CHAPTER 1

"Sarah Katherine Bowers," boomed the voice over the loud speaker.Sarah, dressed in a black cap and gown, stepped on the stage ofBroughton High School and walked slowly toward Miss Harris,her senior homeroom teacher.

"Congratulations, Sarah," she murmured, handing the girl her diploma.She continued across stage, down the steps and joined her classmates.Before turning and once more facing the stage, she glanced quickly overthe audience, searching for her family. Several rows back she saw hersister, Amy, waving and blowing kisses. Beside Amy sat James and PeggyBowers, proudly watching their older daughter. Her brother, Joshua, attwelve years, seemed self-conscious over his little sister's behavior. Her"Raleigh" grandparents, George and Sylvia Bowers, smiled broadly, andsitting beside them were her mother's parents, Jewel and Tom Mitchell.They arrived that afternoon from Beaufort, NC, bringing with them herfriend, Nancy Russert.

After the ceremony, all were anxious to leave the stifling heat of thecrowded auditorium. "Why don't we go to the Sir Walter Restaurant andhave a nice, cool lunch," suggested James. "I know Sarah's melting underher black cap and gown."

"It's one of the few restaurants that is air conditioned," added Peggy,her blonde curls damp. After taking pictures of Sarah with each familymember, they drove the short distance to the Sir Walter Raleigh Hotel."I'll ride with Granny Jewel and Papa Tom," offered Sarah. "I know he'snot used to big city traffic, and might get lost."

"Me get lost?" her grandfather said, pretending to be indignant. "I'venever been lost in my life. Why, during the Great War, when I was inGermany...."

"Thomas, we don't have time for one of your war stories," interruptedGranny Jewel. "I'm anxious to feel some of this air conditioning we'vebeen hearing about."

"It's just a fad, Jewel," said George Bowers. "People weren't meant tobe cool in summer. Sweating is good for you. It cleanses the pores."

"Nevertheless," sniffed Jewel Mitchell, "I'm curious to know howwarm air can be made cool. I understand cold air can be warmed by a firein the fireplace, but how is it possible to change hot air to cold?"

Each was surprised and pleased by the cool, dry air as they steppedthrough the revolving door. A hostess wearing a black dress with longsleeves seated the family in the stately dining room. The tables were coveredwith heavy damask cloths and matching napkins. Waiters wore black slacksand white jackets. Paintings in ornate gold frames graced every wall.

While each ordered from the menu, Sarah turned to Nancy. "Howdoes it feel to be a high school graduate?"

Nancy, her dark curls framing a pale face, brown eyes and turned upnose, looked determined. "Sarah, it's a stepping stone, nothing more. Ithink of my high school diploma as a ticket to the outside world. I had tofinish high school in order to go to Julliard." Her expression brightened."Can you imagine what it will be like to live in New York City?"

"Oh, Nancy, my happiest memories are of summers spent with mygrandparents on the coast."

"Summers aren't as boring as the cold, bleak winters. If I didn't havemy piano, I'd be utterly miserable." Nancy folded and refolded her napkin."Sarah," she said quietly, "I know I'm not a prodigy, or some kind ofmusical genius, but I can compensate by playing a composition perfectly.I have achieved that by dedication and hard work."

"Have you applied to Julliard?"

"Yes, I've done all the paperwork, and auditioned before a committeein Charlotte, NC."

"That would scare me out of ten year's growth."

"Not if you're disciplined, and ready," replied Nancy, primly.

"How do you think you did?"

"I never missed a note, and my timing was perfect."

The waiter made his way to their table, arms laden with a tray ofdelicious looking food. "I'd like to propose a toast," announced JamesBowers, holding a glass of iced tea. He turned to his older daughter."Congratulations, Sarah. You are a high school graduate. I know it soundstrite to say, but it seems like yesterday you were in pigtails roller skating onthe front walk. The first little boy brave enough to come courting, got asmack on the head with your majorette baton, and I hope you'll keep thatbaton handy until you finish college."

Sarah grinned at her father. "That was the only use I ever got from mybaton. I never made the team in high school."

After the laughter, the father's expression grew solemn. "Sarah, yourmother and I have always felt God blessed us when you came into our lives.We're proud of you, and love you very much."

When father sat, Sarah stood slowly. "I don't want the food to getcold, but I want to say I feel God blessed me by giving me such wonderfulparents, and grandparents. I have grown up surrounded by love, and I hopeas an adult, I will prove worthy of your devotion."

"Me, too!" piped Amy. "My mashed `taters are getting cold."

At home, Sarah turned to her parents. "I don't want to wait until theend of the week to go to Beaufort. If it's all right with you, I'll go homewith Papa Tom and Granny Jewel. Nancy and I can sit in the back seatand get caught up on all the news since last summer."

"I want to go with Papa Tom," declared Joshua when he saw his sister'ssuitcases in the front hall. "It's not fair for her to go and not me."

"Joshua," said his mother at breakfast, "I'm going to need you to gowith Amy and me at the end of the week. If something happens to the car,I'll feel better having a man along."

Pleased by his mother's words, Joshua sat straighter, wearing a smugexpression. "Sarah wouldn't be...