Lessons In Being A Flapper

by Angela Smith

  “Well, hi,” I began unsurely. “I’m Autumn, though you probably already know that. I’ve been writing since I was little and my mom got me a penpal in another state. I found at that point that it was my calling and eventually began my career in writing…and well, here I am!” I said, complete with a very unattractive wave of my flabby arms.

  God, that was awful. I must have sounded like the most idiotic prat to ever enter this office.

  Luckily, most people were nice about my horrible speech and gave me a break by asking questions that required short and sweet answers. And then it was over and Sophie said I could leave for the day. I wasn’t sure if that was a good sign or a bad one but I was more than ready to go home.

  I decided not to stop at Marisol’s on the way back to my place as I didn’t want her to think I was a complete failure – and surely she’d already have information on my early departure. Instead, I got off the cable car and walked home reflecting on my day.

  “Miss Autumn! I glad to see you!” Esteban said, jolting me from my quiet reflection. “You have package. Nice man was here earlier to bring this but he had to go so I say I give to you. Nice man, very nice man.” I was hoping that he was talking about Bayani but I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I took the package, which was wrapped so delicately in a pretty floral paper, and went into my house. I threw my cardigan on the sofa and changed into my comfy tracksuit. You could change my look for going out but when I was home, I wanted nothing more than to be in my most comfortable clothes. When I finally sat down, I knew that the package had to be from Bayani. It wasn’t like I had many “very nice” men stopping by to deliver presents.

  Opening the package, I found a small box and an envelope with a letter inside. I decided to open the letter first and the box second.

  My dearest Autumn,

  I came by this morning to wish you good luck, but it seems I had already missed you. I hope that your day went better than expected and that your new boss was kind to you. I also hope that my little present will make your day complete when you arrive home.

  I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since last night. Kissing you and then leaving was the hardest thing I’ve had to do. I wanted so badly to spend more time with you and sit and talk for hours but I knew that wasn’t possible since we both had big days today.

  I know I should have told you last night, but things weren’t finalized yet. I’ve had to go overseas for a business trip and I’ll be gone a week at the most. Please know I’ll be thinking of you every minute of every day.

  I hope that I can see you when I return but until then I want you to have this very special present because I know you’ll love it and it will remind you of me while I’m gone.

  Forgive me if I’m moving too fast, but you’re all I think about since our fateful encounter.

  I know you can’t call me to tell me you’re OK but I would love it if you sent me an email, at least, to tell me how you feel and how your day went.

  With love,

  Bayani x

  I was so thrilled by the letter – which had to be the most romantic one I had ever received – that I almost forgot to open the box. With trembling fingers, I tore open the delicate paper, trying to keep it intact while doing so. I lifted off the cover and inside I found the most beautiful cameo brooch I had ever seen. It was obviously old and very delicate. It looked like the woman on the brooch was hand-carved with intricate details and solid features. It was, by far, the most perfect gift I had ever received. And that is how I found myself crying by myself on the floor of my living room, holding a letter from a man saying he wanted to be with me and a 1920s era brooch to prove it.

  You’d think that having a declaration like the one I received tonight would make me swoon – and of course, it did – but it also made me very nervous. I just wasn’t sure if I was ready to let someone into my life who could potentially hurt me or disappoint me. Another words, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to give or receive love at the moment.

  I thought about this all the way over to Marisol’s where I was due to pick up Clara. It was now the end of the work day (for most people anyway) so I had my fingers crossed that Marisol wouldn’t know that I had been let go early after my disastrous attempt at introducing myself. The door was unlocked when I arrived so I let myself in and was never happier to be greeted by a wet-nosed dog in my life. Clara bounded over to me as best she could the minute I walked through the door. My poor girl had such a hard life so just seeing her so happy and doing the “pit bull wiggle” was a joy for me. I bent down to give her head a scratch and while doing so a very observant 99-year-old medium took note of my new brooch.

  “My God! Where did you get that thing?” she asked, making her way towards me from her position on the sofa.

  “Oh, it was a gift from a friend,” I replied, knowing full well that she would want details. I had the notion that I better not show up at Marisol’s in my tracksuit so I changed into a pair of designer jeans and a peach colored cashmere sweater. I pinned the brooch –which has a light blue background -- to my sweater as an embellishment and when I looked in the mirror, I really liked what I saw.

  “Well, that ‘friend’ must be really fond of you. That’s an authentic piece of jewelry from the 1920s. Not something easy to come by, especially in that quality.”

  I could tell she wanted me to elaborate on how I knew this friend and whether it was a male or female, but when I said nothing she changed the subject.

  “So, tell me, how did your day go? Clara and I had a lovely time together. She didn’t try to wee in my poinsettias once – a marked improvement from the last time she was here, I think.”

  “Oh, it went fine. You know, normal office stuff…getting to meet my co-workers, arranging my new office. Those types of things,” I said as nonchalantly as possible.

  “What about the orchids, dear? Did you place them in a special place?” Marisol asked. I must have looked as stunned as I felt because she filled in the void by saying that they were a congratulations gift from my grandfather.

  “Didn’t you look at the little card? It was written in his own words and then delivered by one of the area’s most expensive florists this morning.” So that’s where they had come from. I was trying to figure out who had sent them to me and now I knew. I guess I still wasn’t used to having dead people send me flowers. It’s usually the other way around, isn’t it?

  “’Send Autumn flowers – orchids to be exact – I want her to know how proud I am of her!’ he said and continued saying until I ordered the damn things just to shut him up! Sometimes it seems like he just wants to barber on forever.” She looked slightly cross with my grandfather but at least she was nice enough not to say it aloud.

  “Well, tell him thank you, if you can. I’ve actually been meaning to ask you if you can tell the dead things or can you only receive messages from them and not the other way around?”

  “I’m a Medium, Chickadee. I can receive messages but actually sending them is a bit harder. It’s not like I can pick up the nearest Ameche – that’s telephone to you – and call him up. He or she has to come to me when they’re ready…like all spirits do.”

  “What about evil spirits?” I asked, because I have had something on my mind for quite some time now.

  “What about them?”

  “Can they send messages too? And if so, can they send them directly to a person instead of through a Medium like yourself?”

  “Why do you ask that? Is there something you’re not telling me? Come on, spit it out! You’re giving me the heebie- jeebies already!” Marisol asked, suddenly interested in every word I had to say. I really didn’t want to bring this up, since I felt as though I had put it to bed ages ago but I had to know and I figured no one would give me a more direct and honest answer than Marisol.

  “Well, a while back – maybe a year ago now – I heard a voice. A whisper, really, in the room I was sitting in at the time. I had been typing up an article on the computer and the ro
om was in silence when suddenly I heard “You’re going to die” whispered into the air. It freaked me out and for a while I did nothing but cry and watch every step I took but then I tried to let it go. It still bothers me though…it’s like something was trying to scare me,” I explained, getting goosebumps as I did so.

  “You have to tell it to dust off, fade, go away, whatever you want to call it. Not responding to evil will only give it opportunity to taunt you again. Be stern and tell that damned spirit where to go!” I had never seen Marisol so serious before. I must have really touched a nerve with my questions.

  “Sometimes, years ago, I’d get grumpy, irate, mean old bastards wanting me to enact revenge on someone but I told them immediately that I don’t do that and they’d best find someone else to barber to. These were mostly mafia hit men or other criminals. Normal people aren’t usually so cruel once they’ve passed on, which is why your spirit slightly worries me. Have you had any other experiences with it?” I did, actually. So I told her how we had heard sounds of furniture being moved upstairs when there was no furniture and saw creepy shadow figures on our walls. One of them was even holding what looked like a knife. Marisol was quite shaken by this revelation, I could see.

  “Autumn, darling,” she said, gripping my hand, “leaving that house was probably the best thing you ever did. There was obviously some unrest there. Someone didn’t take too kindly to The Big Sleep and wanted to hurt you. I worry for you though…the spirit world can be quite dangerous. So please keep an eye out for any potential harm…” My stomach plummeted as her words hit me. Could I still be in danger even though I was clear across the country? I hoped not. I hoped that I left the spirit or spirits that were haunting me back in Massachusetts when I left.

  Tuesday morning came before I knew it and when I walked into the office I was taken aback by the fact that I actually worked here. At least, I think I did. I wasn’t really sure how much longer Sophie would keep me on board if I kept making a mess of things. Who knew if she even wanted me to come in today or not. Well, either way, I was here. Dressed and ready for whatever lie ahead.

  After getting home from Marisol’s late last night, I slept like a baby. I think the stress of the day coupled with the fact that I had brought up some old demons – quite literally – just wore me out. I had meant to e-mail Bayani but was so tired I couldn’t even be bothered to put the computer on. Luckily, a good night’s rest left me feeling ready for anything this morning. I was a bit early but hopefully I could catch Sophie in her office before the others arrived in about a half hour. I didn’t want to talk about my personal business in front of them. I may not have worked in an office of this size before but I knew full well how quickly office gossip spread.

  When I reached the 22 floor, I walked to my own office, put my coat over my chair and was just getting ready to make my way over to Sophie’s office when I realized I hadn’t read the card that came with the Orchid’s yet. Picking up the mauve envelope, I carefully slid my finger underneath the flap and opened up the little card.

  “Here’s wishing you luck on your first day. Don’t forget I-L-O-V-E-Y-O-U – today and always.

  Love,

  Gramps

  That little “I love you” was something my grandfather and I did whenever I’d visit his house. It was like our own little inside joke. I didn’t even know I was crying until I heard a soft knock on the door.

  “Hi, sorry to bother you, Sophia said. She saw you come in and wanted me to get a head start with you before everyone else gets here,” said a tiny wisp of woman in her 30’s. She reminded me a little bit of Jennifer Lopez, only a lot skinnier and less tough looking.

  “I’m Jeanette the stylist for the magazine. I usually only style the models on shoots but I was given strict orders to get you a new look by the end of the day, so that’s what I’m here to do!” She gave me a warm smile that seemed genuine and I knew instantly that she and I could be friends outside of the office. Jeanette informed me that she’d booked me in at the best salon in the Bay area in an hour. Until then she wanted me to tell her how I’d like to look as she took notes and gave her own insights on my answers. Oddly enough, Jeanette also liked the 1920’s and said that she could easily picture me rocking a glossy black bob haircut. I was on board with a bob haircut but had no plans whatsoever of going black – glossy or otherwise.

  “I’d look like a witch!” I told her as she looked me over intently. Eventually she nodded her agreement and we both laughed. It felt so good to have a laugh with a girlfriend. I missed my friends back home but after what happened many of them turned their backs on me even though I was as innocent as a newborn baby. I hoped that Jeanette could be my first girlfriend in San Fran.

  Once we got all the details down, we left the building and headed over to Bella’s Boutique, which had an in-house salon that was said to be the best around. Bella, a tiny woman with thick horn-rimmed glasses and a cultured air about her, came straight over to Jeanette and I as we walked into the salon. Like most salons, there were the normal appliances but I immediately noticed that Bella’s salon seemed more upscale. Clients were served champagne or wine instead of plain old water or coffee and each woman seemed more content than she would at an average salon. The whole place just felt extremely exclusive.

  “Jeanette!” Bella exclaimed, air kissing my new stylist friend before turning to me and saying “Is this a model for one of your features? Oooh, she’ll be fun to work on! Quite obviously you’re going for a natural look this time, no?” I wanted to sink into the floor with humiliation but Jeanette explained that I was actually a new recruit over at Fashion and Flare and needed to new look to go with my new job. Thank God she made me sound so good. I don’t think I could have described myself better than she did! Bella got to work on me right away – and saddled me down with an extra-large glass of pink champagne in the process. She was going to work on me herself instead of pushing me off on another hairdresser, which seemed nice of her.

  “So Autumn, tell me, how’s your love life? Got anyone good on the hook?” Jeanette asked as Bella looked at me curiously in the large oval mirror. My reflection was a dead giveaway of my feelings for Bayani. Even though I may not think I wanted to be with him, the blush creeping up my neck and face gave me away.

  “Oooh! Do tell!” they chorused.

  “Well, he’s not really my boyfriend per se but we’ve got something, that’s for sure. He’s amazing!” I gushed. “We met after he almost hit me with his car…”

  “WHAT?”

  “I know, crazy, right? It was actually my fault, I crossed without looking but he was so sweet and didn’t even get angry at me. Instead he took me to the local café to sit down and have sticky buns with him,” I explained. Both women were enraptured by the tale of how Bayani and I met and how I thought he was the most gorgeous man ever. When they asked where he was now, I told them that he was out of the country for work.

  “God, he sounds as delicious as a piece of cotton candy! He actually sounds just like a guy that works with us. He’s out of the country now, too, but wait until you meet him! When you see him you’re man will pale in comparison! I actually think he’s going to be working under you…so lucky you, boss lady!” Jeanette said, laughing at my luck.

  “But I wouldn’t make a move on him. Word is that Sophia has her talons in him already. Not sure if the feeling is reciprocated or not, but let me tell you, you don’t want to mess with anything that woman even thinks is hers.” Good to know. Plus, I had Bayani so I needn’t worry anyway. A handsome face around the office was one thing, but I wasn’t looking for anything more.

  The next hour was filled with champagne flutes, head massages and a divine pedicure and manicure session. There was no way I was leaving this building feeling less than a thousand percent rejuvenated – if not a little tipsy too.

  “You look stunning! Freaking incredible and stunning!” Jeanette said while playing with my newly chopped and colored bob. I had to admit, I agreed. This look suite
d me and made me feel like one of the great dames of the 1920s. Totally retro. Marisol was going to have a field day when she saw me! Bella really was a magician and deserved every penny of the $1,100 she charged for my new cut and overall transformation. I was beyond lucky that she wasn’t charging me and instead charging the company card. Maybe my luck was finally turning.

  The rest of the week came and went before I even knew it. I was learning so much at work and having secret chats with Jeanette and Lena about the hottest guys in the office when we could grab a second – usually near the coffee machine or in my office with the door slightly ajar. Apparently everyone was obsessed with the mysterious man that I would be bossing around. I couldn’t wait to meet him when he returned though I was a little nervous being the boss of someone so handsome. How could I tell him what to do? He’d just have to flutter his eyelashes at me and I’d be putty in his hands.

  Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to meet this man or any of my team until after Thanksgiving since the office was closed all next week for the festive holiday. As much as I loved having time off (and being paid for it) I did have to research some ideas to show to Sophie upon my return.

  I decided to spend some time walking around San Francisco and looking in the trendy boutiques to see what was in style now. Maybe I could draw some inspiration from what I found. Since I liked her company so much and she was very able to get out and about, I invited Marisol along on my quest, leaving Clara in the hands of Jeanette – she loved dogs and said she would be more than thrilled to watch Clara for the afternoon. I thought that a few hours with my rambunctious puppy (who had taken to chewing my designer shoes – don’t tell Marisol!) would change her mind, but I let her take her anyway with a promise that if anything at all went wrong, she’d call me.

  Marisol hadn’t seen my hair yet but she seemed pleased with the look when she emerged from her house in a Black petticoat with red rose-shaped buttons. She looked uber chic considering she was 99 freaking years old. I only wished I could be like her when I was older. She was so vivacious and lively.