Friday, September 11, 2009

College Days


We were down by the lake smooching (in those days we did just smooch) and looking at the moon on a beautiful night in the Spring of l944 when all of a sudden I whispered, “Look, Bill. What IS THAT coming toward us?

Bill turned to look and the rear car door opened and two women in nightgowns with robes over them climbed in the back seat.The Dean of Women snarled,” Long past time for you to be in your room at the dormitory, Bernice. Here I was, 21 years old , a junior m college and Miss Pederson and Mrs. Griffin, the house mother were in my face. She snarled because this was the third time she had caught me out after hours and she had me now.

Bill’s car would have well qualified to be a clunker in today’s world. If he ran at a certain speed, it would shimmy like crazy and he ran it that speed all the way back from the lake to the dorm and the wicked witches from the west in back were holding on like mad.

We got back to the dorm and the two fell out relieved to have survived and led the way, heads held high. even in their ludicrous apparel and Bill and I followed. Bill didn’t add to the occasion much when he bent low and pretended to doff his hat and said,” Been nice knowing you, Bernie?” grinning from ear to ear.

As I followed the women into the dorm, the Dean turned to me and told me I was expelled for good this time.

The next day I had two finals and I skipped them both because I thought I was done. The president of the University (Prexy ) called me up at noon (his niece and I were best friends) and asked me why I had skipped the tests. I told him that I had been expelled the night before and saw no reason then to go and he told me he would arrange for me to have them given to me that afternoon. The expulsion was not legal yet.

I had spent a restless night. After all I had worked for six years to get through college and here I had blown it. In those days there was a 10 o’clock curfew for all women students . No exceptions, a rule I had broken climbing out windows and out fire escapes.

After the prexy’s call, I dressed and ran into a friend and he told me I looked terrible and needed a shot. He took me to the Blue Blazer and ordered two shots. Me—no breakfast and no lunch.

I guess you can imagine the rest. I went back to the campus and could hardly see the first test but it was a multiple choice mostly and I guessed my way through for I could not see too well. The second was an essay for history, my major, and tho the content was o.k. the handwriting was filled with strange loop-de-loops and zig zags. I think I hit a C on each.

Later, I was expelled. Destined never to graduate with my class.

During the summer, the prexy called and told me to bring my dad to meet with him and the Dean of Women. My DAD? Had they no idea what they would be up against?

My dad should have been a lawyer for he took on that old bitch with great aplomb and left her speechless, arguing that I had already been punished by not being able to go to summer school and graduate with my class .

Revenge was sweet but I hope Ms. Petterson may rest in peace in her pink nightie.

10 comments:

Michelle Wells Grant said...

Holy mackerel! What a rebel and rule breaker you were! Yes! But, hmmm ... you continue to remind me of someone else I know. This is so fun to read about some of those good ol' days. Keep the stories coming!

Wanda..... said...

What a wild child you were...just kidding...but that was daring of you to break the rules...you were a woman ahead of your time...that was a fun trip back...sounds like a few stories may mother might have told.
Enjoy it!

Smiles,
Wanda

Wander to the Wayside said...

You go, girl! Woohoo - Bernie rocks! I'm sure your kids and grandkids love these stories, as do I ...and can hardly wait to hear 'the rest of the story'. Hmmm, let's see. You just wrote about when you were in your, what-early 20s? (I'm thinking 'back then' you graduated younger than we do now? And you'd been there 6 years?). So we have to go thru your first job, your marriage, your kids. Gosh, Bernie, you'd better get to writing!

Anita said...

Too Funny!

Did you tell that story to friends and family when it happened, or did you have to wait until later? In other words, was there any embarrasment attached to it? Probably not, because you DID say that your college days were your best!

Bernie said...

Am so enjoying these stories, I'm beginning to think there is no such thing as a "generation gap" as I think we all broke the rules, some just won't admit to it. Oh and those smooches were the best weren't they cause we knew that was all we were going to get....LOL....:-) Hugs

Rebekah said...

Way to go bernie,

I just discovered your blog and went through the posts, i love ur stories.

You remind me of my 87 yr young Grandfather and 81 yr young Grandmother - both are spunky and adventurous and possess a great sense of humor!

My Aimless Infatuation said...

You are SUCH a NEAT LADY!!!Proud I found you!

Midlife Roadtripper said...

I'm thinking Miss Petterson wishes she had as interesting a life as you had. Poor old, miserable goat.

Rachel said...

I love this. All of it. Well done!

yelcomcc said...

wow that's something... I am a 21 year old Junior in college and it so astonishing to hear the sharp contrast between college in the 1940s and college now. I kind of wish we had someone to sneak of up on my boyfriend and I kissing after 10pm. there's no element of surprise or daring-ness....everything is accepted...

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