The wonder years
California. Summer of 1948
18 Year old Norma Winston had just graduated at the top of her class and had already applied at several colleges: her dream was to become a top 'lawyer' and to open up her own office one day. She lived with her parents and 3 sisters in one of the suburb houses near the beach, in California. Her father Robert Winston was a 'lawyer' himself, and it was with him that she had the closest bond; her mother Lourdes Winston was a 'house frau' and the most boring person she had ever seen; her 3 sisters were younger than her and still at school: they age range was between 5 and 13 and she was hardly close to any of them. Today had been her very last day at school and she was actually sad to see it end so soon. She could feel the warm California breeze of June and was dreaming about her future. Would she get married and have children: not until she was in her late 30 ties at least! First she wanted to see the world and fulfil her dream in becoming the best 'lawyer' in America. Her thoughts are interrupted by a voice she loathes:
"a penny for your thoughts princess!" Gordon says holding her and trying to kiss her.
"Get your hands of me Gordon!" Norma yells kicking him with her school bag. She looks defiantly at the freckles young man who has had a crush on her for as long as she can remember: they both went to 'California High' and graduated together but she found the red haired too pushy and sleazy.
"That's not a very nice thing to say baby, you know you want me like I do, and you will be my wife whether you like it or not: you wouldn't want to be the only spinster in town, would you? I love how your hair cascades and your deep blue eyes…"
"I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man on earth so stay away from me and I mean it!" A very furious Norma yells.
Gordon takes a step toward her and wants to grab her when they hear the authoritarian voice from Robert Winston speaking aloud: "you take your hands off my daughter or I will slaughter you!"
"Yes sir….. Sorry sir…..I didn't mean to" A very frightened Gordon babbles running away.
Norma takes a look at her beloved father and runs toward him excited: "dad! Today was my last day at school and I can't believe it's finally summer time! If only I could get an answer from at least one of the colleges I applied that would make my day…" She stops taking a closer look at her father: "why are you smiling?"
Still grinning Robert replies: "there is an envelope that came through the post for you and I'm sure it is the letter you've been waiting for."
The colour drains from the blond girl's face: "please give me the letter. The sooner I find out the better."
Her father hands it to her expectantly, waiting for the reaction. As soon as he sees his daughter smiling he breathes with relief. Norma had always been an exemplary student and at the top of her class and she deserved to attend the finest college in the country.
"So what is it?" Robert asks not able to contain his curiosity.
"I got accepted at the 'New York University School of Law!' A very excited Norma exclaims. She looks at her father expectantly but he remains silent. "What is it dad? Aren't you happy for me: after all 'Harvard' is the best college in the country, isn't that what you wanted too?"
Robert has a sad look on his face. He clears his throat: but this law school is so far away honey. It's in New York and we live in California. How are you going to support yourself al alone…."
"I'll get a job: I'm 18 years old now and hardly a kid. I thought you had faith in me." Norma interrupts outraged. She is deeply hurt at her father and a little disappointed too. She had always looked up to him and knew their bond was closer than what he was with his own wife. One day she had asked him out of curiosity, how he ended up marrying her mother who had absolutely nothing in common with him and the answer he had given her left her unsatisfied: "I married Lourdes because she had the sweetest smile and she was hardworking too." In Norma's mind that was hardly enough: if she ever got married it would have to be with passion and he would also have to be an academic. She would never settle for anything else, she promised herself. She glares defiantly at her father and continues: "i thought you of all people would understand me. I would expect that from mum but not you. After all….."
Robert interrupts her angry: "watch your language young lady. I will not tolerate you talking this way about the woman I have been married to for 20 years and your mother. She may not be intellectual like you, but she gave birth to you and you should respect her."
Norma looks at her father closely, and it hits her, that despite all the difference his father deeply cared for Lourdes, the simple minded Irish American brunette he had met at a party over 20 years ago. She looked nothing like her mother (whether looks or personality) and she had inherited all her father's traits: he came from Swedish descendant dating from the Viking times, he had shiny blond hair with deep blue eyes and the whitest teeth she had ever seen.
Still glaring at her Robert continues: "I wish you and your mother would get along better. You are her oldest daughter and you should be closer to her than any of your sisters."
"You can't choose who you love dad: you should know better than anybody".
"Can you at least try to be nice to her once in a while? You seem to be avoiding her like a plague every time she starts a conversation with you, and let me tell you something else. I am proud of your academic accomplishment and your brilliant brain, but you should never look down on anyone who isn't: it would make you a snob and I don't like to think that my oldest daughter is arrogant, so please do think about it before you make judgement on anybody less brilliant than you." The words spoken by her father have an effect on her, and she realizes that she has been too big headed lately. She makes a mental note to take some time with her mother. She starts to walk but Robert words stop her:
"What are you going to do about Michael if you plan to go to New York? You 2 have been dating for the last 4 years and I thought you were going to get married and start a family eventually. Is that over now?"
Norma realizes she hadn't given her boyfriend a second thought. The true is, that although she liked him very much, what she felt for him was hardly what you would call love. They had been high school sweethearts and the perfect couple in everybody's eyes, but in her heart she felt that she deserved better, and besides, she wasn't planning on marrying in a long, long time. Sighting she answers: "I don't love him father, alright? I want to pursue a career and not be somebody's housewife. I will go to New York and make you and mum proud."
Robert looks at his daughter for a long time before replying: "will you at least make sure you get a job and let us help you move out properly? You are only 18 years old and still my little girl."
Norma hugs her father tightly and says with tears in her eyes: "you know you will always be my hero and I love you more than anything in the world….."
California. September 1948
Lourdes Winston is standing in her oldest daughter's room with tears in her eyes. She knows she will never be close to Norma the way she is with her father, but she had always loved her deeply and wished things could have been different. As if on cue the blond girl turns around to find her mother staring at her: "mother you gave me a fright: what are you doing standing by my door?"
"I just wanted to take a good look at you one last time darling." Lourdes says taking her girl in her arms. Norma is surprised by the gesture and hugs her mother back. She looks closely at her and says worried: "mum are you ok? I mean, I know I'm going to college but I'll be back for the holidays, and just to reassure you: i love you very much, and i know we had our bad moments but you must believe me when I tell you that I care for you."
Lourdes smiles at her girl and replies: "I love you too baby. More than you'll ever know." She kisses her daughter hard and turns to leave without saying one last time: "please be careful and I will always be there for you."
Norma watches her leave and realizes that she actually loves her more than she cares to admit. Feeling her tears forming in her eyes she continues with her packing. About 10 minutes later she is interrupted again. She turns around to find her 3 kid sisters standing by the door too.
"Well, aren't you going to give your big sister a goodbye hug?"
The 3 girls run toward Norma and give her a tight hug: "we love you Norma and please come back home soon! We'll miss you!" "I'll miss you too babies and please take good care of mum: you're in charge now, alright?" "Yes!" They yell in unison.
"It's time to go Norma, are you all packed?" She hears her father asks.
Norma walks one last time to the kitchen to look for her mother and finds her crying. She walks toward her and gives her a big last hug. "Love you mum: please be happy for me."
"I am happy for you my baby and I will always love you, never forget that."
Her mother's last words echo in Norma's mind on her drive to the train station. When they finally pull over, Robert helps her carry her suitcase and it is time to say goodbye. The blond girl cries hard in her father's embrace. She has never lived apart from her family and she finds herself having second thoughts.
"Don't doubt yourself honey: I have faith in you." Robert says as if reading her mind. "Just promise me to always keep in touch and to continue to perform well in your studies."
"Oh dad I'm going to miss you so much!" Norma says tearful. "Please look after mum for me: she looked really sad, and tell her again that I do love her."
"I will and I'm glad you 2 had a heart to heart talk. Lourdes needed to know that you cared: she is a very lonely woman and she also admires you very much, never forget that." Robert says with emotion.
They hug one last time and Norma walks inside the train, ready to start her new life.
Norma is dreaming of a family: there are 2 little boys, a girl, a wife and a husband, and although she can't see their faces she knows these are her children and she the woman. They live in California in a suburb house similar to the one she grew up with her mum, dad and 3 sisters. She is very happy and very much in love with her husband. The 5 of them are walking near the beach and she can hear the seagulls. It is summer time and she is starting to feel very sticky. She wants to go in the water but her family is pulling her away. Why won't they let her in, when it's so hot? She tries and detangles herself from them but on hold on tight to her. "Please let me go…. I am roasting here…."
Norma is woken by the sound of an alarm. She opens her eyes slowly to look around. A ticket controller approaches her: "Your ticket please, ma' am. Norma hands it to the young man without uttering a word. She is still shaken by the dream.
After a short stop the train takes off, leaving California and the familiar surroundings behind. Suddenly Norma remembers her odd dream about a fictional family, wondering if it had any meaning. She smiles thinking of all the faceless children she had and the mysterious husband. She feels warm all over and cannot explain why. She takes a look at the countryside out of the window but can hardly see anything. It is late at night and when she glances at her watch she realizes it's almost 10 o'clock. She is a little hungry but all her food is long gone, and the meals on the train were extremely expensive. She decides to go for a walk to forget her hunger, but once she steps out she starts to shiver from the cold.
"It gets really cold at night: you should wear a coat." She hears someone say and turns around to find a young girl smiling at her. She is about the same age as her, but very smartly dressed. Her dark curly hair is loose and she wears a strong resemblance to the actress Vivien Leigh: 'Gone with the wind' was her favourite movie of all time, and she had only seen it at the California cinema once, when she was a little girl. She doesn't realize she is gapping until the girl continues:
"Have you lost your tongue or what? My name is Margaret but you can call me Maggie." She says extending her hand.
"I'm Norma: nice to meet you and sorry for staring at you, but you remind me of someone."
"Wouldn't that someone happen to be Vivien Leigh, by any chance?" Norma looks at her in surprise, so she continues: "it happens all the time. My mother is originally from Mexico and my father is Irish American so the mixture of it is the result. What about you?"
"What about me?" Norma asks in surprise.
"You're from California, right?" The blond girl nods. "Are you going to New York to get married or to study?" Margaret continues.
"I have been accepted to study 'The law' at 'The New York University School of Law' so I'm on my way there. What are you going to study, or are you still at school?"
"Hardly: I am meeting my fiancée in New York and we are going to get married soon. He is only a few years older than me and our family has known each other since we were children. His father is originally from Poland and his mother is Italian. We were both born in America though and have only recently started dating. What about you: do you have a boyfriend, too?" Margaret asks stopping for a minute to catch her breath.
"I left him behind and we were only dating for a couple of years, nothing serious though. I am rather focused on becoming a good lawyer after my studies and I am not sure if I will ever get married." Norma answers calmly.
The dark haired girl gives her an odd look and shrugs her shoulder. "Do you want to share diner with me? I'm not much of a big eater and I would hate to see food wasted away." She takes a closer look at the blond girl and continues: "you look hungry anyway."
Norma is too afraid to admit that she is starved, so she just smiles grateful: "thank you I could use a little food. It's really cold outside the train cabin and I need to warm up anyway."
By the time they are finished with diner it's close to midnight. "I better go to bed: I want to look my best for when I meet Jack in a couple of days." The dark haired girl says extending her hand to Norma again. "I'll see you tomorrow morning. Goodnight."
"Goodnight and thank you so much for the diner: I owe you one!" Norma exclaims before retreating to her room. Once she hits the pillow she falls asleep instantly.
She is dreaming again of her fictional faceless family but this time she hears their voices: the 5 of them are running along the beach and her children are giggling. She and her husband are holding hands and smiling at each other. She feels the urge to kiss him and make love to him but every time she wants to go near him she finds herself drifting away. "Please come back…. Jack!"
Norma wakes up sweating, and her heart is beating up fast. She doesn't remember her dream, except that it was an intense one. All she knows is that it always seems to be taking place in California at some beach resort. She glances at her alarm clock: it's only 2 o'clock in the morning.
She drifts back to sleep and the next time she opens her eyes it's sunny outside. With a start Norma realizes she has overslept: it is now 9 o' clock in the morning and breakfast time would be over soon. She jumps into the shower and 10 minutes later she is downstairs on her way to the kitchen.
"Where have you been 'sleeping beauty?' Margaret asks amused.
"Hi Maggie: I overslept, would you believe it?" Is there any breakfast left for me?"
The dark haired girl smiles: "right along the kitchen you will find a selection of tasty food. Help yourself and join me at the dock once you finished." She then turns around to walk outside.
"Maggie wait: I hope that when are we arrive in New York and will I see you again, after all meeting you has been a very interesting experience and I owe you one".
"Well I hope we do see each other often. I tell you what: if you are looking for a job I have connections and can spread the words at 'Macy's'. My father owns it and I have been working every summer school since I was 13 years of age so I can show you around. What do you say?"
Norma couldn't resist Maggie's warm smile and immediately agreed. "All right but I want you to know that I intend to become a lawyer, so that would only be so I can get a roof in my head ok?"
"Then it's a deal!" They both shake hands. The spend the next 2 days in each other's company and Norma cannot remember the last time she had been so happy: Maggie and her have become inseparable and she realizes it is the first time she has a real best friend and she knows that when the time came to say goodbye she'd miss her deeply, after all the Latin girl was everything Norma had ever wanted in a sister, had she had one close to her age. A voice interrupts her thoughts:
"We're here hooray! Jack is waiting for me so I have to run! Bye!" Maggie briefly hugs Norma before stepping out of the train excitedly.
Norma just looks at her pensively "Jack… just like the man of my dreams"…..
"Attention everyone: we have arrived in New York so this is the end of the journey and we hope you had a pleasant time. We'd like to welcome on board again soon, goodbye now….." They all hear the voice of the captain announce in the loudspeaker.
'This is it! New York: the city of opportunities!' thinks Norma very excitedly. She checks her watch and it reads 12 o'clock sharp.
"Cool! Plenty of time to view the city but I better leave my suitcase in the University dorms before…." Norma thinks. She steps out of the train and strolls around the city, looking for directions to take her to 'The New York University School of Law'. She spots a taxi immediately and about half an hour later she has finally arrived at the University campus. She takes in all her surroundings and feels the excitement growing inside her: this is it! Her dream was finally coming through after such a long wait….. She opens the first door she sees and walks directly into 'reception' where she finds a young brunette sitting at the desk. Norma clears her throat:
"Hello there, my name is Norma Winston and I am the new student from California who enrolled in your list as a freshman. Could you please tell me where my room is so I can leave my suitcase?"
The young receptionist smiles warmly at the blond girl and says:
"Welcome to your new home and I hope you will adjust nicely. My name is Juliette and you can come to me any time you have questions. Your dorm is on the 2d floor and your new roommate is Margaret Smith. The elevator is on the right hand side. I hope you will adjust fine."
"Margaret Smith? Could it be the same Maggie I met on the train? That would be too much of a coincidence….."
Norma presses the elevator button and is so lost in her thoughts that she almost bumps into a pretty brunette:
"Maggie! What on earth are you doing here?!"
"What a surprise Norma! Who'd ever thought we'll see each other again so soon?"
Both girls hug. "Wait a minute! You knew, didn't you?" asks Norma with suspicion.
"Whatever are you talking about?" Maggie feigns surprise. She smiles mischievously and confesses: "Well, I did have a hint we would be going to the same University but I wasn't sure I got accepted. You see, as soon as i got collected from my father and Jack at the train station they gave me the great news and so here I am!" exclaims the very excited dark haired girl.
The blond haired girl smiles broadly: "This is great Maggie! I couldn't ask for a better roommate than you!" She hugs her new friend tightly and they walk arm in arm once they step out of the elevator and into their new room. They push the door open and whistle together at the magnificent view:
"Wow! This is better than I've expected!" Norma exclaims in admiration. 2 king size beds where right in front of large windows where all the sun shone, each girl had her own closet and dresser, a small table with an office chair where you could study or read comfortably; There was a separated toilet to the massive bathroom and even a kitchenette.
Maggie nods: "it's alright I suppose and anyway we, as 'Law students' deserve only the best after all!" She says in a snobbish tone. "Come on! Let's check the lobby and see if we can meet some nice men!"
Norma looks at her perplexed: "But I thought you were already engaged?"
The dark haired girl gives her an impatient look: "Don't be such a goody two shoes, will you? Whoever said I wasn't allowed to have some fun before I tied myself down anyway? Stick around with me 'Blondie' and you won't regret it!" She then grabs the blond haired girl arm and takes her out of the room.
Soon enough they spot a small group of young men and women standing in the lobby and Norma eyes wanders curiously into the face of a freckled reddish haired young man. He smiles back at her and she feels herself grow red. Maggie notices the exchange and takes action:
"Hello there! My name is Maggie and this is my friend Norma!" She then pushes the shy blond girl right in front of the freckled boy who shakes hand with her.
"Hi! I am Paul and very pleased to meet you. This is my second year here and as a sophomore I can say that I am sure you will like it here and will find no problem in adjusting yourself. I would love to help you with whatever subject you find difficult, so feel free to come to me for anything."
"Norma Winston and very pleased to meet you: I came all the way from California and I am looking forward to start a new life in New York and will put all my effort into my studies."
"I like to see a girl take her studies so seriously: most of the youngsters nowadays only care about drinking and partying but you are quite refreshing I see."
Paul smiles warmly at Norma and she feels herself go all warm. "This is the best feeling I had in a long time and it looks like I have made the best decision ever! I am going to make you proud papa and mama just wait and see!"
It's been a week since Norma arrived at 'Harvard' and so far she has adjusted fine: her classes were easier than she thought and she was even considering joining the advance class where Paul was also a member. The two of them had been spending every free time together and had so much in common. Maggie on the other hand was slowly drifting apart: she had joined a sorority group where all they did was smoke, drink, party, brake rules and sleep around…. Norma was saddened to see her short friendship with the warm brunette slip away and decided to have a talk with her. Sure enough one night where she came to the dorm early she found the pretty brunette crying in her bed. She approached her friend slowly.
"What's wrong Maggie? Why are you crying?"
The beautiful brunette sniffles: "What does it matter to you anyway? You stopped caring about me ever since you met Paul so leave me alone!"
The blond girl takes her friend into her arms: "Please forgive me Maggie but I thought you had no more interest in me since you started with your new group. I do care about you and will always be here when you need me."
Maggie sobs slowly and answers: "Jack and I broke up. He saw me one night kissing and making out with another guy and told me our engagement was over…." She sobs uncontrollably and Norma pats her.
"Oh honey I am so sorry to hear that but you should know better than to cheat on somebody you love."
The dark haired girl gives her an angry look: "How would you know about love?! I bet you are still a virgin and if you think that Paul is the one you are mistaking! It takes lots of experience until you find the right guy for you, and so in the meantime a girl should get as much experience as she can in order to get ready for the marriage and stop giving me that shocked look! Boy you are a 'goody two shoes' and I can't believe we are even friends!"
Norma clears her throat and nods: "I guess I don't have as much experience as you with men but I do know when love is around and what I feel about Paul is very special and sweet. We are like soul mates and he appreciates the fact that I am not an easy girl like some people I know…."
The slap she receives from Maggie is painful enough and she falls down the floor in shock.
"How dare for you to call me easy and look at you: a frigid virgin who will probably age waiting for her 'Prince charming' to come around and he never will and….." She stops as soon as she hears her friend sob uncontrollably and takes her into her arms. "Please forgive me honey and let's make peace. I never meant to hurt your feelings even though I can be so mean sometimes: I love you like the sister I never had, and your friendship means so much to me so can we be friends again?"
Norma sniffles: "I apologize to you too. I behaved very snobbishly and worst of all deserted the best friend I had in ages….I guess i got easily impressed with the intellectual students around here and forgot the most important thing about real friendship and sisterhood. Please forgive me and I never meant to call you easy. You are much worth to me than you can imagine and I would have never made it here without your help.
Both girl hug tightly and Maggie suddenly exclaims: "I tell you what, how would you like to start working at 'Macys department store' every weekend if I get my father to give you the job I promised you I would? That would give you some cash and working experience you need while you're a student and you that would also give you the opportunity to meet Jack my husband to be…."
"Jack… Mm Norma thinks. "I wonder if he's anything like my Jack in the dreams…."
She smiles broadly and hugs the pretty brunette: "deal! I would love to gain some working experience as soon as I can! Geez thanks Maggie and I owe you one!"
"You bet you do cause you're going to be my bridesmaid at my wedding once I make up with him!" the pretty brunette exclaims with confidence.
Another week has passed since the incident and sure enough Norma receives a phone call from Maggie's father inviting her to attend a job interview for the position as 'Sales assistant' at the Macys department store. The blond girl is very nervous about it and babbles at every question asked and fears the worst. Luckily the older kind man is very taking with Norma and sees her potential finding her refreshing and offers her the job immediately.
On her way home Norma jumps from happiness and hugs Maggie as soon as she enters their dorm: "Guess what? I got the job and I know I owe it all to you my dear friend!"
Maggie hugs her back: "I knew my father would see potential in you so is no surprise to me! Congratulations and let's celebrate with the other students!"
They walk arm in arm and Norma smiles happily: New York was definitely the town for her!
A month later at 'Macys' Norma is working at the cash desk serving a customer when she suddenly hears a voice that stops her dead in her tracks: "Excuse me young lady but could you help me choose a wedding present for my future bride? We are getting married in less than a month and I have no idea what to give her…"
Norma lifts her head and comes face to face with JACK….. The JACK from her dreams who smiles at her perplexed face. The shock on her face is visible and for a moment both of them stare at each other…
This is my first chapter in 'Wonder years' and I surely hope I am not disappointing the public. I have made up my own story with NORMA as the main character since I always saw a lot of potential in her and definitely never as only the 'Housewife' she was in the sitcom. To me she was one of the best actresses along with KEVIN and JACK, which I will write about later on. I hope you will enjoy every chapter I am going to write and look forward to reading your reviews.