The "Last Chance" List (On Hold, For Now)

Chapter Five - The Party

The day of the big party has arrived and everyone was here. Scattered around the room, men talked about work and woman, poised, talked about fashion and gossiped. Mother's "IT" group was here, Father's employees and old friends, and Olivia's friends. Even old friends of Grandma's were here. The room was packed. Buffet tables stood around the room, with gold lace table clothes covering them. Things such as scones and other treats lay on dessert trays, and glasses with wine and champagne lay on another table. Various fruits and a chocolate fountain were in the far corner of the room, and many of Olivia's friends were over there, taking tiny bites of strawberries. 

I swear one girl took five minutes eating one strawberry. The image of me eating a dozen in that time and smothered in chocolate came to my mind. I had to push the thought away and resist doing it. I am here to be a lady, standing poised beside my mother as she gossips about neighbors. I cannot be devouring food, like I so badly want. I see my grandmother at the other side of the room, enjoying a scone. She took a bite, half of it, and I smiled. Grandmother might be one professional, graceful lady, but moments like that make me feel like maybe I'm not a lost cause after all. I excused myself and headed over to my lovely grandma. She has long, gray hair, that she is wearing in bun and her walking cane is leaning against the table. She's 73 but rarely acts like it. In her mind, she'll always be 35 and that's one of the reasons why I look up to her so much. She doesn't care what people say or think.

"Hi Grandma" I said when I reached her,

"Elise darling" She smiled big, and wrapped her arms around me. This is probably the 5th hug I've gotten so far from her today. Unlike mother, she doesn't mind public affection like hugs, "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"Oh yes, most splendidly" I smiled, though she could see how fake it was.

She arched her eyebrow, "Now, what have I said about being proper around me all the time?"

I smiled, this time for real, "Not to do it"

"That's right" Her arm that was around my shoulders tightened, "You need to be yourself Elise. I understand being proper and being lady like is in our statues description, but you never need to be with me"

I don't know what happened, for my grandmother to start acting like this. Father said she never used to be this way. She was always being proper and careful with her words and actions. It wasn't until we came along that she stopped, unless it was absolutely necessary,

"I know grandma"

"Good girl, as for the party, it will pass" She pointed at the clock "Just a few more hours"

I made an unpleasant face and she laughed.

"I know, I know" She released her arm from my shoulders and grabbed another scone. We stood there in silence for a few minutes but I didn't mind.

"Listen Elise," She started, "Your father told me about the marriage"

I stiffened up. I knew father would tell her eventually but I was still dreading talking about it, with anyone. Thankfully no one mentioned it since mother and I had the conversation about my list; which was three days ago. Not a word, till now.

"I want you to listen to me" I turned to look at her, "I don't agree with it. It was common back in my day, but not so much now"

I always knew that. Grandma and Grandpa were an arrangement set up by both families and even though it worked out in the end and that should give me hope, mine still scares me.