Disclaimer: Not all the characters and plots in here are mine. The Angels and other characters created by Spelling-Goldberg are used just for fun. I also borrowed heavily from Season 4 of Charlie's Angels, especially the episode "The Prince and the Angel." Sarah is my creation, and I rewrote the episode slightly to include her. No copyright infringement intended.
This is going to be a long one. It is probably just as well, as I think it will be my last for awhile. Thank you everyone for your ideas and support. It means a lot. To my friends on my Facebook loop--Agnes, Di, Jenni, Sara, Shelby--- Thanks for your help and the laughs. This one is for you.
Chapter 1 Sarah Goes to College
A warm summer's day in early August, 1979. Sarah Munroe had been training to be a private investigator with her sister Kris, and Kris' friends, Kelly and Sabrina. Sabrina had also announced that she would be getting married later in the month, and all of the Angels, including Jill, and Sarah had been busy with wedding preparations. Sarah had taken the day off from training and wedding preparations and spent the day with her boyfriend, Mark Simpson, at the beach. She knew their time to spend together was running out, and she wanted to spend more time with him. They had surfed and swam, and had water fights. When they got tired of the water, they lay on a blanket in the sun and dried out. Then they went back in the water for awhile. Eventually, the day drew to a close. They put clothes on over their swim wear and headed for home. Mark drove Sarah home. He walked her to her front door. They stood by it for few moments, arms around each other. Mark leaned down and gave Sarah a long, slow, kiss. When it was over, she stood with him, her head on his shoulder.
"I really should go in," she said.
"I know. I just want to enjoy as much time with you as possible."
"Me too. It won't be long before we both leave for college. But I'd better get inside before Kris turns the porchlight on." Another kiss, and Sarah went inside. Mark got into his car and drove home. As he did, he thought over the past school year. He had never met anyone like Sarah before. She was pretty, smart, and a lot of fun to be with. He was amazed at his luck in finding her.
Sarah silently went into the beach house and closed the door behind her. Kris and Jill were waiting up for her.
"How did it go? Did you have fun today?" Kris asked.
"Yeah." Sarah didn't feel like talking much. She usually told her sisters everything. Right now, she wanted to keep her thoughts and emotions to herself. Kris noticed that Sarah seemed a little preoccupied.
"Is something wrong?" Kris asked.
Sarah sat down on the couch next to her. "Summer is almost over. College is right around the corner. I'm going to have to let Mark go then. I don't want to, but I have to. He's going to go to school in Boston, and I'm staying in California."
"I know, honey. First love is hard, but you will always remember it with fondness." Kris put her arm around her younger sister and they sat together on the couch for a while.
"I'm going to miss him."
Jill put her arm around Sarah. "It will be OK. Like Kris said, you'll always remember him with fondness. You're young. Too young to be attached to one person. There will be other guys."
"Yeah, I suppose you are right. "
"Are you hungry? We saved you some dinner," Jill said.
"No, thanks. I think I will go in my room for awhile," Sarah said as she rose from the couch. She went in her room and closed the door.
"I wouldn't want to go through that again for anything," Kris said, looking at Sarah's closed door.
"Neither would I," Jill agreed.
Sarah and Mark met the next morning after her sisters had left the house. The two older Munroe sisters were busily wrapped up in wedding plans, and while Sarah was excited for Sabrina, she still wanted to spend time with Mark. Mark picked Sarah up in his car and they went for a drive to nowhere in particular. They drove up the coastline. Sarah watched the scenery. Mark spoke and broke the silence.
"Sal...Sarah,"
"Huh?" Sarah came out of her thoughts.
"I've got my dorm assignment and class schedule. I leave for Boston next week."
"So soon?"
"Yes. I'm sorry. I didn't think I would have to leave this early, but the schools start a little earlier out there than they do here."
"I see." Sarah continued looking out the window so Mark wouldn't see her tears.
Mark noticed how upset she was. He had gotten to know her quite well in the time they had been dating. He pulled the car over into a viewing area, and pulled Sarah into his arms. He let her cry while he stroked her hair.
"Hey, we knew it was coming. It'll be ok. "
"3000 miles is a very big distance."
"Yes, it is. "
"You'll meet other girls, I'll meet other guys....."
"And we'll write sometimes and see each other over breaks, OK?"
Sarah nodded. "We are too young to be committed to one person. But you'll always be special to me."
"And you'll always be special to me."
The day arrived for Mark to leave for Boston. Sarah drove to the airport to see him off. She sat with him as they waited for his flight to be called. His parents were busy giving him last minute instructions.
"Now, son, be sure to write, and call us if you have any troubles," Mr. Simpson, Mark's dad said.
"Yes, Dad."
"And don't forget to eat properly," Mrs. Simpson added.
"Yes, Mom." Mark winked at Sarah.
Mark's flight was called. "This is it," he said as he stood up. He embraced both of his parents, and then turned to Sarah.
"Don't forget to write, " he told her.
"I won't. Don't you forget either." Sarah smiled at him. Mark gave her one last kiss, and he was gone through the departure gate. Sarah and his parents watched him go.
Sarah said goodbye to his parents, and drove home. She kept her emotions in check until she got back to the beach house. Once there, she shut herself in her room for a few hours. By the time her sisters came home, she was composed and almost back to her normal self. They chatted about dresses and wedding plans while they got dinner.
The day arrived for Sarah to leave for college. She was going to live in the dorm at California State University, Long Beach. It was far enough away to get the living away from home experience, but close enough that she could still come home from time to time. As soon as Sabrina's wedding was over, attention had turned to getting Sarah ready to leave for college. She went shopping with her sisters and Kelly for a school wardrobe, as well as things to outfit her dorm room with. They came home with bedding, lots of clothes, school supplies, a book bag, storage crates, a small fridge, and odds and ends to make Sarah's college stay pleasant.
On the big day, they loaded both Sarah's car and the Cobra with all of the necessary items. Jill and Kelly jumped into the Cobra, and Kris and Sarah rode in the VW. They pulled up to Sarah's dorm and checked in with the house mother, Mrs. Simmons. She showed them to Sarah's room and introduced them to her roommate, Lisa Kishi, who was also a freshman. Mrs. Simmons excused herself and left to welcome other students. The Angels and Sarah unloaded her things from the cars.
"Are you sure you don't need us to help you unpack, Sarah?" Kris asked as they carried boxes and luggage to the elevators. She was already missing her little sister. Jill and Kelly were right behind them.
"No, thanks. I will be fine. If I unpack, I will know where I put everything." Sarah smiled at her sister faintly.
The girls dumped things onto Sarah's bed. "I think that's the last of it," Jill said.
"Look, Sarah, you're going to be eating dormitory food for awhile. Let us take you out to dinner." Kris smiled at her sister.
"OK, how about Whataburger?"
"Whataburger it is, " Jill said as they went back downstairs and got into the Cobra.
After dinner at the Whataburger, the Angels drove Sarah back to her dorm. They all got out to of the car so they could hug her. Kelly was first.
"Take care of yourself, Kiddo. You're like the little sister I never had."
"Thanks, Kelly. You're like another sister to me too."
Jill was next. She pulled out her wallet and took some money out of it. "Sarah, I know you're pretty well fixed for almost everything, but here is something for emergencies, or in case you happen to be out shopping and see something you want."
"Thanks, Jill." Sarah gave her oldest sister a big hug.
"And you've got my address and number in Europe, so you can get ahold of me."
"Yes, I do."
Kris was last. She gave Sarah a fierce hug. "I love you, little sister. Take care of yourself, and call you need anything, OK?"
"I will. 'Bye."
The three Angels got into the car as Sarah stepped away. With a chorus of "Bye, We love you!!!" they drove away. Sarah returned to her dorm room to unpack.
Sarah finished unpacking and putting away the last of her things. She made her bed and sat down on it. She opened her night table drawer, pulled out a pad of paper and a pen and began to write.
Dear Bosley,
Please forward this to the person who made my college possible. I know you know who it is. Thanks.
Love, Sarah
Dear Anonymous Benefactor: Thank you for your
Much Love,
Sarah (Sal) Munroe
Sarah put the letter into an envelope, and addressed it to the agency. She put the envelope into her night table drawer. She would mail it in the morning.