Heroin(e)

Chapter Six

"Open your eyes."

I took my hands off my eyes and looked down to see a violin in my dad's hands. It was shiny and polished and very beautiful. It was almost too beautiful to touch. I looked to him for confirmation and he nodded, letting me take it from him. It was sturdy and I could tell it would last a long time, provided I took good care of it. My parents smiled at me. "Happy birthday, Esther."

"Thank you!" I said, almost crying from happiness. I couldn't believe my parents had spent this kind of money on me. It must have cost them a few hundred dollars. Who knew how long they had been saving for it? I cradled the beautiful instrument in my hands and admired the craftsmanship. Mom held a case in her hands containing the bow and a packet of extra strings. I'd helped Dad change the strings on his guitar plenty of times, I could do it. 

When Mom set the case down I grabbed the bow and immediately began to play. The most awful screeching came from it, threatening to break the fine china. Mom and Dad covered their ears. I knew it sounded awful but I was so excited I couldn't wait to tune it up. I wanted to play, to get the feel of the bow on the strings. My parents exchanged loving looks before my Dad gently took the violin from me. 

"Listen, honey, maybe we ought to rosin the bow first..."

***********

I twirled around in my new dress, admiring myself in the mirror. It looked just as good here as it did at home and I was pleased with my choice. Betty, styling her hair, smiled and rolled her eyes. I liked Betty. She had a whole 1930s thing about her. Even styling her short black hair like the famous Betty Boop. Her eyebrows were pencil thin but they looked perfect every day and her eyelashes were enviable. 

"Don't fog up the mirror, Esther," she joked while I laughed. "We get it, you're hot."

"Not half as hot as you," I said, blowing her a kiss. She caught it in her hand and held it to her heart. Our goofing off was interrupted by a pair of bright blue eyes in a jet black dress. 

"It's just a dress," Jeanie said, coming in to fix her makeup. Some of the foundation had come off from sweating. That was a downside to this job. Constantly running back here to fix things. Sweat stains, running makeup, mussed hair, and bunched up panties. The occasional broken heel. Jeanie grabbed some wet wipes and started removing all of it, attempting to start over. "She's not wearing the Pope's ring or anything."

"Aw, come off it, Jeanie, you're just jealous," Betty said. "Orange looks fantastic on Esther." Jeanie looked at me through the mirror reflection and smirked. 

"It certainly does," she said. I balled my fists up and took a deep breath. Nope. Not today. Jeanie wouldn't ruin my good mood. I wouldn't let her. 

"I like it," a tiny voice said behind me. I turned to see Henriette wearing a striking sapphire number that really brought out her blue eyes. They were a deeper shade than Jeanie's ice blue. 

"Thanks," I said, smiling at her. "Henriette likes it." I looked to Jeanie and considered sticking my tongue out like a child. 

"Of course she would, she's French," Jeanie said. Betty and I exchanged confused looks. Jeanie sighed. "France has all the best fashion."

"I'm not all of France," Henriette said coming to stand by me. She had already gotten used to the high heels and walked with grace and mystic. "I'm just one voice."

"And a darn good one," I said, wrapping an arm around her. I noticed she was much shorter than I was. Maybe that's why she could walk in the heels so well, she wasn't miles off the earth's crust.

"Have any of you gotten tickets to see AC/DC yet?" Jeanie asked changing the subject. Betty sighed in despair. 

"I can't go," she said. "I'm seeing my parents instead."