Ziegfeld Girls

by Sarah Barthel

  “Slinking after you? Is that what you thought?” Jonathon’s voice was soft. “I wasn’t aware I was such a nuisance. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is the accident, if we are still calling it that.”

  Suzanne thought for a moment. If Jonathon hadn’t been following her for Flo, then why was he always around? Temptation to pull at that thread nearly overcame her, but she was better than that. There were more important issues to be examined.

  “Did anyone notice that I fell into a small spot of grease that day? It stained my bloomers and stockings.”

  “Grease? Really?” Jonathon walked around the room. “There were so many people onstage that week, it wouldn’t have been easy to put a grease spill onstage, but it wouldn’t have been impossible. Perhaps someone wanted Ruby or one of you to fall?” He stopped pacing and sat on the chair.

  “I don’t really know. I had wondered if Lillian would go so far as to hurt her friend just to get ahead.”

  “Get ahead?”

  “She has been in the Follies before, and yet it was I who joined Ruby and Ann in the production with Bert. And it was I who was in the tango trio with them as well. If you look at it from her perspective, it doesn’t seem fair.”

  “And she was chosen as Ruby’s replacement.” Jonathon nodded as he spoke.

  “But just because she was chosen to be in the show doesn’t mean she was behind it. Lots of people had access.” The music from the other room stopped.

  “I didn’t think you liked Lillian.” Jonathon raised an eyebrow.

  “I don’t particularly. But I don’t like a lot of people, that doesn’t make them criminals.” The music started back up again.

  Jonathon nodded. “Just the same, we should keep an eye on her for a few days.”

  “We?” Suzanne asked.

  “Of course. You share a room with her, who better to do it? I thought of asking Jada to help as well, but after the way I treated her, well, I wouldn’t help me.”

  “Jada help you?” Suzanne’s voice was soft now. First Jada met with Bert without her knowing and now Jonathon.

  “It seemed a great rouse. She is nearly unnoticed as one of the help and she has access to all the dancers. But I ignored her warning about the notes and now we have lost another woman. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was upset.” He was visibly upset with his own ignorance. “So, will you help me?”

  Lillian would be at all of her late-night rehearsals. There really was no one else as well equipped to do this as she was.

  “Very well,” Suzanne agreed. “But I don’t want Flo or anyone knowing what we are doing. I don’t want to risk the special treatment such involvement would provide. Both good and bad. No one can know. Is that clear?”

  Jonathon slid closer to her and held out his hand. “We’ve got a deal.”

  Someone jostled the handle on the door.

  Jonathan and Suzanne both snapped their heads toward the sound. Suzanne grimaced. What would Ann say if she and Jonathon were found in a room alone? The idea was a little thrilling, but also concerning. Her reputation could be ruined in one moment.

  The door jostled again.

  “No one can know?” Jonathon confirmed.

  “No one,” Suzanne repeated.

  “I am sorry about this,” he said.

  The door handle turned and the door started to open. Jonathon reached toward Suzanne, cupped her cheek in his hand, and kissed her. His lips were firm and his touch gentle. She gasped in surprise.

  Jonathon pulled back from Suzanne and the two looked toward the door.

  “Do you mind?” Jonathon asked with a fake sneer.

  “Suzanne?” Craig sounded almost hurt. His dark hair was unkempt and he swayed ever so slightly on his feet.

  “Yes?” Suzanne replied. Hurting Craig hadn’t been something she meant to do that evening, but perhaps it was better this way. If his ego was hit hard enough, perhaps he would stop pursuing her.

  Craig didn’t enter the room, but stood and looked down at her and Jonathon. His gaze made her feel unfit in a way she’d never felt before. His frustration and distaste for Jonathon ignited an anger in Suzanne. This man didn’t own her, nor had she pledged her hand to him, or even accepted a date. And yet, with the way he was glaring at them, she knew he felt like he had lost in some strange game.

  “I believe we wanted to be alone, right, Jonathon?” She laid her head on his chest and looked pointedly at Craig.

  Jonathon inhaled sharply in surprise, but didn’t move away. Instead he pulled her close and agreed. “Yes, we had come in here for privacy. Surely you understand, Masterson.”

  The millionaire looked at both of them. Suzanne knew him well enough to know that he was weighing his options. His pride had been hurt, but not badly, but the alcohol from his breath could be smelled from across the room. His cheeks became redder before he declared, “No, this is inappropriate. I’ll not have it in my house. Please leave. Now.” His voice was firm, but you’d have to be a fool not to hear the undercurrent of rage that accompanied it.

  Jonathon glanced at Suzanne.

  “Let’s leave, Jonathon. No point staying where we aren’t wanted.” She stood in a huff and waited for Jonathon to follow suit. “Please do not call upon me again,” she said to Craig as she brushed past him.

  “I wouldn’t stoop to such a level. Enjoy your dalliance with the help.”

  Suzanne spun on her heel, the back of her dress slapping against Jonathon’s ankles. “I think I’ll do better with the ear of Flo’s assistant than a flashy drunk like you.”

  They stalked out of the room, through the hall, and out the front door. Suzanne was palpably aware of the eyes on her and promised herself it would only add to some mystery quality she hoped she possessed.

  Once on the street Jonathon stopped her. “I’m sorry for such an indiscretion. I just knew that would cover our conversation.”

  Suzanne shrugged. “I was looking for a way out of his attention anyway.”

  The clock behind them struck the hour. “Can I escort you home?” Jonathon asked.

  “Thank you,” Suzanne replied, taking his arm.

  CHAPTER 22

  The air was crisp and cool as Jada and Sally walked back to Miss Mitzi’s. Jada’s throat was warm from singing and her fingers tingled with excitement. Danny wanted her to sing every night and was willing to pay her to do so. The very thought brought tears to her eyes.

  “You want to borrow a nightgown?” Sally asked as they keyed into the back door.

  Jada glanced at the clock. 12:10 AM.

  “No, I want my own things. Suzanne won’t be back this early. Those parties go all night. I’ll meet you upstairs.”

  “There is a couple in the room across from you. Don’t wake them,” Sally reminded her.

  “Of course,” Jada replied. Jada clip-clopped up the stairs. Fatigue fell upon her as she walked.

  “See you soon,” Sally singsonged from behind her.

  The house was dark and quiet except for the creeks of the house settling and people sleeping. Very different from the chaos during the day. Jada made sure to walk quietly so as not to disturb anyone. In her head she made a list of what items she needed to grab to get through the next few days.

  The room was surprisingly clean. Suzanne had rehung the dress she wore that day, and her vanity table was still in passable condition. Jada swallowed a sudden wave of guilt. If she had kept the room this neat, she probably hoped that Jada would return that night and didn’t want to spark more anger. She felt a moment’s hesitation, but a small voice inside her forced her to grab a pillowcase off a pillow and pack what she’d need. Perhaps she would go back to Suzanne or at least reconcile, but if she didn’t stand up now, she would forever be her servant.

  Her trunk was in the far corner of the room, stacked under several hatboxes. She placed the boxes on the floor and opened the lid of the large trunk. The wooden smell immediately sent her back to Richmond and that horrible night. It smelled like home and of Mother
and suddenly, Jada was overcome with emotion. They had come a long way and no one had tried to find them, thank God. Where would her life have been had none of that happened?

  “Jada?” Suzanne pushed the door open and tiptoed in, her skirt rustling against the furniture. “Jada, are you here?”

  “What are you doing back so soon?” Jada demanded as she stood up in her corner.

  Suzanne jumped as Jada presented herself. “You look different, Jada. Taller or something.”

  Jada placed the few things she’d found in the trunk into her pillowcase. In the pale light it seemed like Suzanne looked different too. Smaller, yet more assured. “I didn’t think you’d be here. Usually you aren’t home for hours yet.”

  “It was an interesting night.” Suzanne shut the door behind her. “I am glad you are here. I need to talk to you.”

  Jada steadied herself. Here it was. She wasn’t sure she wanted to have this conversation yet.

  “I realized tonight that you have been right all this time. All the letters, all the weird accidents, especially dear Ruby . . . they are more than simple coincidences. I think someone is trying to sabotage the Follies.” Suzanne perched on the edge of the bed, a very serious expression on her face. “I am sorry I didn’t understand before.”

  This is what Suzanne wanted to talk about? This and not their friendship? Her chin began to quiver as if deeply cold, and she couldn’t stop the vibrations.

  “You chose tonight to talk about this? After all that happened between us today, this is what you need to discuss with me? Not that you willfully held me back from working with Bert, nor that you belittled me in front of Julian and probably Mr. Ziegfeld himself. And let’s not mention that you took Lillian’s side over my own. No, you need to discuss what is happening to you.” Jada resumed packing her bag. “I don’t know why I’m even surprised.”

  There was a long pause. Jada shoved her nightgown into the pillowcase and moved over to the wardrobe, where her few gowns were hung.

  “Jada,” Suzanne said softly. “Jada, please stop.”

  “No.” Jada shook as she spoke. “I’ve swallowed my own needs for too long. I refuse to do that for one more day. Just because you ran away with me doesn’t mean you own me. I can’t owe you the rest of my life.”

  Suzanne took a step back from Jada, her eyes wide. “I never asked you to ignore your needs. Never once. Every decision we made, it was together.”

  “Perhaps that was how it was once, but then you joined the Follies.” Jada folded another gown and stuck it in the pillowcase.

  “You wanted me to join. You were just as excited as I was, or was all that an act?”

  “I was excited.” Jada softened her tone. “Until impressing those girls became more important than me.”

  Suzanne threw her arms up. “And why shouldn’t they be? The connections I am making now could send my career soaring. I won’t be made to feel bad for this, Jada. I won’t allow it.”

  “Allow it?” Jada practically shouted. She dropped her bag and pointed a finger at Suzanne’s chest. “You don’t own me and you can’t dictate what I say or do. You are more like your father than I thought.”

  “Then you must be like your mother. Complacent to the point of insignificance. I wonder what Daddy ever saw in Cicely.”

  “Mother was a good worker.”

  “Who knew she did so much work on her back.” Suzanne glared at Jada, her breath coming in short bursts.

  Jada could almost feel the room shift around her. “On her back?” she repeated very softly. Jada took a step back from Suzanne. “How could you repeat such a horrible rumor? How could you throw that in my face?”

  “It wasn’t just a rumor. I heard Daddy begging for Mother’s forgiveness the evening we left.” The anger melted from Suzanne’s body. “Jada, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ever tell you.” Suzanne grasped at Jada’s arm, but Jada refused to be caught, pulling away at every turn.

  “Never tell me?” Jada closed her eyes. “How long have you known?”

  Suzanne stopped trying to grab for Jada’s arms. Instead, she sat on the bed.

  “How long?” Jada demanded again.

  Suzanne exhaled. “Since the night of that big storm. The night your folks died.” When Jada didn’t say anything, Suzanne explained. “I walked in on Mother and Daddy fighting about Daddy’s indiscretions. That’s when I found out.”

  “The night they died?” Jada repeated. “And you never told me.” Her voice was hardly above a whisper, but in the stillness of the room it felt like an exclamation.

  Suzanne went to her friend’s side. “Would you have wanted to know? They were murdered and we had to run. That certainly wasn’t the time, and then more and more time passed and it became too hard to tell you.”

  “Why?” Jada’s voice felt thick. She swallowed, trying to clear the emotion from her voice.

  “I didn’t want to tell you. I didn’t want to be responsible for changing how you saw your ma.”

  Jada glared at her. “Perhaps you didn’t want to look too close at dear Daddy either.” Suzanne winced and looked at the floral wallpaper. Jada’d only said it to hurt Suzanne, which made the guilt bite harder.

  “I didn’t—” Suzanne cut herself off. “I suppose I didn’t.”

  Jada could almost feel the air in the room stand still between them. Her face felt hot and her hands still shook. She clasped her hands in front of her and tried to cool herself down. She wanted to deny what Suzanne admitted, and yet, she knew it was true. Mr. Haskins often called Ma to his office for no reason or gave her special assignments in the house when Mrs. Haskins was traveling. Jada had been proud of her ma for being such an asset to the family. Now, with distance, she could see that something was amiss with his requests.

  More than ever, she wished Ma was there with her. She and Pa had been so in love. Had she loved Mr. Haskins too? Had he forced himself on her? Jada would never know the truth. She bit her lip in frustration.

  “Jada, this isn’t what I intended.” Suzanne’s tone was low, as if approaching a wild dog. “How do I fix this? I don’t know how to do this. What do I say?”

  Jada picked her pillowcase back up and went back to the wardrobe. Was there anything Suzanne could say that would change how she felt? “Sorry would be a start.”

  Suzanne’s face flushed and she sucked in her cheeks. “Sorry for what?” She was angry. What right did she have to be angry?

  Jada shut the wardrobe door with more force than she intended. “For all of this. For not telling me what you heard that day, for not including me this last month, and for not realizing I have dreams like you.”

  “I can’t say that,” Suzanne said. “I’m not sorry. I can’t do this without you. You make sense of the moves for me and help me smooth out the notes in the songs. Without you, I would fail. So I can’t be sorry for what I did, but I am sorry that I hurt you.”

  The flame of Jada’s anger was drowned by pity at Suzanne. Of course, she knew how much Suzanne depended on her, but she never thought Suzanne would admit it. Despite wanting to be angry, Jada could only exhale and drop her bag on the floor.

  “I’m still angry.” She couldn’t let Suzanne get away with what happened. “Do you think I’d abandon you? After all we’ve been through? After all you did for me?”

  Suzanne opened her mouth to say something and then stopped. “I don’t think I thought of it. I just, I can’t fail. I left behind so much—Mother needs to see me a star.”

  “I know all you left behind; it has followed me. You may have saved my life, but it has been a bittersweet life. I can’t watch you fulfilling my dream anymore. I won’t do it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be in your life still.”

  “Your dream? What do you mean, your dream?”

  Did she really not know? “What do you think I was doing all those years I sat in on your voice and piano lessons? I had plenty of chores to do and could have advanced in the house staff much more had I not spent hours at your side.�
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  “Oh.” Suzanne looked out the window. “Daddy said he had assigned you to work with me.”

  Jada snorted. That sounded like Suzanne’s father. He treated all the servants as if he owned them. Descendants of slaves did not make them slaves.

  “How do we make this right?” Suzanne asked. “You have instincts that I need both onstage and off. It was you who first thought the notes were something more, you who I didn’t listen to. No one else should be injured like Ruby and, well, I don’t want to lose your friendship.”

  Jada glanced at the wardrobe. One of her three dresses was still hanging, and her pillowcase bag now looked pathetic on the floor.

  “I was offered a job tonight,” Jada blurted out.

  “What?” Suzanne’s voice was barely above a whisper.

  “At Roger’s pub in Harlem. He wants me to sing there at night. I told him I’d do it.” Jada picked up the pillowcase and waited for Suzanne’s reply.

  “I-I am happy for you.” The words were laced with misunderstanding, but Jada didn’t care. She would take any enthusiasm Suzanne showed her.

  “But I can still help you with the dances.”

  Suzanne bounded off the bed and hugged Jada.

  “Thank you!” she whispered.

  Jada pulled back. “I have one condition.”

  Suzanne bit her lip and nodded.

  “No more lying. I am not Spanish. Ruby did receive threatening notes and that accident was not normal.”

  “It wasn’t an accident. I think, I mean, it’s possible that one of us girls is behind it.” Suzanne looked at Jada.

  “Well, of course. Those notes, they all spoke of talent and leaving the show. Someone wants to minimize the girls onstage. We just have to figure out who they are and what they want.” The pillowcase was now empty and Jada turned to put the pillow back in it.

  “I think I might know.” Suzanne looked so unsure that Jada felt sympathy for her.

  “Oh?” she asked to urge her friend on.

  “Lillian?”