Of Silk and Death.

Chapter 3

As evening set on the city horizon, Peter and Will retired to their suite to rest and prepare for the party. As I walked back to the maid's quarters to tell Mother about my invitation, I wondered if that was a usual thing rich people did.

When I mentioned that I had spent the afternoon alone with two young men, Mother frowned, quite upset. Even as I explained who they were and what we were doing, she shook her head and scolded me for not telling her about it earlier.

I then hesitated for a moment to tell her about my invitation. Still, I knew it was inevitable, so I sat in one of the room chairs and informed her immediately. Mother didn't seem happy about it, but I knew she couldn't go against Father's decision and, even more, go against a request made by the son of the man whose job sustained her.

Annoyed, she took her small purse from her dress pocket and pulled out five dollars. She then told me to go home and prepare myself for the party. Two of those dollars were for Nancy, one of our neighbors, a young housewife and mother of two, so she could help me with my hair.

"You need to look presentable," she said.

Then she told me to wear the silk blue dress with a knitted red rose, the most expensive dress I had in my collection and only for special occasions. Finally, inside her closet, I would find a red box she used to keep certain private things. She told me to take out a small black velvet box and wrap it with one of the bows on the craft table next to her sewing machine.

When I asked what was inside the box, she told me, with a hint of sadness, that it was a pair of cufflinks she had bought Father for Christmas.

"I don't need that, Mother," I said, sad about her little sacrifice. "It's not necessary."

"Nonsense. You need a gift for Mister Arlington, and that's the best thing we have. They are sterling silver," Mother said, looking at me sternly.

I nodded obediently and thanked her for her gratitude.

"Well, go on now. You need to be here in a few hours," Mother said, gesturing for me to leave. "And don't use the bus back; it's too filthy. Use the rest of the money for a taxicab, do you hear me?"

I nodded and walked out of the room.

On my way home, I kept smiling to myself, remembering the sweet words Peter had told me. Had he meant what he said about taking me to Paris if I wanted it? I wondered.

As I arrived home, I waved at Miss Donofrio and Mathilde, who were looking out the window, enjoying the evening view. They looked like an oil painting of a grand dame and her precious pet.

After talking with Nancy and giving her the money, I arrived home, walked to my room, and placed my Weird Tales magazine on my small bookcase next to the other issues from previous months. I then walked to the bathroom to bathe.

Covering my bloomers and brassiere with a long robe, I took the blue silk dress from the closet. I placed it on the bed along with a pair of stockings, a small pearl necklace, and an earring set while placing my blue dancing shoes on the floor.

A few minutes later, Nancy arrived with a curling iron to help me achieve a more stylish look. As she helped me wave my hair, she asked me several questions about my evening ahead.

"So, going to a big party, uh?" she asked in her strong Brooklyn accent.

"Yes. A nice young man invited me to his birthday party," I said, blushing, thinking of Peter's invitation.

"A young man, uh?" Nancy asked, seemingly very interested. When I said nothing, she shook my shoulder in anticipation. "Well, who's this mystery gentleman?"