Love Finds You in Maiden, North Carolina

by Tamela Hancock Murray

  “I’d say boredom and loneliness,” Aunt Louisa speculated.

  “Or maybe the prospect of meeting someone new and exciting.” Hestia observed her cousin’s attire. “With your sense of fashion, I’m sure you appeared exotic to a normal girl.”

  Selene looked down at her traveling suit. “I suppose.” She sighed. “Then in the dining car they were out of filet mignon, and I had to make do with an inferior cut of beef—overcooked at that. And my tea wasn’t hot enough. The entire experience was horrific, I tell you. Absolutely horrific. I’m so glad to be among my devoted family, people who care about how I feel.”

  Abe appeared, hovering in the doorway. “All set, Miss Myatt.”

  “Thank you,” Selene answered.

  “How are you feeling today, Louisa?”

  “As usual, thank you, Abe. Won’t you stay awhile?” Aunt Louisa posed the question in the polite way that sounds sincere, but Hestia had her doubts. “Hestia might be able to find a few cookies in the jar out in the kitchen.”

  “Sounds delicious, but I promised the missus I’d be back in time to take Ellen home. All the church ladies met at the house to do some quilting, you know.”

  “Yes, how is it coming along? I wish I weren’t stuck here so I could help sew this year.”

  “I wish that for you, too, Louisa.” Abe’s voice sounded as warm as roasting chestnuts. “They’re almost done. I think they’ll get a good price this year.”

  “Our church will auction off the quilt at our annual bazaar next month,” Aunt Louisa informed her new charges.

  “Yes, I recall you mentioning the bazaar in your letters,” Hestia chimed in. Aunt Louisa always wrote newsy missives enjoyed by the entire household. Her lively accounts of church life were a highlight.

  Selene looked absent. Hestia wondered if she even read her aunt’s letters. Surely Aunt Louisa wrote to Selene’s family, too.

  “Our overseas missionaries will be grateful for every penny.”

  Hestia agreed wholeheartedly with Aunt Louisa’s statement. “What pattern are they using this year?” Hestia envisioned several quilts she remembered from years past. “What colors?”

  “Ethel tells me it’s the double wedding ring pattern. Mainly blue and white,” Aunt Louisa answered.

  “Too bad I won’t be here long, or else I could offer to help,” Hestia said. Thinking of her intriguing neighbor, Hestia did wish she could stay longer. “And Selene, too.”

  Selene shook her head and looked to the ceiling and back. When she did, Hestia realized that Selene probably hadn’t picked up a quilting needle in her life. She reached for her black alligator pocketbook she had tossed by the bed and whipped out a beige ostrich-skin wallet. “Let me give you a little something for your trouble, Mr. Perkins.”

  Abe came as close to blushing as Hestia imagined possible for a man. “I brought you home as a favor to your aunt, Miss Myatt.”

  “Thanks.” She returned the wallet to the purse and swished her scandalously short bob. Hestia felt dowdy wearing her hair long and wavy.

  “Remember me to Lavinia. Y’all come on by and see me sometime when you can stay awhile.” Aunt Louisa sent him a little wave.

  The door had just shut behind Abe when Selene spoke. “I see nothing’s changed in here. Except for that smell.” She waved her hand in front of her nose.

  “I don’t imagine your father needs liniment.” Aunt Louisa touched the bottle on her night table. “I hope you won’t need it for a long time, either.”

  “Or at least if I do, it will smell better than that.” Selene studied the room.

  Hestia noticed her gaze taking in the chintz curtains, old images of family members, and braided blue-and-white rug beside Aunt Louisa’s bed. Hestia could read Selene’s mind; the modest but sentimental surroundings were not up to snuff for her.

  Selene touched her forehead. “What’s for dinner? I’m so famished I’m on the verge of getting a headache.”

  “Shall I get you an aspirin?” Hestia remembered the bottle of tablets in the kitchen drawer.

  “I’d rather have a bottle of Coca-Cola.”

  “I wish we had some on hand.” Hestia made a mental note to put the soft drink on her shopping list.

  “Will you send for a case? I like to drink one every day. And what about dinner? Please say it’s beef. Ever since I ate that terrible steak on the train, I’ve had a craving for a good cut of beef prepared correctly.”

  “Overcooked or rare, you won’t be getting filet mignon here.” Aunt Louisa frowned at Selene.

  “Oh. You don’t have a cook?”

  “I didn’t have one the last time you were here, so why would I have one now? And even if I did, I wouldn’t waste money on such an expensive cut of beef.”

  Selene sent a pleading look Hestia’s way. “What about you, Hestia? Don’t you like good food?”

  “Yes, but I agree there’s no need to overspend.”

  Selene grimaced and put her gaze on her cousin. “You and your frugal ways. Haven’t changed a bit, have you? You even look the same.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.” Then Hestia remembered that Selene hadn’t seen her since she was in pigtails. “I think.”

  Selene drew close to Hestia and placed a consoling hand on her shoulder. As she did, the movement caused a sugary, peachy scent of quality perfume to escape from the folds of her dress. “Oh, darling, you look hotsy-totsy for someone who comes from where you do.”

  “Hotsy-totsy?” Aunt Louisa questioned. “That doesn’t sound respectable to me. That’s another phrase I’ll ban from my house.”

  “It just means copacetic, Auntie.”

  “Copacetic?”

  “That’s the latest word for wonderful.” Selene sent an amused look her aunt’s way then regarded Hestia. “Now, wonderful cousin, could you be so kind as to get me a cup of tea? Piping hot, please.” She dug a silver cigarette case engraved with her initials from her handbag and eyed the surface of each table. “And what must one do to find an ashtray around here?”

  “There will be no tobacco of any kind in my house, especially consumed by a woman.”

  Hestia tried not to show her relief at Aunt Louisa’s proclamation.

  “And while I’m laying down the rules, you need to know that as long as you’re living with me, there will be no face paint. Let the woman the good Lord made shine. You don’t need to make yourself up like a clown.”

  “But—”

  “And another thing. You’ll be growing out that hair of yours. I can see by your roots that it’s a perfectly fine shade of dark blond. By the time you leave here, I speculate you’ll look quite lovely with your natural color.”

  “No!”

  “I’m the one who says no. Unless you really think you can go back home now.”

  Selene’s tone of voice changed from defiant to begging. “Applesauce! You’re such a Mrs. Grundy, Auntie. I’ve been here two seconds, and already you’ve set enough rules on me to fill a book. I know you’re old, but do you have to be priggish?”

  “Now see here, girlie, I will not be spoken to like that. Do you speak that way to your elders at home?”

  “Yes, but I’m sorry I offended you.” She pouted in a manner that told Hestia she often used this facial expression to get her way, but Aunt Louisa was having none of it. “It’s so hard to be away from home, from all my friends. Can’t you please make an exception for poor little me?”

  “I think not. Rest and relaxation would be much more beneficial to a young woman in your cond—”

  “Now, now, Auntie, I promise not to do anything to which you might object.” She shot a look at Hestia. “Just how long will you be with us, dear cousin?”

  “Oh, as long as I’m needed.”

  “I see.”

  “Let me get you a chair from the parlor so we can all sit in comfort.” Hestia thought Selene might offer to fetch her own chair, but she stood in place as though Hestia’s waiting on her was the most natural event in the world
. Considering her attitude as she brought a lightweight rocker into the sickroom, Hestia wondered why her cousin didn’t seem happy about her presence. Surely such a spoiled beauty would welcome someone she considered of lower stature to cater to her every whim.

  Something was amiss. But what? Perhaps she would find out later. For the time being, Selene sat in the rocker and chatted with Aunt Louisa. Always one to hold attention, Selene gave several monologues and then played with the crocheted doilies on the chair arms while Aunt Louisa spoke. Her cousin also made no offer, either with a motion or verbally, to help Hestia prepare tea. How long would Selene be treated as though she were Mrs. Warren G. Harding on vacation from the White House? Hopefully no longer than this afternoon.

  Hours passed as they drank tea and Selene caught them up on New York. The flapper’s life sounded fast-paced and fascinating. Money was no object for Selene’s father, so she slept until noon and then spent the rest of her days in beauty salons and elegant restaurants. Her favorite seemed to be the Algonquin. Parties abounded at night. In some ways, Hestia found her cousin’s situation enviable. On the other hand, her life sounded as though it would be fascinating for about a week and then quite tiring. Hestia didn’t want to judge Selene, but to her ears, her cousin’s life didn’t hold purpose or meaning.

  After a time, Aunt Louisa’s posture slackened and her eyes appeared tired. The cousins took leave of their aunt and exited to the parlor.

  Selene regarded her surroundings. “Can’t say anything’s changed much. Look at this old furniture and outdated wallpaper and draperies. She hasn’t redecorated since the Grant administration.”

  Hestia noted a nearby gilded mirror. “You exaggerate. Besides, I find her home charming.”

  Selene shrugged. “I like newer styles better. More modern, less cluttered.” She leaned closer to Hestia. “I left my purse in the other room. Butt me?”

  “Butt me?” An image of two billy-goat kids locking horns crossed her mind.

  “Yeah, you know. Let me borrow a cigarette. We can sneak a smoke while she’s asleep.”

  Hestia gasped. “Of course not!”

  “So how do you get a smoke around here? Aren’t you about to go crazy for one?”

  “I don’t smoke.”

  Selene shook her head. “Tell it to Sweeney.”

  “No, I’m telling you the truth. I don’t smoke.”

  “So now I’m living with two Mrs. Grundys?” Selene lifted her hands and blew out her breath so hard that her bangs flew up in the air. “What next?”

  “Let me see. How about if we tell you there’ll be no ‘hooch’?”

  “Yeah.” Selene sent her a half grin. “Maybe that liquid poison gets a girl in trouble, wouldn’t you say?”

  “I wouldn’t know.” Uncomfortable with the prospect of discussing a fast life she would never lead, Hestia decided to focus on reality. “Now that we’ve finished our tea, why don’t we investigate our quarters? You must be exhausted from your trip. Maybe you’d like to take a nap while I fix supper.”

  “For once you’ve got a good idea.”

  Hestia led her into the front bedroom. That morning she’d spent considerable effort readying the sleeping quarters for Selene, so even in unforgiving daylight, no specks of dust showed themselves. Lingering scents of lemon and ammonia also indicated the room’s cleanliness.

  Selene gave the room a disapproving study. “I see this one hasn’t been redone since Lincoln was in office.”

  “Silly goose. It’s comfortable. I took the bed by the window, if it’s all the same to you.”

  Selene shrugged. “That’s fine.”

  “You’ll find the left side of the wardrobe clear and the first two drawers of the dresser empty for you. And I left you space on the vanity for your toiletries.”

  “Guess they mean what they say about Southern hospitality.” Selene’s smile seemed genuine. She headed to the oak vanity, picked up Hestia’s bottle of tuberose water, and sniffed at its contents. “Nice scent.”

  Hestia sat on her quilt-covered bed. “You can borrow some if you like.”

  “That’s okay. I brought a bottle of Mitsouko. Guerlain, you know.”

  Hestia hadn’t known, but she wasn’t surprised that her cousin wore French perfume.

  “Not that I’ll have occasion to wear it much. Aren’t all the men around here country bumpkins?”

  “Not all.” Hestia’s voice betrayed her caution.

  “Oh? They certainly can’t be as sophisticated and modern as city men.”

  “Maybe not, but for one, you won’t believe how much Booth Barrington has changed.” Hestia’s voice showed even more excitement than she realized she possessed over Booth. She tried to calm her emotions. “He’s nothing like we remember.”

  Sitting on her own bed facing Hestia, Selene didn’t seem impressed. “I hope he’s improved.”

  “Improved isn’t the word. He’s as handsome as a matinee idol. Even more handsome.”

  “Is that so? I can’t believe it. You’ve got a crush.” Selene leaned back, propping herself by her elbows.

  Hestia blushed. “Of course not. Why, I–I’ve only been here a couple of weeks. How could I be love-struck in such a short time? Besides, I’m leaving as soon as Aunt Louisa’s pelvis heals. That should be a little over a week. Then it’s back to Haw River for me.”

  “What will you do in Haw River? It’s not as though it’s a jazzy town.”

  “How do you know? Have you ever been there?” Hestia couldn’t resist asking.

  “Okay, so I’ve never been there. Tell me, is what you’re wearing in style there?”

  Feeling self-conscious, Hestia tapped her wavy hair. “I—I…”

  “Don’t worry. It’s still there. All five feet of it.”

  “You exaggerate.”

  “Do I? And look at your clothes.”

  Hestia wanted to ask what was wrong with her clothes but she knew better. Her conservative blouse and long skirt were no match for the linear, short dress that looked so stylish on Selene. “My mode of dress is perfectly acceptable in my group.” On purpose, Hestia failed to mention that one of her closest friends bought a dress in the new style on a recent shopping jaunt to Raleigh.

  “Does Booth like it? The way you dress, I mean.”

  “I haven’t asked him, but he doesn’t seem to mind taking me to church every Sunday.”

  “Church. Well. That’s not exactly Paris, is it?”

  “And is your beau planning to take you to Paris?”

  “Maybe one day I’ll find a beau who will. I understand through the grapevine you’re between beaux.”

  Hestia let out a resigned sigh. “Is there anybody between here and the Mississippi River who doesn’t know about my broken engagement?”

  “I’m not just anyone, cousin dear.”

  “True. I suppose since we’ll be together for the a while yet, you might as well hear it from me instead of a stranger.” She conveyed the sorry story of her breakup with Luther.

  “Men are rats, aren’t they? Well, since you were honest with me, I’ll be honest with you. I’m between beaux, too.”

  “You, without a beau? I can’t imagine.”

  “You don’t have to be sarcastic.”

  “I’m not. I—I just thought with you being able to go to so many parties, you’d meet lots of men.”

  “Meeting is one thing. Having a nice beau is another.” She pouted. “My last one turned out not to be so nice.”

  “So you’re here to recover from a broken romance, too?”

  She hesitated, arousing suspicion in Hestia. “In a manner of speaking. So are you in the market again?”

  Hestia hesitated herself. “Not actively.”

  “Then it sounds as though you have no claim on Booth.”

  “No, I don’t believe so.” Hestia tried not to show her distress. After all, she didn’t have a claim on him. “He just comes by to escort me to church each week, that’s all.”

  “Sounds like
the bee’s knees.” Selene’s mouth twisted.

  “It might not be your idea of fun, but I’m sure Aunt Louisa will expect you to go.”

  “I doubt it.”

  Hestia opened her lips to ask why she expected to skip church, but Selene spoke first. “Oh, I meant to ask, do you have any periodicals? I’ve only been here minutes and I can tell it’s a crashing bore here. Not only has our aunt put impossible rules on us, but there’s nothing to do for entertainment. I don’t see a thing to read. I absolutely must get my hands on something to take my mind off this dreary place.”

  “I think I have a National Geographic somewhere.” Hestia rose to find it.

  Selene turned up her nose. “Is that all?”

  “Why, that’s a fine magazine. I learn so much about the world in each issue.” Hestia clasped her hands. “Cathedrals in Europe, Greece, Rome…” She sighed.

  “Thanks but no thanks.”

  Images of faraway places drifted from her mind. “What do you find entertaining?”

  Selene shrugged. “The same things every other normal girl likes. Stories about famous moving picture stars, the newest dance crazes, fashion trends from Paris. You know.”

  “Obviously I don’t.”

  “Maybe it’s time you learned.”

  A shrill voice interrupted. “Oh, Hestia? Louisa? Yoo-hoo!”

  Selene put her fingers in her ears. “What is that? A siren? And I don’t mean the ones in mythology.”

  Hestia giggled. “It’s just the neighbor. Don’t you remember Olive Kalb?”

  “Can’t say that I do.”

  “Come on and meet her. That’s the reason she’s stopped by, you know. Every time it looks as though something exciting’s happening here, she finds a reason to drop in.”

  “So much for a nap, but I’m too vexed to sleep, anyway.” Selene followed Hestia into the parlor.

  “Oh, there you are—” Miss Olive stopped in her tracks. “Hestia, I was looking for your aunt, but you’ll do.” She held up an egg. “Returning that egg I borrowed last week.”