Ellen was ecstatic at the mountain of boxes Jessie brought.  Dresses for both girls, smocked, taffeta, bright gingham prints, sailor dresses, petticoats, panties and gowns with shoes and hats to match worked her into a frenzy.  Ellen ripped in, pulling out garment after garment, exclaiming joyously at some, tossing others over her shoulder in rejection.  Soon every surface in the room was covered.  “0h, I had one just like this when I was little!  Mother has the picture on her piano. Have you seen it?  It looks just like Ginny!   This little smocked dress is darling!  Can you shorten it like ShirleyTemple’s?” Suddenly, her eyes smoldered. “I wouldn’t put this sailor suit on a dog!  Get rid of it!  No, don’t take it back!  I said get rid of it!  I hate it!”  In a fury, she ripped the collar off and threw it on the floor an ground it with her slipper.  “Now I won’t have to look at it!  Don’t you ever bring any more trash like that around here!”

Jessie scurried to pick the things up.  She wouldn’t be able to sell damaged goods.  Subtly, she slid the damaged sailor suit in her bag.  I’m not about to throw away a perfectly good outfit just because of you.  I’ll be charging you plenty for that little fit, she thought. Jessie had dealt with Ellen so many years she knew what to expect, so she made up for Ellen’s meanness in her billing.  Dr. Evans must have understood, since he always paid promptly without question.

“You never should have brought that hideous thing!  Charge me what you want.  I am not going to poor mouth about the price of a pathetic dress.  I can’t stand sniveling and poor mouthing.  It’s in such bad taste.” Ellen spouted at Jessie.

Jessie turned her back and seethed as she gathered up Ellen’s choices.  She’d spent a good portion of her life sniveling and poor-mouthing since her husband died young and left her with four small children.  Without Ellen’s trade, she’d be right back there.  It was galling to be dependent on hateful rich clients like Ellen.  Most of her clients were gentile, a number difficult, but Ellen was the worst she’d ever had to deal with.

” What else did you bring me?  I told you to have Viola rework that black satin for the funeral.  I’ll try it now.”  Her manner was emperious.

“Miss Ellen, you just asked for it last night!  The Sanderson wedding is Saturday and the funeral is Tuesday at two.  I checked.  Viola get it to you by closing Monday.  I’ll send her over with it.”  Clearly, Jessie had had enough.

“I don’t see what’s so important about Minnie Sanderson’s wedding, anyhow.  Minnie’s got that crossed-eye.  As soon as the veil is raised that’s the first thing anybody’s going to see.  It’s lucky that Jones boy wants her.  Nobody else would have ever wanted the poor thing.  Did his brother ever get out of jail?”  Since she wasn’t going to get what she wanted, being cruel would have to do. Ellen unwound a bit.  “I’m so sorry.  I forgot it’s your nephew Minnie is marrying.”

Jessie gathered the rejected dresses.  “Minnie is a very sweet girl.  I hope she and Johnny will be very happy and he doesn’t have a brother, only a sister.  I guess you just heard some nasty gossip.”

Pointedly ignoring her response, Ellen snapped at her.  “On your way out, tell Cora I need her!”

As Jessie left the kitchen, she gave Cora the message.  “Your boss-lady wants you.”

Cora stopped her work and dried her hands.  “Sweet Jesus, help me.”

 

 

 

 

The ornate Victorian-style house held court in the center of the block, its lush lawns and tasteful landscaping beckoning passersby to take ease on its plush lawn or deep porches.  Under its peaceful exterior, a tiger crouched.

After a night of raging against those who loved her most, Ellen lay in a drugged sleep until nearly noon.  She awoke dry-mouthed and groggy, remembering only that she had been treated unjustly by her mother and husband.  She seethed with anger, particularly at that “hateful brat.”  That little beast wasn’t going to get the best of her.  And if her witch of a mother thought she could separate her from her baby, she’d find out who she was dealing with soon enough!  Charles had always been a fool, but easily handled, a whiff of perfume and a twitch of her behind always brought him around.

Cora brought her lunch tray up around noon, only to find her coffee tray untouched.  Ellen was cold and high-handed most days.  Cora expected a storm of before the day was over.  Miss Jessie showed up around one, staggering under a mountain of boxes.

“I don’t know if Miss Ellen’s gonna see you.  She didn’t feel good last night.” Cora warned her.

“Would you please tell her I’m here with a load of precious things for her little girls ?  She made me promise to bring them today.”  Miss Jessie asked.

“I’ll tell her, but I ain’t promisin’ nothin’.”   Cora warned.

“I’ve been bringing things by to Miss Ellen for years.”  Miss Jessie laughed.  “I’ll be fine.”

They were interrupted by Ellen calling down the stairs. “Did Jessie finally get here?  I’ve been waiting for hours!”

Geneva joined them at an early dinner, their first as a family.  Since Ginny was so thoroughly bonded, it was easier to let Geneva feed her.  “Tomorrow we’re going to throw away those ragged overalls away and get you some decent clothes.”  Ellen told Charley.  “”We can’t have you running around looking like a little ragamuffin, can we?”

“No! Don’t throw my ragamuffin overalls away!  My overalls are good! Bessie gave ’em to me!  I don’t want decent clothes!” Charley protested.

“”Don’t dispute me, young lady.  Those overalls are going in the trash after your bath, tonight!”  Ellen announced coldly.  “Mother, I can’t believe you let my daughter wear hand-me-downs from Cousin Jean’s maid.  That’s humiliating.  I hope no one saw her!  What were you thinking?  Don’t you care about my feelings at all?”  Ellen was shouting at her mother now.  This was the mother Charley remembered and feared.    She burst out crying and ran to her grandmother.

“Ellen, I will not be spoken to this way.  I have cared for you children when you weren’t able to.  There is no shame in hand-me-downs.  Bessie was kind enough to share with us for which I am grateful.  I won’t have you treating Charley this way!”  Geneva was clearly furious as she tried to calm the crying children.

“Ellen, control yourself.  Miss Geneva has been a Godsend caring for the children these last months. You should be down on your knees thanking her for all she’s done!  You will NOT burn Charley’s overalls!”  He turned to Geneva.

“Miss Geneva, could I impose on you to keep the children?  I know I have already asked far to much, but Ellen and I have things to talk about.”  His wife’s eyes burned with rage at her husband’s words.

“That crazy bitch is not taking my baby, anywhere!  Give her to me!  You’re not stealing my baby again.”  She rushed at her mother, shoving Charley to the floor and scratching her mother’s face in the process.  “Give her to me! Give her to me!” Ellen was screaming now, trying to wrestle the terrified baby from Geneva.  Charles restrained his furious wife while Cora and Josie helped Geneva.

“Geneva, I am so ashamed and sorry.” He turned to his oldest son George. “George, please drive your grandmother and the girls home.  Michael, I need you to help me get your mother to her room.  Josie, Cora.  My apologies to you for my wife’s appalling behavior  She wouldn’t want you to see her like this if she were herself.”

Charles and his son Michael carried Ellen screaming to her room, where Charles sedated her.  He was devastated at the disaster his and Ellen’s lives had become.

 

 

As they entered the kitchen, Charley threw herself in Cora’s open arms like she’d never let her go.  In contrast, Charley and Ellen were reserved at their reunion, especially when Ellen saw her overalls.  “Oh my, Charlotte!  Pretty little girls don’t wear overalls.  We have to get you some dresses!”  Geneva cringed.  With the confusion surrounding Cousin Jean’s death, she’d forgotten how Ellen would react to  tattered overalls.  At the criticism, Charley was shy and held herself straight as a stick when her mother hugged her.  “Don’t you even have a hug for me?” She demanded.  Ellen had never been an understanding mother at best.  Eight months is a lifetime to a five-year-old.  At seeing Baby Ginny for the first time in memory, Ellen was enchanted with her reddish curls and bright blue eyes.  “”Oh, you little angel!  Look at those precious pink cheeks!”  Though Ginny was bashful, she ducked her head to her father’s shoulder and flirted with her mother.  Ellen couldn’t have been more pleased.

“She looks just like you, doesn’t she, My Love?” said Charles.  “She’s the image of Charley at that age, and she and Charley just dote on each other!  They are so sweet together.” Charles tried to redirect the conversation to the wide-eyed little girl.

“Oh yes, no mother could ask for a prettier baby, but I don’t think she looks a bit like Charlotte.  Don’t you remember Charlotte looked like a fat bald-headed man till her hair finally came in.?”  Charley’s lip quivered.

“Boys, maybe Charley would like to go out back.  I seem to remember a big surprise waiting for her next to the birdbath.”  Charles tried to protect her feelings with a distraction.

“Hey, Charley!  I’ll race you.  First one there gets the surprise!”  Thrilled, Charley sped out the back door.” She’d never gotten enough of her brothers.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Charles spoke.  “Ellen, Charley didn’t need to hear you praise Ginny and say ugly things about her.  Don’t forget her tender little feelings.  I’m surprised at you!”  Cora stood with her back to them, her face stiff with fury.

“Of course, Dear.  How thoughtless of me.”  Ellen answered, but her eyes were black with fury at his reproach.

Life at Cousin Jean’s with doting family was all a child could have asked.   Charley tagged along behind Robert and Bobby at their work, milking, plowing, riding the tractor, and working the crops.  Should she tire of them, she had a sweet baby sister to cuddle and Josie and Birdie to keep her busy.  The dog had found a litter of speckled pups and was happy to share them after a few weeks,  The chickens and cats came running when she called.  What more could a child ask?

She was there long enough that she’d outgrown all the clothes packed for her, so she wore hand-me-down overalls and simple popover dresses Geneva had constructed by hand, her first attempts at sewing.  Mimicking her hero, Robert, Charley never went anywhere without her straw hat.  She’d not worn a shoe all summer.

Charley’s father and brothers visited her every couple of weeks on Charles’s Wednesday off while Cora was with Ellen.  She loved her brothers’ rough games and wrestling with them.  She was no shrinking violet and gave as good as she got.  She’d always held a special spot in her father’s heart, maybe since he’d had early concerns about her.  He’d not had a real chance to bond with Ginny since she’d been with Geneva practically since birth.  He looked forward to having his family together.

After Cousin Jean’s death, Charles fetched Geneva, Charley, Ginny, and Josie home.  All four were crying as they left the farm.  Geneva grieved her loss. Charley, because Geneva wept, and she hadn’t been allowed to bring a puppy, and Josie at leaving her sweetheart.  Ginny cried because at eight months, she was good at it.

He stooped in at his office for a few minutes and took Cora’s call before heading home to prepare Ellen for the girl’s homecoming.

 

 

The family visited over lunch and Geneva left to rest, promising to bring the children home before dinner.  As she drove off, Miss Jessie was at the kitchen door with several large boxes.  “I’m early, but I thought I’d stop by and see if you wanted to try this dress now.  I do believe you’ll love what I brought.  You won’t see anything like this yellow silk anywhere.  I had Miss Viola put some custom touches on this beauty just for you.  Do you want to try it with these new foundation garments? I can come up and help if you’re ready.”

“Wth everything that’s going on, the fitting had slipped my mind, but let’s go ahead.” Ellen replied.  “My mother just left.  She and my girls have been with my cousin Jean all summer, and she was letting me know Cousin Jean died during the night.  She just got back in town.  They’ll be back before dinner, but we have plenty of time before then.”  She led Jessie up the stairs to her bedroom, though Jessie knew the way well.

Jessie unboxed the dress and stretched it across the bed to show it to best advantage while Ellen preened before the mirror, her back to Jessie. “I was reluctant to try this shorter style, but I think it’s quite daring, don’t you?”  Ellen asked.

“It’s charming.  I’d try it myself, but I couldn’t carry it off as well as you.   I guess I’ll keep my bun.  Now turn around and look!” Jessie said.

“This is heavenly!” Ellen exclaimed as she stroked the lace.  It’s just what I wanted.  I’ll slip into these and you can help me into it.”  With that she stepped behind the dressing screen.  Jessie handed her the corset, bra, and slip.

“Just sing out if you need help with those.”  In minutes, Ellen stepped out in her undergarments.  “I took the liberty of bringing a slip to match the other undies.”

“This lingerie is exquisite, too pretty to cover up, almost.” Ellen murmured.

“Nothing makes a woman feel prettier than frilly underthings, but I can take them back if you don’t need them.” Jessie offered.

“Don’t even think of that” laughed Ellen.  A much shapelier woman stepped from behind the screen.  “Help me into that dress.”

“Now this is more like it,”  Ellen said.  “Why didn’t you bring this yesterday?”

“I actually forgot about it.  It came in with a broken zipper and I was going to send it back, but I got Cora to put in a new zipper and put a few custom touches for you.” Jesse confided.

“Viola?  Isn’t  she the one who makes the wedding dresses? My girls will be needing dresses.  I might ask her to make them some.”  Ellen’s eyes sparkled at the thought of dressing little girls.  “And I need something for the funeral.  Maybe Viola can fix up that black satin one for me.”

Jessie didn’t like that a bit.  “She has more jobs than she can handle now.  I can dress those girls for you in a flash.  How old are they?  I’ll bring some precious things over in a day or so?”

“Charlotte is  five years old and the baby is eight months.  You can come back tomorrow, but I still might talk to Viola. I want the Evans women to be the best-dressed in town!”  She had no idea of the challenge facing her.

 

 

With Ellen’s general improvement and desire to resume her social life, Charles knew it was time to reacquaint Ellen with her two youngest children.  She had no clear memory of her hospitalization and referred simply to her female troubles.  With Cousin Jean’s death, Geneva would be back home. It was time she was relieved of the responsility of the girls.  She was past seventy.  The worries put on her with Ellen’s illness and care of the girls had gone on too long.  His family must be reunited.

Cora laid a light lunch in anticipation of Geneva’s arrival.  The mother and daughter embraced.  “Mother, it seems like forever since I saw you.  Why didn’t you come see me when I was sick?  You’ve been away so long.  I missed you.”

“I missed you, too. I came to see you every day till I had to go to Cousin Jean’s.  You were on the mend, but you just don’t remember.” Geneva explained.

“How is Cousin Jean?  I need to get out to see her.  I’ve thought of her often lately, for some reason.  She is odd, but I love her.”  Ellen told her mother.

Geneva looked to Charles for help.  “Ellen, we’ve suffered a loss.  Cousin Jean died during the night.  Geneva found her this morning.  “This has all been really hard on Geneva.  You know Cousin Jean was like a mother to her.  She’s going to need us, now.”  Charles took Geneva’s hand.

Tears sprung to Ellen’s eyes as she moved to hug her mother.  “Oh, Mother.  I am so sorry.  I know how much Cousin Jean meant to you and to all of us.  I always loved our times on her farm.”

“It’s hard to lose her.  I feel like a ship with no anchor.  I’m the last of the old ones left now.  It won’t be too long till I’ve gone to her.” Geneva mourned.

“Oh Mother, don’t say that.”

Charles spoke softly, “Ellen, I need to talk to you about your illness and some family matters.  I know you’ll have questions, and I’ve been dreading this talk, so please let me get it over with.  This will come as a shock to you, but you didn’t just have simple “female trouble.”  You surprised us all by giving birth to a baby girl several months ago.  I know you’ve heard of “baby blues. Well, after the baby came, you had a nervous breakdown.  You were a danger to yourself and everyone around you.  You were admitted to a hospital in Dallas.  It took a while but you’re getting back to your old self.  Do you remember any of this?” He asked.

“I have had a lot of terrible dreams, but it’s not like I really remember.  Did the baby die?” she asked.

“Oh no.  She’s fine.  She’s eight months old now.  Geneva has been keeping her at Cousin Jean’s.  I didn’t want to spring her on you till I felt like you were back to yourself.  When you were so confused, I didn’t think she needed to be  around you. You haven’t mentioned our other little girl, Charlotte either, Do you remember her?”

Ellen’s eyes clouded.  “Charlotte!  I do remember Charlotte!  I thought I dreamed her up.  How can a mother forget her own children?”

“You were in such a state after the baby came suddenly, it was all too much for you and your mind shut down.  You didn’t notice the boys either, when you first got home.  I thought I’d lost you. I thank God you’re better every day.” Charles spoke.  “Now you’re better, we need to bring the girls home.”

“Yes.  I want to see my girls.” Ellen whispered.

Thursday morning Jessie brought Ellen ten dresses to choose from.  Ellen hadn’t realized she was still about twenty pounds heavier than her last fitting.  She could only squeeze into two of the ten.   The group included  a black satin evening dress and a turquoise and black day dress of a mature style she abhorred.  “I see my business is no longer important to you, Jessie Austin, if this is the best you can bring me.  Besides these are fourteens and you know I wear an eight.  Now take these and come back tomorrow with some pastel shades.  My grandma wouldn’t be caught dead in these old black rags,” Ellen spouted angrily.  With this, Ellen flopped on the bed in a tantrum, sobbing loudly.

“I’ll do what I can Miss Ellen, but most of the spring pastels are gone, but I think I do have a yellow one that would make you shine.  I can bring it by after four tomorrow if that suits you.”  Miss Jessie turned and went back in the bedroom to comfort Ellen and save herself.  She wouldn’t  have had Ellen and her mother not been her best customers,.   She’d  have walked Ellen’s back door and never looked back, but each of them bought hundreds of dollars every spring and fall.  “Miss Ellen, I just remembered I had a custom order for a yellow silk, and it was delayed so the woman had to buy something else. I do believe it is just what you want.   I’ll bring it by about four tomorrow if you like.  Also, I have some new bra and corset sets.  You know you need to try the dress with the foundation garments you’ll be wearing. I can bring those and stock by Peacock’s shoe store and pick up a couple of matching pairs of shoes for you to try.  I seem to remember you wear a six, don’t you?”  Miss Jessie asked.  “Now I need to measure you to make sure of your size.  Ellen  turned her back and Jessie measured her bust and waist.  “I’ll be back tomorrow with something you’re gonna love, in exactly your size.  I won’t disappoint you again.”

Jessie hurried to her shop to get the size ten ,yellow, silk dress.   measured it and found it a full four inches too small in the bust and waist.  Fortunately, the wide butterfly sleeves would not need altercation.  She took the dress back to Viola Perkins who was doing alterations in a cluttered back room of the shop.  Jessie always acted like she didn’t see the clutter.  She couldn’t risk annoying such a valuable employee.  Viola made and sold custom wedding, bridesmaid’s, mother of the bride, and flower girl dresses through Jessie’s shop.  Patrons had to order their dresses a year ahead, she was so busy.  Jessie sold lots of lingerie and trousseau to brides, so it worked for both of them.

“Viola, I need a huge favor.  Ellen Pendergrass asked me to bring her some dresses.  She’s been in the hospital and gained a lot of weight.  I know this dress is far too little for her, but it’s the only thing I’ve got that might work.  Can you please alter it? I’ll pay you twenty five dollars to fix it. I have her bust and waist measurements right here.  And whatever you do, don’t mention her weight to anybody.  Dr. Charles will have our heads if we upset her.” Jessie handed her the dress.  “If this goes well, she’ll want several more.”

Viola sighed and put down her work. She spread the dress flat on her worktable and measured.  “I think I’ve got something that will work.”  She pulled out some pale yellow silk and a large piece of lace overlay.  With her scissors she split the dress from neckline to hem.”  Jessie gasped.  It was so quick, she couldn’t imagine  anything good could come of it.  Viola carefully placed the lace overlay over the yellow silk.  Without a hint of a pattern, she snipped away at the front and back necklines, lowering them.   She quickly put a new zipper in. She’d done alterations for Ellen many times and knew she loved showing off her swan-like neck and voluptuous bosom.  Jessie lost her nerve and left the sewing room, wondering how it would ever be a dress again.  By the time Jessie got in the next morning, the sumptuous dress  and a silk-lined lacewrap were in the window for all to see.

“Viola, I have one more thing I need you to do  Take the size ten tag off and exchange it for a size eight.”

Several women stopped in wanting to buy it, but of course, it wasn’t for sale at any price.  Jessie sent them back to see if Viola wanted to make any of them a dress of a different pattern.

Jessie skipped lunch after the morning rush and took a swatch of the silk to Peacock’s Shoe Store.  “Mr. Peacock, I need some of your best shoes to match this swatch.   I promised to bring a dress over for her this afternoon, and I’m sure she’ll want a matching bag and shoes  the outfit is for an afternoon tea.  She said she wants a size six.”  Jessie said.

“Well she must be planning to wear them for earrings, then..I always send her a seven and a half and just mark out the size.  Otherwise, I’d never get her to buy nothin’ .How do these two pair look?  He pulled out two pair of alligator shoes, one pale yellow and one bone color and two matching purses.

Those are beautiful.  Can I just take both pair of shoes and bring them back if they won’t do.” asked Jessie.

“Why sure, but I don’t anticipate getting the back.  That woman’s bought more shoes from me than Carter has little liver pills.

About nine-thirty the next morning, Ellen came down to the kitchen for breakfast.  Cora could tell she wanted to talk and dreaded what might be coming..  “Cora, I need you to call the Cut and Curl and tell Marjean to come over about two.  I need a trim and style, and a red tint.  Now I want Marjean, not just anybody, you hear.”  she was emphatic.

“Miss Ellen, I can sure call her, but she might not come on my say so.”  Cora wasn’t too happy about passing that message on to Mss Marjean.  Miss Marjean could be quite hateful, especially to black people.   She wanted them to stay in their place.  Cora knew Miss Marjean would think she was “getting out of her place, telling her what to do.  Besides, Miss Marjean was albusiness.  She definitely didn’t want to be around with when Miss Marjean was trying to pick Miss Ellen’s businesstry. “Dear Jesus!  You got to help us.  Dr. Evans has got to tell Miss Ellen about them sweet babies before somebody else does.

Instead of calling  MIss Marjean, Cora called Dr. Evans and told him about Ellen’s plan, Dr. Charles said he would take care of it.  He was headed home right now, anyway. Geneva had just called him and told him Cousin Jean had passed.  Geneva, the girls and Josie would be home in an hour or so.  He didn’t think Ellen had been close to Cousin Jean, but he wanted to tell her before Geneva got home.  Geneva was very upset.  Cousin Jean was the only mother she’d ever known.

 

 

”

 

 

Those days at Cousin Jean’s farm were golden.  The children basked in the love showered on them.  Geneva treasured her times with Cousin Jean, knowing her elderly relative’s time was running out.  Cousin Jean had a special affinity for little Charley, knowing the difficulties that lay ahead, difficulties she had faced decades earlier.  She and Geneva had many discussions of how Charley’s road could be made easier, especially in view of Ellen’s feelings toward her.  Cousin Jean resolved to leave her farm to Charley, knowing it would be a refuge and living.  Geneva felt greatly relieved, knowing the child would be well provided for.

Ellen slowly improved after her return home.  Her recent memory was cloudy due to the shock treatments.  She still spent most of her days quietly in her room, but Charles asked that she join him and the boys in the dining room every evening, hoping to ease her back into normalcy.  The boys chafed at formal dining and often wriggled out of it, but Ellen was starting to inquire about their school and sports again.  She’d not mentioned the girls, but did ask after her mother.  She was a bit miffed at learning her mother was attending Cousin Jean, but softened upon learning Cousin Jean’s health was failing.  “I suppose it’s only natural she’d want to be with her.  Cousin Jean was the closest she had to a mother.”  She sat quietly and sipped her wine.  “Charles, I am starting to feel lonely.  I am still to weak to go out, but I’d like to see my friend Sarah Marshall.  I think I’ll ask Cora set a light tea and invite her over a week from Thursday.  Do you think I’ve recovered my looks enough to see her?  I wouldn’t want word to get out that I’ve lost my looks.”

Charles was pleased to hear of her interest.  “You are still weak, but you seem stronger every day.  I love your hair in that soft curly style.  It makes you look like a girl.  I’ve noticed lots of women are starting to cut their hair.  You’ve gotten your figure back, too.  I think it would do you good to have Sarah to tea.  I could get Miss Jessie to send you some dresses over to try if you like.  If that doesn’t tire you too much, I think it would be good to have Sarah to tea one afternoon.  Let’s just see how it goes over the next few days.”

Charles made up his mind to talk to Sarah and Miss Jessie, warning them not to ask disturbing questions.  The time was approaching when they’d have to talk about the girls.  He’d not gone into her illness and she hadn’t asked specifically.  so far, she’d been satisfied when he’d alluded to female troubles and complications.