I Get a Kick Out of You (Adventures of an Undead Flapper in the 1920's)

Chapter 2

“The world has gone mad today

And good's bad today,

And black's white today,

And day's night today,

When most guys today

That women prize today

Are just silly gigolos

And though I'm not a great romancer

I know that I'm bound to answer

When you propose,

Anything goes!”

Cole Porter’s lovely voice crooned from the new radio I had bought myself a couple weeks prior to today. I rested my elbows upon the table and listened quietly.

“Opal? That dratted Sinclair is here…” My mother’s voice interrupted my trance. I looked up to see my mother frozen in the doorway, gaping at my new haircut.

“It’s…it’s like a /flappers’/.” She commented quietly, still staring.

“Precisely.” I replied, and continued staring at my new radio, trying to get back on track of what was playing. It sounded like the Ink Spots, but I wasn’t sure.

“Opal.” My mother said exasperatedly. “You can’t just go off and cut your hair without telling us!”

“And why not? I’m an adult now.” I told her, looking up from my radio to catch her eye.

“Because…because flappers go to hell!” She told me triumphantly. I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah, whatever.” I muttered, disbelievingly, my eyes going back to the radio. But my mother wasn’t done yet.

“And it upsets your father. You know how he gets when you get into this…this /flapper/ business.“ She told me, and I rolled my eyes again.

“I’m not afraid of my own father.”

“Maybe you should be. Any other girl your age would dread their father’s disapproval.”

“What were you saying about Sinclair being here?” I asked, ignoring her last sentence.

“Oh! Well, yes, he’s here. Hopefully not for long, right?”

“Yes. I might be back this afternoon for my things.”

“Wait, what? Why do you need your things?”

“Because I’m moving in with him.”

“WHAT?! With, with /Sinclair/? Oh, honey, you two aren’t right for each other.”

“Mother, you know there’s nothing romantic between us. He’s just helping me get on my feet. That’s all.”

“Yeah, but…a man and a woman living together, but not married…I just don’t like the sound of it, darling.”

“Regardless, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you this afternoon. You’ll tell father where I’ve gone, won’t you?” I asked, and got to my feet, dusting my new dress off. It’s hem hung just below my knee, which was highly inappropriate and flapper-like.

“Yes, darling, of course…Oh, lord, what’s that horrible thing you’re wearing?”

“Thanks. It’s a dress, mother.” I told her, before leaving the room and rushing downstairs. Sinclair was waiting for me with a smile on his face.

“And how are you today, good sir?”

“Dashing, I must say.” He said, immitating my regal tone. The smile on his face stretched wider.