Page 16 of Coral Memories

“Let’s take a break.” Jack quickly handed Ginger a tissue while Marina stroked her hand.

Marina nodded, relieved that Jack wasn’t pushing her grandmother anymore.

Ginger rose and excused herself. “When I return, I’ll tell you all about Bertrand. That’s a much happier story, I promise.”

4

“Whatever they ask if you can do, say yes.” Mary Lou touched Ginger’s shoulder as she spoke. “Typing, filing, dictation, and shorthand?—”

“What is shorthand?” Ginger asked, looking between her mother and Beatrice Carter, her trusted teacher. They sat in Miss Carter’s classroom after school hours.

“A type of rapid writing,” Beatrice replied, lowering her glasses. “You will learn it quickly. Until then, take notes as you would in class.” She held up a finger and smiled. “Whatever they dictate, it won’t hurt to make it sound better than what they might have said.”

“Thank you, Miss Carter.” Ginger admired her teacher, who always seemed to have the answers. Beatrice Carter was the most capable, accomplished woman she knew. “What else might I be asked to do?”

Beatrice sighed. “You’ll probably be asked to make coffee or have lunch brought in. But never do anything against your better judgment, no matter how attractive the man might be. Morally speaking, I mean.”

“Of course not,” Ginger replied, surprised at that. She fiddled with the top button on the starched white shirt her mother had made.

She glanced at her mother, who nodded solemnly and returned her attention to the teacher.

“With your height, you look older, and with your bright ginger hair, you’ll stand out among the applicants,” Beatrice said. “Make sure your intelligence shines through. That will set you apart from other young ladies. Most of them will not have a background in science or mathematics, and certainly not to your level.”

“How many appointments have you scheduled for me?” Ginger asked.

“Two, so far,” Beatrice replied, glancing at her notepad. “Both are in Los Angeles. I know a woman at the California Museum of Science and Industry. She is expecting you. I have also arranged an interview with a man who consults for IBM, although that might require travel to New York at some point.”

“Absolutely not,” her mother said with a stern expression.

“Mrs. Sheraton, it would be an excellent opportunity for her.”

Mary Lou frowned, looking conflicted. “What is this IBM?”

“It stands for International Business Machines,” Beatrice replied.

Ginger looked doubtful. “Business? I don’t know anything about that.”

“They need mathematicians for the computers they are developing,” Beatrice replied.

That sounded exciting to Ginger. “They’ll pay me to do that?”

Beatrice shook her head. “This is for a secretarial position. First, you must prove yourself efficient, indispensable, and of good character. Then, you’ll find a chance to show them what you can do. In the meantime, keep studying. And keep your eyes open for opportunity.”

“A chance is all I want.” Excitement sizzled in Ginger’s chest. “I wish I could tell Pa about this.”

“Once you have a job, I’ll tell him,” her mother said, sounding weary.

“Yes, ma’am.” Ginger folded her hands in her lap. Her mother had pleaded with her to be on her best behavior with her father until she had secured a position.

Beatrice brought out a folder. “I took the liberty of securing applications for you. Your mother can help you complete these. Where it asks your age, put down eighteen.”

Ginger’s heart plummeted. “But that would be lying. I’m sixteen-and-a-half.”

“You’re tall enough to be considered eighteen.” Beatrice glanced at Mary Lou.

“It was a home birth,” her mother said quickly. “There might have been a mistake on the year. I can correct that.”

“But Mama,” Ginger whispered, mortified at what her mother suggested.

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