An Even Exchange

Copyright © 2014 Christine F. Tomalin.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-1462-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-1463-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013920817

iUniverse rev. date: 03/24/2017

Contents

Note To The Reader

Brief Bio

Introduction

Notes

Readers Guide

Questions for Discussion

Note To The Reader

The reader has the interesting option of reading this novella one of three ways. The story is told from the female perspective if the reader reads only every odd numbered page first. Should the reader want to read the story from only the male perspective, read only the even number pages first. The third option is to read this novella left to right as you would with any book. Enjoy!

Brief Bio

First time author Chris Fedorka Tomalin is no stranger to writing. Her poetry has been published in a number of anthologies over the years. In addition, she has crafted over one thousand creative & unique letters of recommendation for her counselees during her thirty-five years as an adjunct professor, high school counselor and administrator. This is her first novella in a style she has designed. More novels mirroring this format are in the plans for the future.`

Introduction

Beri, an independent young co-ed of the 70’s, is selected to study abroad in England never imagining how that experience might change her life plans. More than her studies are ‘exchanged’ following her semester abroad as we learn in this uniquely formatted tale of ambition, independence and unexpected consequences.

Colin, a British co-ed, meets his match with Beri when their lives cross paths at Portsmouth Coastal College. Little does he know that unforeseen events will change his plans for the traditional life he planned once he meets American exchange student Beri Baines.

B eri Baines’ seat looked out across the 93 foot long wing span of the new Boeing 737 Jet. Could this dream finally be coming true? It was last spring when Professor Logan’s letter arrived from Trenton State College congratulating her on being one of four students selected to participate in the exchange program to study in England. What a perfect way to begin her senior year of college. The day was finally here. She was going a broad.

Don’t let her get on that plane, her mom, never a traveler, cautioned her dad as she prepared to board. It came as a surprise that her mom came out to JFK Airport, always tethered to home in the care of Charolette her younger sister. Charolette seemed to be no different from any other baby until she was three. Some time after her sixth birthday two different doctors declared her mentally retarded after she stopped trying to communicate, failing to speak or make eye contact with anyone. This was not an uncommon diagnosis in the 50’s from the medical profession. Her mom dedicated her time to Charolette’s care from that day on. Beri’s dad tried to help as much as possible though his attempts were discouraged.

Tall and younger looking than his years, her dad doted on Beri afraid she was ignored by her mom. They had a special relationship. A few weeks prior to her leaving they spent the day together, just the two of them. She remembered him saying to her, Don’t you let your mom’s lack of enthusiasm discourage you, Beri. She never enjoyed traveling or trying new things. Ever since you were little you, on the other hand, sought adventure. Go and do all you can to experience life at its best. Bring me home great stories of seeing new places and tasting new bites of life.

To have inherited her dad’s wanderlust, above average height and hazel eyes delighted Beri. He always encouraged her to travel and try new things. Escaping her middle class town of Thomasville, New Jersey, would be wonderful.

I am really excited, Dad. I wish you were able to come and visit me while I’m there. We would have so much fun exploring London, wouldn’t we? I am keeping a journal to make notes of everything. I’m going to save every souvenir so I can remember every moment of this experi ence.

"We sure would have fun together. Seems like it was just yesterday that I left home and went to Hawaii. I was your age, Beri. I had my chance to travel because of the war. Of course, the circumstances were different. I went to help the US Navy rebuild their fleet. But I still learned so much about the people and the culture. This is your chance to go and see. Being away from home is an experience all young people should have. I am so proud of you for doing this. You worked hard to get the money together to study abroad and to travel while you are there. Make the most of it and don’t let your mom make you feel guilty or overly cautious about doing this."

Walking to the gate Beri asked her dad, Will you reassure mom that I’ll be OK? I won’t be alone. I’m with a well- chaperoned group from the college. Anyway, I will really miss you.

He rested his hand on her neck while they walked to the ticketing desk. His big smile always made her feel safe and loved.

The crew prepared the jet for departure while Beri watched with envy. Here she was sitting in a plane for the first time ever. She didn’t dare to blink, afraid it would all disappear. Becoming a teacher was her childhood goal. From the time she was little Beri loved being with children and played teacher with the neighborhood children for hours. It seemed natural for her to major in education at Trenton State College. Fear, not her mom’s nor her own, would not stop her from studying education abroad. She did start to think that the life of a stewardess might be exciting. To be paid to travel to different parts of the world might be fun.

B e sure to fasten your seatbelt. The attendant’s voice interrupted Beri’s thoughts. She glanced around the huge interior of the jet noticing the other students traveling along with her on the flight. We are preparing for take off.

The jet seemed even larger from inside. A bright flash of light from the fiery sunset caught Beri’s attention. It bounced off the wing of the 737 as it taxied down the runway.

Is this your first time flying? the noise of the engines dulled the voice of the passenger who was seated next to her.

Beri clutched the armrest of the 100-foot long jet as it began to accelerate.

Yeah, I guess it’s that obvious, Beri responded, How about you?

No, I travel all the time. My grandparents live in Scotland. I spend summers with them. We have traveled to Europe and all over Great Britain. You will love it. Travel is life-changing!

I am so ready for life-changing, Beri replied smiling to mask any trepidation her voice might reveal.

The flight will be fun. They will be serving us dinner once we reach higher altitudes. It is best to eat light and to drink lots of water. Did you find the socks, tooth brush and paste in the front pocket?

Socks? Why socks? Beri questioned.

So you can take off your shoes and get comfy. Kick them off and push your seat back. You might want to try and get some sleep later. With the time difference, you’ll miss a good night’s sleep and you’ll arrive in the morning in London tired if you don’t.

I doubt I can sleep, Beri responded laughing. I haven’t slept in days anticipating this trip. I can’t wait to be in England. At some point I am hoping to get to Paris and to explore Europe."

Their conversation during the seven hour flight made the trip pass quickly.

The group still had a two hour train ride ahead to the south until reaching their final destination after landing at Heathrow.

Portsmouth Coastal College of Education would be her new home for the next five months and she could not wait to arrive, unpack and meet the English students.

U p close from the Portsmouth bound train window the landscape was even more beautiful to Beri than from the air, distracting her from getting a close look at the members of her group. Even the smallest of backyards had a garden with roses huge and brightly colored. Sheep and cows appeared in lush fields everywhere along the southern train route. The gardens and landscape that created a checkerboard pattern from above when flying over amazed her. Thick green lawns and newly harvested fields crisscrossed their route. Golden bales of harvested hay were rolled into huge balls on the edges of the fields. New Jersey had dairy farms and fields but here the deep hue of the green grass seemed magnified under the English sunl ight.

When the American students arrived at Portsmouth Coastal College of Education, they reported immediately to the welcoming tea the Principal was holding. Their late arrival was regarded with disdain. The Principal’s opening comments fell short on both warmth and welcome.

You do realize that your group is twenty minutes late, she began. Here in Britain we adhere to formalities. It goes without saying that punctuality is a characteristic we cherish.

As Beri and a few of the members of the group felt the sting of the Principal’s words Sam, the deviant in the group, leaned into Beri and quietly chided, We rebelled against your formality you coveted back in 1776, she must have missed those events back then even though she looks old enough to have been there.

Sam’s sharp wit and sense of humor would make these stuffy occasions fun, Beri thought. He wasn’t one to hold back. She felt jealous of his ability to be so relaxed and humorous in situations with people he hardly knew.

B eri appreciated the formality and the structure of the welcoming tea as the British tutor in charge of the group made their introduct ions.

The Principal asked who would like to be mum. Mum, they learned, had to assume the responsibility for pouring the tea. The ritual of the pour reminded her of holiday dinners at her grandmother’s