Stranger /Sister

Jennifer was checking out at Barnes and Noble on 185^th street before I approached her. She was short and round and glowed with friendliness as she purchased her copy of Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I approached her and before I could say one word she said

            “Theta Nu Alpha.”

            Shocked, all I could say was “yes” as I looked down to see that yes, I was wearing my sweatshirt with my sorority letters.

            “I was a Theta back in the sixties. Do you go to Pacific?”

            “Oh my gosh, I do! How are you?” She was a sister, and president in 1968, back when students had to live on campus all four years and girls were not allowed to wear pants on campus.

            Jennifer confessed that she loved the show Greek and watched it every Monday night because it took her back to her days as a Theta. She turned the interview around with her questions about what our sisters are like now, and I dutifully answered by rattling off all of our community service activities and our relationship with the Gammas. She informed me that our brothers were the “goody-two-shoes” in her days and she much preferred the Phi Bates to the Gammas. We both chose not to bring to words the fateful history of those boys, who had their chapter revoked for running a brothel, among other things, but our knowing smiles gave it all away. There was no time lost between us sisters. She sang me her pledge songs and asked about “pinning.” I told her about our charms and  “Theta History days” and begged her to come meet with us.

            In my essay for my position at the bookstore on campus I explained how I was excited to be working for a community that fostered community among strangers, but on this day I found much more, I found a sister within a stranger.