War Against Love

Yes Sir, That's My Baby

Chapter 2

April 9, 1927

 

The jazz music from the ballroom drifted to my room. I could hear the trumpets sing the melody as I stared at myself in my full-length mirror. Madam Buschemi had done a fabulous job with my dress. It was loose against my frame and the hem was just above my knees. The black beaded fringe tickled my ankles. It was as dark as the midnight sky. The fabric was a soft dark blue velvet complimented with black beads. I smiled at my reflection. A knock interrupted my thoughts. Carol walked in.

“Eva, where did you get that dress?” she asked curtly.

“I designed it,” I swished my hips and watched the fringe whip around my legs.

“Mother-“

“I don’t care what mother thinks, Carol,” I said as I stared her down.

She scoffed. “It’s your funeral, not mine.” With that, Carol exited my room in a rather unnecessary dramatic fashion.

With one last look I gathered my courage and left my room.

As I descended the stairs, I was greeted with a multitude of voices and the brass band. A smile pushed my cheeks back. I lived for these evenings. My plans included eating as much food as possible and dancing it all away. I made my entrance through the grand doors into the ballroom. A few people turned around and smiled at me. I saw some of the older ladies slightly gasp at my dress. I fingered the velvet, nervous about what the others were thinking. This was, in my way, my coming out as a free woman statement.

“Eva, whoever said you could wear such an abomination?” The voice shrieked at me.

As I turned around, I squeezed my eyes shut in slight terror. Opening them, I realized my fears were for naught.

“Lizzie! Darling!” I exclaimed as I ran to my friend’s arms. We held each other at arm’s length giving our judgments on what we were wearing. Her dress was the same fashion as mine, but was all beads and sparkles. Lizzie was my soul mate. She, too, understood the desire to be free from our societal restraints. We often spent our time talking about traveling to Europe and visiting the artist’s villages together drinking wine and participating in all that life offered.

“I absolutely love your dress,” I told her as I found a comfort in my soul knowing she was there with me.

“Thank you. I had it made from a design…your design.” She smiled broadly and gave me a wink.

“How did you get it?” I asked expectantly.

“I was at Madam Buschemi’s and was telling her all my woes about trying to find a dress for this party and she showed me your design. Obviously, I fell in love and made only minor changes to match my taste. Seriously, Eva this is fabulous. It’s like out of one of those fashion magazines!” She said the last line as she twirled.

“Thank you,” I said giving her one last hug. “I am glad that we can share the same dress. This makes Carol’s reprimand a lot less depressing.”

“Was she bothering you again? She needs to lighten up, old hag.” We both laughed.

“I see my mother waving. I should probably check in with her,” Lizzie said while rolling her eyes.

“Yeah, I probably should go ahead and reveal myself to my mother and get the disappointing looks over with.” With one last hug we parted ways.

As I wondered the grand room looking for my parents, a waiter offered me a glass of champagne. I took it gratefully and quickly gulped it down once I spotted my father. Standing tall, I walked up behind him gently placing my hand on his shoulder.

“Hello papa,” I said and kissed him on the cheek.

He turned around and gave a little laugh, “My beautiful daughter breaking the rules as usual.” He gave my dress the once over. “And, where did I buy this from?” he asked raising an eyebrow at me.

“I designed it,” I said smiling from ear to ear.

“So talented.” He said as he kissed my forehead. “By the way, there is a fellow I want you to meet.”

I rolled my eyes, “I am really not interested in one of your matchmaking schemes father.”

“Come now Eva, just humor me.” He gave me a wink and waved over a man about his age. “This is Mr. Winters. He owns one of the car manufacturing plants here in town as well as the oil refinery.” Basically my father was informing me in a polite way that Mr. Winters was rich beyond reason.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Winters,” I said as I stuck my hand out and shook his.

“Wow, firm grip you got there girl,” he said with a nod.

My father gave me a pat on the back, “Taught her that myself.”

I smiled and replied, “A firm handshake lets a person know who you are.”

“Very good,” replied Mr. Winters. Within seconds a young man around the age of 18 approached us. “Aw yes, Eva this is my son Edward. He recently graduated from college and is training in taking over a few of my businesses.”

I reached my hand out to Edward, but he didn’t shake it. Instead, he gently held my fingers and kissed the top of my palm.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Eva,” he said with a smile.

I couldn’t help but shiver. His eyes held me in such a way that it seemed like he owned me. I gathered my senses and replied, “The pleasure is mine.” Even though secretly I thought to myself, “You’re creeping me out. Stop touching my hand.”

“So Eva, what do you do in your free time?” Edward asked with somewhat of a smug look on his face.

I knew he was waiting for me to reply with the typical answer of knitting and painting, but I hated both of those. “I love to hunt.” I said bluntly.

My father choked on some of his champagne, Mr. Winters’ eyes bulged, and Edward laughed. “I dare say, we have a revolutionary on our hands,” Edward said.

“Sitting doesn’t suite me.” I added cocking my head to the side.

“Well then, father, Eva will need to accompany us for our next fox hunt,” Edward offered.

I gave a slight smile. I considered that maybe my original judgment of Edward was wrong.

I cleared my throat, “That sounds delightful.”

Mr. Winters chuckled and said, “When the fall comes we shall make our first hunting affair a Winters-Hoffman event.”

We all gave courteous laughs. The fellas discussed topics that bored me, but I kept my composure and smiled, nodding at what they said. Discovering that my glass was empty, I decided this was the perfect time to get away. I quickly took a step back and slammed into somebody’s body. I let out a gasp and turned around to apologize profusely.

That’s when I became stuck. I looked up at his face and gaped in awe. It was him! It was the man who helped  me with my tire. I stuttered for words but was interrupted by Mr. Winters.

“Eva, it seems you have found my other son. Jack, meet Eva.”