The Rebellious Ones

Care of Women

Thank you to whoever is reading this. And a picture of our future character in the next chapter
-Eleanor

The gossip from the bluenosed women seemed even louder this afternoon as they sipped their tea and munched on their biscuits. Their cold and judgmental eyes glancing over Cora's swollen cheeks. The chunk of ice that slowly soaked through the rag that covered it was discarded in the kitchen sink.

'A few more hours and when that clock strikes five, you can go crawling back up to your sitting chair and read.' Cora kept chanting to herself as she kept herself closer to the hall than her usual place behind the counter. A headache was finding its way to the base of her neck.The women weren't very discrete on the stories they were making of her cheek. Most Granville women were raised on harsh gossips and continued to thrive on them. "I bet you it was one of those coal covered factory men. Look at the size of it," a woman in her late thirties commented, turning her crooked nose up into the air. "Maybe she got it when a wife caught her in the bed of her husband?" A rounded belly woman chimed in. This would be her third child. "Ha! I highly doubt that. Who would bed that?" A chorus of laughter came from the table. The first woman who had spoken sourly of Cora makes eye contact with her before pushing of a spoon from the table. "Oh my! Can you get that for me, dear?"Placing the handkerchief she was playing with on the counter, she hurries to the table. Squatting down to pick up the steel spoon, the crooked nose woman speaks loudly to the other women "look at her retrieve items like the dog she is," a chorus of laughter fills the store as Cora's cheeks redden. Swiftly she retrieved a new spoon for the woman. After an hour of the gossip, the women left, leaving Cora alone. Her sky blue eyes looked out the large panels of glass. Outside, people walked down the street, people riding the trolley, and a mixture of cars and carriages passed. The day had warmed up as Cora's small hands cradled a new chunk of ice to her face. Little droplets of water escape the rag to the dark wooden floors making them even more dismal. Moving from behind the counter, she slowly walks to the front of the store. Her petite heels click against the dark wooden floors. Soon her vision was focusing on the world outside the glass. A small smile tugs on her face as she watched a couple sitting on a bench, sharing an afternoon snack. The love in their eyes was something she craved to have. A sigh escapes her lips as Cora daydreamed of a tall, handsome man to come her way and make her feel safe. Well, she had Jack. He always made sure she didn't get in trouble. There were moments where he helped her with large shipments, but he was still coddling her. Cora's large blue eyes shift over to a figure near the couple. The figure stood around 6 feet, broad shoulders, and a nice suit that was not something a factory worker would own. The persona leaned on one of the oak trees that filled the lawn of the courthouse. A hat shadowed his face but, as strange as it may have been. He seemed to be staring at her. The smooth skin on Cora's face bunches together in confusion as she tries to see who the man is. However, the figure nods his head in the direction of her shop then turns away, heading away towards the railway. As crazy as it may have been, the build alone seemed familiar to her. The way the man had hopped on to a trolley reminded her of her brother.Shaking off the incident and the strange day, Cora prepares the shop for closing. Gathering the few pastries that didn't sell and would soon go rancid. She gently carries out to the back and places them in a box next to the rubbish bins for anyone who needs them before she heads back in cleaning up and locking the doors. Then ascends up the stairs to her apartment, her footfalls were filled with tiredness. The turquoise door opens to a small two-bedroom apartment. The living room was situated with a rocking chair, a mahogany secretary desk rested next to the front door, a flora love sits, and a small two-seat dining table in a small kitchen. Through a doorway was a small kitchen table to fit one person, an icebox, and a stovetop. The walls of the kitchen were pale white while the living room wallpaper that had been there since the 1800's still clinging to the walls. There was also an empty room that was full of miscellaneous items. The last two doors lead to a bedroom with a cherry bedroom set complete with a bed frame, dresser, vanity, and a hope chest. The final door leads to the bathroom that held the toilet, sink, and clawfoot tub.Cora's heels slip from her pantyhose cover feet haphazardly onto the oriental rug. The dirty apron tossed onto the kitchen chair. As she stumbles into the small kitchen. A quick rinse of the hands and a minor fight with lighting the stove, Cora was soon heating up navy beans. While the beans cooked in the small pot, she sliced two pieces of white bread for herself. Pulling out a small glass container from the icebox. There was half of a sweet onion to add flavor. A few minutes later, the beans were cooked, placed on fresh bread, and cover in pepper and onions. Cora chewed on her dinner as she stared out the windows of her kitchen to the back alley. Nothing really happened in the back alley. Maybe there would be a cat going by or someone taking out the trash. Letting out an exhausted sigh, her eyes travel to the wall in front of her staring at the clock. The soft tick from the second-hand fills the room. "Maybe a radio would make this place more lively," talking to herself after a rather long day helped her get through a lonely night. Picking up the everyday white dish Cora cleans up dinner. Heading back to the bathroom, she picked up the dirty apron to put in the dirty laundry. Metal clanking together could be heard in the small apron pocket. A sound of excitement escapes her pink lips as she digs out the coins. 6 shiny dimes stare up, catching the last beams of sunlight. At least the day was not too terrible. Making a detour to the rear bedroom, she pulls out a small key from under a bell on the vanity. With the little brass key in one hand and the dimes in the other. Opening the closet door, she moves her hanging dresses to the side. Pushing a small pin on the wall causes a clicking noise. A section of the cedar lining pops loose, allowing Cora to pry it from the wall exposing a cavity in the wall. Inside was a medium-sized metal box with a keyhole. Twisting the key counterclockwise, she has access to its interior. A small mason jar and velvet jewelry box. Opening the coin and bill filled mason jar, she places the dimes inside and quickly seals up her hiding spot. Brushing off her knees, she does her nightly routine. Dressed in a plain cotton gown, Cora sits on her bed after her nightly prayers. She wishes goodnight to her parents' wedding photo and clicks off the flower painted lamp. 'Hopefully, tomorrow will be more normal.'

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