Ziegfeld Girls

by Sarah Barthel

  Her heels clicked loudly down the dressing room hall. Everyone had gone. Given the early dismissal and the multitudes of party invites, it was hard to imagine anyone staying for private practice. She should be staying. Before she joined the Follies and determined to out-impress the other girls, Suzanne and Jada would have been practicing every night until her moves were perfect. She had only stayed a few nights for extra practice and never with Jada.

  “Stupid Suzanne,” she scolded herself.

  Their dressing room door was shut. The white wood of the door shone in the slight light of the hallway. Suzanne put her hand on the doorknob. What if Jada was inside? She pulled back and knocked a few times before slowly opening the door.

  “Jada?” she called out in what she hoped was a soothing voice. “Jada, we need—”

  She stepped into the room and went silent. It was empty. Everything was exactly as she and Lillian left it. Jada hadn’t returned here.

  Suzanne swallowed nervously. If Jada wasn’t waiting for Suzanne to apologize, where did she go? No answer came to Suzanne’s mind. She had to admit that she knew little of Jada’s life outside of where it intersected with her own. The realization did not make her feel good. When had she forgotten her friend?

  Behind her the door rattled. “Suzanne?” Lillian’s whine was painful.

  Suzanne turned around. “Sorry, Lillian. I got distracted.”

  Lillian walked into the room and took her arm. “Why did you lie about your girl?”

  No more lies, Suzanne promised herself. “I wanted you to like me, and having a fashionable servant seemed to impress you.”

  Lillian shook her head. “Ruby and I never cared about anything other than not having a messy room. I should really be mad at you, but she is the one I can’t handle.”

  “Jada?”

  “She is ungrateful for trying to steal our place. But what else can you expect from a nigger.”

  The spite in Lillian’s words made Suzanne’s skin crawl.

  “She isn’t trying to steal our place. Flo doesn’t even know she exists.” Suzanne wished she could defend Jada more, but the words stuck in her throat.

  “Hopefully Flo knows better than to bother with such a person.” Lillian shuddered. Her head cocked to one side and her eyes lit up. “Forget about her. Come to Craig Masterson’s party tonight.”

  “I don’t know. I already told him I couldn’t make it. If I make an appearance now it will be strange.”

  Lillian put her hand around Suzanne’s waist and led her through the dressing room door. “Or will it be romantic?

  “You can borrow one of my dresses. I live right around the corner from Craig Masterson’s penthouse.”

  Suzanne’s arms tingled with excitement. “If you are sure you don’t mind.”

  “You’d do the same for me,” Lillian replied. “I think I have the perfect gown. How do you feel about yellow?”

  Suzanne allowed Lillian to guide her out of the theater as she described the yellow fabric. Suzanne’s mind was already floating toward the release such a party promised. A diversion like Mr. Masterson was exactly what Suzanne needed.

  CHAPTER 20

  Jada couldn’t decide whom she was angrier with—herself or Suzanne. That indecision only fueled her anger further. How could she walk away from Bert and Leon? And how could Suzanne not support her in front of that horrible Lillian? When did they even become friends?

  She stood at the door to Miss Mitzi’s, unsure of what to do next. The idea of going to their room left Jada with a sour taste in her mouth. There was nothing she could say to Suzanne to fix what happened, but much could be said that would make it worse.

  There was only one place Jada knew Suzanne would never go. She opened the door and walked into the boardinghouse.

  Sally’s room was in the attic. Jada slipped up the servant’s staircase and knocked on Sally’s door. It opened instantly.

  “Jada?” Sally asked. She glanced over her shoulder into the hallway. “What’s wrong?”

  “Thank goodness you’re here. Can I come in?” Instead of waiting for a reply, Jada stepped into the small room.

  The room was surprisingly bright, even with the slanted attic walls. Sally’s small bed was pushed against the wall, which was covered in ads from various colored papers promising lighter skin, smoother hair, and brighter smiles. The other wall had a trunk and a dresser tucked into the small space.

  Sally leaned back against the closed door. “What happened?”

  Jada was again surprised to find a deeper level to Sally.

  “Bert and Leon seemed to like me, but Suzanne showed up and . . . it was awful. She didn’t support me at all.”

  Sally shook her head. “That girl doesn’t see you. She just sees herself.”

  Jada’s throat tightened. “It wasn’t always like that.”

  There was a long pause. “Let’s go out tonight. I haven’t been to Roger’s for a while. A break from all this is just what you need.”

  Despite herself, Jada smiled. A night of smooth jazz and good company sounded perfect.

  “That sounds like the best medicine. Thanks, Sally.”

  “Roger will be so happy!” Sally frowned. “But you can’t wear that drab brown dress.”

  Jada looked down and laughed. Sally would find this gown dull. All she wore were bright colors when she could. It matched her room: bright and warm.

  “I can’t go to our room. I don’t know what I’d say if Suzanne was there.” Jada glanced toward the door.

  “You are welcome to try something of mine, but I don’t know if anything I own will fit you.”

  Jada glanced from Sally’s small frame to her own. Sally was probably correct. “What time do you expect we can leave?”

  “I hope to be ready by nine.” Sally thought for a moment. “Perhaps a bit later. Mr. Franklin just left and I’ll need to put his room right before I can start getting ready.”

  “That gives me a few hours yet. Perhaps Oliver has something that will work for me.”

  “Yes,” Sally exclaimed. “I know he’s been working on a few new gowns. You should go see him.” She pulled out a pen and paper, and jotted down the address and directions. “If I don’t see you here, I’ll find you at Roger’s.”

  * * *

  Jada knocked on Oliver’s door. The smell of backed-up sewers was strong in the air. If Oliver was truly doing as well as he claimed, hopefully he’d be able to move to a better neighborhood. Jada felt dirty just standing on the porch. Inside, a shuffling sound moved closer to the door.

  “Jada, darling!” Oliver hooted when he opened the door. “What a surprise. Come in!”

  “Greetings,” Jada replied. “I am in need of a dress for tonight.”

  “You don’t beat around the bush, do you, girl?” He grinned. “What happened to that pretty lavender number you wore the last time I saw you.”

  “I, um, I can’t . . .”Jada fell over her words.

  Oliver held his hand up. “It don’t matter. I’ve been working on a blue gown that will look amazing on you.”

  Jada exhaled in relief. She took the arm Oliver offered and made her way through the mess of an apartment. She nearly tripped over a pile of fabric and headfirst into a basket of bobbins.

  “What is going on here?” she asked, stepping around another pile of fabric.

  Oliver glanced around him as if the mess had always been there. “Oh, yes. I am trying something new. Since those Follies girls keep buying my gloves, I thought I’d try designing a gown. Something new and perhaps a bit scandalous.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

  “Can I see?” Jada asked.

  “For you, anything.” Oliver opened a closet door slightly before slamming it shut. “But, if you don’t like it or think it is garish, please don’t comment.”

  “I am sure it is beautiful.”

  Oliver opened the door. Inside were three finished dresses hanging in a row. Jada reached in and pulled out a blue satin gown. It was unlike anything she
had seen before. The bodice had no sleeve; instead, the fabric came up over the shoulders to connect behind the neck. The waist was embroidered with flowers and pearls.

  “This is beautiful.” Jada slid off her glove and felt the fabric. “Can I try it on?”

  Oliver’s eyes lit up. “Would you?”

  Jada glanced around the small space. “Where can I change?”

  Oliver unfolded a fanned partition and gestured for her to change behind it.

  Jada had never worn anything like it. Suzanne’s clothes were tailored to highlight Suzanne’s best assets. Jada had never thought about what she would choose in a gown for herself. But even without a mirror, Jada knew she had to own this dress. She fiddled with the satin-covered buttons in the back but was unable to reach the last two.

  “Oliver, can you help me button the back?” she asked.

  “Coming,” he sang from the kitchen. In a moment he was beside her, his hand raised to his mouth. “Jada, that dress was made for you.”

  His hands were cold on her back and he fiddled with buttoning the top two buttons. After retying the neck and examining her once more, he pulled open a panel on the wall and turned Jada to look at her reflection in a mirror. Oliver stepped back and watched Jada look at herself.

  “You shine in this dress.” Oliver nearly bounced with enthusiasm. “A star is born.”

  Jada hardly heard his words as she looked at herself. The back of the gown was lower than Jada was used to, only covering her up to her shoulder blades. The top of the bodice tied behind the neck, with the rest of the long ribbons falling down her back. The neckline came to a V in the front, and the dazzling blue color made her skin glow. Even showing so much skin, the dress looked glamorous. It highlighted her small waist and curves while making her caramel skin look smooth and luxurious.

  “Can I wear this tonight?” she asked.

  Oliver grinned. “It’s yours.”

  Jada beamed and shooed Oliver away so she could change back into her day dress. “Will you come to Roger’s with Sally and me tonight?”

  “I think not. Once people see you in that gown, I’ll have more orders coming in. I have to get a head start.” He winked at her.

  Jada buttoned up her blouse, picked up her shoes, and walked over to the couch where Oliver was laying her dress into a box.

  “I love how hard you work to achieve your dreams.”

  “What about your dreams?” Oliver asked.

  Jada raised an eyebrow. “Suzanne is going to be a Ziegfeld star. I’d say we accomplished our dream.” She pushed her foot into her boot. Just saying Suzanne’s name upset her.

  Oliver’s face fell. “But Sally said—I mean. Don’t you have a dream?”

  Jada stood up. “My dream is to wear that dress at Roger’s tonight. What do I owe you?”

  An uncomfortable silence filtered into the room. Oliver’s typically jovial personality diminished until he just stared at her. Jada looked away and waited.

  “That dress will bring you luck,” Oliver said. “It is a gift. I couldn’t see anyone else wearing it but you.”

  “Thank you.” Jada leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’ll tell everyone who designed it.”

  Oliver’s face lit up. “I’ll be sure to have my face on for all the adoring fans.”

  * * *

  Three hours later, the streets of Harlem were dark except for the random streetlights. Jada and Sally linked arms as they stepped out of the elevated train and walked down to the excitement of the nightclub scene.

  “I can’t believe Oliver made that gown.” Sally watched the skirt flutter in the wind. “Who would’ve thought he was that talented?”

  “You are the one who introduced me!” Jada half laughed.

  “Well, yeah, but I didn’t look at those gloves and think dressmaker. Did you?”

  Jada opened the door to Roger’s and smirked. “No, I was surprised too.”

  The tavern’s rag tunes filled Jada’s ears. Sally’s body was already moving in movement to the sounds, as if every pore was anticipating the music’s enchantment. Jada ran her hand down the side of her dress. The smooth texture invigorated her. The night was young and the nightclub was filling up with men and women in an assortment of navy, olive, and brown ensembles. The indigo gown stuck out like a sore thumb, but that just made Jada smile wider.

  It took a moment for Jada’s eyes to adjust to the sparse lighting. The smoke from the gaslights gave the tavern a romantic fog coating. Jada stood still for a moment, taking everything in. A faint smell of alcohol wafted from the bar through the tavern while the dance floor sent the happy scent of sweat throughout the room.

  Sally gave Jada’s arm a tug. “Let’s go sit in that booth.”

  “Lead the way,” Jada said.

  Sally led Jada deep into the tavern to a booth in the back of the room right across from where Danny sat tinkling the ivories. The piano man winked at the girls and nodded to a booth across from him.

  “Roger’s been missing you,” Danny called out.

  “It’s good for him!” Sally shouted back, as she pointed out their booth to Jada.

  Sally plopped down on the leather bench and began to tap her fingers on the table with the rhythm of the tune. Had Jada not known her better, she might have thought Sally was playing an imaginary piano. Jada sat carefully down onto the bench opposite Sally and smiled across the table. The benches were not made for straight-back, prim and proper seating, but gave plenty of room for swaying and moving to the music.

  “How are we doing today, ladies?” Roger winked at Sally. He leaned over and handed her a daisy.

  “How sweet!” Sally took a sniff before placing it behind her ear. “Danny’s really going to town tonight!” She nodded toward the piano.

  “He’s just warming up,” Roger replied. “What would you two like to drink?”

  Jada was about to ask for a tea when Sally said, “We’ll have two beers and two glasses of water.”

  “Great.” Roger walked over to the bar.

  “Beer?” Jada whispered harshly at Sally. “I can’t drink that!”

  “You’ve gotta live a little, Jada. Suzanne won’t know if you have a few drinks. Heck, what do you think she’s doing now?”

  Probably drinking champagne and dancing with millionaires, Jada thought. Or maybe tripping over someone’s leg. Ruby’s accident came to mind and Jada shivered. No time to even joke about such things.

  Roger reappeared with the drinks and slid in next to Sally.

  Jada lifted her bottle and declared, “To life!” She took a swig.

  “Attagirl!” Sally exclaimed before taking a drink herself.

  Roger’s sarcastic comments kept Jada in stitches for the better part of an hour. She’d never really considered dating before, but as she watched the closeness Roger and Sally shared, she yearned for someone like that; someone she could share every secret with. Even Suzanne didn’t claim that level of confidence.

  Then, as if reading Jada’s thoughts, Sally nudged Roger in the side and said, “We should get Danny to come sit with us.”

  “Oh, yeah?” he asked, as he threw an arm around Sally’s shoulders.

  “The way he looks at Jada. We could all go out on the town.”

  Roger glanced at Danny, who was in fact looking at Jada. “I’m here every night, as is Danny. Perhaps you two ladies should go out on the town and then tell us all about it.”

  Sally pouted. “Well, at least get him to ask her to sing. Her voice is the tops.”

  “So I hear.” Roger squeezed Sally’s shoulders in a quick hug.

  “Sally exaggerates.” Jada had come for a fun night out. Images of Bert’s and Leon’s disappointed faces filled her mind. This conversation was taking an uncomfortable direction.

  “I do not!” Sally shifted so she was looking at Roger. “Bert Williams wants to hire her.”

  “I think I remember Bert mentioning something about that.” Roger glanced over at the stage. “Selma won’t be here toni
ght. Would you like to sing with Danny?”

  Jada glanced at the stage. Singing was easier than dancing. She wouldn’t choke like she did dancing with Bert. She knew exactly what song to sing and what key to ask for, but this was not the night for such things. She felt beautiful and wouldn’t jinx it with temping herself with things she could not have.

  “Danny is fine on his own,” she said.

  “He’d be better with a singer.” Roger glanced at the bar. People were starting to come in, but it wasn’t yet too busy.

  Sally reached across the table, knocking over an empty bottle. “Do this for me. Give yourself a chance, girl.”

  “I tried and I failed. And in front of Bert and Leon. No, I’m better where I am, on the sidelines helping Suzanne.” Jada watched Danny sway to the notes.

  “Loyalty is wonderful,” Roger began, “but you have to take care of yourself too.”

  “You don’t understand.” Emotions from her earlier fight with Suzanne were threatening to flood Jada. She swallowed and cleared her voice. “Loyalty doesn’t begin to cover it.”

  “From what you said it sounds to me like she owes you everything,” Roger said, taking another swig from his bottle.

  They didn’t understand. Jada shook her head at Roger’s declaration. Suzanne had given up everything to save her.

  “I’m with Roger.” Sally patted Roger’s hand. “Just because she’s a pretty white girl doesn’t mean she controls you.”

  Jada glanced from Roger to Sally. She had never told anyone about what happened. They’d left so quickly after it all, she never had a chance. She and Suzanne rarely spoke of it. Even Mrs. Haskins didn’t know the whole truth. It never felt right to divulge such information to that woman. For all she knew, people assumed she had died with her folks.

  “It isn’t a black-white thing. Suzanne saved my life,” Jada began.

  Roars of laughter from a nearby table and the piano overpowered the voices at their table as everyone took in what Jada had said. Scents of cigar smoke and alcohol wafted above their heads, encouraging Jada to lean forward and take another sip of her drink.

  “Saved your life?” Sally asked. “We are talking about Suzanne, right?”

  “It’s hard to explain.” Jada grabbed Sally’s bottle and took a long slug. She needed something to give her strength to speak.