𝑳𝑨 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑼𝑺𝑬

𝑻𝑹𝑶𝑰𝑺

♱♱

𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝑷𝑶𝑽

"How did it go?" Clara jumps over to me.
"It went fine, Miss Polly is nice and gentlemen are too." I hear a sticker behind me.
"Love, don't tell 'em you heard from me but those Shelby's are far from nice." Harry whispers to me.
"Harry! Don't poison our poor Salomé brain." Clara puts her hands over my ear making me giggle.
"I'm just tryna' warn her." Harry shakes his head before going over to serve someone their drink.
"That darn Harry is just still mad after what happened." I catch what Clara says as she lights up another cigarette, I took note to ask her about it tomorrow away from prying eyes.
Especially the prying eyes, everyone was still staring at me like I was a three headed goat. This was the hard part of living here, getting use to the stares. The only time I wanted to be the center of attention is when I'm singing other than that no lime light for me.

Looking up at the big clock I could see a hour at already past, I was now starting to get bored. The conversation with Joannes, Louis, and Clara was nice but I checked out. To not ignore them I gave them small smiles and nodded my head when they turned to me.
"What's the matter?" Louis pulls me close by my waist and whisper in my ear.
"I'm bored." I simply say pouting.
"Guys the baby is bored." Louis catches Joannes and Clara's attention.

"Excuse me, I'm not a baby." I say with a little sassiness. "I just can't sit up here and watch y'all drink, I could be getting ready for tonight."
"It's only 2-something Salomé." I roll my eyes
"Didn't ya mama ever tell you not to roll your eyes or it'll get stuck like that." Joannes blows out smoke from his cigarette from his nose.
"Didn't someone ever tell you that those can kill you." I retort back.
"Ohhh Joannes." Louis pokes at him.
"Showed you all parts of Small Heath unless you wanna go to the whorehouses but that is Clara's job." Joannes says making Clara slap his arm.
"Take me to the church." I say.
"Uh?" They all looked at me confused.
"You've showed me all places but the church and the dress store, I'll need to buy a new outfit for tonight." I explain.
"All you had to say was shopping and I'll take you anywhere." Clara goes over to my side. "I'll take you right now." Clara takes my arm with hers.
"So just gonna leave us." Joannes says throwing his arms up.
"You guys are men, you'll find something to do." I brush them off.
"We are off shopping." Clara says and we walk away from the boys.
I made sure to catch a glimpse of the private room to see the door was opening, I quickly turn my head back not wanting to be caught staring at whoever was coming out the door.

"You girls bought a lot." Aunt Beatrice says we come into the kitchen carrying our many shopping bags. "I hope it is from your money Clara." Aunt Beatrice arches her brow at Clara.
"Maman it is from my money don't worry." Clara says.
"Why all the need for the new clothes?" With the rag in her hand she points at our shopping bags.
"I have to get Salomé ready for her first performance, not just any 'ole dress is going to cut it." Clara says going through the bag. "I'll be upstairs putting these bags up." Clara says leaving me to the many questions of Aunt Beatrice.
"Do you need any help?" I go over beside her.
"Chop up these potatoes." She hands me a knife, bowl, and cutting board. I go over to the table and sit down.
"Now tell me, how did you enjoy your tour of Small Heath?" Aunt Beatrice turns to face me leaning on the counter.
"It was very nice, I found this nice candy shop and I was always shown the church."
"St. Chad's?"
"Yes ma'am."
"By who? Louis?"
"Oh no, Clara showed me on our way back home." I hear a "hmph" come out from her.
"At least now I'll have someone who will go to church with me." I nod my head smiling at her before turning back to chopping the potatoes. "Salomé." I look up at her. "Stay out of trouble, my daughter knows the good and bad here, I only want you to know the good." Aunt Beatrice caresses my hair. "You're a ange, Small Heath can taint you." I could tell it was caring words but was mixed in with a warning. "You also better not bring in any babies, have enough running around already." I chuckle.
"Here I'll cut the rest, go have Clara help you get ready." I chirp up getting out of my seat.
"Merci Aunt Beatrice." I kiss her cheek before running up the stairs. Running back down to tell her about Miss Polly. "Also Miss Polly said she'll be by tomorrow for tea." I say and run back up the stairs.