Early the next morning, as the New York sky lightened to a pale gray, Shane and his sister Mary woke before dawn.
Mary wore a simple blue dress with a slightly worn but clean jacket over it, her red hair neatly braided into two plaits. Shane carefully checked her appearance to ensure she looked presentable.
Mary's eyes glimmered with a mixture of nervousness and excitement as she clutched a cloth bag containing her application materials.
Stepping onto the streets, the remnants of neon from the night before lingered faintly on the wet pavement. Early morning vendors were already bustling through the Lower East Side, calling out their wares.
Shane led Mary through the crowded streets toward St. Mary's School for Girls, located at 128 Stanton Street, just off the Lower East Side, not far from Midtown Manhattan.
As they approached, the surrounding buildings grew taller and more orderly, and the streets widened. The school's iron gates appeared ahead, opening onto a neatly kept lawn and a red-brick building, its pointed bell tower casting a solemn silhouette in the morning light.
Passing through the gates, their footsteps crunched on the gravel path. The oak main door of the school loomed before them, adorned with a relief of the Virgin Mary and a polished brass door knocker.
Shane pushed the door open, and a faint scent of beeswax, old books, and lilies greeted them. The entrance hall was bright and spacious, the black-and-white marble floor reflecting the morning sun.
To the left, student coats hung neatly in the cloakroom. To the right, a bulletin board displayed class schedules and activity notices. A grand staircase rose directly ahead, its mahogany handrail smooth from years of use, steps lined with brass strips that glimmered softly.
Following directions from the guard, they walked through an arched corridor, flanked by oil portraits of past principals. At the end, an oak door with frosted glass bore the words "Registration Office."
Inside, the room was larger than Shane had imagined. Morning light poured through three tall arched windows, casting geometric patterns onto the polished wooden floor. Peace lilies on the windowsills were still dotted with morning dew.
Four heavy oak desks occupied the center of the room, worn slightly at the edges from years of use. A nun sat at the desk closest to the door, while a large replica of The Last Supper hung behind her. Smaller religious paintings adorned the side walls, and an honor roll displayed the names of distinguished students, the most recent in red ink. A crucifix hung above a row of filing cabinets in the corner, and an old typewriter sat on a nearby table, surrounded by stacks of forms.
Shane stepped forward. "Hello, we're here to register my sister, Mary."
The nun looked up, her gentle smile putting Mary at ease. "May I have her full name, please?"
"Mary Cassidy," Shane replied, handing over the birth certificate, previous school records, and a letter of recommendation from Mr. Hawke.
The nun carefully reviewed the documents. "Mary, how old are you?"
"Twelve," Mary said softly, clutching her dress hem, a little flustered.
Shane asked tentatively, "Would it be possible for her to start next week?"
The nun nodded after checking the schedule. "Next Monday marks the new semester. She can enroll with the other students. We will arrange her class and dormitory."
Shane paused. "Is living in the dormitory mandatory? Can she be a day student?"
The nun shook her head, her tone serious. "St. Mary's is a boarding school. Students live on campus to fully engage in their studies and daily routines. You can rest assured we provide round-the-clock care and guidance."
Shane frowned, disappointed that Mary could not return home each evening. Yet seeing the mix of anticipation and nervousness in her eyes, he nodded. "How much is the tuition?"
The nun produced a price list. "Annual tuition is $260, which includes room, board, textbooks, and uniforms. If one payment is difficult, we can arrange installments."
Shane's chest tightened. The sum was nearly half of all his current savings. Still, he could not let this opportunity slip away.
"We will pay as soon as possible. Mary will start next Monday," he said firmly.
The nun's relieved smile brightened. She filled out an admission notice and handed it to Shane. "Bring Mary at 9 AM next Monday. We'll arrange her dorm and classes and give you a tour of the campus."
On the walk back, Mary's steps faltered. "Brother, tuition… maybe I shouldn't go…"
Shane stopped, crouching slightly to meet her eyes. His shadow stretched protectively around her. "Mary, you must go. This is for your future. Don't worry—I'll handle the tuition."
She looked up, the afternoon sun casting a glow over his face. His gray-blue eyes shone with determination.
Shane's hand rested on her shoulder. "Let's go. Tonight, I'll make potato soup. We'll get some fresh rosemary on the way."
Mary felt the warmth in his touch as he stepped forward. Their long shadows merged on the sunlit pavement, the sounds of street vendors, clattering carriages, and distant factory whistles fading into the background.