Voyage of Tears by CJ Wells (top fiction books of all time TXT) 📖

girl’s Aunt Sharon, asked as she took Vivienne’s hand in between her two small gloved hands.

Vivienne explained her situation and asked Sharon’s permission to visit the girls and Tillie. She graciously invited Vivienne to visit as often as possible. Vivienne had felt Evie’s grip relax as the conversation continued. Sharon did not try to take Evie’s hand from Vivienne, instead she bent down and lightly touched Evie’s cheek, informally introducing herself. Evie hesitantly let loose of Vivienne, then wrapped her small arms around aunt’s neck. Sharon joyously returned the gesture. It was a bittersweet moment for Vivienne, who felt a mixture of loss and joy hit her heart.

With perfect timing, Miss Polly called Vivienne’s name. All turned to await the arrival of the approaching impeccably dressed lady. There was nothing arrogant about her, but it was quite apparent Fifth Avenue was her neighborhood. Everyone took turns exchanging introductions, which were all too quickly followed by the exchange of good-byes. Tears and hugs were shared with the promise of future meetings. Evie turned around to wave to Vivienne one last time. Polly and Vivienne did not move or speak until the girls had been swallowed up by the crowd. Polly lightly laid her gloved hand on Vivienne’s arm.

“Well, Mrs. Taylor, are you ready to see your new home?”

A gentleman dressed in a austere black suit and hat, who had been standing at a reasonable distance, now stepped up to take Vivienne’s carpet bag.

“Vivienne, this is Zeke. He is our chauffeur, butler, and all-around handyman. Don’t be fooled by his dire look, in reality, he is just a big ol’ teddy bear,” Polly confided to Vivienne with a grin.

Zeke’s stony expression did not soften, but as he reached for her bag he winked, confirming Miss. Polly’s description. Vivienne grinned, but restrained the giggle threatening to escape.

“Nice to meet you, Zeke,” she said, confident a friendship had been born.

#

Zeke led the way through the mob of people gathered on the pier, to a green and black Rambler Knickerbocker Limousine parked on the curb. To Vivienne it looked like a picture postcard.

Vivienne’s eyes widened, she had never seen anything like this, nor had she ever had the opportunity to ride in a motor car. “Vivienne, you are a refreshing joy,” Polly commented, seeing the awe in Vivienne’s eyes. Her eyes continued to widen as they made their way down a beautiful tree lined boulevard to a five-story, white marble mansion. Miss Polly had been right, New York certainly was different from England, from the weather to the street of mansions in the middle of the city.

The Franklin’s home was an Italian Renaissance-style, with balconies and cast iron accents, topped with a classic marble balustrade. The five floors were filled with antiques, priceless works of art, and Persian carpets. A confirming display of the Franklin’s good fortune scattered throughout the house, not to impress, but merely for their own enjoyment. George Franklin was a self-made man, having borrowed a thousand dollars from his uncle to invest in a copper mine. With the money he made on the first mine, he returned his uncle’s loan and bought a second mine. He reinvested his profits several times and now held title to twelve mines.

George and Polly had grown up in the same middle-class neighborhood, both living in modest homes provided by hard-working blue-collar parents. They regarded their good fortune as something to share and enjoy, not a license for pompous rudeness. Their household staff knew their place, but was confident of respect and fair treatment. It made for a pleasant home for everyone.

Vivienne was shown to her quarters, which turned out to be a suite of rooms. She was the only staff member who lived in the mansion, allowing her the use of, two bedrooms, the sitting room in-between and a small private bathroom. Jonah would be so excited to have his very own bedroom. The bottom floor and back of the house location allotted Vivienne a private entrance opening onto a small walled garden. She was in heaven.

#

The next day she was introduced to Mr. George Franklin. He was incredibly handsome. His salt and pepper colored hair was thick and wavy. A strong jaw line, full lips and aquamarine blue eyes completed his near perfect face. He stood over six feet tall, and had the build of a star athlete. Vivienne extended her hand, but was at a loss for words. Polly chuckled and said, “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to his beauty.” He was

beautiful, like a marble statue. He took Vivienne’s breath away. With a sheepish grin he took Vivienne’s hand and warmly welcomed her.

The cook, Zita, was the next to be introduced. She was a round, robust, outspoken woman from Hungary. If the delicious dinner she had served last night was any indication, she was a wizard in the kitchen.

The last member of the staff she met was Emma, the maid. Like Vivienne, she was British. Also, like Vivienne she was soft-spoken, with a small build, dark hair and hazel eyes. They were similar enough to have been sisters. Their friendship began before a word had passed between them.

Vivienne fell into an easy routine with the rest of the staff and the Franklins. She found she was as much a secretary to Miss Polly as a lady’s-maid, which was fine with her. She was learning about clothing and charity work and the interworking of New York’s upper class.

#

At one point, Vivienne tried to return the spending money Miss. Polly had given her for the crossing, but she would not accept it and told Vivienne to spend it on something nice for herself. There was only one thing Vivienne wanted, and that was something special to send to Jonah for Christmas.

Released from their duties for an entire Tuesday, Emma and Vivienne made their list for a Christmas shopping excursion.

The city was exquisite covered in snow, looking like an expensive glittering Christmas card. The two friends giggled and jabbered as they bundled up for the walk to the shops, a few blocks away, but when they opened the front door, there was Zeke waiting for them by the motor car. “Ladies,” he said as he bowed and opened the car door, “Miss. Polly has given you the use of me, and the car for the day.”

Vivienne and Emma hugged each other as they jumped up and down before rushing to climb in the back seat.

“Where to, ladies,” Zeke asked as he slid into the driver’s seat. They recited a list of gifts they wanted to look for, the most important being something very special for Jonah.

Zeke drove them to a tiny toy store nestled between a large department store and an apothecary shop. The bell jingled when they opened the heavy wood and plate glass door. The small bald proprietor came out from behind the counter and greeted Zeke with a bear hug. Zeke explained this was his Uncle Herman. He made the introductions then related Vivienne’s story, asking if he had something unique for Jonah. Herman’s eyes lit up and he said, “I’ll be right back,” before disappearing into the storeroom behind the counter.

When he returned, he was carrying what looked like a large, gray hatbox. He set it on the counter and took off the lid. Inside, under several layers of white tissue paper, laid a stuffed, gray velvet circus elephant. His trunk was curled up and touching his head, which was covered with a red silk diamond shaped decoration. A red velvet blanket with gold trim and tassels covered his back. Its beauty was breathtaking, but Herman wasn’t finished yet. One of the decorations on the blanket was actually a tiny button. Underneath the blanket, inside the elephant’s back, was a hidden pocket filled with three tiny monkeys. It was perfect, but it looked so expensive. Herman handed Vivienne the beautiful toy, she brushed her hand across the smooth grey velvet before saying, “I’m afraid I should have told you my funds are limited. This must be very expensive.”

“Not as expensive as you might think. What did you intend to spend?” Herman asked.

Vivienne pulled out a small leather change purse. She had three dollars to buy all her Christmas presents, but this was by far the most important, so she answered, “I have one dollar and fifty cents.”

Herman reached for the elephant, placed it back in the box, and closed the lid. He tied it shut with twine and handed it to Vivienne, smiling he said, “Today, the cost is one dollar.”

Amazed and overjoyed all Vivienne could say was, “Thank you.”

Over Vivienne’s head Zeke winked at his uncle and escorted the ladies back to the car. At Miss. Polly’s request he had visited his uncle’s shop the day before, to pick out a present for Jonah, and make arrangements to pay whatever the difference was between Vivienne’s one dollar and the actual cost.

The three friends had a lovely day shopping and enjoying lunch at a small café. Zeke was a wonder. He knew where to find everything, of the finest quality at the lowest price. Vivienne had seventy-five cents left in her change purse after buying all her presents. She was anxious to return home and wrap the elephant and the stylish, brown, cashmere wool cap she had bought for John, readying them for posting the next day.

It was not going to be an easy holiday for Vivienne. Christmas was for sharing with your family. For enjoying Christmas pudding, and opening brightly wrapped packages on Christmas morning, but being separated by an ocean from John and Jonah left a gaping hole inside her. A bright spot came when she received an invitation to Christmas dinner with Evie, Leah and Tillie at the girls, Aunt Sharon’s house. She had bought a yellow silk ribbon for Evie’s hair and green one for Leah. Zita had donated one of her Christmas puddings for Tillie and volunteered to help Vivienne make a rum cake for her hostess.

#

Once the holiday season had passed, the days seemed to fly by, turning days to weeks and weeks to months. Before Vivienne knew it, she had been in New York for three full months. Miss. Polly called her to the little alcove where they wrote letters and set up her schedule and appointments.

“We have a special letter to write today,” Miss. Polly told her, gesturing for Vivienne to take a seat at the black enameled oriental writing desk. She pulled out a sheet of monogrammed stationery and a pen from inside the desk, and looked up at Miss. Polly in anticipation as she began dictating the letter to Vivienne.

Dear Mr. Taylor,

Please find enclosed tickets for yourself and Master Jonah on the RMS Titanic departing Southampton on the 10th of April.

Miss. Polly stopped speaking and squeezed Vivienne’s shoulders, handing her a handkerchief to dry the tears