PART 1

"Hey, Mr. Bridger," eighteen-year-old Nathaniel Blake yelled as he walked into the newspaper office.

Harrison Bridger, the newspaper editor, appeared in the doorway to the printing room. "Hi, Nat," he smiled at him and walked out to greet him. "Ready to head off to Boston tomorrow?" he asked

"Yes, I guess so," Nat looked down at the story in his hands. He handed the paper to his boss. "Here’s my last story."

"Last story?" He took the story from Nat. "Nat, you make it sound like you won’t be back." Mr. Bridger took off his glasses and laid them down on his desk with the story. "You’re going off to college, Nat. You’ll be back during your breaks. I told you I’d let you continue working here when you’re home.

"I know. However, things are going to seem different."

"Of course they will, but that’s a part of growing up. Things are going to change, but I promise you that as long as I’m here," he put his hands on Nat’s shoulders and looked straight at him, "you will always have your job here." Nat smiled. "You’re a fine, talented writer. I’m glad to see you expanding your ability by going to college." He paused for a moment, then continued, "I told you that I went to the University of Boston too, didn’t I?"

"Uh, yeah, about 50 times," Nat gave him a lazy grin.

"Oh," Mr. Bridger’s smile faded somewhat for a second, then he continued. "Well, it’s an excellent school," he finished.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Nan, that dress looks gorgeous on you," Jo Riley said to Anthea Harding as she stepped into her bedroom.

"You think so, Mrs. Jo?" Nan replied.

"Yes, you look lovely. You’ve really turned into a beautiful young lady, Nan," Jo complemented her. Nan looked at herself in the mirror.

Nan really had changed. The 18-year-old Nan was almost nothing like the young 14-year-old Nan that was the first girl admitted to Plumfield School for Boys four years earlier…on the outside at least. On the inside Nan still had a bit of a tomboyish streak in her. The same tomboyish streak that Jo herself never really got rid of.

Nan was wearing a beautiful dark green dress that brought out the red hair that she had put up in a nice bun. This was one of the few new dresses that she had gotten for the adventure she was about to embark on.

"Mrs. Jo, I’m getting nervous," Nan admitted.

"Of course you are, Nan. It’s always unsettling to make a big change in one’s life. But you’re only going to Boston. You aren’t going to be far away."

"I know."

"Don’t worry, Nan. You won’t be alone, remember? Nat will be around. He’ll be there if you need a familiar face." She paused for a moment. "I’m sure you’ll make some new friends too."

Nan was quiet. She thought about what Jo said about Nat. She inwardly smiled to herself. At least she would have Nat there, she thought excitedly. To Jo, she said, "Yes, I suppose."

"Do you have everything packed?"

"Yes, I think so."

"OK." Jo turned to leave. She stopped to turn back to Nan before she left the room. "Supper will be ready in a half an hour," she announced, then left the room.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The next morning came all too fast for Nat and Nan. Both looked excited and nervous at the same time. They were both beginning their adult lives; both unsure of what was about to happen. Nat was going to be majoring in journalism; Nan in pre-medical studies.

"Stage is getting ready to load up." Nick Riley, Jo’s husband of one year, said to Nat and Nan. "I just gave your luggage to the driver."

Jo turned to the two young faces. "Nat, you take care of yourself and Nan," she told him, tears coming to her eyes. She hated to see these young ones leave her nest.

"Mrs. Jo, Nan will probably be taking care of me," Nat joked, an effort to make Jo smile.

It worked. "I don’t think so, Nat. You’ve gotten to be quite a young man." Nat blushed. "Just be a gentleman, like I’ve taught you all these years; and don’t go picking any fights."

"I won’t." He hugged her.

"Nan," she gave Nan a big hug, "You be good and try to act like a lady."

"I’ll try, Mrs. Jo."

"Now, go, both of you, or the stage will leave without you," she shooed them over to the stage. They both got into the stage and looked out the windows at Nick and Jo. "Bye, kids." Nick told them. Jo started crying.

"Bye Mrs. Jo; bye Nick." They both said, as they waved to them. The stage began to move, and the two of them were moving forward toward Boston and toward an exciting adventure.