Promptly at noon, after the last student had been interviewed, we were led by our Big Sisters down to the basement dining area for lunch. When our meal ended, we were free to go to our rooms and unpack. Zoe helped me find my room again and there, finally, was Annie. Of course, I’d seen her in the Grey Room waiting for Director’s interviews, but she’d been across the room from me and I hadn’t spoken to her. Saying good bye to our Big Sisters, Annie turned to me with a huge smile showing too many teeth, sloppy wet gums and cheeks covered in large red blemishes. Feeling like a big, goofy dog was about to jump up and lick my face, I watched as she abruptly crossed the room, closing the gap between us. Invading my personal space, her nose pierced my too-close-for-comfort-zone spraying me with spit as she gushed about how glad she was to meet me. My heart dropped into my stomach.
” Trying desperately to back away from her, I struggled to find words that would be civil but not encouraging. “ I hope you don’t mind that I took this bed” was all I could muster. “Oh no, that’s fine. I’ll just unpack my stuff here” she replied. In one fell swoop, all her belongings were dropped onto her bed as the image of Pigpen – from the Peanuts comic strip – in a flurry of dust and debris, seared itself into my brain.
Routine personal items such as pyjamas, slippers, housecoat, and cosmetics including Noxzema (blemish fighting) face cream, were scattered across her bedspread. A number of unconventional items had also tumbled out. Several tins of canned sardines, a bag of six oranges and a box of crackers completed the picture of disarray. I couldn’t peel my eyes off the motley assortment of foodstuffs in time; Annie caught me staring at them. Without an ounce of discomfort her big, wide grin materialized. “I brought snacks; we won’t go hungry.” This time, I felt a baseball sized gooey lump drop into my stomach.
Zoe and Alice arriving at our door just then rescued me from this queasy situation. “Come upstairs with us” Zoe said. My own personal angels of mercy! Climbing the stairs to the second floor, we could hear the sounds of laughter and music. A gathering of second year students and Little Sisters, was underway. Ten minutes later, I’d forgotten all about being away from home and family, about my fears of entering nurses’ training, and about my weird room mate. The Big Sisters began telling stories of their escapades while filling us in on our House Mother, the Director and some of the hospital Head Nurses we should beware of. Soon I had met a number of other first year students who I knew would become my friends and I started feeling relaxed and happy.
A few hours later, my mind was filled with funny stories and my heart was full of the warmth of camaraderie. Making my way down the stairs to the first floor with several of my class mates, I began to feel that I was part of a special group of women who, next year, would be welcoming our own Little Sisters and carrying on the tradition of our school. My room was close to the stairway end of the hall, so as we opened the door to the first floor, the smell of sardines, oranges and something else wafted toward us. Was that Noxzema face cream? My new friends, crinkling their noses in disgust, looked at each other with a “what is that awful smell?” expression on their faces.
Oh, I knew what it was: it was Annie! And it was my room! Oh, no!
How would I ever get through a whole year with Annie?
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