No one wanted to get up this morning after staying up so late the night before with the exception of Miriam. She and I were sharing my room while Daniels stayed with us. The moment her alarm went off super early I started to worry that having her bunk with me was a mistake.
"I didn't realize you worked this morning" I groaned as I slammed my pillows over my head
Miriam continued to get ready for the day. "Sleep well, I'll see you this afternoon" she whispered as she hurried out the bedroom door. I sluggishly waved goodbye at her not daring to poke my head out of my pillow in fear the sunlight would blind me. It wasn't until an hour later while dead asleep my eyes snapped open and I realized Miriam didn't work today she was off for the memorial ball tonight
Miriam's pov
I knew I should have at least told Gerty what I was doing but if I even mentioned Joseph's family I know she would have wanted details. I finally made it to the diner down the street and noticed their car right away with their Massachusetts plates. I only hoped they would be excited to see me as I was of them.
I cautiously entered the diner and began searching for the familiar faces that belonged to the Turners. I was surprised when they found me first with a big hug from Renata Turner and a kiss on the forehead from Jeffrey Turner. A waterfall of tears escaped me as they greeted me like a long lost child breaking my heart even more as I desperately wished Joseph was here too.
"It's been too long," Renata hinted while maneuvering into the little booth at the diner. I nodded in agreement
"There's been so much to tell you since our last conversations have been nothing but heartbreaking." I admitted "but food first I bet you are both starving" I requested as I passed the menus around the table. There was a moment of silence as we all decided on our meals, Renata didn't miss a beat after we ordered though. She placed her hand on mine
"How have you been?" she gently asked
"Stable, I've been renting a room with some childhood friends and have been working at the hospital." I explained "how have you both been? " I inquired
"We've been coping. Bernie and Loise had a baby boy they were going to name him after Joseph but... Madeleine insisted his name should be Stanley, after Louise's father... we're willing to bet they were Joseph's words not hers." Renata smiled
"I'd imagine with being as talented as she is she must get her uncle's wisdom often" I stated remembering when she told me about my pregnancy.
"Actually… its still only Aunt Scarlet who visits her… she saw Joseph once after he passed away during dinner one night…" she added "it hurt her in a way I can't explain'' Renata whispered
"I bet it did, Madeleine is such a sweet soul, I can't even imagine how confusing that must be for har" I answered, feeling my heart break for her.
"It was definitely a hard time for the seat girl. She's doing better though, just different growing pains than us all." Renata explained "so anything new in your life? "
"Just what I've told you, actually come to think of it… well… I'm not sure how to say this, I'm kinda seeing someone, but not really seeing them… he's taken me on some dates. There's something there… but I don't know I just can't stop telling myself he's not Joseph so why is this happening…" I rambled, unsure how to say what I was trying to say.
"Oooooo! That is exciting!" Renata cheered. My uncomfortable smile made her happy moment change to worry "oh I'm sorry… I overlooked the other part of what you were saying," she admitted. I gave her a questionable look as I knew she was a very intuitive person and normally listened very carefully to what anyone says.
"A lot of things changed when Joseph passed… and when you lost your baby, I found myself clinging to only good news, I know it must be uncomfortable talking about these things with us though" she said
"At the end of the day we just want what Joseph would want for you and that's for you to be happy" Jeffrey whispered.
I felt my eyes begin to swell with tears I hurried and dabbed them away, and held both Jeffrey and Renata's hands as we talked about everything new in our lives
Gerty's pov
The whole morning was spent with annoying little inconveniences, the handle on my favorite mug broke, I lost an earring, Lucy and Joseph ran through the living room and I spilled the afternoon tea. Not to mention the strange occurrences that happened to Lydia and Judy too. Lydia had a picture of her and Paul still sitting on the piano. She had faced it flat to hide the picture for months now but as we were sitting around during Joseph's nap it fell off the piano with no one near it and a necklace Miriam gave Judy broke making Judy worry the house and Miriam needed to be blessed.
Mom however felt differently she said "things happen all the time you can't change God's will because of your superstitions. Quit over thinking it and let's all just get ready to go and not another word of this nonsense, your letting your thoughts get the better of you" she lectured
That evening
Miriam's pov
Lounged around the living room in nothing but our bathrobes and underwear we slowly helped each other get ready for the ball as Daniel's took Joseph with him to see Mickey and Lucy before they spent the evening here at the house.
"Hazel, do you need help with your Gibson bun there?" Gloria asked as she finished pinning Lydia's hair back
"Yes please everytime I think I have it put together I realize I missed a curl or two" she admitted
"it still looks amazing " gloria complimented as she helped seize the fly away curls
"Okay everyone place your best for the most dramatic thing you think is going to happen tonight" Gerty called over as she pulled out her pen and notepad
"Bets?" Hazel asked with a laugh
"Ever since the girls were little Roger and I would place a bet with them of what we thought would be the most dramatic thing to happen at any event Roger and I would attend, from promotions to scandals anything goes max bet is five dollars minimum is .50 cents " she explained
"I have two dollars for a fight over a lady!" Judy called out as Gerty recorded her words
"That's real original" teased Lydia "I bet five dollars on a scandal" she added
"Holy.... Lydia that's a huge bet" Gerty chided when she finally picked her jaw up from the floor.
"Go big or go home" she shrugged as she spritzed more hairspray into her hair " Hazel?" she inquired
"I bet .50 cents ... someone will have a verbal scuffle with Pierson" she claimed thoughtfully
"Ooooo! I bet Paul says something to Lydia tonight" Luciana shrieked making Lydia roll her eyes
"I bet .50 cents someone's dress zipper breaks" Gloria piped up lighting a cigarette
"Take it back I just bought my dress mother" Lydia squealed with a giggled
"A dress you'll never fit in ever again" Luciana teased rubbing Lydia's stomach
"At least I still fit in it now" she bit back playfully as she rubbed Luciana's stomach back
I joined her, "five dollars," i started as i blew a tiny bit of smoke "that Winona is going to be a little bitch" I joked
"No obvious bets Miriam" Gerty teased back
"Alright, I bet then that, something monumental will happen tonight changing all of our lives." I said ominously
"That's Terrifying" Judy shuttered timing it perfect with the chiming of the clock
"Oh my goodness Red will be back with Mickey and the children any moment we need to get dressed" Hazel realized
Everyone jumped from their seats like alley cats on trash day going every direction Gloria laughed as she sucked some more life from her cigarette.
I followed Gerty into her room as we hurried and got dressed. Tonight would be an eventful night, I could feel it.
YOU ARE READING
Time To Face Things Head On
RomanceKissing a man she never met was definitely not on Gerty Swills bucket list but there at the train stations certain G.I. coming home managed to make the overly cautious Gerty finally reach for what she wants a postwar fanfiction with the COD WW2 char...
