Ziegfeld Girls

by Sarah Barthel

  Mr. Ziegfeld was taking the show to Boston for an opening run, and Jada knew there would be more parties for Suzanne to attend. Suzanne wanted to be noticed, and Jada hoped this dress would help make that dream come true. Ann’s personal tailor was making Suzanne a suit, but Jada knew that she’d need a new gown for the evening events.

  “That is beautiful, Jada.” Sally admired the gown’s silky fabric.

  Jada smiled. “Do you really think so? It’s a surprise for Suzanne.”

  “It will look wonderful on her,” she promised. She sounded so sure of herself. Jada folded up the magazine sheet and slid it into her pocket. From here she would design by heart.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “Could I ask a favor of you?” The formal way Sally spoke made Jada give her full attention as she nodded. “Roger is coming to visit this afternoon and Miss Mitzi will be gone. She don’t like to have anything improper going on here. Would you mind sittin’ with us while he visits?”

  “You want me to chaperone you and Roger?” Jada asked. She’d never been anyone’s chaperone, not even when Elton courted Suzanne.

  “If you wouldn’t mind. It’s an odd thing to ask, but there isn’t anybody else.” Sally looked from her hands to Jada’s eyes. “I don’t want to upset Miss Mitzi.”

  “What do I have to do?”

  Sally laughed. “Nothin’ much, don’t worry. Just sit with us.”

  “I can do that for you,” Jada said with a smile.

  After putting her sewing back in her room, Jada walked down to the sitting room and found Sally sitting on the window seat, staring out intently. If Jada knew how to paint, she would have wanted to capture this moment. The sun came around Sally’s frame, shadowing her in rays of hope. Jada stood in the doorway for a long moment before coming into the room and interrupting the peace.

  Sally glanced over her shoulder and smiled at Jada. “Thank you for this, Jada. I know you have better things to do with your afternoon.”

  “Nothing is better than helping a friend.” She sat on the sofa. “How long have you known Roger?”

  “I suppose it’s been five years now. But only well the last year that we’ve gotten close. He used to deliver Miss Mitzi’s grocery items. That’s what he did each morning before the lumber yard to help save for his nightclub.”

  Jada nodded. “He is a good man.”

  A soft knock rapped upon the door. Roger had arrived.

  Immediately Sally pinched her cheeks and pulled her skirt down in the front. Her frizzy hair was pulled back in a slick braid that was twisted around into an intricate bun at the base of her neck. Her drab servant dress had been replaced by a blue sundress that made the natural pink in her cheeks appear more vibrant. If only Suzanne could see her now, Jada thought, remembering Suzanne’s nasty comments about Sally’s appearance.

  “You look beautiful,” Jada said, coming over to place a calming hand on Sally’s shoulder.

  “Thank you,” she said as the doorbell rang. “Could you get that?”

  Without another word, Jada walked out of the parlor, into the entryway, and pulled the glass-fronted door open, revealing Roger. He wore a black suit and red bow tie with a bowler hat atop his head. Outside the bar, Roger appeared more mature and yet also younger than he did as the owner. Jada smiled and stepped backward, allowing him to enter the house.

  “Hello again, Jada. I’m here to see Sally. Is she available?” he asked crisply.

  “She’s in the sitting room,” Jada replied. With a motion of her hand, she led Roger to his girl. As he stepped into the room, he removed his hat and turned it in his hands.

  Sally had positioned herself in front of the fireplace and was examining a bouquet of flowers intently. As they entered the room she turned around and allowed the smallest of smiles to cross her lips. Jada could feel Roger’s excited energy fill the room, but Sally did not make a move. Jada watched the two eye each other with admiration. If she ever found a man she was as interested in as Sally was in Roger, she wouldn’t be able to act as coyly.

  “You look beautiful, Sally,” Roger whispered.

  “Thank you. I like your hat, is it new?” Sally asked.

  Roger nodded and the two stood in awkward silence for a moment. Without all of the activity of the club surrounding them, they were two different people. Jada turned away from them and tried to examine Miss Mitzi’s collection of novels. From the corner of her eye she watched as Sally gestured to the sofa. Sally stepped backward and her elbow knocked the corner of the flower vase, sending it to the floor.

  “Oh no!” Sally exclaimed. “Clumsy!”

  “It didn’t have much water in it,” Jada said. She knelt to the floor and started collecting the flowers by the stem. “Miss Mitzi will never know.”

  Roger righted the vase. “I can get new flowers if that would help.”

  “No need.” Jada placed some flowers in the vase. “I’ll add new water and it will be as if it never happened.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Sally said again.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll clean this up. You two enjoy your time. Really.”

  Roger mouthed, “Thank you” to Jada before seating himself on the sofa by the window. Sally paused a moment before joining him.

  Sally grinned at Roger. “Imagine meeting someone as special as her here.”

  Jada’s whole body warmed at the compliment. The only other person who gave her such respect was Suzanne. She had to agree with Sally. Never would she expect to meet a kindred spirit here at a boardinghouse.

  Jada collected the large pile of discarded leaves in her hand. She moved to throw them into the waste basket when something poked her palm. Looking down, she saw a small, white, rectangular piece of paper mixed in with the leaves. She dropped the leaves in the waste basket and unfolded the small card. When she read what was written on it, she gasped.

  Dance with the Nigger and you’ll be sorry.

  I know the things you don’t want shared.

  Jada reread the message a few times, letting it sink in. Had these flowers been sent here, or were they some of the bouquets Jada had taken home from the theater. She looked at the pink roses and couldn’t remember.

  She read the card again.

  “Jada?” Sally asked. “Are you ill?”

  Shoving the card into her bodice, Jada forced a smile. “No, I’m fine.”

  Sally smiled and turned back to Roger.

  “Hey, do you know when these were delivered?”

  Sally took a moment to think before replying. “I think they came on Thursday . . . so three days ago?”

  “Ah, thanks.”

  The pair went back to their conversation as Jada picked up the last bits of leaves. These flowers were delivered the same night Bert was attacked. Could that be a coincidence? No, she thought, that was impossible. Suzanne couldn’t have angered someone so quickly.

  Jada walked over to the window seat and settled herself onto the edge. The morning paper was laid out there haphazardly, and Jada picked up a section, trying to give Sally and Roger some amount of privacy and herself space to think.

  On cue, the couple turned to one another and began speaking in low voices. Out of duty, Jada kept them in her sight, but she need not have bothered. Roger was more than content to sit holding Sally’s hand while they discussed the latest movies or politics. Jada could hardly keep a smile off her face as she watched them. Every young couple should be so content.

  Giving up her vigilance, Jada leaned back against the wall and looked out the window at the street. There was something very soothing about watching people walk back and forth in front of the window. As she followed a young boy and his mother’s quick run to the building next door, a black Model T automobile slowed to a stop in front of the house.

  Jada sat up a bit straighter as Jonathon opened the door and escorted Suzanne to the curb. After adjusting her armful of packages, she took his arm and the two walked toward the house together. Jada’s mouth fell open. Had Suzanne mentio
ned socializing with Jonathon?

  “I’ll return in a moment,” she said as she hastily stood up and went to meet them at the door.

  “Everything all right?” Sally made a movement like she might join Jada, but Jada silenced her with a wave of her hand. Sally settled back into the sofa next to Roger.

  “I’ll only be a moment,” Jada repeated.

  She walked to the entryway just in time to see Jonathon open the door for Suzanne. She crossed her arms and positioned herself such that they could not enter the house without moving her out of the way.

  “Jada!” Suzanne said, obviously surprised.

  “Suzanne,” Jada replied.

  “I-I didn’t think you’d be here,” Suzanne fumbled.

  “I’m chaperoning.” Jada gestured to the parlor.

  Suzanne raised an eyebrow. “You chaperone the help?” She sounded so much like her mother.

  “Evening, Jada.” Jonathon tipped his hat to her as he piled Suzanne’s packages onto a side table.

  “Hello, Mr. Franks,” she replied.

  He returned his attention to Suzanne. “Perhaps I’ll see you at the theater tomorrow.”

  “Perhaps you will,” Suzanne replied with a smile.

  “Until then.” He tipped his head to each of them and exited the building. Suzanne’s eyes followed after him until he had climbed into the Model T and was driving down the street.

  “Were you ever going to tell me about you and Jonathon?” Jada asked, walking back into the parlor. She had left Sally and Roger alone long enough.

  “There isn’t anything to tell,” Suzanne replied, removing the pin from her hat and setting it on the table in the center of the room. “He offered me a ride home.”

  “It looked like more.” Jada noticed Suzanne’s flushed cheeks.

  “No, I don’t think so.” Suzanne shook her head. “He’s Flo’s assistant. Hardly the type of man I should be seen with.”

  Jada glanced at Sally and Roger and mouthed, “I’m sorry” to Sally, who just shrugged and returned her attention to Roger.

  “And what is in all these packages?” Jada asked, lowering her voice.

  “My new skirts and blouses, of course,” Suzanne replied. “Oh, and my new gown!”

  Jada’s heart fell to her feet. “New gown?” she asked.

  “I have to look stylish. Ann took me to a shop and we had a few items made for me. Her prices are so reasonable even you’d say so! And I have to have something new to wear in Boston.”

  Jada thought of the carefully crafted gown hidden in her trunk and swallowed her pride. Her craftsmanship would be nothing compared to the items Ann had picked out.

  “I’ve been working on a few new things for you as well,” she admitted.

  “Now you don’t have to waste your time,” Suzanne said cheerily. “You can find more important things to focus on. Isn’t it wonderful?” Without another word she collected her packages into her arms and walked up to her room.

  Jada’s mouth dropped open as she watched her friend sashay away from her.

  “I had probably be going,” Roger said from the front room. “Jada, thanks for everything.”

  Jada returned her attention to her friends, who were standing in the doorway. “Anytime.”

  “I’ll see you soon,” Roger whispered to Sally, and he kissed her cheek. Then, nodding his respect to Jada, he let himself out the front door.

  “Why didn’t you tell her?” Sally asked. “’Bout your dress.”

  “She would still wear the one Ann chose,” Jada explained. “She’s happy. That’s what matters.”

  Sally didn’t have a clever retort. Instead, she stood in silence as Jada walked upstairs to her room.

  CHAPTER 16

  “The Williams rehearsal starts at three this afternoon,” Suzanne said as she walked down Forty-fourth Street while reading her call sheet. “Can you slip into the balcony and watch it?”

  “It would be easier to observe from the stage,” Jada explained. “I may not get all the small details that Julian or Bert wants.”

  Suzanne bit her lip. There was no easy way to say this. “I don’t know if you and Bert should be too close around the other girls. I mean, what if Ruby sees you two and realizes you aren’t Spanish? Think of how embarrassing that would be.”

  “I don’t think Ruby notices me unless something is untidy.”

  “Ruby doesn’t mean to be inconsiderate.”

  “That doesn’t make it acceptable.”

  Suzanne flinched at Jada’s words. There was a time when she worked hard to make sure everyone knew how to treat Jada with respect.

  “You’re right, it doesn’t.” Suzanne stopped walking. “I will talk to her so she treats you with respect.”

  Jada held up her hand, stopping Suzanne’s train of thought.

  “Don’t do that. Please. It will only draw attention to me and make her and Lillian hate me more.”

  An automobile passed them as the wind rustled their skirts.

  “No, it won’t. And they don’t hate you, they just don’t see you. Not like I do.”

  “Suzanne, please. Just don’t.”

  “Very well. I don’t like you feeling mistreated.”

  Jada rolled her eyes and continued to walk. “If you felt that way you wouldn’t make me pretend to be someone I am not. My heritage is important to me. It is all I have left connecting me to my folks. It wasn’t right of you to ask I put on such a pretense.”

  An automobile drew closer to the curb and slowed down.

  “I should never have lied about you. It makes everything more complicated.” Suzanne kicked at a pile of grass as she spoke.

  Jada rolled her eyes. “Of course you realize that now.”

  The automobile pulled over at the end of the block. A gentleman stepped out and took off his hat.

  “Well, fancy meeting you here.” Mr. Masterson grinned at Suzanne. “My beautiful Ziegfeld girl.”

  Suzanne flushed and stepped in front of Jada, effectively cutting her out of the conversation. If anything would upset Jada more, it would be Craig Masterson. He was everything she despised in men: arrogant, pretentious, and scandalous. Under all of that, Suzanne saw a charm that she hoped to draw out. Perhaps the rumors were wrong about him and he wasn’t looking simply to “bag a Ziegfeld girl.” No matter what, who she spent time with was her affair. Jada didn’t need to comment on her choice in gentlemen callers.

  “Hello, Mr. Masterson.” She stood a little straighter. Inwardly she squirmed. She never worked this hard to impress men back home, why was she for this person?

  “May I escort you to the theater?” He held out his arm for her to accept.

  “How’d he know where we are going?” Jada whispered from behind.

  Mr. Masterson looked over Suzanne’s shoulder at Jada with a look of disdain. “I make it my business to know such things.” His tone was dismissive. “Shall we, Suzanne?”

  The gallantry and power he exuded were too much to ignore. A thrill vibrated through Suzanne’s body. She couldn’t turn her back on such a reaction. A tall, rich gentleman was interested in her. She had to see where this led. Hopefully Jada would understand. They would finish their conversation another time.

  “Thank you, Mr. Masterson,” she said coyly. To make herself feel important, she added, “That will be all, Jada. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

  Something was almost audible from Jada before she said, “Thank you, Suzanne.”

  Suzanne wondered if she should feel guilty, but Jada deserved the morning off. She was really doing her friend a kindness. Even knowing that, she couldn’t bring herself to look over her shoulder at her friend. She knew there would be hurt in her eyes. Instead, she looked up at her escort.

  “Meet us at the New Amsterdam, Frank,” Craig directed his driver. He took her hand in his and said, “Knowing you girls, the walk will warm you up for rehearsal.”

  It took a lot to keep the disappointment from her face. Arriving in Craig Masters
on’s automobile would have been quite a coup. She had already heard the jealous whisperings from the other girls in her mind, but she didn’t want to argue with the man. She didn’t want him to think she thought about him at all. Instead she looped her arm through his and pointed out a bakery a few storefronts down from them. “Did you know that little bakery has the best muffins? I sometimes stop on my way home from rehearsal.”

  She glanced over her shoulder to see if Jada was still visible, but her friend had already turned a corner and was out of view. They passed the bakery without comment from Craig, despite her gushing about their quality.

  “I must admit,” Craig said. “You made quite an impression on me. I’ve barely been able to think of anyone else since we met.”

  Suzanne laughed. “It wasn’t intentional, I assure you.” How exciting to captivate such a man!

  Mr. Masterson stopped in front of a billboard outside the theater. The sheet promoted the 1914 Follies by showcasing Ann Pennington and Bert Williams, as well as a chorus of beauties. He tapped along the headlining performers. “Your name belongs here.”

  “Thank you.” Suzanne stared at Ann’s name. “But there are many girls, and we all have talent.”

  Craig’s dark brown eyes looked down at Suzanne. “But none of the others sparkle like you when they move.”

  Suzanne couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was something about the way Craig looked at her and the grin that tugged at his lips that made her feel exposed. As if one blink from the man could unravel the thread that held the dress fabric together. Warmth flooded Suzanne’s body from her toes up. Perhaps she shouldn’t have sent Jada away.

  Craig stepped into a small alcove beside a tailor’s shop and leaned against the wall. Suzanne stood beside him, her arm still linked with his. They were very close suddenly. Suzanne placed her hand on his chest to keep a set distance between them. This was beyond scandalous, this felt improper.

  His hand moved so that it was around her waist. Her stomach flipped in a warning motion of excitement. Men and women passed by them on the street, with more than a few giving them a raised eyebrow of surprise and a disappointed shake of their head. No one stopped to ask if she was all right.