Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson Read Free Book Online

1919
    Charlie
,
    Here is where I first set foot in San Francisco. My room at the Hotel Cortez is “de luxe” and my newfriend, Maude, has kindly pared this big city down to size for me
.
    Perilee wrote that you looked them up when you got to town. Knowing her, you left with a full stomach and something home-baked and tasty for later. I took your visit to the Muellers to be a hopeful sign that I might get a reply to this post card
.
    Hattie

    I sighed. There had been no answer to my two earlier cards. Perhaps the third time would be the charm. I could only hope.
    The elevator door clanked open. When I stepped into the lobby, I bumped into Maude, off to have tea with her brother, Ned, before he went to work. She introduced us, saying, “Oh, I’m so glad you two have finally met. Ned’s promised me he’ll give you a tour of the
Chronicle
.”
    On the train to San Francisco, Maude had discovered me scribbling and badgered me until I showed her some of my writing. From that moment on, she had contrived to introduce me to her reporter brother.
    “I couldn’t impose,” I told him.
    “Not an imposition at all.” He winked at me. “Even if it were, I’m used to being imposed upon. I am Maude’s brother, after all.” He ducked her swinging pocketbook with a chuckle.
    “He’s impossible,” Maude said. “I wish we could stay and chat, but we’re running late.”
    “
We’re
late?” Ned raised his eyebrows. “I would like it duly noted that I have been pacing this lobby for a full twenty minutes.”
    “Oh, but I’m so worth waiting for, aren’t I?” Maude took her brother’s arm and they were off. I smiled after them. Their teasing brought to mind Charlie and me, at least the younger versions of Charlie and me.
    “Good morning, Miss Hattie.” Raymond greeted me from behind the front desk.
    I returned the greeting, holding out the post card. “Would you please mail this?”
    “Sure thing.” He took it from me and then looked around for a moment.
    “Outgoing mail slot. There.” I pointed. I hadn’t yet decided whether Raymond’s confusion was due to age or to the bottle he sipped from with alarming regularity. “I’ll be back later.”
    “Did you want to send a reply to that message?” he asked.
    “Message?” I felt as confused as Raymond.
    “The phone message?” At my blank look, he felt around in his pockets, then pulled out a slip of paper. “Guess I forgot to give it to you.”
    I took it from him. The
Chronicle
had finally called. Could I please drop by the newspaper at my earliest convenience? I certainly could! After my visit to Ruby Danvers. And—I avoided looking at myself in the lobby mirror—after some shopping. At the very least, I needed a new hat. Back in Vida, my shabby wardrobe was no different from anyone else’s. Here, I stood out like a square of gingham in a fancy silk quilt.
    Thanking Raymond, I took a deep breath and commenced my mission. The sidewalks seemed quite spirited, with American flags fluttering from storefronts in anticipation of the Fourth of July holiday. Several hotels were decked out with enormous red, white, and blue buntings. I would have enjoyed the sights even more had I not been carrying, in my moist hand, a slip of paper on which was written out Ruby Danvers’ address. Maude had advised the most direct way to go, a kind gesture I did appreciate, but I now wished I had a more winding route to follow. Nervous at the thought of finally meeting Ruby Danvers, my stomach percolated like a pot of coffee.
    Covington Apartment Hotel, where she lived, was less than a mile from the Cortez, but I splurged on the nickel fare to ride the cable car up to Union from Mason. No sense undoing my freshened-up hair and clean shirtwaist with a sweaty walk up a hill. First impressions iron permanentcreases, Aunt Ivy had often warned me. If I must bring sad news, it wouldn’t do except to look my best. Though my best was hardly beguiling; no one my age wore such long