Rachel's Hope by Shelly Sanders Read Free Book Online Page A

The air smelled of the sea—salty with a hint of fish.
    Tall grass swayed in the breeze as they moved around the bay. Minutes later, grass gave way to rocks. The sea dropped as the electric car climbed higher amongst the cliffs that marked Lands End, the farthest western point of San Francisco. Admiring the view, Rachel forgot about her sore hands, with such dry skin that it had cracked and bled around her knuckles. Her tense neck and shoulder muscles, stiff from bending over floors, loosened slightly.
    This is the first time in more than two years that I’ve done something fun. For a few hours today, I can relax and not worry about cleaning or money or learning English. I almost feel like the sixteen-year-old I am, not like an old, beaten-down lady.
    â€œWhat’s that Rachel?”
    Rachel jumped in her seat at the sound of Menahem’s—Marty’s—voice. She blinked and saw an imposing gate with an arched opening; the entrance to Sutro Heights and the Sutro Baths. The train jerked to a stop at Cabrillo Street. Rachel took Marty’s hand in hers and stepped down. Across the road stood a peanut vendor beside a black sign with white letters: “The Panorama of the World at Sutro Heights is one of the Most Interesting in America.” Elated at having the chance to see one of the most interesting views in America, Rachel glided toward the entrance. Verdant Monterey pine and cypress trees, sixty feet high, soared over them as they walked beneath the arch.
    The wind had increased, blowing loose strands of Rachel’s hair into her face. She tried to tuck it behind her ear but it refused to stay put. Marty tugged at her arm. Jacob and Nucia trailed after them. The road lined the edge of the cliff. Only a chest-high railing kept people from falling down into the sea where waves thrashed around Seal Rocks. Egg-white sculptures, stony eyes facing the ocean, and giant palm trees were scattered boldly throughout the gardens, mingling Sutro’s love of grand European art with exotic California foliage.
    Cliff House, a restaurant overlooking the sea, appeared below. Two automobiles were parked in front of the main door. The road wound upwards, leading them through extravagant grounds with more statues and carefully planted gardens that blazed in shades of yellow, orange, and red. Rachel felt as if she’d walked into a painting, a flawless vista that unfurled in front of her as far as she could see.
    Rachel braced her knees as they made their way downhill toward a sprawling, glass-roofed building that housed the baths. Clumps of people hovered near the columned entrance. In the distance, a gigantic wheel stood against the sky.
    â€œThat’s a Ferris wheel,” said Jacob following her gaze. “People sit in it and it spins around.”
    â€œI want to ride on it,” said Marty.
    â€œAnother day,” said Jacob.
    Rachel squinted to get a better look at the Ferris wheel, relieved they weren’t going near it. Unlike automobiles, which stayed on the road, this huge wheel thrust people into the sky. She didn’t think she had the courage to ride it. But she did not want Jacob or Marty to know she was afraid.
    Inside the building, Rachel found that they had the choice of an elevator or stairs down to the baths. Marty grabbed her hand and dragged her to the line for the elevator. But when the doors slid open, revealing a stark, windowless enclosure, Nucia protested, saying she would feel more comfortable using the staircase.
    â€œMaybe we should go with Nucia and Jacob,” said Rachel to Marty. “We should stay together.”
    â€œWe’ll see them at the baths,” said Marty. “Come on! I want to see how fast this goes.”
    Rachel turned to see if she could get some support from Jacob, but he and Nucia had already left for the stairs. Marty pulled her with him onto the already crowded elevator. The doors slid shut with an ominous thud. Rachel grew queasy