Christine Johnson - Suitor by Design

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“Cut it just like this.” Minnie pointed to the picture on the cover of Photoplay and settled onto the chair in front of the cracked wall mirror. The silver beneath the glass had been scratched and tarnished years ago, so her reflection looked wavy.

Jen gathered a handful of Minnie’s long hair and snapped open the shears. “Are you sure?”

The sound of the shears made Minnie hesitate. Her hair had always been long. This was a big step. She gripped the magazine and squeezed. After Ruth and Sam’s devastating news that the clothing company hadn’t bought her designs, this family could use a change. If short hair brought fame to moving-picture actresses, it could change her life, too. Maybe one day, she would step on the stage to grand applause. Wouldn’t that make everyone take note?

She took a deep breath. “I’m ready, but make it quick.”

Instead of snipping, Jen hesitated. “Mother will have a conniption. You know how she says that you have her hair.”

“Which she always wears up so no one can see it.”

“And that she thinks bobbed hair is boyish and a symbol of the ‘degradation of our country’s youth.’” Jen perfectly mimicked their mother’s tone of voice.

In spite of her nerves, Minnie laughed. “I’d hate to become a symbol.”

“Of the entire country,” Jen snorted. “As if anyone in Pearlman has anything to do with the rest of the world. We’re so far removed from places like New York and Hollywood that it takes years for trends to reach us.”

That brought a troubling thought. “Would a newcomer think I look silly?”

“A newcomer? Such as that man driving the Pierce-Arrow?”

“You know what kind of car it is?” Minnie marveled at her sister’s knowledge of all things mechanical.

“Of course, but that’s not the point. Was he handsome?”

Minnie hedged, “I didn’t get a good look at him, but he sure had a nice suit. Did you see those gold cuff links?”

“Who could miss them?”

“Are you thinking what I am? Could he be another Mr. Cornelius?” A year ago, nurses at the Battle Creek Sanitarium had told them the story of a wealthy patient, Mr. Cornelius, who fell in love with a nurse and whisked her away to a life of ease. Ever since, the sisters had clung to the hope that just such a philanthropist would give their father the lifesaving treatment he needed.

“If not Mr. Cornelius,” Jen said, “then surely Mr. Rothenburg.”

After the sisters had hatched the idea to help each other marry wealthy men, their older sister, Ruth, had literally stumbled into department-store heir Sam Rothenburg and ended up marrying him.

“But Sam didn’t turn out to be any help,” Minnie pointed out. “Instead of owning a business empire, they run the dress shop and live across the hallway.”

“They’re in love. Ruthie says that’s most important of all.”

“I suppose so.” Minnie folded up her hair so it was jaw length. “I just hope Vince likes short hair.”

“Vince?”

“That’s the man’s name.”

“Then you met him.”

“No,” Minnie had to admit. “Peter told me his name. They’re friends.”

“I didn’t know that Peter had any friends from out of town. I mean, this Vince doesn’t look like the kind of guy who would work at an orphanage.”

“I think he did. Peter said something about Vince teaching him carpentry.”

“Huh. Doesn’t look like a carpenter, either, not with a suit like that.”

“I know.” Minnie sighed. “He’s a mystery. Isn’t that exciting?”

“Maybe for you.” Jen snapped the shears again. “So, do you want to make sure he likes short hair before we do this?”

“Stop stalling.” Minnie squared her shoulders and gripped the seat of the battered oak chair. “I’m ready. Do it now.”

Jen grabbed a clump of Minnie’s hair and hacked through it. Fourteen inches of dark blond hair dropped to the floor.

Minnie gasped at the jagged gap and instinctively clapped her hands to her head.

“Are you all right?” Jen asked.

Minnie nodded while trying to stifle the tears. “It’s just that I’ve never had it cut before. Not really. Not like this. It looks so—” she searched for a word that wouldn’t offend Jen “—peculiar.”

“No turning back now, sis.” Jen snapped the shears in front of Minnie’s face. “Unless you want to walk around with a hunk of hair missing. I’ll tell you right now that no guy is going to fall for you looking like this.”

“Oh, no-o-o,” Minnie wailed.

“You want me to stop?”

“No.” Minnie moved her hands from her hair to her eyes. She couldn’t watch. “Cut it all. Now.”

Jen snipped and snipped until Minnie feared she wouldn’t have any hair left at all. What had she been thinking? Jen had cut her own hair so short that Mother had dropped into a chair speechless when she saw it. Now Minnie would look just as bad, and Vince would never notice her. Not in a good way. She’d have to wear a hat until autumn.

“All right.” Jen whisked the towel off Minnie’s shoulders. “I’m done.”

“Do I have anything left?”

“Just enough.”

That didn’t make Minnie feel any better. She peeked through her fingers. “Oh, Jen.” She dropped her hands and jumped to her feet to get a better look. “It’s gorgeous. Absolutely perfect.”

Her head—indeed her whole body—felt lighter, as if she could float off the floor. She cupped the soft ends of her hair where it caressed her jaw. The waves in her hair had turned to loose curls, creating a soft bob. She looked just like the picture on the cover of Photoplay.

Jen tossed the shears onto the dresser. “Glad you like it. Hope your guy likes it, too.”

Minnie grinned. “He’s not my guy yet. But after he sees me, he might be.”

“Oh? He’s still in town?”

“He’ll be back on Saturday.”

“Then you have four days to get used to your new hairstyle,” Jen said as she left the bedroom. “I’m getting a cup of tea. Want one?”

Minnie shook her head.

Four days. She had to wait four whole days. It might as well be an eternity. Between now and then, Minnie would have to clean houses and work her hands raw getting Mrs. Neidecker’s house ready for the Valentine’s Day Ball. Everyone would stare at her at tomorrow night’s church supper or even on the street. Kate would probably make a snide remark.

The waiting would be dreadful, but she could bear it if Vince liked her. Saturday! Between now and then, he might decide not to return at all. She couldn’t wait. Peter said Vince was staying the night. There was only one place to stay in Pearlman—Terchie’s boardinghouse. She could meet him there. But to do that, she would need an excuse. An unmarried girl simply did not go to a boardinghouse alone to talk to a man.

She tapped a finger against her lips and pondered the possibilities. Her gaze wandered over her dresser. Inside the top drawer she’d hidden the face powder and lipstick she’d bought earlier. On top sat the old bottles she’d collected as a child and the talcum powder Mother gave her for Christmas last year. On the wall she’d tacked a calendar that kept track of where she worked each day of the month. Of course! She cleaned houses. She could go to the boardinghouse at breakfast time and ask Mrs. Terchie if she needed help. If Peter’s friend was still there, he’d see her.

She’d make sure of it.

Chapter Three

The next morning, Peter left Constance House before the sun rose. Mariah’s reaction to Vince’s appearance still puzzled him. Sleeping on it hadn’t helped, but the icy predawn air cleared his mind. Vince had changed since Mariah knew him. He’d done well and wanted to spread the wealth. Why not accept his generosity? The income would help everyone. He might even be able to take the older boys off Mariah’s hands after school and teach them carpentry. Best of all, Minnie’s eyes would light up when he offered her the job.