Halstead Street 7

by Simahoyo

A/N The hardest chapter to write so far. I hope it works for you. Please LMK what you think.

The Janes who liked to work the jigsaw puzzles were gathered together for two reasons that Sunday. The first was to see if the rich girl, Kate, would return. And the second to discover if Giovanna had gotten a type writer. As usual, it was Regina who lead the others on a search for their friend. Senka was in a holiday mood. She had gotten a new bow for her hair. The English reading and writing class would be starting and she looked forward to finding out what the curious English letters meant. Gerta was thoughtful (what else was new?) and quiet, while Bronaslawa towered over the rest, looking around Hull House. She was the one who spotted the machine, shining in a place of honor at a table in one of the classrooms.

"Look, it is the type writer. How did Giovanna do it?" They crowded around, admiring the machine. Regina pushed down a key and it made a snapping sound. She jumped back.

"Don't touch it. We haven't permission.", said Gerta.

The clumping of shoes behind them turned out to belong to Jane. She smiled kindly at the group.

"I see you found our type writer. It was donated, and it was a sorry little machine, all tangled together. Giovanna fixed it, and now everyone can use it, if they learn to do it properly. If you would like to learn, Giovanna will show you one at a time. She isn't here, but she usually arrives after church."

"That is so good Jane. Thank you. We also want to know about the reading and writing class. Ellen said it would be... börja ...I have lost the English word." Gerta looked stricken.

"Those classes will begin as soon as we find a teacher. Miss Crane might be available again. I'll call on her at first opportunity to ask. Are any of you hungry? I know young ladies often are. We have some nice things in the kitchen and you are welcome to ask Mary. "

"Thank you, yes.", said Regina. The others chimed in and they were gone. Jane chuckled to herself at the predictability of the girls, and went on her way. The door opened, and a young woman dressed very nicely, followed by her parents came in the door. The parents looked around, carefully–withholding judgement, Jane thought."

"Welcome to Hull House. I'm Jane Addams."

The small blonde was looking both determined and nervous. Obvious signs of a would-be volunteer. Jane smiled. "Do come in and sit. The sitting room is very comfortable."

She lead them in, and waited while they seated themselves. "We founded Hull House two years ago, in order to help immigrants and others get the education, health care and other things they want and need to succeed in life. Ellen Starr and I were college friends, and we toured Toynbee House in London, which is our original model for Hull House. We teach classes in English, French, German, Latin, Chemistry, Social Science, Shakespeare, Gymnastics...something for every neighbor."

Kate's father leaned back in the chair, startled. "You teach all of that? To immigrants and the poor?. Amazing." He turned to his daughter. "Did you want to volunteer here? Is that why you brought us?"

That defiant look crossed her face again, and Jane could see what this young woman was doing. Jane spoke directly to the girl. "May I speak with you for a minute, please" Kate followed Jane into another room.

"Are you interested in volunteering? Or is there something you are keeping from your family and me? Not a bad thing, but a dream of yours?"

Kate's face darkened, even though Jane had spoken kindly.

"Father and Mother have decided my future for me. I would like to do some things on my own. My father has no respect for writers, and that's what I need to do. It's as if I don't have a choice. Giovanna said I should just tell him, like she does with her father, but she doesn't know them. You know how Germans are. They define stubborn."

Jane shook her head smiling. "I have heard that about Italians, Greeks, Jews, Polish, Bohemians and Russians too. Always from their children. I have seen that young people have the energy and the heart to make changes to our society. It is important not to kill your dreams. But parents worry about their children. What is your dream?"

Kate's eyes blazed with something. "I want to be the next Nellie Bly. I want to be a reporter for the Chicago Daily Tribune. They would be scandalized. So I felt it would be better not to tell them the truth. Can't I just tell them I'm a volunteer?"

Jane thinned her lips, looking Kate straight in the eyes. "No. I don't lie. I don't encourage anyone associated with Hull House to lie–if we do, we lose the trust of our neighbors and we might as well not exist."

Kate's face colored. "Father and Mother will never allow this dream of mine. I may as well give up."

"You don't seem the giving up type. What exactly did you need Hull House for?"

"I wanted someone who could use a type writer to help me submit my stories. I took a typing class, and I am no good at it. Giovanna is very good with the machine. I wanted to pay her to make my work presentable."

"So you have made a friend in Giovanna?"

"I believe I have. She is very intelligent, and nice. I could learn from her. Would you be offended if I honestly told my parents that I have made a friend and want to work with her on things we have in common?"

Jane's face softened. "As long as you don't follow up with an untruth. Are you ready to speak with your parents?"

They walked together into the Sitting Room. The Munks were sitting, stiff backed, and frowning. Kate stood in front of them Her face held more determination than fear.

"Mother, Father...I am here not to volunteer, but because I have found a friend, and we share some interests. I wanted to be able to come here and spend some time together. Do I have your permission to do that?"

Her parents looked at each other, speaking without words. "We need to meet this friend." said her father. Kate knew that was what he would say.

"She isn't here right now. She comes in after church.", said Kate, knowing that this would earn her points until they discovered she was an Italian catholic. It wasn't as if she wanted to marry her.

Fortunately, she heard familiar footsteps. Who else had such a confident walk? Giovanna walked into the room, and grinned at Kate.

"Hello. Have you seen the machine yet? I fixed one that was donated." Suddenly Giovanna noticed Kate's parents sitting there, staring at her. She pulled back some of her personality, and looked a question a Kate.

"Giovanna, my parents, Mr. And Mrs. Munk. Mother and Father, this is Giovanna Amari."

"It is good to meet you. It is nice that you took the time to come here and see Hull House, It has helped everyone in the neighborhood. I learned English here, along with many of my friends."

"Giovanna. What do you do for a living?", asked Father.

Giovanna smiled warmly. "I use the type writer for a shirtwaist factory. It is fun. I really like the work. I also help at home by sewing gloves."

A look of mild approval crossed his face. "And what is it you have in common with Kate?"

"We both have an interest in the type writing machine, and in the people who live and work here."

"Did you say you fixed a machine?", asked Mother"

Giovanna smiled. "Oh yes. I enjoy fixing things."

The Munks looked at one another, spoke in rapid German, which Kate thought rude, and although she was not as proficient as her parents, was hearing things she liked. She knew to keep her face blank and wait for their decision. Finally they stopped gespielen and Father addressed them.

"Katerina Margareta, we believe you might learn a thing or two here. The house seems safe enough, and Giovanna strikes us as a hard worker. It would be good for you, we believe, to be here on your Sundays after church. It is good that your friend also attends church. You may come here on Sunday afternoons unless it interferes with your work."

"May I stay today, then?"

"Yes, you may."

Kate's face reflected her joy. "Thank you, Father, Mother. This is something I believe will be good for me."

Kate walked her parents out the door. Giovanna came up behind her and grinned. "It worked."

"Jane told me I had to be honest. If I had lied, it would reflect badly on Hull House. And telling the truth worked. Maybe I should try it more often."

"Good. Now come and see the machine. You could tell about some of the people here. Jane could introduce you to so many of them. And you could talk to my family–if Papa will do it without roaring at me. I could get him to talk. He has a good story to tell."

"Would he mind if his story was in a newspaper?"

"We will not know until we ask him."

"If the Tribune should hire us, what name shall the reporter have? I cannot use my own. If both of us contribute, we should both have a part of our names in hers."

"Like Kate Amari? Or something like that?"

"I suspect something a bit further than the real us. Maybe Kay Vanna? Remember when you told me to remember Vanna to recall your name?"

"Ah, but it doesn't sound like a real American. Kay Vann?"

"Perfect. Now lets see that machine you fixed."