Sew in Love

by Debby Lee

  Her niece would thank her. One day.

  Monday, March 20, 1911

  Jeni watched Philip’s face as he listened to Professor Montgomery. Even after two hours together every day for almost three weeks, she loved watching Philip puzzle over a new assignment or instruction. What if he studied her the same way when she was thinking through the professor’s directions?

  A rush of warmth hit her face. She shouldn’t be having such thoughts. Philip was her friend. And a real friend at that. Something she hadn’t realized that she didn’t have until recently. He didn’t care that she was Irish. She didn’t care that his Brooklyn accent was thick. He seemed unfazed that she worked as a milliner, and the fact that he was a famous baseball player didn’t mean anything to her anymore. They’d talked about everything imaginable during their sessions. He was just Philip. Her friend. She never wanted to do anything to jeopardize that.

  But that didn’t mean she wasn’t still fascinated by him.

  The two men chuckled and it brought Jeni’s attention back around. Hopefully, they hadn’t asked her anything.

  “Philip, no. That’s not what I’m saying at all. When I said ‘pull your lips back,’ I didn’t mean to bare your teeth like a grizzly bear. I simply meant that your lips are always very far forward when you speak—like the corners of your mouth are down and forward.” The professor mimicked Philip’s accent to a T. “So why don’t we try something else.”

  Philip made a silly face at her. “I’m game for anything, Professor, because apparently I’m not gettin’ it.”

  “Getting. Ing-uh. Come now, Mr. March, you’ve been doing so much better than that. Don’t drop the g—let it make the sound it’s supposed to make.” Professor Montgomery let out a little huff.

  “Sorry, Prof. You’re correct. Getting. I’m not getting it.” The overenunciated ing made Jeni giggle.

  Professor Montgomery shook his head and smiled. “I know this has been difficult on you both. But you truly are making progress. We’ve got to keep at it.”

  “Yes, sir.” Jeni tried to swipe the smile from her face and straightened her spine as she sat.

  “All right, Philip. Let’s try this. I want you to smile. And smile big. Right here at Miss O’Brien. While you keep that smile glued in place, you’re going to say the sentence ‘My dog ran away to the park; have you seen him?’ Now I want you to remember that each syllable needs to be made with your cheeks back and your smile full. We’re aiming for bright tones, and don’t forget that park needs to have an r in its pronunciation. Got it?”

  Philip nodded and quirked an eyebrow. He looked at Jeni and smiled broadly. With his lips pulled back into a smile, he asked her the question “My dog ran away to the park; have you seen him?”

  “Very good, Philip.” She clapped, truly proud of how far he’d come, and then leaned forward. “But you don’t have a dog.” She couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up.

  “Maybe he’s invisible.”

  “So why are you asking me if I’ve seen him?”

  Soon Philip was laughing with her, and they couldn’t seem to stop the silliness of the moment.

  “What is so funny?” The professor wiped a hand down his face. “What am I going to do with the two of you?”

  Jeni made a face at him. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. We’ve just been working so hard, and you know quite well that Philip doesn’t have a dog. The moment just needed some levity and it tickled my funny bone.” She tried to keep a serious face in place, but it didn’t work.

  “I’m sorry too. I can be serious.” Philip smashed his lips together.

  In the next moment, the professor was laughing along with them. A ridiculous mention of a dog that didn’t exist had put them all over the edge. But as they laughed, she felt tension ease. The Bible did say that laughter was good medicine. Jeni hadn’t laughed this hard in a long time. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she tried to catch her breath—which wasn’t an easy task for a woman wearing a corset. Totally unfair that the men didn’t have to deal with that.

  She pulled out her hankie and dabbed at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I know I started it. But we should get back to work.”

  The laughter died down, and Jeni took a deep breath.

  The professor sat up straighter. “Yes. Now, Philip. You ask Jeni a question. Act like you are coming into her shop to purchase a hat for a lady.”

  Philip nodded. He looked at Jeni and appeared to think about it for a moment. He gave a slight smile and spoke with it in place. “Miss O’Brien, I need to purchase a hat for my boss’s sister.”

  The professor made him correct the word boss and try again. Twice.

  After their teacher was satisfied, he looked at her. “All right, Jeni, now it’s your turn to reply.”

  “I’d love to help you, Mr. March. What colors would you like?”

  “Perfect, exactly what I was hoping for.” The professor stood up. “Say that response again.”

  Jeni repeated herself.

  “All right, now let’s concentrate on two words. Love. And colors.

  Listen to the sound love makes and then the first syllable of co-lors. Do you hear it?”

  “I think so.” She made sure she said think rather than tink like she used to.

  “Very good. Now listen to it again. Luhve. Co-lors.” He stretched the sounds out. “The way you naturally use this ‘o’ sound is more like the sound we use for book, so it sounds like loove, rather than luhve. Rather than pushing the vowel through the roof of your mouth, I’d like you to drop your jaw and try the ‘uh’ sound. Why don’t you try it.”

  “Uhhhh …” It sounded wretched. “Is that correct?”

  “Yes. It is. Now try the response again.”

  “I’d luh-uhve to help you, Mr. March. What cuh-lors would you like?”

  “Much better, Miss O’Brien. Much better. Now just try to keep love to one syllable.”

  Jeni looked back at Philip and repeated the sentences. The professor made her say them five more times. But every time she said the word love she felt a bit more heat creep up into her face. What had come over her? Willing herself to focus back on the task at hand, she couldn’t help but wish that she and Philip could just sit and talk. By themselves. Without the professor around to tweak every sound they made.

  The more time she spent with the handsome baseball player, the more time she wanted to spend with him. But was that a good thing? For the first time in a long time, she felt completely at ease with someone. There was no facade to be held up. No pretense. Just getting to know one another. Albeit it was during linguistics lessons. Could all of this mean something entirely different to Philip? What if it meant … nothing?

  The thought plagued her as they continued on.

  The two hours of their lesson passed in a blur. But at least she felt more and more confident each day with her speech. Since Aunt Bridget was barely speaking to her, Jeni hadn’t conversed with her much, but she couldn’t help but hope that her aunt would notice and be proud of her. For bettering herself and making her way in this tough world.

  Was that too much to ask? Probably. Especially since Aunt Bridget felt like Jeni was giving up her heritage. But perhaps over time she would come around. Because above everything else, Aunt Bridget was loyal and loved her. Jeni knew that.

  “Jeni?” Philip stood over her. His coat and hat in his hands, he tilted his head toward her.

  Blinking away her train of thought, she shot him a quick smile. “I’m sorry. What did you say?” She stood up.

  “I was going to ask you a question, but you looked lost in thought.”

  “My apologies. You have my full attention.” She clasped her hands in front of her.

  “Why don’t I walk you out?”

  “That would be lovely. Thank you.” She nodded at him as he held out her coat for her. Even though spring attempted to break through, the chilly temps still lingered.

  “I hope this isn’t inappropriate …” He spun his hat by the brim a
s they left the professor’s office. “But seeing how you and me have become friends, I was hoping I could offer you an invitation to go to church Sunday? With me, that is. Then maybe we could take a drive afterward?”

  The invitation stopped her in her tracks. The expectant look on Philip’s face made her believe that he was enjoying their time together as well. An invitation to church was a big thing. But a drive afterward as well? Her heart picked up its pace. Dare she hope? She cleared her throat. “I’d love to.”

  “May I pick you up at 9 a.m.?”

  “That would be lovely.” She faced forward and they started to slowly walk down the sidewalk.

  “But of course, I’ll see you tomorrow at lessons as well.”

  “Of course.” The air sizzled in the awkward moment around them.

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Me too.”

  “Well … uh … I need to get to the Polo Grounds.” He grinned at her.

  “All right. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Until tomorrow.” He tipped his hat and hurried away.

  The racing of her heart drummed in beat with his jogging steps as she watched him. It all seemed like a dream. Just this morning she’d thanked God for Philip’s friendship, and now she wanted to shout from the rooftop.

  She’d have to find something special to wear because Philip didn’t go to just any church. It was the church that she knew some of the wealthiest in the city went to. She couldn’t embarrass him.

  Nervousness built in her stomach as she hurried to Crawford’s shop. She couldn’t do this. Her boss didn’t even let her out to the front of the store. What made her think she could be seen on the arm of a famous baseball player? Could this ruin him?

  What would people say about her? What if she said the wrong thing?

  Her thoughts swirled around her in confusion and worry.

  What had she agreed to?

  Chapter 7

  Tuesday, March 21, 1911

  As opening day of baseball season approached, Philip had been putting in longer hours at the field. Now that he held the home run record, expectations were high for him to perform as well or even better this year. And he didn’t want to let down his team or the fans.

  The press loved his rags-to-riches story, and the whole city seemed to love it too. But if he didn’t play well, that could easily turn on him.

  That’s why he’d been willing to give the speech lessons a try. Anything to improve himself, right? But meeting Jeni had changed everything. He found that he actually enjoyed the learning now. Especially when he was able to see her every day.

  Walking up to Montgomery’s building, he couldn’t help the spring in his step. She’d said yes! Since he really had no idea what he was doing, it encouraged him that he’d at least gotten that far. What to do now, he really wasn’t sure, but hopefully they could continue building their friendship.

  As soon as he entered Montgomery’s office, he looked for her face. But when their gazes collided, he knew that something wasn’t right. Her normal smile and greeting weren’t there. Something troubled her.

  He walked up to her side. “Is everything all right?”

  “I’m fine. Let’s just get on with the lesson.” She didn’t look him in the eye.

  Her comment made him raise his brows. All the guys said that women could be temperamental. But he’d never seen it personally. And it seemed more than that. Had someone hurt her?

  Since this was new territory to him, he decided it was better to sit back and see how the morning progressed.

  It didn’t go well.

  By the end of their two-hour session, Jeni was in tears, and Professor Montgomery was trying to console her. Philip took his coat and hat and decided to give her some time alone with their teacher. He’d just wait for her outside.

  The minutes ticked by slowly, like a slug moving in the early morning dew.

  Finally the door opened, and Jeni appeared. She gasped when she saw him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were still here.”

  “I was waiting for you.”

  “I’m sorry I was such an awful partner today.” She headed down the hallway.

  Trailing behind her, he kept his hat in his hands. “You weren’t awful. I’m just concerned about you.”

  She stopped, and he almost ran into the back of her. Turning around, she gulped and took a step back. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to go to church with you, Philip. I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t understa—”

  “You’re a wonderful gentleman, and I have so enjoyed our lessons together. In fact, I truly think of you as my friend, but don’t you see?” Her eyes pleaded with him. “We’re two different classes. I don’t belong with the set of people that go to your church. You know how much discrimination there still is toward the Irish. What if I say something and it embarrasses you? What if one of the papers writes up some derogatory story about you? All because you were seen with me? I couldn’t bear it if my presence did anything to besmirch you. You mean too much to me. I’m sorry.”

  “But—”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Philip. Again, I’m sorry.” She turned on her heel and walked away.

  As he watched her hurry down the hallway, all of her statements tumbled around in his mind. It came down to two major points.

  One—she cared for him. She’d said it herself.

  And two? She didn’t think she was good enough for him.

  As the shock of the moment left him, he headed out of the building and mulled it all over. He’d never met anyone like Jeni O’Brien.

  Shaking his head, determination flooded his mind.

  He was just going to have to convince her otherwise. Because Philip March wasn’t giving up that easily.

  The hat in her hand came together faster than she’d imagined. That was one thing about being upset—somehow it worked to her advantage for her to create rather than think about her distress. Attacking the jobs before her this morning, she’d already finished almost an entire day’s work, and it wasn’t even lunchtime.

  Oh well. She could just work more. Mr. Crawford wouldn’t mind her increasing her output.

  But her heart ached. As much as she didn’t want to think about it, she was furious with herself on the one hand, and then trying to convince herself that she did the right thing on the other.

  Philip was such a nice man. And they’d really become quite good friends. With their lessons they’d had the perfect opportunity to get to know one another on an easygoing basis. They both felt comfortable with the other.

  So why had she turned him down?

  Shaking her head, she tried to make the thoughts go away. But the argument continued in her mind.

  She wasn’t famous. She didn’t have money. How was she supposed to be seen with the most famous baseball player in the country? Not to mention that she was Irish. Exactly the reason why Mr. Crawford kept her in the back of the store.

  It infuriated her. God created all of them. Why couldn’t they get along and treat one another with love? Why did it matter about class? She’d thought it was bad enough back in Ireland. But the world wasn’t that much different in America.

  Either you had money. Or you didn’t.

  That’s why she couldn’t attend church with Philip. She would be seen as a fraud. She had no place being at his side.

  The bell rang over the door at the front of the shop, and Jeni got up from her work stool to go peek through the curtain. If it was another socialite ordering a hat, she often liked to see who it was so she could design the hat to fit their face and frame.

  But when she peeked through the slit in the curtain, her heart stuttered and she tried not to gasp.

  Philip stood at the counter, a large bouquet of roses in his hand.

  What was he doing here?

  Her heart raced. Silly girl. He was there for her. She knew it. But Mr. Crawford would never let him see her. She let out a sigh. She wanted to see him. And then she di
dn’t.

  As her thoughts warred with each other, the men’s conversation floated back to her.

  “I’d like to see Miss O’Brien.” Philip offered her boss a smile.

  Mr. Crawford’s back was to her, so she couldn’t see his face, but she noticed his shoulders stiffen. “I’m sorry. That’s not possible.”

  “Why not? She works here, doesn’t she?” Philip frowned.

  “Well, yes, but she is very busy.” Her boss’s voice sounded awkward and stilted.

  “Too busy for you to allow her a moment’s break?”

  “I’m afraid that’s quite impossible, sir.”

  Jeni watched Philip stare down the man. He stood straighter and lifted his chin. Shifting the roses to his left hand, he stuck out his right hand. “Well, Mr. Crawford, I thank you for your time.”

  “Yes, thank you for coming in, Mr….?”

  “Philip March. Center fielder for the New York Giants.” The men shook hands.

  “Mr. March, what an honor it is to meet you. I was there at the game last year when you broke the record for the most home runs. I can’t begin to tell you how exciting that was.”

  “It was exciting for me as well.” Philip beamed the man a smile.

  “Thank you for coming in.”

  Philip stepped closer and leaned his right arm on the counter. “Mr. Crawford, you’re a businessman.”

  “Yes, sir.” Her boss tilted his head.

  “Did Miss O’Brien design and create all of the hats in the front window?”

  The man swallowed but didn’t answer.

  “Let me put it a different way. What if I were to offer to purchase every hat in the window if Miss O’Brien was indeed the creator? Right now. All of them. Could I request to see her then?”

  Chapter 8

  Uh … oh my … every hat? Well, that would be … Why yes, yes … of course. I’m sure I could ask her to slip away from her work for a moment.”