesty of red, gold, and white met her eyes. Hundreds of girlsseemed to be milling around in the spacious lobby. Some werelaughing nervously; some were sitting quietly; some were standingconfidently as cigarettes dangled languidly from their mouths.Suddenly a handsome, young man swept into the room. He was cladin tennis shoes, jeans, and a tee shirt. Much to everyone's surprisehe announced that he was Donald Gardener, choreographer of theshow for which the audition was being held."All right, ladies, leave your names at this table, draw a number,change into practice clothes in the dressing rooms downstairs, andmeet on the stage in fifteen minutes." With these words he vanishedas quickly as he had appeared.Many shapes and sizes of girls, dressed in every color of therainbow stood in awe of the mammoth stage. Jessica stared beyondthe footlights into the blackness of the theater. It seemed like agaping mouth waiting to swallow her up. When the audition began,she retreated into a corner until number fifty-eight was called ....

For Evan\u27s Sake

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For Evan\u27s Sake

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