Tears slid down Pearl’s face. Lillian hugged her again. She didn’t know what to say or how to fix the situation.
“Please, Lillian, please, don’t tell anyone. At least not yet. It will come out soon enough. I need time to figure out what I’m going to do. If Mr. Dimmick finds out, I’ll be fired. I need the job for as long as I can hold it.”
Lillian released the hug and patted Pearl’s hand. “I won’t say a word. We’ll find a solution. You know you can stay here with me for as long as you want.”
“Thank you. You’re a dear friend, and I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now, you have a shawl to finish that will earn you a very good commission to finish, and I have these curtains to hem. Before we get busy with those, we are going to take your situation to the only One who knows how it will end.”
The two women joined hands, bowed their heads, and began to pray.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Will climbed the stairs to the apartment. It was Saturday and Pearl was preparing lunch. Lillian was visiting their parents. Their father was getting stronger, but Will doubted if he would ever come back to work in the shop. It saddened him to think the few years they’d had to work side by side were over.
Pearl had spent the morning sitting in the sewing chair he’d placed at the end of the workbench, working on the shawl she was making for Mrs. Bacher. After she’d gone upstairs Mrs. Douglas Clary, wife of the president of the electric company, came in and asked about the young woman who made such beautiful lace. Her daughter was getting married and Mrs. Clary wanted to speak with Pearl.
“It’s not quite ready, Will. It will be about fifteen more minutes,” Pearl said when he entered the kitchen.
“Are you making something that can be held for a while?”
“Yes, it’s soup and sandwiches. Why?”
“A woman came in and would like to see you. She has a commission she’d like to speak with you about. It’s Mrs. Clary.” Will explained who she was while Pearl washed her hands and took off her apron.
“Is my hair in place? I don’t want to keep her waiting but don’t want to appear slovenly either.”
Will gave a twisted grin and captured a thin lock of her blonde hair that had escaped, tucking it back into place. “You look fine. Come, she’s waiting.” He reached for her hand but stopped himself. Instead he stepped back, allowing her to precede him down the stairs.
He listened from his seat at the workbench while Mrs. Clary and Pearl discussed what she wanted made. It would be a coup for Pearl if she was allowed to make the lace gown to top the silk underdress for the woman’s daughter. The Clarys were even more influential than the Bachers in St. Joseph society.
“I’ll be able to meet with you on the twenty-fifth. I have another commission I should finish this week and need to deliver next Saturday. I can work up some motif designs to bring with me when I come.”
“Very good. I’m sure they will be lovely. I must leave now. So many details to consider for the wedding. Please call before you come on the twenty-fifth. I want to be sure we are both there, Daisy and I.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I will.”
Will watched as Pearl stood stock still as Mrs. Clary left the shop. Then, she spun in a circle to face him.
“Can you believe it? Can you? I can’t. An entire dress. For a wedding. Her daughter’s wedding. The amount of commission will be phenomenal. Yes, it will be a lot of work, but the people who see it will know I made it. Surely, it will bring more custom work.” Pearl was bouncing with excitement. Joy was written all over her being.
Will stood, his smile was wide. “I’m pleased for you.”
Pearl bounced over to him and gave him a big hug. “Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me.” She released him and dashed to the stairs. “I’m so excited. I can’t wait to tell Lillian. She’ll be delighted. I’ll go up and set lunch out on the table. You must be starving. I know I am. Oh, I’m so happy.”
Will chuckled as she dashed up the stairs. Seldom had he seen her so happy. Lately, there seemed to be an anxiety hovering over her. Almost a desperation. Never did she complain or express any worry. Pearl was always polite and often showed wit and charm in her conversation.
As he thought about the past few weeks, Will realized she’d become more quiet. She concentrated her attention more on her crocheting than visiting. She also looked tired.
Many evenings Will stayed for supper with his sister and Pearl. She came home shortly after Will closed the shop. Townsend and Wyatt closed at the same time. He’d noticed her fatigue and even mentioned it a few times. If he commented on it, Pearl just said it had been a long busy day.
After supper they would chat in the parlor while Lillian washed the dishes. That was a change. They had done them together when Pearl first moved in. Now, Lillian insisted that Pearl go sit and crochet while she did the work. His sister said it was so he didn’t have to be by himself in the parlor. That had never bothered her while he lived there.
Will walked over and locked the door, placing the ‘Back in 30 minutes’ sign in the window. He’d talk with Lillian about his concerns early next week while Pearl was at work.
~~~~~
“I have a few things to take care of up here,” Pearl said after they ate their lunch. “It may take an hour or so. Then I’ll come down and do my crocheting in the shop. I want to get this shawl done so I can begin working up the design for the wedding dress.”
She and Will were doing the dishes. He had insisted on helping. There wasn’t much to do. They didn’t eat dinner at noon but had a lighter lunch. Supper in the evening was their main meal of the day. Lillian would be home to fix it.
“Okay, you know I’ll miss you. I look forward to our visits.” Will took the plate from her hand and began drying it.
In truth, Pearl was going to take a nap. She wasn’t going to tell Will that, however. She was exhausted.
As excited as she was about the new commission, Pearl was concerned about getting it made in time. If her fatigue continued she was afraid she’d make mistakes and have to tear out the stitches, redoing the work.
Will went down to open the shop. Pearl wiped the last of the crumbs from the table and went into her bedroom. She’d lie down for an hour. Then she would go down and spend the rest of the afternoon in the shop. Lillian would be back by then. Pearl fell asleep designing the wedding dress in her head.
“Pearl, Pearl. Are you all right?” Lillian’s concerned voice woke Pearl.
“Yes, why?” She opened her eyes and stretched.
“It’s almost three o’clock. Will’s getting concerned.”
“Three? Oh, I never intended to sleep this long. Nearly three hours.” Pearl threw the coverlet she’d used off and sat up. Her head spun with her quick movement. She placed a hand to her forehead.
“Are you sure you are okay?” Lillian laid a hand on her shoulder.
“I sat up too quickly. I feel fine now. I’ll get my crocheting. I need something to tell Will that won’t make him suspicious of anything. I don’t want anyone else to know of my condition yet.”
“I understand. Why not just say you were tired from a busy week, laid down for a while and just woke up? The truth is always best. You don’t have to say anything else. After all, Scripture says in Proverbs 12:23 that a wise man doesn’t reveal all he knows.”
Pearl chuckled as they headed down the stairs. “Can’t argue against the Word.”
Will studied her with worried eyes. Before he could say anything, Pearl spoke. “I’m sorry. Lillian said you were concerned.” She went on with the truth, as her friend had suggested, just leaving out the small detail of what was causing her extreme fatigue.
The concern on Will’s face faded. “So, are you rested now?”
“Yes, and ready to get as much done on this shawl as I can today. It’s to be delivered next Saturday.”
~~~~~
“Mrs. Ward, will you please come to my office?” Mr. Dimmick said. His ever prese
nt frown accompanied the words.
Pearl had just finished waiting on a customer and was placing the bolt of fabric back in its place. “Of course, Mr. Dimmick.”
Pearl’s heart raced. Did he know of her condition? Was she going to be fired? Her clothing wasn’t getting tight yet. There wasn’t a way he could know. Could he? The only person who knew was Lillian. She’d never break the confidence, especially to Mr. Dimmick. Whenever Lillian came to shop, she made sure to walk past the man with the parcel containing what she’d purchased.
“Please close the door,” he instructed when they were both in the small room.
Pearl was uncomfortable with the notion so she left it cracked open.
“I’ve noticed you have been crocheting quite a lot during your breaks.”
“Yes, sir. I make lace to sell in the Bavarian Jewelry and Watch Repair Shop.”
“When I noticed your activity, I had thought I might need to warn you not to be doing so during working hours, but you’ve never done so.”
“No, sir. I would never do so. I’m paid to work at Townsend and Wyatt, not do my other work even if the day is slow.”
“Commendable. Some employees don’t seem to understand that concept.” Mr. Dimmick paused. “Mrs. Ward, my wife is a semi-invalid. She isn’t able to get out much. I was wondering if you could make a lace bed-jacket for her? We can’t really discuss it now. I don’t want to be an employee who abuses my employer’s trust. May we meet after work to discuss the project?”
“Yes, sir. If it would be acceptable to you, could we meet at the shop? I live above it with the owner’s sister. It’s only a few blocks away.”
“That would be fine. I know the shop. This evening?”
“Yes, sir.”
Mr. Dimmick actually smiled. “Thank you. Now, for the other reason I’ve called you here. You’ve been working here long enough now that you will receive an increase in your hourly wage. It’s a way Townsend and Wyatt uses to encourage their employees to stay on.”
Pearl just barely kept her jaw from falling open. She’d never expected a raise. It wasn’t a huge amount but every little bit helped. Plus he was offering her commission work. Maybe he wasn’t such a sour puss, as Lillian called him, after all.
Pearl thought about her crochet work. If she continued to get larger commissions, maybe she would be able to support herself after she lost her job and the baby came. It wouldn’t be stable and consistent work. She would have to be very frugal. Pearl was saving every extra penny knowing money was going to become tighter very soon. She had, at most two more months before her time at Townsend and Wyatt came to a close.
~~~~~
Will watched Pearl enter the shop. He’d expected her to be beaming with excitement. She had been earlier in the week when she’d rushed home from work saying she had a client coming to meet with her in a short while. When she told them who it was, Lillian dropped the tray of cameos she was holding. Fortunately, none broke.
“He what?” Lillian had squealed.
“Mr. Dimmick wants me to make a bed-jacket for his wife. She’s a semi-invalid. He wants to give her a gift she can enjoy, he said. He’ll be here in just a few minutes. I’m going to run upstairs and wash and straighten my hair. If he gets here, keep him entertained until I get back, please.”
“Will do,” Will said to her back as she ran up the stairs.
The rest of the week Pearl had been happy. She’d been grieving when they met. Then she’d seemed to start enjoying life after her loss. Especially after she moved in with Lillian. His sister brought joy to everyone just by being herself.
Lately, Pearl’s mood had been slipping back into despondency. There was an anxiety within her. She never said anything, just went about her business, but the tenor of her spirit seemed to have almost a desperation to it.
This morning, Pearl had left to deliver the shawl to Mrs. Bacher. She’d been so happy. The shawl was a large beautiful triangle in deep black silk. Long fringe framed the two shorter sides. Floral and foliage motifs were artfully arranged and connected with scrolls and chain stitches.
Now, Pearl entered the shop nearly in tears. She wasn’t carrying the package she’d left with so the shawl must have been delivered. He hurried to meet her, needing to know what was wrong.
“Pearl, what’s the matter? Didn’t Mrs. Bacher like the shawl?”
Tears slipped down Pearl’s cheeks. “She loved the shawl. She thought it was beautiful. She’s wearing it to the theater tonight.”
Will ran his finger gently across her cheek wiping the moisture away. “Then why?”
“She only paid me a quarter of what we agreed upon. She said that’s all the money she had in the house. Promised to bring the rest sometime next week. Will—” She turned large sorrow filled eyes to him. “I don’t think she will ever bring me the rest. I was counting on that money.”
Will remembered when Lillian had delivered the blouse to Mrs. Bacher. The woman had tried the same thing, only paying for part of the value of the item. His sister had more experience in retail than Pearl. She’d been savvy enough not to leave the blouse with the woman. Pearl wasn’t.
“Why did you leave the shawl with her?”
“Mrs. Bacher loved it so much. She said she was going to tell all her friends about the wonderful lace maker. That it would lead to many more orders.”
“All that’s true, if she does.” Will placed two fingers under her chin tipping her face up.
“You don’t think she will?” More tears filled Pearl’s eyes.
“She probably will, but you can’t count on it. Why did you leave the shawl with her?”
“What was I supposed to do? If I took it back she might not want it, and I wouldn’t have even gotten the amount I did.”
“And the deposit,” Will said.
“That was spent on the thread.”
“What? You mean you didn’t get at least half the money when she placed the order, plus the cost of the thread?”
“No, I just got what I needed for the supplies. I did that wrong too, didn’t I?”
Will couldn’t stop himself. He pulled her against his chest. He knew she felt like a failure. He felt somewhat responsible. He and Lillian could have told her the standard procedure for a commission order. Could have told her to never deliver until the item was entirely paid for. It was something they’d learned growing up. Their grandfather and father had taught them. They never thought it was ever done any differently. Trust your client, but make sure you are paid in full before you let go of the piece.
Pearl backed away from him. “I think I’ll go upstairs now. I’m not going to be very good company the rest of the day.”
Will let her go and watched as she crossed the room, her shoulders slumping in defeat. He knew she was going to spend some time crying. He wanted to hold her while she did. His heart ached for her. For her disappointment. For her feelings of failure. For her tears.
Will finally admitted to himself what he’d been denying for weeks. He was in love with Pearl. There was a peace within him when she was near. Even if she was upstairs and he couldn’t see her, just knowing she was there brought on that peace. He knew a house with her would be a peaceful home. She just exuded peace.
That wasn’t what his home had been growing up. He loved his mother, but her intensity and determination brought with it a constant level of anxiety. It even entered the shop when she came in.
Will thought if the tone of each woman was a visible color, Pearl’s would be a soft green while his mother’s would be vivid orange. Both were pretty colors, but it was easier to look at the soft green for a long time. The orange was best in small doses.
Will sat down at his work bench and opened his personal drawer. At the very back was Pearl’s watch-locket. He took it out and opened it. The watch had stopped so he wound it. The small second hand dial began moving and there was a soft tick, tick, tick. He closed the watch cover and opened the back. The engraving sparkled in light of the electric lamp
hanging above him. ‘To Pearl Henry, From Papa and Mama, Sept. 9, 1906.’
He’d asked her once if she ever contemplated going home. Pearl had told him there was no place for her there. When she’d married, her grandparents, her father’s parents, had moved in. There were several younger siblings and an older brother who was married. The couple lived in the house, too. They’d had a baby last winter. There simply was no room for her. Though Pearl never said, Will thought the family worked hard but weren’t very prosperous.
He wanted to give the watch-locket back but knew she wouldn’t accept it. Pearl would pay her debt to him.
So deep in thought, Will didn’t hear the bell jingle when the shop door opened. Didn’t hear anyone approach until his mother’s voice broke into his musings.
“That’s a lovely locket. Where did you get it?”
Will jerked at the sound of her voice. “It’s Pearl’s. It was given to her by her parents on her eighteenth birthday.”
She took it from him, read the inscription, snapped the cover closed, then opened the watch side. “Have you just repaired it? It seems to be running well.”
“No. It’s always worked.” He looked up at his mother.
“She sold it to you on the day she fainted here, didn’t she?”
“Yes.”
“Why isn’t it out in the display case?”
“I’m not going to sell it to anyone but back to Pearl. I paid for it with my money, not the shop’s.” He held his hand out palm up. Luella placed the watch in it.
“Be careful, Will. Don’t think more than you should about her. You may be mistaking the desire to rescue her for more than it is.” The tightness in his mother’s voice told Will more than her words. Will kept his face down, putting the watch back into its spot in the drawer. He didn’t want his mother to see the truth in his eyes. There would be no way he could convince her that his feelings were true. That he loved Pearl because of who she was, not the circumstances of their meeting. Instead, he picked up the watch he had been cleaning when Pearl returned from delivering the shawl. That was something he could do something about.
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