18 — Reflections
October 18, 1938
"I got something for you."
"Oh?" Nola cocked a brow at the garment bag in Ruby's hands.
"For that party you're invited to, remember? And you invited me to come along? I took that list of ideas you had..."
Easing by Nola, Ruby laid the bag across the bed, then sat in the vacant chair before the typewriter.
"How's the new work coming along?" she asked, glancing at the stack of pages.
"Beautifully, actually. You might say you've inspired me."
"Oh I have, have I? What, are you writing about my fascinating and salacious life on Broadway?"
Nola shrugged and moved to lounge on the bed.
"Could be. If you're very good, maybe I'll let you read some of it."
"Well then," Ruby smiled, "I'll have to be very, very good."
They found, when they woke, that their exertions had led them to sleep the afternoon and much of the evening away. Nola sat up, glanced at the clock, and yawned.
"Could you do," she said, "with a bite to eat."
Ruby stretched, nodded, and rolled to wrap her arms around Nola's waist.
"I'll say. I'm famished."
For a moment Nola slid back down beneath the sheets, but then she sat up again and got out of bed.
"If you feel up to going downstairs, I know a spot we should be able to get some really first-rate food."
"We gonna eat in the hotel restaurant?"
"Not really."
Nola was going through the wardrobe now, and she emerged with a pair of chic, but understated, gowns over her arm.
"We're just about the same size," she said.
"This should fit you."
"Gee," Ruby grinned, and studied the gown lying over her lap, "it's fantastic!"
"And you'll make it look even more so. Now, my dear, let's dress and march off to battle. Or at least to make a quick raid on the party down in the ballroom."
Twenty minutes later, they were on their way down in the elevator, elegantly gowned and quickly, though neatly, coiffed.
"What sorta party is this?" Ruby asked.
"From what I heard, some daughter of privilege is turning 21. From personal experience, the family should be putting on quite the spread."
The ballroom was awash in a sea of white and pink crêpe paper bunting, with the crème of society cutting about like glamorous fish, dancing here, sweeping over to gossip there. Nola and Ruby made their way politely and discretely through the throng, finding themselves at last near the refreshments.
"What did I tell you?" Nola drawled.
The food and drink options were, as predicted, abundant. Canapés, cakes, even what seemed like options for a complete dinner abounded. A waiter passed, carrying aloft a salver loaded with flutes of champagne rosé. Ruby carefully snatched two of the glasses and offered one to Nola. Then the two settled themselves in a decent spot between the refreshments and a wall, the better to people-watch as they ate.
The birthday girl was easily spotted. She was the center of attention anywhere she passed, a lithe, laughing figure in a simple-but-gorgeous white satin gown, trimmed in platinum lace and scattered with opalescent beads. The shimmer and glow of the dress served to highlight the girl's peaches-and-cream complexion and the honey-gold of her hair.
She, Nola thought, was the sort of girl parents might not mind seeing their daughter bring home.
At least as a friend.
The thought drew Nola to study Ruby. In the time they had known each other she had engaged deeply in such study, but now she really looked.
Ruby was lovely, with her alabaster skin, her eyes and hair so deep brown in color — the hair was really almost black, with very occasional red strands — and her statuesque build. The borrowed black gown she wore suited her, and she it. Besides appearance, of course, there was her personality. Ruby was sharp, witty, with a grand sense of humor and an innate kindness that resonated from her.
Still, Nola knew, her parents would never approve of Ruby, even as a friend. She might be kind and funny, but she was "not our sort", as Mother would say.
Mother.
Mother, who always wanted to make Nola fit in a neat case.
Mother, who would no doubt take to bed for a month if she knew of Nola's intimate proclivities.
Nola drained her champagne, looked around, and rested a hand on Ruby's arm.
"My dear," she said, "I'm suddenly bored to death. What say we go change into some less showy clothes and go somewhere a little more our speed?"
Ruby smiled and patted Nola's hand.
"You read my mind."
Posted Oct 18, 2019, 6:15 AM UTC · edited