?Sweetheart!? she cried, hugging me close. It was always a special occasion when I saw Aunt Juliana, considering she lived in a big city and we were in a rundown little town. Over Aunt Juliana?s shoulder, I saw my Uncle Thomas and cousin William standing near the door with big smiles on their faces.
Uncle Thomas came towards my father as Aunt Juliana let me go to greet him as well. ?She?s the exact image of her mother, George,? said Uncle Thomas, patting my father on his back. ?Except of course, she has your hair.?
?And you consider that a blessing?? joked Aunt Juliana, her melodious laughter filling that air. Aunt Juliana and my father were twins. My mother reported that they had been very close when they were young, usually saying this when Helena and I got into a spat.
I walked over to William, my best childhood playmate. He was born and lived in the same town I did, up until he was eleven and I was nine. He moved to Charlottesville, causing both of us imaginable sadness at being separated.
?Ah, Corinne,? he said coldly, though both of us knew he was just playing around.
?Ah, William,? I began, in the same manner as he, before both of us burst out laughing.
?It?s so wonderful to see you!? he cried, enveloping his long, strong arms around my shoulders. ?Life is so dreadfully boring without you,? he said laughing.
?Same for me. Are we going to wreak havoc on Charlottesville as we did in Oakwater, my dearest cousin?? I replied.
He pulled away from me and took a very dignified, businesslike demeanor. ?Not I, Corinne, I am to marry shortly.? Then in his usual carefree manner he continued. ?She is a most useless woman, she has money and I guess it is all that matters.?
He shook his head and a light once again came into his eyes. ?Woman, what is wrong with your waist?? he joked. ?I think my hand can go around it!?
I rolled my eyes before laughing. ?Corset, darling, it?s called a corset. Dreadful thing, but Mother makes me wear it. I?m sure, although, that Aunt Juliana will let me go without.?
My words fell on deaf ears as I noticed William?s eyes were intensely fixed on my exposed breasts, strained to get out of their confinements. A deep blush rose to color my cheeks I crossed my arms over my chest.
His eyes quickly flicked back to my face as he smiled nervously. ?Here, let me get your luggage,? he started, nervously, trying to change the subject. I nodded and followed him to the buggy where my father, Uncle Thomas and Aunt Juliana were conversing.
My father separated himself from the others and walked towards me, his hands in his pockets. ?Well, Corinne, it seems you won?t just be staying here, you?ll be living here,? he murmured then drew my head closer to his. He kissed my forehead before hugging me closer to him. ?You don?t know how much I?ll miss you, all of us will miss you,? he said sadly. I looked up at him and thought he was blinking away tears. I wanted to cry to, for although I didn?t really mind being apart from my sister and mother, he was the one person I could look to for support.
?I?ll miss you to,? I said softly. He seemed hesitant to leave me and I didn?t want him to go. Aunt Juliana came and put her hand on my shoulder, gently but firmly. ?You?ll see him again,? she said reassuringly in my ear.
As my father walked away, the pride in his steps diminished and his shoulders slumped over. Every step was taking with so much thought and consideration, it was as if he were a condemned man walking to his death. I waved at my father as he rode away in his buggy, off into the sunset.
Aunt Juliana?s cheerful voice quickly powered over any regret or sadness I was feeling. ?Darling, I have prepared a grand dinner for your arrival,? she said, her arm around my shoulder. ?William?s wife-to-be, Constance, will be there. I?m sure you?ll like to change into something new.? At the mention of Constance?s name, William groaned in distaste. It made me wonder, shouldn?t couples who are going to marry each other love and cherish one another? I vowed then that when I married, it would be only out of the purest love.
I followed Aunt Juliana into the house and up the stairs with William, who was carrying my bags, behind us. The room I was to stay in was marvelous. The gorgeous bed cover was a silky sheen of crimson and the pillows were lush. The blonde hardwood floor was polished till it gleamed. Beside my bed was a nightstand with a kerosene lamp on top. I looked at the fancy oak dresser till my eyes fell on the draperies. The draperies were a deep ruby color, with filmy, beaded scarlet material on the surface.
?Oh, Aunt, it?s beautiful!? I exclaimed before rushing over to hug her. She graciously accepted my token of gratitude and hugged me back. I saw William smile before turning to go out.
?Here, Corinne,? she said, gently removing herself from my arms. ?I have a gift for you, tell me if you like it.? She walked away to the walk-in closet and came back with the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. It was white and shimmering, and the color of its sheen changed with Aunt Juliana?s every moment. The neckline was lowly cut and would reveal the fullness of my bosom. Aunt Juliana held it out to me.
?I will wear this tonight!? I exclaimed, taking it from her hands and twirling around.
?I was hoping you?d say that,? she said, her tone gay. ?I?ll just leave you to get ready and you will be the belle of the ball, well dinner, but that?s not the important thing,? she said before walking out.