Graduation.

The School year was over and there was one job available at the Hospital where our schooling took place. Many of us applied. Some had promises of jobs from their own home tracts. We were all on pins and needles waiting for the the decision. The take home pay from the job was $112.00 a month. I was the winner. It was good for my feeling of accomplishment and good for my diet.

About this time I met a young woman who was looking for a room mate. She asked me to go looking for something affordable. We found an apartment on the East side directly across the street from the UNITED NATIONS BUILDING property. The war was not over and there was no United Nation Building yet.

Her name was Doris Davenport and she had been the star in a movie with Gary Cooper. The movie was THE WESTERNER and I see it occationally on TV. I never miss it when I see it announced. She had been discovered when the studios were looking for Scarlet O'Hara. She got a contract for other films but there was some wording about her weight. The studio sent her back to NY to continue modeling and to lose weight.

We had so much fun together and for the first time I felt young and free and unencumbered. My rent was too high for my meager salary and Doris convinced me I could make twice as much money working one job of modeling as I earned for a whole month in the hospital. So I went to a modeling school. Learned how to walk and how to apply make up. And I did get a few jobs and they did pay well but my job as Physical Therapist filled me with pride.

One day Dr Hansson asked me if I would substitute for his secretary who was also the receptionist in the clinic. I agreed. My work was mostly signing in the patients and taking their 1 dollar fee, and later taking the money to the front reception. It was easy but boring. All the PTs went home about 4 PM and I had to sit at my desk until 5. We were at the end of a long long corridor. It was a little scary, for there was nobody around.

One day while waiting for the clock to move, I heard footsteps aproaching. It was some one who did not have rubber heels. It was someone who was not in a hurry. I waited without taking a normal breath. And suddenly the foot steps had reached my door. And there stood the most handsome Army Captain. I was so relieved to see him, I smiled and said: May I help you. He claimed those were the first friendly words he had heard in NY. I saw from his insignia that he was a doctor and he told me he was an orthopedic surgeon. He asked for my phone number. I am getting rapid heart activity just telling this. I think I have to pour myself a glass of wine.