Front Porch Tales

However, all of the beauty did little to lift Victoria’s mood. As soon as she walked through the immaculately carved doors, she found herself swept in to the bright colors of gowns and decorations. Laughter and voices mingled with the orchestra of music. Jonathan and Peter were waiting with their parents in what looked like a welcoming line. “I am so glad that you ladies could join us this evening.” Victoria had to strain her ear to hear the pleasantries exchanged. Following Marie’s lead, she smiled politely and gave a short curtsy. Alice apparently still preferred a hand shake for a greeting. ‘We will be starting momentarily. Feel free to acquaint yourself with the refreshment table.”

Jonathan and Peter took their father’s comment as a cue to escort the new arrivals to the large table that was positioned near a window. “Mother had a large cake made for this occasion. You will notice that a large section has already been eaten, and no doubt by these hungry ranch hands.” Jonathan smiled at Victoria as if she should understand his joke more than the others. As if to prove Jonathan’s statement, a large man, probably near Jonathan’s age, came up to the tale and placed three large slices of cake on his plate. Just as he shoved a bite in his mouth he seemed to notice that he had and audience. His full mouth and wide eyes made a very hilarious picture, and Victoria had a difficult time keeping the smile off of her face. She distracted herself by grabbing the glass of punch that Peter handed her. She had no sooner taken a drink when the large man moved away from the table toward the other side of the room and called for everyone’s attention. His voice was loud enough to silence the room. “Tom is going to come say a few words, but before he does I want to say thanks to his lovely wife for putting this wing-ding together.  Applause erupted in the room and Victoria saw Anne standing near the door entrance smiling appreciatively at her guests. “Of course,” The attention returned to the big man. “I don’t know why she insists on cutting the cake pieces so small!” Laughter filled the room as Tom made his way toward through the crowd. “Well not everyone has the large mouth that you have, Lucas.” He fondly slapped the large man on the shoulder and turned to face the crowd.

“Welcome everyone! We are pleased that you all have come for this annual Christmas party. Our wonderful musicians will begin to play some of our favorite dances and waltzes. So without any further ado, grab a partner and enjoy the evening.” Applause followed Tom as he made his way back to his wife and twirled her onto the dance floor. Everyone quickly began to choose partners and follow their host’s lead. Victoria made her way to a chair that sat against the wall. She soon realized that the dancing was more chaotic than beautiful. Each couple seemed to be dancing their own style and there were more than a few collisions. She began to feel her mood lighten even more as she listened to the laughter. Several young men asked her to dance but she politely declined. It seemed to her that this disordered sort of dancing would only serve to frustrate her. She preferred rather to grab some more refreshments and stay hidden in a corner.

She was nearly to the table when the music to the song ended. Some couples moved toward the refreshment table but quickly changed their minds when a gentle sound came from a single fiddle. Victoria had not heard the fiddle before this song, but she was fascinated by the clear and precise notes. Victoria moved along the wall so that she could avoid the couples and still see the front of the room. She was shocked to see Philip was the one playing the fiddle. He wore a suit which was completely different from the outfit he had worn when he had picked Marie and her up to take them to church that one Sunday. Victoria felt herself drawn the music and began to sway back and forth.

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Miss Lydia had been standing near the door as if afraid to come any nearer to the bed. As the doctor stood to leave, Miss Lydia made one step forward. “What is wrong with her, Doctor? Bed rest must be serious?”

The doctor put a finger to his lips to silence any more questions, and then motioned for Miss Lydia to follow him out of the room. Victoria turned her head to the wall and sighed. There was no telling what the doctor would report to the school, but she knew he would not be able to give a false diagnosis. She knew she was becoming overly upset about nothing but she knew that she was almost enjoying feeling sorry for herself. She fell asleep with those very thoughts on her mind.

                                                ~

Victoria was startled out her sleep by a sudden burst of light and a hard slap on the arm. “Time to get up and out of that bed.”

Victoria tried to focus her eyes and block out all of the sounds of banging dresser drawers and the clanging water pitcher on the wash bowl. Her bones refused to move and she turned over to ignore all of the business in the room. She could tell that whoever was in the room had walked over to the bed and stopped. Victoria chose to ignore the persistent silence until she was suddenly drenched in a flood of ice cold water. All the lazy ones in her body could not speak out against the screaming goose bumps on her skin. Victoria jumped from her bed ready to throw her fists at her assaulter, but stopped short when she saw Miss Lydia standing there with pitcher in hand.

Victoria stood with her mouth gaping and water dripping from her face. Miss Lydia had a certain look on her face that suggested that she had found great pleasure in what she had just done. “Good! I was beginning to worry that you were glued to that bed." Without another word, Miss Lydia moved to set the water pitcher back on the dresser and then hurled a towel at Victoria which landed on her shoulder and slipped to the floor. “You had better find yourself in a nice dress by two this afternoon. Many of the girls have been invited to a gathering at the Garnett ranch. Personally, I do not care how you decide to dress or how you feel about it, but I do not give you the choice to fail to attend.” With one final look, Miss Lydia left the room shutting the door with a firm thud. Victoria slowly bent to retrieve the towel as she began to process the event that had just startled her out of a restful sleep.

                                                ~

Several coaches were hitched and waiting near the entrance of the school to transport the students to the Garnett’s ranch. Victoria felt less than half-way presentable. Her days in bed had only served to give her a ghastly pallor and dark circles under her eyes. She despised being forced to a party and decided that she really had no one to impress. She chose one of her simple gowns to wear for the party. She did allow Marie to fashion her hair in a Chignon with curls cascading down her cheeks. It was not the most fashionable look, but it did well to enhance her rather disheveled appearance.

Miss Lydia waited by the front door of the dorm when the girls made their way out of their rooms. She gave Victoria an appraising glance before turning to the other girls. Victoria remained silent in the carriage and only occasionally glanced out the window at the melting snow.

The ranch porch was lit with candles, and Tom and Anne Garnett stood at the entrance to greet the guests. Anne looked exquisite in a light blue, silk gown. The scent of evergreen wafted through the air and music could be heard coming from somewhere in the house. Victoria followed the group to a large room which she had not previously seen.

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It was quite some time before Alice took a deep breath and turned to look at Victoria. Her face was splotchy and red and her eyes held the look of someone who was lost and in despair; a look that she remembered coming from a hurt horse she had taken care of last summer. “Thank you.” Her simple words warmed Victoria’s heart and she nodded and offered a gentle smile. “Do you want to talk about it?” Alice momentarily averted her eyes to the wall before speaking. “You know, I go there every week hoping to see him and never finding him.” “Going to see who, Alice?” The question left the room silent leaving Victoria to feel like she should not have asked, but her fears were soon proved false. “My pa left me here as soon as I got old enough and I have not seen him since.” Her body rocked with another heavy sob before she continued. “One day on our way to mass I thought I caught a glimpse of him. I was so excited to see him that I hurried to follow him until he stopped at a saloon and looked back. I immediately knew that it was him and he looked me straight in the eye but he turned around and entered the building before I could say anything. I followed him into the saloon but only found a room filled with foul smelling, rude men.” The last words trailed off as if she could not bear to speak them. At that moment Victoria had no words to speak as the guilt of her thoughts from the past few weeks hit her so hard that she began to cry. She had supposed the worst of Alice when in fact she just needed to be a friend. Her pa would have been ashamed of her for judging a person by first appearance. Alice eyed Victoria with genuine surprise at having someone care. “Today I went to my same table and waited for hours and then I saw him walk in the door.” Her breath caught in her throat and it seemed like she would start to cry all over again, but she managed to continue. “You know what he did?” She did not pause for Victoria to guess. “He stopped right at my table and said ‘girl, you get out of here and don’t come back!’ You should have seen his eyes. They were… I could tell he never wanted to see me again.” Alice slammed her fist against the wall which made something come loose from behind the wall and clatter to the floor. “I hate him!” She hissed with genuine pain in her eyes. Victoria did felt that no words would be the correct words to speak but she laid her hand on Alice’s knee and said. “I am sorry.” Apparently the words were enough for Alice as she moved closer to Victoria and grasped her in a tight hug. The flood of tears came again and did not stop until Alice began to sink heavier against Victoria who realized that Alice had drifted off to sleep. Victoria gently laid her friend down on the bed and pulled the covers over her shoulders. “Sleep well, Alice.” She then made her way across the room and silently slipped into her own covers with a new respect for her roommate.

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Marie asked her brother only to receive a slight nod. Silence fell among the group like a thick fog and Victoria pretended to be distracted by her ice cream. The silence remained until Clara came back through the kitchen. “Did you all get aquatinted?” Marie rolled her eyes and then looked from Clara to Troy as if that was all that was needed to explain. Clara perched her lips and shook her head back and forth. “Well, you girls have a good day and try not to freeze out there.” Marie stood from the bar and turned to look at Victoria who hurriedly finished off her last bite before dropping her spoon into the empty glass and moved to follow Marie’s hurried footsteps out the door. The bell rang loudly as the door slammed behind them. Victoria stole a glance through the window and saw that Clara was confronting her son and he did not like it at all. His face turned to a scowl as he tossed the towel onto the counter and stormed into the kitchen. Marie was already a good distance in front of Victoria before she realized she was alone and turned around. “Sorry you had to be in the middle of all that.” She dramatically gestured to at the café. “Troy has had a difficult time of things lately.” Victoria squinted her eyes in question before looking at Marie who turned around and began walking. “Come on and I will tell you about it on the way back to school.” That was an excellent idea since the wind had picked up a little and there was no sign of a surprise ride. Marie took a deep breath as if she was about to tell a terrible secret. “Well, I came to school my freshman year with my best friend. We would often visit the café and my mom invited us both for dinner on many nights. It wasn’t long before my brother became fascinated with my friend and I was positive the feeling was mutual. But about a year ago she told me she was leaving to marry someone she had met over the summer. When my brother found out I thought he would never smile again.” Marie stopped and turned to face Victoria. “You should have seen how much it hurt him, Victoria, it would help you understand why he acted the way he did today. I really think he was going to ask her to marry him.” The school was in site and neither girl spoke as they finished their walk and parted at their doors. ~ ~ ~ That evening Victoria flopped on her bed and allowed her mind to sift through the day’s events. She soon found herself comparing the Philip and Troy. There just was hardly any comparison; Troy let his pain dictate his actions while Philip was a perfect gentleman. Her mind succumbed to weariness as she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep. She had not been asleep for long before a noise startled her awake. She saw a dark figure slowly move toward the other bed and she knew it must be Alice returning from one of her Sunday excursions. She studied Alice and noticed that her shoulders were stopped more than usual and she didn’t even bother to change before lying down in her bed. “Is everything ok Alice?” Alice jumped slightly at the question and then turned indignantly turned her head toward the wall. Victoria decided to repeat the question. “Leave me alone”, Came the muffled reply. “Hey, if there is something wrong…” “You can’t do anything so leave me be!” Alice’s voice cracked with every word. Victoria threw her covers off and moved over to the other side of the room. A few moments more of silence passed between the two and then Victoria timidly lowered herself to the side of the bed and gently touched Alice’s shoulder. A quiet sob came from her still form and as Victoria began to caress her hair.

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Marie’s mom acted as if she didn’t notice how awkward the moment was and hurried off to get the order. A few moments passed before she glided through the door. “This will probably be a cold treat on a day like today.” Marie said as her mother placed the ice cream in front of Victoria. Victoria picked the dish up and crammed a mouthful in but soon felt her mistake and shut her eyes tightly. Marie laughed at the expression on her face. “ Oh my! Victoria let a heavy breath escape her lips. “My tongue feels numb.” The words came out with such a funny sound that all three began to laugh. Marie recovered first and decided to give proper introductions. “Mother, this is Victoria Clement.” Victoria took a deep breath as she reached out to accept the hand extended to her. “Nice to meet you Victoria, I am Clara Jones. I should have warned you to take smaller bites but….” Clara covered her mouth with her hand to hide a chuckle. “Dear, your face was priceless.” Once again they all began to laugh and did not notice the young man who came through the kitchen door. He noticed that a new customer had entered the diner and made hurried to take the order. When he was finished, Clara motioned for him to come over to their group. “Troy, come over here and meet Marie’s friend.”

Troy smiled politely in response but did not speak a word. Marie’s last “friend” was still very much a part of his memory and he wanted no part of this new friendship. “What’s the face for son?”

Troy realized that he had been scowling and shook his head back and forth to signal that it was nothing to worry about. Clara shrugged her shoulders and tossed a cloth napkin over Troy’s shoulder. “Hold the counter for me for a little bit.” Then just before she snuck disappeared behind the kitchen door she whispered into his ear. “You can’t run from girls your whole life.” Troy rolled his eyes and began scrubbing the counter down with vigor. “Mom keeping you busy, Troy?” Marie asked her brother only to receive a slight nod.

 Copyright © 2012 by Valencia Shove 

 

Front Porch Tales 13

Marie had kindly explained the issue to Victoria but without making headway. Her friend still saw nothing wrong with her forwardness. The service went as usual with the organ keeping the entire congregation in some form of order as they sang the chosen hymns. One older lady bellowed out with all of her might in the parts of the song that should have been quieter but the rest of the congregation just continued as if the behavior was expected. As the preacher got up to give his address to the people, Marie peeked over at Victoria to see how she was fairing. She was sitting up straight in her seat as if afraid to move and when the preacher slammed his fist down on the pulpit, she almost jumped clear out of her chair. “Brothers, sisters have you been set free? Have you made peace with God? You have no right to say what will happen tomorrow for you know not what tomorrow will bring. Give God your heart!” Once again he pounded his fist hard on the pulpit. “Boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

After the service, Marie hurried Victoria to the back of the church where the pastor stood talking with each person before they left. “Ah, miss Marie! It is very good to see.” As he spoke he looked toward Victoria and smiled. Marie quickly introduced the two before another couple came up behind them.

As they walked out, Victoria breathed in a gulp of the cold air and realized she had been holding her breath near the pastor. There was something about the way he looked at her; like he could see straight through her mind, to the confused and doubting thoughts that lurked there. To her relief Marie did not push any questions as they started walking back. Just a few buildings down from the church, Marie suddenly turned and began to enter a small yellow building. “Wait, where are you going?” Victoria asked while scanning the building. A peak in the windows revealed tables situated on both sides of the building and Victoria quickly gathered that it was a small café. “Come on; let’s get a hot chocolate or something.” A little bell caught the door as they entered the quaint room.  Fire burned brightly in a fire place, which was situated in the corner of the room, helping to take the chill out of their bones. Marie led them to a couple seats at the bar as someone yelled from the back room. “I will be with you in just a moment.” True to her word, moments later a tall blond haired woman entered the room and smiled brightly. “Let me guess, chocolate?” She sent a wink in Victoria’s direction while watching Marie shake her head. “You know me too well, mom.” It took a moment for the word, mom, to register in Victoria’s mind and then she realized that in her ignorance, she had failed to consider that some of the girls were from the same town. “And what would you like?” Victoria noticed that she had been staring and quickly averted her eyes to the menu written on a black board. “I think I will try the chocolate ice cream.” Feeling had still not returned to her feet from the cold outside but she was suddenly felt hot enough to melt the snow. She didn’t have to be embarrassed and it made her feel foolish for losing control. 

Front porch tales 12

This week has been a crazy one but I managed to get a little written tonight in between work and a concert. We headed to a nearby town to listen to the Grascal bluegrass band. They were amazing of course! So here is the next clip of the story. Hope you have a great Sunday!!!

This was a question that only Marie could answer and Victoria nudged her friend’s elbow. “We were headed toward the small country church just a few blocks from here.” Marie waited long enough to see the recognition in Philip’s face and then turned her head away once again. Victoria smiled sheepishly, attempting to apologize for Marie’s strange behavior. The trio remained silent for the remainder of the ride and once Philip pulled up in front of the church and helped both girls down, Victoria felt the need to break the silence. “Brrrr!” She rubbed her arms up and down and stomped her feet. “Mr. Sheldon wasn’t it?” she addressed the young man in front of her who responded with a nod. “Thank you for saving me from freezing this morning. Marie is more accustomed to the cold but I have been spoilt with being by a fire on most days this cold.” The statement was appreciated and Victoria marveled at how his entire face lit up when he smiled. “You’re most welcome!” It was this statement that alerted Marie to the need to be polite. “We both appreciate it, Mr. Sheldon. Will you be attending the service this morning?” The smile that was once in place suddenly disappeared and he shifted his gaze toward the church door. “I don’t think so.” He then turned toward his buggy and climbed aboard. “Thanks again.” Victoria waved politely as he drove away wondering at his sudden change of attitude, but there was no time to ponder because Marie had already headed toward the front porch steps so she had no choice but to follow.

                                                          ~    ~   ~

Philip pushed his horse as hard as he could without tearing the wagon apart. He knew it wouldn’t help him escape what had just transpired, but he did hope that he could begin to breathe again. Would he be in the service? The question sent a strange sensation of anger and pain through his heart. He knew that he had to get out of there before he made a fool of himself. It didn’t take his horse long to start breathing hard and Philip pulled back on the reigns. “Woe boy!” He had arrived at the one place he knew to go in order to gather his thoughts. Right here in the silence of the cemetery, Philip had sorted through how he would survive the hardships of life. He had asked himself many times why life was even worth living but somehow, he always found something to keep him going. After tying his horse to a tree limb, he made his way through the rows of grave markers. Each had a name, a date of birth, and a date of death. Not enough to really hold a memory but at least their family would have something to remember; something to mark that their family member had lived on this earth. The same could not be said for his parents who had taken their lives by plunging straight into the river. Philip often questioned his parent’s actions. Suicide had to be the most selfish act of all acts. His parents found some twisted romance in dying together but apparently never considered the son and daughter they had left behind. If he had been older, he would have made sure that he stayed with his sister. They were toted from place to place until the day when someone came to take his little sister with them. He tried to be brave as she packed her suit case. Before the two had been taken from their home, Philip had taken his mom’s favorite locket which contained a picture of his mom and dad. He had placed the necklace around his sister’s neck just before she left. “Don’t forget, don’t ever forget.”

Philip suddenly realized that he had spoken the words out loud as he had done so many years ago. He could trace his lack of belief in God to that very point in his life. The pain that came from the events throughout his life could never be allowed by a God who was to love and care for his creation. Even if God did exist and care for him, Philip could not bring himself to love and respect someone so harsh. Since the day his sister was taken from him, he had learned to get through life with his own skill, power, and determination. If others chose to believe a God like that, they were more than free to but Philip chose to stay as far away as possible. He sighed as he turned back to where his horse waited for him. Wasting the day away with hopeless thoughts would never benefit him, so he decided to head back to town and get busy with something productive.

~ ~ ~

Marie had angled herself in the pew and patted the seat next to her for Victoria to have a seat. She knew that her behavior was deplorable but Victoria had no right accepting a ride from a total stranger, and especially one that was a man. Her mother would have had heart failure if she had known what they had done.

                                  Copyright © 2004 by Valencia Shove 

front porch tales 11

I was so going to write more today but this is all I finished ... :)

Marie politely shook her head and continued forward but Victoria, who felt frozen to the bone, decided it would be best to take the offer and hurry their trip to the church. “That would be very nice, but are you sure it won’t be out of your way?”

Marie stopped suddenly and looked back at Victoria with an exasperated look. She appeared like she would say something to contradict Victoria but the young man had already pulled his buggy to a stop and hurried to jump down from his seat. “My name is Philip Sheldon.” He tipped his hat with proper etiquette and then offered his hand to assist Victory into the buggy. He then turned to look at Marie who was still standing a distance away. “Are you coming?”

Marie hesitated a moment longer before moving forward and accepted his outstretched hand. She seated herself on the other side of Victoria and turned her head away from them. Philip sent Victoria a puzzled look but sat down and grabbed the reigns “Where to ladies?”

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I just have to say that I think it is so funny when I am writing along and suddenly a character adopts a different name. This happened this evening as I was writing... Marie suddenly became Mary and I was getting all confused :) I think we got this problem fixed but let me know if you see any more!!

Marie recognized the awkwardness of the moment and decided to return to her purpose for coming. “We would have to leave a half hour earlier because the walk is a bit longer and services begin sooner.”

Victoria had a hard enough time going to mass when she first arrived at the school, and to go to an entirely different church would be difficult. She had no idea what to expect. At home, religion revolved around horses.  

“Well?” Marie prodded for an answer.

“I don’t know, Marie.”

“Come now, it will be an adventure, and besides I would enjoy the company.” Her voice was a pathetic pleading and Victoria turned to look at her reflection in the window then smiled. How could she refuse such a pitiful request? “Yes, I think I shall go.” She turned back toward Marie and glanced at Alice. “What about Alice?”

“She is still invited and I am sure we would all three have a splendid time.” A little snort came from the other side of the room but Alice remained in the position of staring at the wall as if there were a large spider creeping up the plaster. Little did the girls know that Alice was suffering an inner battle. She couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact that these two girls were offering her a friendship even after all she had done. From the very beginning, Alice could not remember ever being accepted, neither by friends nor by her parents.  Her parents had never given her anything other than her life. The first nine years of her life were spent in an orphanage and after that she was moved from home to home. She quickly discovered that the only way to survive in her cruel world was to put a wall up around her and give no one a chance to harm her. In return for her protective cover no one ever showed her kindness and she was determined that her two schoolmates were no different.

“No, I think not.” With her face still to the wall, she had to imagine that they were looking at each other with smug faces but then Marie spoke. “I am sorry to hear that, I was really looking forward to you coming.” Alice had to turn around to see if Marie looked as sincere as she sounded. If she didn’t know better, Alice would have thought that Marie actually looked upset.

~ ~ ~

By morning a thin layer of snow covered everything in sight. Victoria glance outside only long enough to realize that she would have to dress warmly. Then she hurried to dress and arrange her hair in a braid. She must hurry in order to be at the church on time. Alice was gone already and Victoria couldn’t help but let her mind wonder to why her roommate would be going to a saloon every Sunday. She could turn her in but not when Alice was just getting to where she was bearable. A knock at the door startled her from her thoughts and she moved to let Marie in. “I am just about finished, just need to slip on my shoes.” Marie gazed at her with a funny grin on her face. “I’ve never see you wear that dress before.” Victoria took a quick look down to observe what she was actually wearing. “I should think not since we never see each other on Sunday.” She twirled around, allowing the dress to fill out. “Does it look like too much?”

Marie nodded her head back and forth. “It is perfect! Now come on or we will be late.”

The air was crisp as the girls stomped through the snow and Victoria quickly decided that she would have preferred not to be walking. When they were not too far from the school, Victoria heard a horse approaching and a quick glance over her shoulder revealed that a buggy was approaching and slowing down as it neared them. “Good morning ladies.”

Both girls glanced up at the driver and noted that he was probably no older than they were.

“Could I offer you a ride? I am going your way.”

front porch tales 9

                                                    ~   ~  ~

Later that evening, Victoria was busy brushing out her long red curls and Alice was lounging on her own, beloved bed. Never exchanging polite conversation, not even looking at one another; but when someone knocked on the door the answered in unison. “Come in.” Each was shocked by the other’s voice but they both chose to ignore the annoying intrusion of the other. “How are both of you this evening?” Marie said cheerily. Victoria smiled in return but Alice only grunted and turned her face toward the wall. Marie envied the grit her friend displayed in the face of such opposition. If it were her living in this room, she just knew that she would die. Rumor had it that no one had ever survived the first week in the same room as Alice but Victoria had made it through an entire month!

It was for this reason that Marie decided to extend her invitation to both girls. She sat down on the edge of Victoria’s bed. “As you both know, tomorrow is Sunday and I wanted to invite you ‘both’ to come to church with me.” Victoria looked puzzled and Marie decided to explain. “I know that the girls are required to attend mass but that is only if you have no other church organization to attend.”

This statement seemed to interest Alice because she made a slight move which made the floor boards beneath her bed squeak in protest.

“Is that why I never see you at mass?” Victoria asked and then smirked toward Alice. “That must be Alice’s reason as well.” The words hung in the air with a thickness that hinted at the exaggeration to such a statement. Alice would walk with the rest of the girls but would stop just before reaching the church corner. Out of curiosity one day, Victoria had followed her and could not believe it when she saw her roommate walk into a saloon. Victoria had to hurry back to the church before someone discovered her but she felt the need to inform someone. Talking directly to Alice would only make life more unbearable and it could even land her flat on her back.

Marie recognized the awkwardness of the moment and decided to return to her purpose. “We would have to leave a half hour earlier because the walk is a bit longer and services begin sooner.”

Front Porch Tales... I think we are on 8

The girl jumped in surprised and one of the pitchers of water toppled over and poured straight down her uniform.

“Oh dear, oh dear!” She cried while frantically trying to soak up the water on the tray.

“I’m so sorry; can I help you with those?” Victoria indicated at the tray with her finger. “No thank y’ miss.” But even as she said the words, her eyes darted around the room and she looked as if she would change her mind when a plate suddenly slipped from the tray and crashed into a hundred little slivers of glass all over the wood floor. Fear ignited her eyes as she sat the tray down on the table and scrambled to pick the pieces up. Simultaneously, the kitchen door swung open and an over grown man practically ran across the dining room. “I swear you are the most feather minded bird brain ever put on this earth!” The man crossed his arm and watched as the servant continued to pick up the pieces and once the task was complete, he lifted her up by the arm and headed toward the kitchen. “This will come out of your pay.” Victoria could hear the man saying as they disappeared behind the door.

Marie had been looking for Victoria and entered the room just as the plate crashed to the ground. She remained motionless until the servants were gone and then moved to pull Victoria away from the mess. “Come Victoria, leave the servants be.”

When Victoria turned around, Marie noticed the tears streaming down her face. She placed a gentle arm around her friend’s shoulders and slowly walked her from the room. “You have to know that students are not permitted to socialize in any way with the servants.” At these words, Victoria’s cheeks flamed with heat, her jaw tightened, and she shook Marie’s arm from her shoulder. “How dare you!” Marie did not need an explanation for the reaction because she knew how much Victoria disliked the separation of class. “Victoria, the servants have rules and punishments also.”

The words seemed to register somewhere deep in Victoria and she closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. “That man had no right to punish her. For pity sake, she broke a plate! How bad can that be?”

Marie did not respond. What could she say? The girls in the school all realized the conditions which the servants worked, but it was an unspoken rule among them not to speak of the situation at any time. The two had now made their way outside to an empty glider. “You should be glad I walked in and not Miss Lydia, or any of the staff for that matter!” Marie surprised both of them by chuckling lightly. “Not only were you ‘talking’ to a servant, but you were talking to a girl can’t even return conversation.” Marie shook her head slightly back and forth as she giggled until she noticed the startled look on her friend’s face. “She is dumb, or at least that is suspected because she has not uttered a word since she arrived at the school.” The explanation did not ease Victoria’s confusion at all because she distinctly remembered the servant talking.