Page 1 of Mysterious Teacher : Arrival
Chapter 1
Arrival at Summer House
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CALIFORNIA WAS STARKand gloomy despite the ever-present sunny skies. A decade ago, the country had celebrated after freeing Europe from the murderous hatred of Hitler’s Nazis, a somber recognition to all the lives lost now hung over many who still felt the pain of those losses.
The booming economy in America, helped to raise the spirits of many, but for those who had lost a loved one in the battles, numbering in the tens of thousands in California alone, the wound was painful.
But it was now the mid-1950s.America enjoyed a massive post-WWII population boom, a suburban housing explosion, and a thriving car culture.While this period brought prosperity and a sense of optimism, there was an undercurrent of tension.With the windows rolled down, Sonya Song drove her stylish 1939 Coupe de Ville down the quaint country road that led out of Clementine. She’d passed through the small town that offered all the necessities, be it in the most minimal of ways.
American flags were proudly on display in front of every business and home, as they were out here in the vast countryside.
With a happy sigh, Sonya admired the farmlands that sped by. They were of such luscious green, and the orange groves were heavy with sun-filled fruit.
“What a wonderful setting to work in,” she mused to herself.
As she passed a large farmhouse with the number 12 on it, she glanced once again at the address she’d jotted down.
1 Lemon Grove Lane.
The farmhouses grew larger; wide wraparound porches, bow windows, thriving gardens, double and even triple garages in addition to the stables and barns. They were also set farther and farther apart with acres of farmland separating them.
“Six,” she counted down aloud as she passed a bright yellow farmhouse. Several moments later as she came to a deep blue house, “Four.”
Then, “Three and two. There’s only one place left to go,” she said as she looked at the road that led to the one solitary home at the end of the lane.
A five-foot high stone wall topped with decorative, yet deadly looking wrought iron spikes ran out on either side of the road for about a hundred yards. An intricately decorated wrought iron gate blocked her path.
Slowly bringing the car up to the gate, she reached out to open the small door of a tiny niche and picked up the phone inside.
“Yes?”a sweet young voice said.
“I’m Sonya Song. I’m here to meet with Dr.Ang about tutoring his daughter.”
“Okay,” came the bright and enthusiastic reply before the call was abruptly ended.
The gates parted and Sonya drove in, amused by the two rabbit-shaped topiaries that immediately greeted her.
“A man with a sense of humor,” she mused. “I like that.”
The lawn, while healthy and green, appeared a little neglected. The flower beds that lined the drive as she approached the house seemed cluttered with weeds.
She parked behind the silver Chrysler Thunderbolt Roadster and got out.
“Not bad,” she muttered to herself as she looked at the impressive home.
The structure had an interesting blend of wood and stone, the two marrying perfectly on the sprawling ranch style home. While the stones were on the cool side, the woods were rich and warm.
She walked up to the door, grasped the heavy knocker and knocked three times. She’d barely finished the third knock when the door opened wide, and she faced a pretty, young woman.
“Sonya, right?”the young woman said with a bright smile.
“That’s right.”
The young woman offered her hand and Sonya reached out to take it. “I’m April,” she said as she gave Sonya’s hand a firm shake. “April Ang.”
Taking a good look at her, Sonya surmised that the girl was about sixteen years old. Her long, silky black hair trailed down her back, almost reaching her hips. There was an inquisitive twinkle in her eyes and sweet innocence in her smile.
