Dawn of Eve

by MJ Howson

  “Yes. Be careful, please.”

  “Her eyes are . . . hypnotic.” Dawn leaned closer, studying the doll’s long eyelashes and jewel-like deep-set eyes. “They aren’t painted, are they?”

  “No.”

  “She’s . . . she’s truly beautiful.”

  “Eve’s special.”

  Dawn began to adjust the doll’s collar when she noticed a gold chain sparkling around its neck. An oval locket lay hidden deep within the folds of the tiny dress. Dawn slid it out and let it rest in the palm of her hand. The detailing etched into the front was incredibly ornate and included a scripted W.

  “Why did you ask about her name?” Janet asked. “You sounded so surprised.”

  “Eve . . . Eve was my baby’s name.” Dawn couldn’t stop looking into the doll’s eyes. She felt as if she were falling into a trance.

  “Was? I don’t understand.”

  Dawn released the locket, letting it fall gently against the folds of the doll’s vibrant velvet dress. Her fixation with the doll slowly subsided. She grabbed hold of the sapphire pendant hanging around her neck and allowed her mind to think of Jacob and the night she lost the baby. Dawn looked at Janet, released the pendant, and said, “I had a miscarriage.”

  “Oh no!” Janet leaned forward and took Dawn by her hands. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It was months ago. Back in May. But it feels like yesterday.” Dawn let go of Janet’s hands and turned away, doing her best to fight back the tears. “I’m . . . I’m sorry.”

  Janet emerged from behind the counter and put a comforting arm around Dawn’s shoulder. She said, “You have nothing to apologize for. Losing a child is devastating.”

  “It hasn’t been easy.” Dawn wiped her eyes dry. “It’s given me nightmares. Still.”

  Dawn turned back and moved closer to the doll. She began to twist the curls in Eve’s hair, trying to even them out. She then took the locket in the palm of her hand and ran her thumb in slow circles across the engraved front casing.

  “You . . . you said everything in this store has a story.” Dawn ran her hand across Eve’s dusty cheeks. “What’s hers?”

  “Oh, it’s too long to tell.” Janet gently tapped a fingernail against the glass top next to the doll. “As I said earlier, it’s all about matching the buyer to the item. And nobody’s been worthy of Eve. Yet.”

  “May I?” Dawn put her hands around the doll and waited for Janet to nod. She then picked Eve up and cradled the doll in her arms. Dawn nuzzled her nose against the doll’s head, noting the faint scent of burnt dust. Eve’s eyelids snapped closed, surprising Dawn. She tilted the doll again, causing them to open. “They move!”

  “Yes. But they stick sometimes.”

  Dawn adjusted Eve and noticed the doll’s arms and legs moved. She looked at Janet and said, “She’s porcelain but articulates?”

  “Yes. Her hands, feet, and head turn too. She’s special.”

  Dawn rocked the doll back and forth as if it were her own baby, Eve’s eyes clicking and clacking as they opened and closed. The locket tumbled softly against the doll’s dress. Dawn caught it with her hand and began to twirl it in her fingers. The back of the locket had an inscription–12/22. She looked at Janet and asked, “Is that a date?”

  “That’s her birthday.”

  “What?” Dawn stopped rocking the doll. “December twenty-second?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “Eve’s due date–my Eve–was due near Christmas.” Dawn hugged Eve. “Don’t you see? The name? The date? It’s fate.”

  Janet smiled and nodded. She said, “You two do look good together. But, as I said, Eve’s special. I can’t let just anyone take her home.”

  “Oh, but you must. I’ll . . . I’ll pay any price.”

  “It’s not about the money.”

  “I promise to give her a good home.”

  Janet sighed and folded her arms. She lowered her bifocals and rested them across her nose. Janet’s ice blue eyes darted back and forth between Dawn and Eve. She said, “Are you sure you two belong together?”

  “I am. I can tell–”

  “I was talking to Eve.”

  “Oh.” Dawn stopped rocking Eve back and forth. She found Janet’s stare to be quite unsettling.

  Janet moved closer, slid her hands around the doll’s waist, and slowly pried it from Dawn. She stared into Eve’s eyes and gently cradled the doll in her arms, carefully taking the locket into her hands.

  “Okay,” Janet said. She nodded and kissed Eve’s cheek. “Okay.”

  Dawn’s heart sank as Janet carried Eve behind the counter. She was so sure the doll was meant for her. Dawn wondered what else she could say or do to convince the owner.

  “Can . . . can I at least say goodbye?” Dawn asked.

  “Goodbye? I’m going to take her in back and clean her up for you.”

  “Really?” Dawn clasped her fingers together. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt this excited. “She’s mine?”

  “Yes. Eve’s been waiting for you. I think you’re the one.”

  Twelve

  A Busy Guy

  Jacob, his feet pounding against the pavement, kept his eyes deadlocked on One World Trade Center rising in the distance. Sweat poured from the black headband clinging to his forehead. The backpack draped across his back furiously bounced as he neared the end of his half-mile run along the Hudson River. The crowded walkway made it difficult for him to maintain a steady pace. Jacob glanced over his shoulder to check on his current client, Jeff. Although this wasn’t a competition, Jacob couldn’t help but grin at seeing Jeff struggling to match his pace. He glanced at his smartwatch–a recent purchase–to confirm he and Jeff were reaching their goals.

  The Hudson River Café at Pier 45 marked the end of the sprint. Jacob came to a halt and spun around to wait for Jeff. He clapped his hands and cheered Jeff on as he got closer.

  “Push it, Jeff!” Jacob yelled.

  Once Jeff passed him, Jacob tapped the timer on his watch. He waited for Jeff to wind down and come back to the café.

  “Three minutes and ten seconds,” Jacob said. “That’s a new personal best. Congrats.”

  “You . . . you still kicked my ass.” Jeff bent over and gripped his knees as he gasped for air. “Christ.”

  Jeff was one of Jacob’s regular fitness clients. At thirty-three, Jeff was what Jacob called “all meat, no mojo.” The last time they did a body fat composition analysis, Jeff clocked in at ten percent. The guy was ripped. But up until he hired Jacob, all Jeff did was focus on weights and diet. Cardio never interested him. Jeff hired Jacob to get his insides as sculpted as his physique.

  Jacob slipped the backpack from his shoulders and retrieved two bottles of water. Each contained Jacob’s own concoction of recovery supplements, including electrolytes and amino acids. He cracked one open and passed the other to Jeff. Jeff chugged half of it down while still trying to catch his breath.

  “You’re not even breathing heavy,” Jeff said. He pulled himself upright and shook his head. “I don’t think I’ll ever get as fit as you.”

  “Nonsense.” Jacob pulled his cellphone from his backpack and began scrolling through the pile of notifications. “If you work at it and focus and stay committed, your goals and dreams will come true. You’ve got to invest in your future.”

  Jeff leaned against the wall of the café and began stretching his legs. Jacob assisted, holding him in place and helping him to get a full extension.

  “You’re making good progress, Jeff. Stick with me.”

  “I plan to. These cardio workouts you put me through are better than anything I can do in the gym.”

  Jacob pointed to a shady grass-covered area nearby. As they walked there, he went back into his backpack and retrieved a beach towel and two small hand towels. He gave a small one to Jeff, who quickly began wiping his face. Jacob spread the beach towel flat on the ground and motioned Jeff to lay down.

  Jacob began bending and flexing Je
ff’s legs. The cool wind coming in from the river brought both men some much-needed relief. Passersby mostly ignored them, although every so often, someone would shoot them an odd glance.

  Jeff slowly caught his breath as Jacob twisted and pulled him in different directions. Jeff smiled and said, “You should open your own gym.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Seriously. You’re really good.”

  Jacob nodded and continued to stretch Jeff. He’d looked into opening his own gym years ago, but the costs were outrageous. So were the risks. Many one-off gyms crashed and burned, leaving the owner with a mountain of debt. Jacob appreciated the advice, but he and Jeff lived in completely different worlds.

  Jeff worked on Wall Street–hedge fund manager. He and his wife owned a seven-figure apartment on the Upper West Side. Jeff had no idea that Jacob charged him double what he charged most clients.

  “I can help you line up investors,” Jeff said. He groaned as Jacob pushed Jeff’s right knee up against his chin. “All you have to do is ask.”

  “I appreciate it, Jeff. It’s just a bit high risk for me.”

  “Well, let me know if you change your mind.”

  “I will.”

  Jacob applied a bit more pressure as he twisted and contorted Jeff. Another minute passed in silence before Jacob stood up. Jeff sighed, opened his eyes, and smiled. Jacob held his hand out and helped Jeff stand up. He reached into his backpack to check his phone again.

  “Got another client?” Jeff asked.

  “Always.”

  “You’re a busy guy.”

  “You have no idea.” Jacob pocketed his phone. “Same time next week?”

  “I think so. I need to double-check my schedule.”

  “Keep me posted.” The two men shook hands briefly. “And Jeff, don’t forget to recommend me to friends, okay?”

  “Will do.” Jeff retrieved his phone from his pocket and used an app to send Jacob his payment for the session. “Enjoy your day.”

  Jacob’s phone buzzed from the receipt of Jeff’s payment. As Jeff walked away, Jacob’s phone hummed with another notification. He checked to find a text message from Dawn.

  I’m on my way home. U busy?

  Jacob replied.

  Just finished with a client. U OK?

  While waiting for Dawn’s reply, Jacob rummaged through his backpack until he found a banana. He cracked the skin open and took a bite.

  I’m so happy! I bought something beautiful today. Can you come by later?

  Jacob was relieved to read that Dawn was happy. They’d spoken very little since last weekend’s birthday night out on the town. He wondered what she could have bought that cheered her up so much. Jacob checked his calendar app and sighed before responding.

  Can’t. Clients. Will check with u later. XO.

  Jacob inhaled the rest of his banana, knowing he must have disappointed her. His phone rang just as he was about to drop it into his backpack. It was his roommate. Jacob answered and said, “Sean? Everything okay?”

  “Hey,” Sean replied. “Wow. You answered. You never answer.”

  “You got lucky. I just finished with a client. What’s up?”

  “Nothing. Um, I . . . I was just wondering if you’d want to maybe do a pizza movie night tonight. At . . . at home.”

  “Oh.” Jacob lowered his phone briefly as he tried to recall if Sean had ever asked him to spend time together. This felt weird. Even Sean’s voice sounded more hesitant than usual. “I can’t. I’ve got a full night ahead of me.”

  The line remained quiet for several seconds before Sean finally asked, “Is it with your old lady?”

  “I told you to stop with the age crap.” Jacob felt his temper begin to rise. He tried not to raise his voice too loudly. “What’s with the attitude?”

  “Sorry. I . . . I just thought it would be fun for us to hang. I had a bad day today.”

  “Like I said, I’m busy. And not with Dawn, but with clients.”

  “Right.” Sean’s condescending tone echoed in the earpiece. “Clients.”

  “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” People were now staring at Jacob as he yelled into the phone. He didn’t care. “Don’t be mad that I’ve got a full life, juggling multiple jobs and a girlfriend. You’re the one who stays locked in his room playing video games.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Why me? Don’t you have friends from work?”

  “I do. But, well, never mind.”

  Jacob sighed and lowered his phone. Sean now sounded like he was about to cry. Jacob didn’t have time to deal with Sean’s feelings. He had to get across town to his next client.

  “Look, Sean, all I’m saying is that you need to branch out. Life goes by way too fast.” Jacob grabbed the towels from the ground and shoved them into his backpack. “Your twenties will be over before you know it. Go get online and have some fun. Find an app that–”

  “You’re late with last month’s rent.”

  “What?” Jacob closed his eyes as he recalled the date. “Shit.”

  “You keep doing this, Jacob.” Sean’s voice had flipped from sadness to anger. “Every month I cover for you, and some months you never even pay in full. It’s not fair.”

  “I’ve had a lot going on.” Jacob zipped up his bag and flung it over his shoulder. He looked around to get his bearings. He needed to catch the subway to get to his next appointment. “You know how disorganized I am. I’ll have it for you at the end of next week, okay?”

  Jacob began walking over to West Street and waited for Sean to respond. After several seconds he asked, “Sean?”

  “I . . . I did take your advice, Jacob.”

  “Huh?”

  “I started looking around online.”

  “Great!” Jacob’s phone buzzed. The calendar notification showed he had fifteen minutes to get to his next appointment. “I gotta run, Sean. Use that app to find someone to spend tonight with. Get a boyfriend. Get laid. Or both.”

  Thirteen

  A New Voice

  The Spire’s express elevator’s digital display quickly flashed through the floors being bypassed on its way to the penthouse level. Dawn watched the digits escalate as the car hummed and rocked during its buttery smooth ascent. The Zuni store owner had been kind enough to give Dawn a small tattered red polyester blanket to carry Eve home in. Cradling Eve in her arms felt natural to Dawn, despite the musty scent coming from the blanket.

  The elevator doors opened and Dawn rushed through the mirrored foyer and over to the front door. The door unlocked just prior to her arrival. She stepped inside and announced, “Evelyn, play some jazz and start the fireplace.”

  The gas fireplace sparked to life, sending a warm glow throughout its glass crystals. Tia Fuller’s Save Your Love for Me began to waft down from the overhead speakers.

  “Let me show you your new home,” Dawn said to Eve. She walked through her expansive first floor, stopping to show the doll the kitchen, dining, and living rooms. Dawn then took Eve to the door of her art studio. She placed her hand on the handle. “I . . . I haven’t been in here since . . . .”

  Dawn pushed the door open several inches but didn’t step inside. She studied the polished concrete floor and multiple easels spread throughout the room. Dawn closed the door, looked at Eve, and said, “Maybe you’ll inspire me.”

  Dawn brought Eve to the couch, gently unwrapped the doll from the worn blanket, and tossed the coverlet to the side. She spent a bit of time twisting the doll’s legs and feet into position so that Eve sat upright facing the fireplace. Dawn thought back to her text exchange with Jacob on her way home from Zuni. She looked at Eve and suddenly didn’t care that Jacob wasn’t able to come by. Dawn smiled, ran her fingers through Eve’s copper hair, and said, “We don’t need him, do we?”

  Dawn swooped Eve into her arms and swayed back and forth, the doll’s eyes occasionally snapping open and closed. Dawn found the pressure of the doll’s head against her chest somewhat comforting. She slip
ped her hand around the doll’s neck until her fingertips caught the gold chain. She retrieved the locket and stared at the engraved W on the front.

  “We’re two of a kind.” Dawn pulled Jacob’s sapphire pendant from around her neck and held it beside Eve’s locket. “See?” Dawn held the locket closer to inspect the intricate detailing. For the first time, she noticed flashes of red beneath the engravings. She pulled the locket even closer to her face and asked, “Are those holes? What’s inside?” Dawn sighed and tucked the locket beneath Eve’s dress. “My little mystery. I bet you’re full of surprises.” Dawn turned and looked at the spiral staircase. “Speaking of surprises, I have something to show you.”

  Dawn walked to the staircase, rocking Eve gently in her arms. She went to the second floor and stopped outside the nursery’s door. Dawn closed her eyes as she recalled how many times she’d stepped inside and mourned the loss of her baby. She opened her eyes and smiled at the sight of Eve’s sapphire blue eyes looking back at her. Dawn took a deep breath, turned the crystal handle, and entered the nursery. The lavender-scented gel beads barely filled the air, and the closed drapes made the room eerily dark.

  “Evelyn, open the nursery curtains,” Dawn said.

  The drapes parted, allowing the sun’s rays to spill into the room, bathing the white furniture in sunlight. Dawn brought Eve to the crib in the center of the room and tilted the doll’s head into the cradle. Eve’s eyes clicked closed.

  “This is your new bedroom, Eve.” Dawn held the doll upright, causing the eyes to snap open. She spent a few minutes parading Eve around the room, stopping to show it the changing table and some of the baby item’s she’d stored in the drawers. “I hope you like it.” Dawn ran her finger across the top of the rocking chair. She frowned when she noticed the dust. “This won’t do.”

  Dawn spent the next two hours cleaning and organizing the nursery. When done, Dawn brought Eve back downstairs and made herself a light dinner of leftovers–white wine and some linguine in olive oil and garlic. Afterward, she poured herself a bit more wine and sat with Eve on the loveseat facing the windows. Dawn never heard from Jacob, nor did she bother to try and contact him. She felt quite content with Eve by her side.