Fancy's Not My Name

A New Home

That afternoon Dottie was being led around the enormous home of the Cutler's. Though they were only staying until September, they hadn't spared any expense in their living situation.

Dottie had been received at the front door by Albert—the Butler. He showed Dottie to where she'd be staying before leading her to Mr. Cutler's study. There he instructed her on where she was and wasn't allowed to go in the house, and what her pay would be. Mrs. Cutler had joined them briefly to greet her and then Albert was leading her back through the house.

"For now, you will be part of the cleaning staff. The main hall, the dinning room, and the open study will be your responsibility." He informed.

Dottie struggled to keep up with his long strides and listen carefully to what her workload would be. All the while trying not to get distracted by the elegance of the house.

"You will begin at six o'clock in the dining room, every morning. The open study you will only need to tend to every other day—it's mostly used when we have guests. The main hall will need to be cleaned at least twice a day. More if we have guests or the Master is receiving someone for business." Dottie nodded.

"Alma will be your supervisor—unless you are somehow switched positions before the family returns to Georgia." He stopped at an open door and gestured her inside.

"Do your job well, Miss Williams. The last girl who held your post did not."

Dottie nodded shyly and entered the room. It was a sitting room of sorts, and small pockets of other staff were sitting around conversing. Nobody noticed her as she looked for an empty spot to sit down. There was a couch in the corner void of people, so Dottie made her way over to it.

It wasn't the most comfortable thing she'd ever sat on, but it was near the window and she had a nice view of the street.

She fiddled with her fingers and glanced around the room from time to time—alternating between the window and the other girls in the room. She noticed that roughly half of them weren't much older than her. The other half were all in their mid-thirties, and some even older.

She wondered which one was Alma, or if she was even in the room. She pictured the lady to be stern and maybe even a bit angry. A woman who wouldn't tolerate any nonsense.

A soft sigh passed her lips; she still hadn't been acknowledged. Dottie returned her gaze to the window.

She wondered what Harriett was doing. It had been only three hours since she'd left—maybe a little bit more. She wondered if the other girl was missing her company. Dottie didn't think so. Harriett had lived on her own for years before Dottie came to live with her.

Her mind drifted to Jake. She hadn't been able to tell him the news of her new job before she'd left. Harriett had promised she would when she saw him next. She'd also promised Dottie she could come back when the couple returned to Georgia.

Lost in her thoughts as she was, Dottie didn't notice the room grow quiet.

"You, in the back, are you the new girl?" A gentle voice asked from the door.

Dottie turned her head. She curled into herself slightly when she saw everyone was now looking at her. She turned her focus to the woman who had asked the question. She was a short old woman with snow-white hair. She seemed kind enough.

"I am." Dottie muttered shyly.

"I'm Alma, your supervisor. Have you gotten your uniform yet?" The lady introduced. Dottie shook her head at her question.

"Well come on then. Give you the tour while we're at it."

Dottie rose from the couch and tried not to cower under the intense stares of the others. Alma walked out into the hall once Dottie had gotten closer to the door.