Free All the Stars in the Heavens by Adriana Trigiani Page B

for her opinion.
    â€œAlda, this is quite a household.” Father McNally smiled.
    Alda was surprised at how young Father McNally was—when she thought about Mother Superior dismissing her, Alda had imagined Father McNally as one of those older, imposing, autocrat priests, but here he was, the opposite. She couldn’t believe that a man this young out of the seminary had changed the course of her life.
    â€œAre you enjoying your work?” the priest asked.
    â€œIt’s interesting. I like it, and I hope I’m doing well.”
    â€œWhat is she supposed to say, Father? We’re all sitting here,” Sally joked.
    â€œYou have all been very kind to me.” Alda turned to the priest. “The girls shared their clothes with me.”
    â€œLucky we’re the same size.” Polly grinned.
    â€œI didn’t want to leave Saint Elizabeth’s because I felt useful there, but there’s plenty of work for me here. Gretchen’s fan letters are like reading the great novels.”
    â€œReally?” Loretta was surprised.
    â€œPeople tell their stories when they write to you. They can be heartbreaking, but sometimes they’re just ordinary bread and butter notes. People write to someone they don’t know, but based on what they’ve seen on the movie screen, they feel they know you and assume you possess the qualities of your characters.”
    â€œOnly the good ones, I hope,” Loretta said.
    Her sisters roared with laughter.
    â€œIf only they knew the real Gretch,” Sally joked.
    â€œMaybe they do. They consider you their confidante.”
    â€œWhat an honor for you, Gretchen,” Father McNally said. “God gave you a talent that allows people to see your soul. You invite them in, so they want to share their stories with you.”
    â€œSally and Polly get fan letters too,” Gladys interjected.
    â€œOh, Mama, we don’t care,” Polly said. “We’re happy for Gretchen.”
    â€œBesides, she wants it more,” Sally teased.
    â€œMr. Tracy Spencer is here,” Ruby announced from the doorway.
    The girls laughed.
    â€œIt’s Spencer Tracy,” Loretta corrected her.
    â€œThat don’t sound right. Tracy is a first name. Your momma got your name backward.”
    â€œThat may very well be, Miss Ruby. Regardless, here I am.” Spencer entered the dining room. He gave Mrs. Belzer a box of candy, greeted the priest, and took a seat.
    As Father McNally said grace, Gladys watched with interest as Spencer made the sign of the cross. “Mr. Tracy, you’re a Catholic?”
    â€œAll my life, Mrs. Belzer. Please don’t ask me if I’m a good one.”
    â€œAlda was almost a nun,” Georgie piped up.
    â€œYour sister will tell you that I’m almost an actor.”
    â€œShe only said you were intriguing.”
    Loretta blushed as Spencer laughed. Polly and Sally chided Georgie.
    â€œIntrigue can mean a lot of things.”
    â€œNo kidding.” Loretta glared at Georgie.
    â€œAlda, it must be a big change from the convent to a mansion in Beverly Hills,” Spencer said.
    â€œIt’s not that different from the convent. It’s all girls, they just have better clothes and bigger rooms.”
    â€œAnd ice cream,” Georgie said.
    â€œAnd ice cream. Well, to be honest, we had ice cream at the convent on Christmas.”
    â€œWe have it whenever we want it here,” Georgie said.
    â€œHow do you stay so slim?” Spencer teased Georgie.
    â€œI swim. You should try it.”
    â€œGeorgiana!” Loretta shot her a look.
    â€œShe’s right. I could stand to lose a few,” Spencer said.
    â€œYou’re just fine the way you are,” Loretta assured him.
    â€œAlda is Italian,” Georgie interrupted. “What are you?”
    â€œI’m from Milwaukee,” Tracy said.
    â€œTracy is an Irish surname, Georgie,” Gladys said.
    â€œThe