“We do the best we can to get them off the island, one way or another,” Mrs. Keller continued. “That’s our primary concern. Not all of the staff is good or just, as I’m sure you know, and it’s not our job to change them. It’s the Lord’s. Should you push it, you’ll make enemies and probably find yourself without a job, Alma.” She touched the gold cross around her neck. “I’ll give Amy a warning, and that’s that.”
What if that wasn’t it? Alma considered turning to the commissioner. Not only would the staff despise her, but Mrs. Keller would be furious with her for going over her supervisor’s head. Alma might even be reprimanded herself—or fired. She’d never considered the politics of working at Ellis Island before. She was beginning to understand how precarious her position was—and how little power she had.
Still, she felt for the people who passed through the halls, and she believed they deserved better, even if it meant firing staff who had years of experience working at the station. Seniority in their position didn’t give them permission to be cruel.
But today, Alma wouldn’t betray her supervisor by allying herself with the detested commissioner. One day, should the situation call for it, she’d have to decide if doing the right thing was worth risking everything—her reputation, her budding friendships, her job.
“All right,” she said at last. “A warning is better than nothing.”
For now.
37
Alma awoke late the next morning. Mama had prattled on well past her bedtime about who they would invite to the wedding and the preacher’s delight about their chosen date of mid-October for the ceremony. The wedding would be at St. Mark’s on East Sixth Street, and all of their friends and many church patrons would be invited for cake and beer after the event.
After the event, Alma would pack up the life she’d always known, for good.
To top it off, John had stopped by the bierhaus at the end of the evening with gifts of chocolates and a new journal for her. Though lovely, his kind gestures made it more difficult to rationalize her wishes with her parents’. Mama had expected her to entertain him until he left, well past an appropriate hour. She’d been exhausted and on edge, trying all evening to work up the courage to tell him the truth of her feelings, but each time she began, her tongue turned to sand.
She boarded the ferry with the others, her shoulders curled with exhaustion.
“Is this seat taken, lass?” Jeremy’s distinguishable lilt was a welcome distraction from her thoughts.
She smiled upon hearing his voice. “No, it isn’t taken.”
He slid in beside her, a smile on his lips and a twinkle in his eye. Jeremy wasn’t a tall man, but his shoulders were broad, his step assured, and his amiable nature pervaded those around him. He was the favorite interpreter on the island, she’d heard from the staff and the occasional immigrant, and she could see why. He was a contented soul, a man who seemed to walk with his face toward the sun. She’d grown to value his friendship a great deal in the passing months.
“How are we today then?” he asked.
“Well enough. You seem awfully chipper for early morning on a Monday.”
He shrugged. “I like Mondays. It’s a chance at a fresh start to the week, with endless possibilities ahead. What’s not to like?”
She ticked off reasons on her fingers. “Well, Mr. Sunshine, a full week on my feet. An endless stream of distraught people who don’t know what’s happening. And then there’s taking orders from others, even if I don’t agree with them.”
He laughed. “Come now, it’s not as bad as all that, is it? You sound like you could use more coffee.”
“You’re right.” She smiled. “Mostly I like the work, but there was an incident on Friday with one of the matrons and I can’t stop thinking about it. I felt like I had to confront her, and it was awful.” The truth came surprisingly easy around Jeremy. She trusted him, and that was more than she could say about anyone at Ellis Island, including Helene and her wagging jaw, despite how much Alma liked her friend.
“Aye. I saw you speaking to Mrs. Keller. She doesn’t allow any slack, that one.”
Apparently he hadn’t caught Mrs. Keller ignoring bad behavior.
“I think what she allows in this building would surprise you.”
He raised a brow. “Is that so? Well, I’ve seen some pretty awful things myself.”
“Why doesn’t anyone do something about it?”
“Too many people need work. They don’t want to risk their neck. That, and loyalty. Commissioner Williams hasn’t earned anyone’s trust yet. I don’t have a problem with the fellow; he just seems a bit wound up, could use a pint or two. He has riled up a lot of staff with the way he charges through the building firing people and making abrupt changes to protocol without consulting anyone.”
“This incident might be worth reporting, even to him.” She paused, deciding whether or not to share.
“What happened, lass?” he pressed.
“I saw a woman get slapped yesterday because she didn’t understand a matron’s question. The immigrant was upset, naturally, because she had a matron screaming in her face. It was awful. And Mrs. Keller said she’d warn the matron and that was all, but I’m not sure she did even that.”
“And I suppose this matron couldn’t be bothered to find an interpreter to help her.”
“I arrived a minute too late.”
He took off his hat and ran a hand over his almost-black hair. “Aye, we do the best we can. Don’t trouble yourself with the rest. You can’t force your supervisor to do what she’s supposed to do. That’s Williams’s job. It’s on his head now.”
Williams couldn’t make things right if he didn’t know what was happening behind his back. Alma felt the growing urge to take matters into her own hands. But she didn’t know how without ruining lives. She wasn’t sure where her loyalties lay anyway—with her colleagues or with the immigrants she’d never see again. Frustrated, she blew out a breath.
Jeremy eyed the Russian dictionary in her lap. “Studying?”
“If I have time.”
“I remember the first time I heard you speak Russian. Who was this woman, I asked myself, who not only had the bluest eyes I’d ever seen but also a fierce intelligence to match.”
She smiled at the unexpected compliment. “You flatter me.”
His skin, from his neck to the freckles on the tip of his nose, blushed red. “Forgive me,” he said. “I shouldn’t speak to you that way since you’re an engaged woman. I just admire you.”
“It’s all right. We’re friends and I admire you, too.” She smiled again. “I know I was complaining before, but I want to say that I’m very glad I’m not scrubbing pots and hanging laundry all day at home.”
“Boring, eh?”
“More than you know.”
“I’d like to know you more.” He winked at her, and this time she blushed. “There I go again. I’m sorry, Alma. I should be ashamed of myself. You have a fiancé.”
“Yes, she does.” A stern voice interrupted their conversation.
“John.” She sat up tall. “Good morning. Mr. Kerrigan and I were just saying how much we enjoy learning languages.”
“And that you have a fiancé.” Lambert’s nostrils flared. “I expect you will behave like a gentleman around my future wife, you mick.”