Two weeks later, my close friends Francine Murray and Betty Monroe invited me out to lunch. When I got to the café, Francine and Betty were already sitting at a table sipping on iced tea. Betty was wearing a short, yellow dress with a white sweater and long white elbow gloves. Francine was sitting directly across from her in a dreadful pink frock, big white sun hat, and pearls. I took a deep breath and pulled out the chair in between them. Betty looked like she was about to bust. She jumped out of her chair and tangled me up in a big hug. Gasping for breath, I smiled at her and turned to Francine. Francine was much more formal and stood up. She leaned forward and kissed me once on each cheek, smoothed down her skirt, and sat down.
“Charlotte darling, how are you?”
“I’m wonderful Francine. How are you?”
“Oh, fine, fine, I-Betty!”
Betty was tapping her foot under the table and accidentally ripped Francine’s skirt,
“I beg your pardon Franny! I’m just so….oh can I please tell her?”
“Yes, oh alright go on then.” I looked at Francine curiously as if asking ‘What’s the big deal?’ but she tilted her head toward Betty, obviously motioning for me to listen.
Betty smiled so wide you could see every tooth in her mouth, giggled, and shoved a white-gloved left hand in my face. I looked down at it and saw a huge, sparkling diamond on her finger. Betty looked at me excitedly, “Charlotte, Daniel proposed! We’re tying the knot next December, you have to come!” I smiled back,
“Oh, Betty, I wouldn’t miss it!” I hugged her. Francine turned to me expectantly.
“Charlotte, you should have a ring on your bony little finger for Christ’s sake! When is Elliot going to propose to you? The nerve of that man! I ought to-”
I jumped out of my chair, my face was burning.
“He’s joining the goddamn air corps Francine! We’ve already had this discussion. I agreed to wait until he comes home in case… in case something happens.” My eyes began to fill with tears. I could practically feel everyone in the room staring at me.
“Humph! I think he’s a selfish-”
“You’re selfish! We’re doing the best we can!” I knew everyone was staring then. Betty looked positively helpless. I snatched up my purse and stomped out the door. So much for friends, I thought. How could they be so heartless? Elliot and I were doing the best we could. I had to have faith that he’d come home for good one day but Francine and Betty were distinguishing my spark of hope. It was like they were wearing heavy-dooty boots trying to stomp out the fire burning inside of me; trying to reduce me to ashes. But it didn’t work. I would not allow it.
The entire walk home, I felt like someone was following me. I broke into a run and slammed my front door shut the moment I got home, causing Percival, our cat, to jump off of the couch and hide underneath the coffee table. I immediately regretted this and felt like my dad; barging into the house and scaring people to the point of hiding under a table. I sighed and bent down to try and scratch him on the ears; let him know I was sorry. He just fuzzed up his tail, hissed, and ran down the hall. By that time, I fell exhausted and drained onto the couch, even though it was only three o’clock in the afternoon.
~*~
I was in the middle of the street. It was a seemingly beautiful day and a slight breeze was inviting everyone outside. Astonishingly enough, they came and for some reason I was glued to the spot. The large mob of people surrounded me in a large, tight circle. A tall man with black hair and wearing pajamas stared at me for some time and then the rally began. He stepped back and a short, plump woman in a business suit stepped forward and cleared her voice,
YOU ARE READING
Life Happens- 1941
Historical FictionCharlotte Hannigan and Elliot McIntyre had been in love with each other since they were nine and had met during unlikely circumstances. Now it’s 1941 and they couldn’t be more in love. Between the swing dancing, Frank Sinatra, and their undeniable...
