When the Hydrangea Flowers Bloom

Chapter Two: The Party

Over the next two weeks, Professor Fawcett wrote back to me.

Miss Hortence Langdon,

I am delighted to hear the news! You shall be departing on August 19th, 1882. You are allowed to pack up to four bags. The only things forbidden from packing are any weapons or medicine. You may bring as many mementos from your home as you would like. As you know, there is one other person from your town that is participating. Their identity is classified for the time being, but you will see them at the experiment. I am very excited about the study and will see you in a few months!

Gratitude,

Professor Henry Fawcett

I patiently waited for two months for the day to come. A week before I was supposed to depart Mother came rushing in with a piece of paper in her hand. "Hortence! Wake up, dear! The Fulton's have invited us over for a party tonight. Eugene is going to travel the world for a year, so they are throwing a goodbye party. You'll need a new picnic dress, so the seamstress is coming this afternoon to sew you one."

"Alright, Mother. Thank you." After she walked out of my room I groaned. I needed to start packing. I didn't have time for a party for Eugene.

I went downstairs for breakfast and saw Everly getting measured in the drawing-room. She had chosen an emerald green print for her dress as green was her favorite color. I walked into the dining room and sat down next to Abigail.

"Are you dreading the party, sister?" She asked as she ate some toast.

"Yes, I want to pack, not party," I said. Abigail laughed.

"You know, it could be fun to go to one last neighborhood party. I think you'll miss them. I hear Mrs. Anderson is making her famous lemonade."

"Mmmm. She does grow the sweetest lemons. You're right. I'll try to enjoy it as much as I can." I said. The people in our neighborhood loved to throw parties. They threw one every chance they got.

Our street was called Kent St. It was off of a busier road with carriages going along often. It was called Digby Dr. Kent St. was a half circle with five houses on it. The Langdons (us), the Andersons, the Fultons, the Hayhursts, and the Beswicks. Each had its own lovely backyard and three-story house. Both of the streets created a half-circle in front of our houses. There was a lovely community garden there where most of the summer parties were thrown. Some were in backyards and formal ones were thrown inside the houses. Eugene's going away party was to be thrown in the community garden.

After Everly was finished with her fitting, it was my turn. I stepped up onto the platform and held out my arms. Our seamstress, Aida started to measure me. While she measured I picked out a fabric. I chose a lovely canary yellow with small hydrangeas on it. Aida was the best seamstress around and could sew anything in under a day. Aida had two ladies who helped her sew. Ella and Laura. They were around my age, and I really liked them. I wondered if one of them could be the other person from our town.

After my fitting, I decided I wanted to go on a walk. It was hot outside, so I wore a light dress with a thin petticoat. I grabbed a white parasol and a bag with a blanket and book and headed outside. I could see Mrs. Fulton overseeing the setting up of Eugene's party in the communal gardens. She saw me and waved me over. I walked up to her, "Hello Mrs. Fulton!"

"Hello dear. Will you be joining us at the party tonight?" She asked. Mrs. Fulton was a thin woman with pronounced cheekbones and dark black hair that was always pinned up in a bun. She and Eugene had the same mouth, but he really took after his father.

"Yes, Mrs. Fulton. I'm having a dress made at this very moment." I said.

"Well, we're looking forward to it. There will be lots of people there, I invited Eugene's relatives. I heard his girlfriend will try to make an appearance!"