Blue Velvet Through My Tears

Chapter 1

The luxury of the boat began to bore her. She pulled off her sunglasses to peek her mossy green eyes at the unshaded scene before her. Her eyes scanned the boat and saw her parents cuddling on the other side of the boat, enjoying each other’s company. Lillian scoffed at the sight, slightly annoyed that her parents can stand to be in the same room together let alone in the middle of the bay and not go at each other’s throats. Lillian adjusted her white and black sun hat and just closed her eyes allowing the warmth of the sun to wrap her like a blanket. “Lillian, darling! Don’t fall asleep in the sun or you will get burned,” the voice of Mrs. Woodsen yelled out breaking Lillian’s trance. Annoyed, Lillian yelled back, “Yes mother!” She sat up and slipped on her Jack Rogers sandals while wrapping her fuzzy white towel around her bathing suit. She grabbed her belongings and went to the side with her parents. She sat straight and silent as she was raised to do. “Sweet heart, would you like some sweet tea?” her mother graciously offered, trying to show off her new Tiffany & Co. diamond ring which she enjoyed letting the light  shine through it. Lillian rolled her eyes at her mother’s materialistic ways. “No, thank you,” she responded. Her father’s cigar started to blow the stench of tobacco which made Mrs. Woodsen cough and whine. “George must you smoke that right now?” Mr.Woodsen sighed. “We are near the dock, so might as well put it out before we reach there.” Mrs. Woodsen was annoyed and looked away from her husband.

The boat rocked back and forth as the Woodsen family arrived at the dock. One by one, they jumped on the dock that is connected to their estate. Lillian’s white cover up trailed behind her as she rushed to the house. “Darling, dinner will be in an hour. We have invited some guests. Go freshen up!” Mrs.Woodsen’s practiced British accent broke in echoes through the house. Lillian arrived at her room. The light blue walls with a French white boarding around the room was anything but comforting. Trying to get her mind off the sickening richness of the colours, she got dressed into a light sheer beaded purple gown.

She gazed at the mirror, looking at every inch and making sure nothing was out of place. She looks straight into her reflection’s eyes. She saw a dull young girl who will end up just like her parents which is not what she wants. Out of pure anger, she threw her hair brush at the mirror. When the brush made contact with the mirror, the glass shattered into a million little pieces. Her door opened abruptly with one of the maids looking concerned. Lillian just stared at the maid and burst into tears. “Sweetie, it is okay. We can easily clean this up,” Martha said, trying to soothe Lillian as she started to pick up the pieces of the mirror. “I am terribly sorry Martha. Would you like some help?” Lillian looked down trying to help while wiping tears from her eyes. Martha smiled gently. “No, It is fine Lillian. Just go for dinner sweetie.” Lillian gave a small smile and got up to leave for dinner which she was late to.

“Lillian Elizabeth! Why exactly are you late for dinner?” Mrs. Woodsen said trying to mask her anger from her guests seated around the dining table. Lillian stood up straight and entered the dining room. “I am terribly sorry mother. I was getting ready and lost track of time.” Her mossy green eyes adjusted to the guest. They were all old and stingy with their noses up in the air. An empty smile appeared on her face that she practiced to death to pass as real. “Good evening Mister and Misses Andrew, Lord and Lady Windsor-Day, how do you do?” They all smiled delighted by Lillian’s mannerisms and beauty. She sat in the empty seat next to her father and smiled. The loud noise of adult chatter and utensils making contact with plates bounced through the room. “So, Lillian what are you planning to do this summer?” Lillian’s gaze focused on Mr. Andrew. His mustache was framing his mouth and his wrinkles were indenting his face as he smiled. “I plan on catching up on some reading and maybe looking into which University I will choose,” she said almost monotone, trying to disguise the tiredness of her voice with excitement. “What will you be studying my dear?” said Lady Windsor-Day in her most cheery voice trying to lift up the mood. “The study of feminism seems most interesting.” Each person’s head turned to face Lillian in pure confusion. Her father’s all too knowing awkward laugh broke the stern stares everyone was giving. “Oh, no, no. She is joking. She is actually going to take law.” Each guest let out a sigh of relief. Lillian stood up straight and put on a fake smile. Mr. Woodsen smiled but his eyes were serious enough to make Lillian shiver over what he was thinking.