The next morning, the girls decided to continue to explore the city. And they knew they HAD to see the Golden Gate Bridge. So, they took another cable car to the ferry dock and climbed aboard a boat bound for the both the Golden Gate and Bay bridges.
While on the boat, Bea and Prudence had a chance to catch up.
“How about a hug?” asked Prudence.
“Yes, I’m cold,” replied Bea.
“How are you doing? How’s being a freshman?”
“Ugh! Everyone is so mean! Even the boys are mean,” remarked Bea.
“Yes, kids do go out of there way to remind you that you are low on the ‘food chain,'” said Prudence. “Try to stick it out. It’s part of the high school experience. It will toughen you up. And remember how it feels so you don’t do that to others when it’s your turn.”
“I won’t. I wanted Purity to stay with me. And she does help me,” said Bea.
“I’m glad she does,” said Prudence. “She’s a good big sister.”
“Yes, she is,” said Bea. “But I miss you, Prudence.”
“I miss you too,” said Prudy. Bea was taller than her oldest sister now. So, Prudence reached up and kissed her littlest sister’s forehead. Then, she held her close. Their hair whipped in the wind together as the Golden Gate Bridge got closer and closer…
After the cruise, the girls went to Golden Gate Park. They had heard about a Japanese Garden and Tea Ceremony in the park. The girls knew their oldest sister loved cultural things like this. And they knew she loved tea. Bea wasn’t too fond of the stuff.
The garden was breathtaking. It was so quiet. The green trees and shrubs around the garden were green and lush.
“Remember when I took you both to the Huntington Library? They had a Japanese garden,” said Prudence. “You were both mesmerized by the koi fish, remember?” She took out her phone and showed them a picture of themselves looking at the fish.
“You STILL have that picture?” asked Bea.
“Prudence keeps EVERYTHING!” replied Purity.
“Yes, I do!” said Prudence with a smile.
“So what do you want for your birthday, Prudence?” asked Bea.
“Yeah, since we have money, we want to get you something nice!” said Purity.
“Well, I’ll tell you what I’d like,” said Prudence. “I’d like three tickets to a really amazing show tonight and I want you both to go with me!”
“That sounds great! said Bea. “We could wear our Paris dresses!”
“And we could do our hair all up!” said Purity.
“Yes, we could!” said Prudy. “Let’s get online and see what shows are being staged this evening.”
After a bit of debate, the girls decided to go with Prudence’s choice of seeing, the Phantom of the Opera.
“I don’t think I’m going to like opera,” said Bea.
“It isn’t your birthday!” reminded Purity. Purity was sure she wouldn’t like opera. But getting to spend ANY time in the presence of her oldest sister was rare so she really didn’t care what they did. And after hearing that the story took place in Paris, France, it seemed an obvious choice.
“What’s the story about?” asked Bea. She googled the musical and got this information:
From his hideout beneath a 19th century Paris opera house, the brooding Phantom of the Opera schemes to get closer to vocalist, Christine. The Phantom, wearing a mask to hide a congenital disfigurement, forces the theatre management into giving the budding starlet key roles, but Christine instead falls for arts benefactor Raoul. Terrified at the notion of her absence, the Phantom enacts a plan to keep Christine by his side, while Raoul tries to foil the scheme.
“Sounds like a love triangle,” said Purity.
“Yes, kind of a ghoulish one too! Perfect story to usher in the season of Halloween,” said Prudence. “Guess what! I’ve decided to pass out candy at my home this year, dressed up like…a skeleton!”
“YOU aren’t going to be a witch!” asked Bea.
“You are always a witch! said Purity.
“Ok, I’ll be a skeleton witch…” said Prudence. “She flipped open her phone and showed her sisters the make up design she hoped to use this year.
