September Wind (20 page)

             
“I’ll have a grilled cheese, and some french-fries. Oh, and a coke. I hardly ever had coke back home.”

             
Maxine rolled her eyes, scribbled the order, and sauntered towards the kitchen.

             
While Emily waited for her sandwich, she opened the letter to Samuel, deciding that whether or not Maxine was right about him, she was willing to take the chance. At the bottom, she added that she would like to meet him at
Mack’s House of Food.
gave a date a couple weeks out, and then if he couldn’t make that, she set up another meeting for a month away, on November 19th, between noon and two p.m. She described what she looked like, where she would sit, and if he couldn’t make it that day, she would be there again on December 19, same time. At the bottom, she added that a waitress told her she might be able to help her, although she wasn’t sure if it was with a job or a place to stay. She sealed the letter and took it to a mailbox she noticed up the street. When she returned, her food was on the table, and Maxine was taking an order a couple of booths down.

Several customers came in as she ate, along with another waitress arriving for the next shift.

              “
Well, kid,” Maxine said as she stepped to her table. She unwrapped and folded a piece of gum into her mouth.               “It wasn’t easy, but I managed to pull some strings.”

             
“
What do you mean?”

             
“
Well, if you wait here while I grab my things, I’ll take you to a place that’s looking to hire. If the woman decides to take you in, it won’t cost you a dime. And you can make money to boot.”

             
“
You’re saying, just like that, there’s a job, and a place to stay?”

             
“
That’s right.” Maxine stood with her hands on her hips, chomping her gum, looking like she had a lot more on her mind than what she was saying. “You know, if I were you, I’d forget about that friend of your mother’s. If he’s not in jail, the guy’s probably a kook at best. Either way, it sounds suspicious to me.” She stuck a hand out. “Why don’t you hand the letter over? I’ll toss it for you.”

             
Emily had no desire to argue with her. “It’s done. I already dropped it in the garbage.”

             
“
Good decision. No use clouding your mind with false hope.”

* * * *

“I take the bus,” Maxine said as they headed out the door. She looked at Emily’s clothes. “Once you get rid of those rags you’re wearing, you’ll feel much better.”

Emily’s cheeks flushed with anger, thinking of the effort she put into sewing her skirt and blouse.

“
Come along now,” Maxine urged when Emily fell behind. “I want to tell you something.” She reached around and nudged her forward, digging her long fingernails into her back. “If you keep in mind what I’ve told you and don’t make any waves, you’ll do just fine.”

             
What’s that supposed to mean
? Emily wondered as they got on the bus. She thought of asking, but decided whatever it was, it couldn’t be half as bad as the mess she was already in.

The bus wound through the streets, up and down hills making stops on the way, and then finally pulled over next to a row of trees and let them off.

              “
Well, there it is,” Maxine said when they were alone. She pointed to a three-story white house visible through the branches of trees that circled the property. It sat a half a block up a side street, had green shutters, a brick chimney, and was surrounded by a tall white picket fence.

             
They walked through a gate into a sprawling yard filled with a variety of plants and flowers that followed walkways and hedged the perimeter of the house. Tiny pink trailing roses wound around a wooden archway above the steps.

             
The two walked beneath the arbor of roses and up onto a large porch enclosed with hanging plants and potted ferns. Emily stopped to cup a sweet-smelling flower in her hand while Maxine stepped to the stained glass door and pressed the buzzer.

             
A woman of about fifty, clad in scarlet red, peeped
the door open. Her dress was taut over cleavage that swelled like two mountains. Her bright red hair was stacked up into neat layers and sprayed to a freeze. On first glance at her fiery green eyes and pointed nose, Emily might’ve considered her brazen. Although her voice was sweet as pie as she swung the door open all the way. “Oh my. I guess you were serious.”

             
“
Hello, Beatrice,” Maxine said, her voice trilling with pleasure.

             
Beatrice gave Emily’s rumpled appearance a thorough once over. “So this is the gal. My, my. Emily, you say?”

             
“
This is her,” Maxine crowed. She put a hand on Emily’s back and pushed her forward.

             
There were those fingernails again.
Emily moved out of reach and tried not to make too much of the way the women talked as if she wasn’t here.

“And soon as I heard she was new in town with no place to stay, well I thought of you right way.”

Beatrice stepped out onto the porch, took Emily by the wrist, and pulled her from side to side. “Well, young lady, we’ll just have to see if we can do something about this dilemma of yours, how about it?”

         
“
Well, I…”             

             
“
It’s terrible to be all alone in a strange town, isn’t it, dearie?” Maxine cooed. She leaned forward and stretched her long neck in order to look into Emily’s face.

Emily glanced over, wondering why the sweet change in her voice, and why she was suddenly calling her “dearie”.

              A bus rumbled in the distance, and Maxine positioned herself for a better view up the street. Then she turned back and moved her head from side to side, peering inside the house. “Uhuh... Bea, don’t you have something for me?”

             
Beatrice reached inside the doorway and took an envelope off a stand. Maxine snatched it away before she had a chance to hand it over, making a quick exit down the steps. “Well, see ya’ll.”

             
Beatrice rolled her eyes, and then stepped inside. “Come in, Emily. We’ll have us a nice chat in the parlor.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

The room was enchanting with plush peach carpeting. The walls were green, decorated with beautiful paintings of men in black suits and women in elegant gowns, and others in bonnets having tea in parlors or sitting in gardens. The windows to the front and side let in sunlight that reflected off mirrors and polished oak and glass tabletops holding assortments of flowers and interesting marble sculptures. Positioned for the best view of the white fireplace were two easy chairs and a long sofa. All were fitted with a material of embroidered white and peach flowers and feathery leaves that wove through and around fine-lined branches.

              “
This is just the beginning of the amenities we all enjoy here,” Beatrice said, offering Emily the couch, then taking an easy chair for herself.

             
“
Now, where did you say you were from?”

             
“
I’m from down south. O-out in the country. Nowhere near any towns, at all.”

             
“
Maxine mentioned that your mother passed on. So what does your father think of you moving all the way up to San Francisco?”

             
“
My parents both died when I was still a baby. I-I’d been living with... with my aunt ever since. She died last month.”

             
Oh. You really are alone then, aren’t you?” She looked at Emily’s bag. “Tell me something, just out of curiosity. How much money are you carrying?”

             
Emily rubbed her bag. “A hundred and thirty dollars and some change.” She smiled. “A lot more than I’ve ever had.”

             
Beatrice’s eyes flashed, and for a moment, Emily couldn’t tell if she was shocked or happy. “Oh my, this is worse than I thought. Listen dear, I hate to burst your bubble, but you’re not going make it on that bit of money. Not in San Francisco you won’t.”

             
The woman’s voice changed so suddenly that Emily was taken aback. “But my rent won’t be more than... that, will it?”

             
Beatrice raised her brow. “You really don’t have a clue do you? Well dear, it’s not only the rent, and trying to find a safe place, but there’s the food and a dozen or so other items you’ll need.” Her gaze dropped to Emily’s clothes. “Then there’s that getup you’re wearing... gracious, I wouldn’t go out and buy a loaf of bread in that.”

Emily yanked on her skirt, trying to smooth out the wrinkles. “I’ve been traveling… and, I –”

              “
Oh sure, you could go out and buy yourself an outfit, but then... well, it’s back to the living expenses.” Beatrice smiled sadly, shaking her head. “And it looks like you’ve got no friends or relatives nearby that you can count on for help. Right?”

             
“
Well, I-I. No, I don’t.” By now, Emily was close to tears. She’d had such high hopes on the way over.

             
“
You know, dear, your lack of friends and finances are not your only worry.”

             
“
But I... I don’t understand.” She expected this woman to help her, not... well, whatever she was doing.

             
“
Just a warning.”

             
“
A-about what?”

             
“
For one, the bums that roam the streets. Stay clear of them, especially at night.”

             
Emily recalled the man down by the waterfront. That look in his eyes frightened her silly.

             
“
Now, listen. I don’t mean to get you all spooked. You understand I’m just being realistic?”

             
“
I think so.”

             
“
You do have a choice here.”

             
“
I do?”

             
“
Work for me and you won’t have to worry about any of it. No rent to pay, no food to buy. I’ll even buy you a new wardrobe to start you off, from everyday clothes, to some pretty fancy dresses. And if you stick around long enough, play your cards right, you’ll leave here in five, maybe ten years with enough money to start up a new life anywhere you like. Even buy a home for yourself.”

             
“
Me, buy a house?” Emily chuckled. “How’s that possible?”

             
Beatrice smiled, flashing long white teeth Emily hadn’t noticed before. “This is San Francisco. People are willing to pay plenty for the best.” She stopped to size Emily up again. “After a little do-over, you’ve certainly got what it takes.”

             
“
It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just that… I, uhm… I still can’t understand how this is all possible. I mean, what’ll I do, anyway, you know, without experience? Maxine told me…”

             
“
Exactly why she brought you here.” Beatrice moved to the edge of her seat, her voice almost tender now. “Listen, Emily, you’ll never get a chance like this again. And if there’s any training to do, one of my girls will give you a hand.” She leaned forward and tapped Emily’s knee. “Trust me?”

             
“
Well… Yes, I do. But... what’s my job? What kind of a place is this, anyway?” She looked around. “Is this it... where I’ll work?”

             
“
This’ll be your home, and your workplace. Although what you see here is just the beginning.” She relaxed back in her chair and smiled. “Listen, Emily, what we are is a... well... we’re an exclusive private club. There’s none other quite like us. There’s too much detail to go into right now. But basically, we’ve got this spectacular lounge where people come to eat the best food around. After, they may want a drink or two, dance a little, enjoy entertainment, play some poker, and, uhm...just take pleasure in each other’s company.”

             
“
So, it’s a, restaurant?”

             
“
Yeeah, it is, only much more. We have a fountain of wealth that flows through here, those who spend crazy amounts of money for our services. We even have visitors from other parts of the country. And, well, there’ll be plenty of time to discuss the details. The important thing is... would you like to make some big money? Would you like to stay?”

             
Emily looked into a face that seemed sincere as any she had ever seen. “It’s hard for me to understand how this’ll all work, but… what do I know? So, yes, I’ll stay.”

             
“
Wonderful!” Beatrice clapped her hands, leaping to her feet. “Come along then and I’ll show you around.”

Emily followed her out into the hallway onto shiny hardwood floors. “Up there are my private quarters,” Beatrice said, gesturing toward a staircase just inside a small reception area.

              They walked up a short hallway, and then up another. “We usually have around thirty girls,” Beatrice continued as they passed a room where music filtered through a large oak door. “Besides you, there’re five girls living here at the moment, but we have another fifteen that come in four or five nights a week. Your room will be on the second floor. We have a third floor we call
the loft.
You’ll probably see that in a week or two.”

Footsteps pattered down the stairs and two young women rounded the corner.

              “
Emily, I want you to meet a couple of my gals, Ginger and Blossom.”

             
The girls gaped at Emily. She tried not to notice their tiny shorts and rolled up tops that revealed more than they concealed.

             
Beatrice cleared her throat. “Girls. I hope you haven’t forgotten that the Pierdue party requested you for
happy hour
. That means up in the loft for early setup.”

Ginger folded her arms, giving Emily a once over. “We haven’t forgotten. Is she joining us?”

              “
Listen, you two,” Beatrice said firmly, “as you can see, I’m just in the process of preparing her, and no, she won’t be joining us tonight. Now run along. I’ll talk to you later.”

             
The girls disappeared through the oak door, and Beatrice and Emily continued up the hallway.

             
“
Uhm, Beatrice, what’s happy hour anyway?”

             
Beatrice stopped at the staircase, leaning to straighten one of the flowerpots that lined the steps all the way up and around the corner at the landing. “Just like it sounds. But you won’t have to concern yourself with that for now.” She stopped for a moment and looked at Emily. “You twenty-one?”

             
“
No.”

             
“
Well, that’s fine. Just remember, you can drink all you want here. Won’t cost you a thing. But if you’re out dining, no drinks unless you’re with us. You hear?”

Emily, nodded, curious as to why she even brought it up.

Beyond the staircase, there was a large room with the same beautiful hardwood flooring, several leather couches and matching chairs, a television in the corner, and a pool table off to the side. “Now this is our game room.” Beatrice nodded toward a back entrance. “Out there’s a nice yard with a patio and a place to take in some sun.”

             
Next, they moved down a short hallway and through a swinging door that led into a kitchen so stunning that it took Emily back for a moment. The room was a mixture of greens and yellows with hints of red in most of the trim and accessories, all of it set off by shiny black countertops. Her grandmother had talked of kitchens like this.

             
A woman standing in front of the stove turned curiously, raising her eyebrows.

             
“
Emily, this is Toni. Toni, this is Emily.”

             
“
Such a pretty one,” Toni said, nodding.

             
Emily shuffled the strap on her bag, greeting a woman with large black-rimmed glasses and determined eyes.

             
“
Hi,” she said, still caught off guard by the grandiose surroundings.

             
Toni looked to be nearing her mid-life, not exactly plump, but healthy and well-endowed rolled into one. She had thick, ear-length hair the color of porridge. Her dress and matching apron were almost the same shade of green as the cupboards and walls, and only a shade lighter than the green on the stove and refrigerator. Bright yellow canisters with red flowers up the front lined the black countertops. The double sinks were white. To her left, in front of a picture window, stood a long green table with matching end chairs, and benches on each side. The floor was covered with yellow vinyl tiles with streaks of red and green through the middle of each square.

Beatrice pulled a mug off a rack and poured herself a coffee. “There’s always a hot pot of coffee on,” she said to Emily, “and plenty of snacks whenever you like.” She lifted a plate of cookies.  “Want one?”

              Emily shook her head. “No thanks.”

             
Toni placed a lid back onto a pot and turned for a better look at Emily. “I hope you’re not one of those finicky eaters trying to live on carrots and chicken wings for days on end, worrying about gaining a few pounds. You know, some men like a little meat on their gals.”

             
Emily chuckled. “I like carrots, but not enough to live on. And I’ll take a chicken breast or legs over a wing any day.” She looked at the beautiful green electric stove with its silver trim, hoping she would be helping Toni with the cooking. “Sure like this kitchen. I imagine it could take someone out of a bad case of doldrums.”

             
“
See there, Bea?” Toni said, grinning at Beatrice. “That’s exactly what I was trying to inspire when I recreated my Aunt Diana’s kitchen.”

             
“
And why I let you decorate the kitchen instead of the lounge.”

             
Toni snickered as she uncovered two loaves of bread that had been rising and were ready for the oven. “Everyone loves it, except you.”

             
“
I like it just fine, Toni.” She sipped her coffee. “It just wouldn’t be my choice, that’s all.”

             
The two laughed, and then Beatrice turned to Emily. “As you can see, besides Toni having an interesting eye for decorating, she makes sure there’s enough food for everyone. She’s usually done with her baking by five or so. Dinner’s ready at six, and then Susan comes in around nine for the night shift.”

             
“
You’re open all night?”

             
“
Well, in the main kitchen we’re open until ten. This area is for our girls who come and go as they please.” She broke off a piece of cookie, popping it into her mouth. “Oh, and we have a couple of part-timers, a couple of retired sisters, Miss Jackie and Birdie. Susan’s on call through the night five days a week. Although by one or so, she’s usually in the maid’s quarters. It’s down the hall to your right. Now, if there’s ever an emergency during the night, she’s the one you get a hold of.”