Will spoke as he worked. “Mrs. Bacher, I believe you know her. She’s a friend of Mother’s, the wife of Mr. Elmer Bacher who is president of the First National Bank. Mother had Mrs. Ward make a lace blouse for her, or her daughter, I can’t remember the details. Anyway, Mrs. Ward brought it in Saturday. Lillian’s delivering it.”
“A lot of words centering around Mrs. Ward. She’s a widow, you say?”
Will glanced at his father. He was grinning and had a twinkle in his eye that hadn’t been seen a long while. “Yes, she lost him, let me think, about six weeks ago. Did Mother tell you about her situation?”
Matthew opened the display and picked up a lace collar. “Yes, such a sad story. Is she doing better now?”
“Yes, between her job at Townsend and Wyatt and the lace she’s selling here, I believe she is able to pay her bills.”
“Good. Do what you can to help her out, Will. Scripture says to aid the widows and orphans.” The twinkle came in Matthew’s eyes again as he looked at his son. “Is she pretty?”
Will glanced up from his work. He felt his face heat. “Yes, quite. She’s becoming a good friend to Lillian.”
“Ah.” Matthew laid the lace down, straightening it.
The shop door opened admitting Lillian. “Father.” She rushed over and hugged him. “I’m so glad to see you. How are you feeling?”
“Well enough.”
She frowned. “Not a very high endorsement.” Lillian opened the cash register and placed some bills in. “That Mrs. Bacher tried to get me to leave the blouse without paying for it. She said she didn’t think she had enough in the house. That she would bring it in after she got it from her husband.
“She didn’t fool me. I said she could pick it up when she brought the money in. Funny, she looked in her handbag and, low and behold, there was enough. Seems those with enough money don’t always want to pay for their purchases, but if someone owes them… Bam. They are slapped silly for non-payment.”
“Lillian,” Matthew admonished. “Where do you learn these slang phrases?”
Will smiled and turned back to his task as his sister kissed their father’s cheek in response.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Will,” Lillian said after Pearl left the shop. “I think Pearl is lonely living by herself.” She was dusting the jewelry in the display cases. Will was working on a commission piece. Lillian thought he was more talented than their father, and that was saying a lot.
“I’m sure it’s a change. A sad change.” Will didn’t look up from his work.
“Yes, she said she’s never lived alone before. She went from living at home with her parents to being married. They moved to St. Joe. Now, she’s all alone in the city. She doesn’t know very many people. They moved here in the fall. Winter didn’t make it easy to meet people. Now, she’s all alone.” Lillian sighed.
Will set down his tool and looked at her. “You’re up to something, little sis. What?”
Lillian turned around and looked at him. She grinned really big. “You know how you’ve been wanting to purchase a house, but you don’t want to leave me here all alone? Well, I was thinking…” She paused for effect. Will just looked at her. “Pearl could move in here with me and you could buy your house and go live there.”
“Am I that difficult to live with?”
“No, silly. But I do miss having another girl to talk with. Mary and Josey are busy with their children. Now with Josey being in an interesting condition again, she’s even more unable to spend any time together.”
“You really like Pearl, don’t you?” Will stood and came over to her. He hugged her.
“Yes, I do. She’s sweet and funny. And lonely. It would help her to move in here. The rent would be less expensive. Pearl’s worried she won’t be able to make the payments every month.”
Will smiled. “Well, there is this house for sale on Clay Street I’ve been looking at. Maybe I’ll see what the owner wants for it.”
Lillian hugged him and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. You are the best brother.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I’m going to look at the house. There’s no guarantee that I’ll decide to buy it or they’ll accept my offer.”
“Sounds like I need to pray for both those things.”
~~~~~
Will couldn’t keep his eyes on his work and off Pearl as she and Lillian recorded the lace pieces she brought in. She was so pretty. Her skin was so creamy it seemed to glow.
Pearl was making larger items now: shawls, blouses, card table covers. They were selling well. They took longer to make but sold at a higher price. Will thought she had to be pleased with the additional income.
He knew Lillian was going to ask Pearl to move into the apartment with her. He’d purchased the house on Clay Street and was moving in slowly. He didn’t have much furniture since he was leaving the apartment intact. He’d purchased a table and chairs last Tuesday. There wasn’t much else he needed right away other than moving his bed and dresser. Will planned to take his time deciding on the pieces he wanted. Lillian had teased him about his bachelor quarters being only the bare necessities. She was right.
“Let’s go upstairs and have some tea, shall we?” Lillian closed the ledger and patted the pile of lace sitting on the counter. “We can put these on display after we take a break.” She looked at Will. “Do you want to come up?”
“Not at the moment. I’m nearly done with this watch. When I’m finished, I’ll join you.”
As Pearl passed by him, Will took note of her slim figure. Today, she was wearing a white dress made of similar fabric to the one Lillian had made. They seemed to be popular with the ladies during the summer. She wore a crocheted lace coat that he knew she’d made. That type of garment would be good as a commission piece.
He sniffed after she disappeared up the stairs. The faint aroma of gardenias lingered. It brought a smile to his face. Will blinked rapidly and shook his head. He needed to focus on his work, not dream about lovely young widows.
Will was placing the back cover onto the watch when he heard a squeal come from upstairs. Lillian must have asked Pearl to move in. Sounded like she was pleased with the notion.
He slipped the pocket watch into the paper wrapper with the customer’s information on it and placed it in the completed order box. Going to the front, Will locked the door and placed the ‘Back in 30 minutes’ sign in the frame on the window. Now, he had some time to take a break with his two favorite ladies.
That thought stopped Will as he walked across the room. Since when was Pearl one of his favorite ladies? He’d known her less than a month. She was only coming to the shop on Saturdays. Lillian went to the dry goods store where Pearl worked at least once a week and brought back all sorts of news. Most was about Pearl, but his sister saw things and remembered conversations and people Will never even noticed.
That was it. He was mixing his affection for Lillian into his knowledge and liking for Pearl. He didn’t know her all that well, after all. She was pretty, so that was contributing to his attraction.
With that thought, Will started walking again, confident he’d figured out why he waited anxiously for Saturday to come so he could see Pearl again.
~~~~~
As Pearl hugged Lillian, they both squealed with excitement. The huge weight of the rent payments was suddenly gone from her shoulders. Moving into the flat with her friend would make her life much easier. Townsend and Wyatt was only three blocks away. She could walk to work in just a few minutes rather than having to catch the electric trolley two blocks from where she lived and ride it across town. Being this close would save her lots of time. Time she could spend crocheting.
“Thank you so much, Lillian. You are an answer to prayer. I’ve been praying to find a less expensive place to live. All the ones I’ve looked at were simply awful. Rundown, dirty, no indoor plumbing, no electricity. They weren’t that much cheaper than what I’m paying now.”
“You’ll only be paying half
the rent now, since you’ll be living with me.”
Will stuck his head in the room from the enclosed staircase. “Is it safe to come in? I heard screaming.”
“Oh, Will. You think you’re so funny.” Lillian waved a dismissive hand at her brother.
“I hear you are the proud owner of a new house, Mr. Miller,” Pearl said. She sat on the davenport. Lillian went to the kitchen to get more tea. Will sat in the sewing chair.
“Yes, I’ve been thinking about buying a house. When Lillian mentioned she wanted a different roommate, I figured it was time.”
“What? She said you wanted to buy a house and move out. She didn’t want to be alone and asked if I wanted to come live with her.” Suddenly the opportunity she thought was a gift from God dimmed.
“No, don’t feel guilty. I’m explaining this poorly. I forget you don’t know how Lillian and I tease each other. I’ve been wanting to own a home, but I didn’t want to leave Lillian here alone. I’ve been looking but hadn’t pursued any purchase.” He gave her a sly look. “When she mentioned she’d enjoy living with a strange female rather than her male relative, I figured now might be the best time to escape.”
Pearl grinned. “I’m strange, am I?”
Will tipped his head, studying her. “Maybe not so strange, but then again, you just agreed to live with my sister. That’s makes you suspect to being at least odd.”
“I supposed that’s true, Mr. Miller. However, since you are related to the one I will be living with, that might indicate you are a trifle odd yourself.” She lifted her nose slightly and looked down it at him.
Will laughed. “Hoisted on my own petard. Since you will become more familiar, rather than strange, would you think it appropriate for us to be on a first name basis?”
This time it was Pearl who tipped her head in contemplation. “Yes, considering the circumstances, I do believe that would be appropriate, Will.”
“Many thanks, Pearl.”
“Will you two stop with the highfaluting attitudes. My heavens. It sounds like one of Mother’s afternoon social teas with the ladies of the church.”
Pearl and Will turned their heads without moving their shoulders and looked at Lillian. “We have determined that we are both strange since we associate with you,” Will said. “That makes our behavior absolutely appropriate.” He looked at Pearl, and they both started laughing.
~~~~~
“Why didn’t you tell me about buying a house, Will? Did you mention it to your father?” Luella put her hands on her hips, staring down at him as he sat at the workbench.
Will focused on the brooch he was creating. It was a crescent with crystals in several shapes forming the design. He hadn’t mentioned his purchasing the house to his mother because she would have taken over the process, not approving of any decision he made. He wasn’t going to tell her that, however. The roof needed to stay on the building.
“I mentioned it to him. He thought it was a good idea. He said it was about time.”
That flustered his mother. “Well, well, I do suppose so. You are twenty-two after all.”
Will glanced up at her. “Mother, I’m twenty-four. Have been for several months now.”
“Yes, Mother. He’s more than three years older than I. I’ll be twenty-one come November. Pearl is already. She’ll be twenty-two in September.”
“Enough talk about your ages. You’re making me feel old.”
Will and Lillian exchanged glances. Their mother always claimed her children were younger than they were. It was her way of denying her own age.
“So, when are you going to show me your new house, Will? After you move in or before?”
“How about after worship service tomorrow? I can hitch up the buggy and we can go after dinner. Fred and Clyde are coming with the wagon so we can move my bed and dresser. Those are the last of the furnishings I need to begin living there. Everyone in the family can see it at the same time that way. You were planning on all of us being home for Sunday dinner, weren’t you?” Since that was the weekly routine, he knew the answer without her saying so.
“They knew about this house of yours, but I didn’t?”
Will had realized his mistake the moment the words left his mouth. He’d hurt his mother’s feelings. She was the last to know. “I’m sorry. I probably should have made sure you knew. It just happened so fast. Lillian made the suggestion. I looked at the house, made the offer, and suddenly I was the new owner. Then, I was trying to find time to look for some furniture and pack things and take them over, on the trolley.”
Will could see his mother’s attitude softening. She could bristle and become all prickly on the outside, but she was a softy inside. He remembered her concern for Pearl and her willingness to help the poor young widow.
“Lillian,” he said. “Does Pearl have a telephone? We could move some of her things tomorrow since we’ll have the wagon.”
“No, she doesn’t. She has a neighbor with one. I have the number. Shall I call and tell her we are coming tomorrow?”
“How about saying we will come for a while today. Then we can make plans for tomorrow. You and I could go over. Mother’s here to mind the shop.”
Lillian went to place the call.
“Oh, so you want me to do your work for you while you gallivant all over St. Joe?” Her twinkling eyes told him she wasn’t offended by his presumption.
Will decided to tease her back just a little. He kissed her cheek. “Not my work, Mother. I’m the jeweler and watch repairman. You don’t know how to do my job. All you need to do is to sell as much as you can of the merchandise in the shop.”
“I’ll do my best, dear.” Luella patted him on the cheek and smiled.
~~~~~
The apartment building Pearl lived in wasn’t rundown, but it was a bit shabby. Will was thankful that his sister suggested he buy the house so Pearl could move in with her. He wasn’t confident a single young woman living alone here was safe.
“She said it was apartment 3-B.” Lillian passed Will as he held the door open for her.
“She’ll have one less flight of stairs to climb once she’s moved.”
Pearl met them on the landing between the second and third floors. “I’m so glad you came but everything is at sixes and sevens. I’m trying to get things sorted and packed. I have to decide what to do with my furniture. There’s not that much, but it won’t fit in the apartment with all of yours.”
Will and Lillian exchanged glances.
“We just might have a solution for you,” Will said as they continued on to her apartment. He went on to explain the plans for the next day. “We could move you into the apartment after we move my bed and dresser.”
“But what about my furniture? I don’t know where to move it to.”
Will smiled. “You can move it to my house. I can store it for you until you need it. I have the room.”
Lillian snorted. “Several rooms with nothing in them. He’s suggesting that he use your furniture to fill his house. That way he won’t have to buy his own for a while. At least until you want it back.”
Pearl looked at him, a wide grin on her face. “I think that is a perfect solution. It’s a way I can pay you back for all the help you’ve given me.”
“Oh no. I won’t take it for nothing. I’ll rent it from you. We’ll reduce your rent of the apartment by the amount I’ll pay to use your furniture.”
“But…”
“No buts,” Lillian said. She leaned close and whispered loudly, “Take him for as much as you can get. He can afford it. If all else fails, have him pay you in jewelry. He has plenty of it.”
“Hey, sister of mine. You are supposed to be on my side, trying to get me the use of the furniture for as little as possible. Where’s your familial loyalty?”
Lillian shrugged. “That went out the window many years ago when you put that dead snake in my bed.”
Pearl laughed. “My brother did the same, but it was a dead frog.”
“Broth
ers, first they do mean things to you, then they want your loyalty. Not the best plan.” Lillian swept by Will and into the apartment. “Let’s get as much ready as we can so we can move it tomorrow.”
“I don’t know what to do with these.” Pearl indicated a pile of folded clothing on the kitchen table. It was men’s clothing. “They were Patrick’s.”
“You could take them to a used clothing store. There are several in the city,” Lillian suggested. “They’d buy them from you. They won’t give you much for them.”
“Or you could take them to one of the men’s missions. Or the YMCA. They have men who need things.” Will looked at the pile of garments, then back at Pearl. He didn’t like to see the sadness in her eyes, but he understood the reason.
“I couldn’t get rid of them before. It seemed so final, to give his things away. There wasn’t a need to do so. They weren’t taking up much space. Now that I’m moving, it’s time. Still, it makes me sad.” Pearl’s eyes filled with tears. She looked from the table to Lillian and Will.
He wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her. To hold her while she cried out her grief. But, it wasn’t proper. Instead, he signaled Lillian with a subtle wave of his hand. She stepped up and did what he wanted to do.
~~~~~
Pearl joined the Miller family at their church the next morning. Lillian had insisted she worship with them and have Sunday dinner at her parents’ house. That way, she said, Pearl could meet the rest of the strange family she was getting involved with.
They didn’t seem strange or odd to her. They were a loving family who reminded Pearl of her own back in Ohio. The two older daughters were both married and had several children between them. The children ran and played and laughed. It took Pearl some time to figure out which child belonged to which set of parents.
Mary was the oldest and was married to Clyde Bethel. He worked as an accountant for the city. They had four children. Josephine, called Josey by her family, was married to Fredrick Gibson. He managed one of the many factories in town. Josey was expecting another child to add to their two.
Pearl's Will Page 3