Janet Barton - The Mistletoe Kiss

“The only time constraints we have are those of Mrs. Heaton and they do make perfect sense when you think about it,” Julia said. “This is a large city and many women do go missing each week. We just don’t hear about all of them. Sometimes it makes the news, but then only if they’re from a well-known family. Others seem to disappear never to be heard from again.”

Millicent shivered at the thought. She knew dangers lurked in this city—there were times when Mrs. Heaton took in women as temporary boarders who had no place to go and paid nothing until they could decide what to do or where to go. And she realized, from talking to others, most boardinghouses were not run like Heaton House.

“I do hope she’ll come to a meeting with us one day,” Julia said.

“So do I. Wonder if any of our married boarders would want to go, too,” Millicent asked.

“They might,” Julia said. “I’d think Kathleen would be very interested and possibly Rebecca. I’m not sure about Violet or Elizabeth, but we could ask them.”

“It will probably depend on how their husbands feel about the suffrage movement. Surely they wouldn’t object to their wives getting the vote. But then, consider how Matt and the other men feel.” Millicent looked at Julia. “They’ve made us very aware they don’t like the movement.”

“But perhaps it’s not the voting they have a problem with. Some of the women want more than that...” Julia sighed. “I can understand why men aren’t thrilled with the movement as a whole, but all we want is the right to vote and I can’t understand why that would upset them so.”

“It would help if they cared to find out what is truly important to us about it. But there’s no sense in stirring up friction at Mrs. Heaton’s. They’re her boarders, too.”

The waiter brought their lunch and after they finished eating they headed out to shop. Millicent loved going to the Ladies’ Mile. Even if one didn’t buy anything, they could find what the latest fashion was and try to adapt their wardrobe in the least expensive way. Sometimes a new accessory or some new trim to put on a hat would do the trick.

They headed for Macy’s, where they spotted Emily from afar. She waved to them and hurried to keep up with the man beside her.

“Wonder who he is,” Julia said.

“Probably her supervisor.”

“Most likely. He’s not bad looking,” Julia replied. “No wonder she never seems to mind putting in long hours every once in a while,” she quipped.

“Now, Julia, Emily is quite good-natured and she seems to truly love her work.”

“That’s true.”

“Emily’s hours will be longer as Christmas nears and they start on the window displays Macy’s is known for,” Millicent said.

“I worked some evenings when I first started at Ellis Island, but thankfully, once I was promoted, I’ve rarely had to work evenings or weekends,” Julia said.

“At least Emily doesn’t have to stay late now. I think she said November would be bad, but she seems to be excited about working on the window displays,” Millicent said. “I’m glad she lives at Heaton House. At least she knows she’ll have a warm meal waiting when she gets home.” Mrs. Heaton always made sure her boarders were taken care of no matter what hours they got home.

As she and Julia visited the ladies department, Millicent realized how blessed she was to be able to set her own hours. But there was a downside, too. She did need a regular income so as not to dip into the money her grandmother had left her. Money she was saving to use to set up her own shop.

“You’ve grown awfully quiet, Millicent. What’s wrong?” Julia asked as the stopped in front of the lace collar display case.

“Nothing’s wrong. I’m just hoping John and Elizabeth and their boss like the photos I’m taking of the Park Row Building. If I can make enough on this assignment, the extra money will go a long way in helping me be able to open my shop sooner.”

“Do you like the photos you’ve taken so far?”

Millicent grinned. “I do.”

“Then you don’t need to worry. You’re more critical of your work than anyone and their boss asked for you to be in on the assignment. I’m sure they’ll love them.”

“Thanks, Julia. I needed your encouragement.”

Julia handed the salesclerk the lace collar she’d been looking at and paid for it. They waited while the young woman wrapped her purchase and handed the small package to Julia. Then she turned back to Millicent. “You’re a silly goose, you know? How can you not realize what a good photographer you are?”

“I just want to be able to make a living for myself.” They strolled over to the millinery department to browse the newest styles.

“I understand. Believe me, I do,” Julia said. “I want to get married one day, but I don’t know if I ever will and even if I do, I want to be sure I can take care of myself. I’ve seen too many women marry only to have a man to provide for them, and most of them aren’t happy. Nor are their husbands, I’d think. When—if—I ever marry, I want it to be for love and I want the man I marry to respect me as much as I want to respect him.”

“I feel the same way.” But Millicent wasn’t sure finding that kind of man was possible. Suddenly, Matt came to mind, and she was surprised that she thought of him when talking of marriage. They were as opposite as two people could be.

And yet, her heart quickened thinking about Matt taking her to Elizabeth and John’s that evening. Would he like the photographs she’d taken? Why did his opinion matter so much to her? She wished it didn’t, but for some reason only the Lord would understand, it mattered a lot.

“Ready to go back to Heaton House?”

“Mmm, yes, let’s go home.” They hurried to the El, hoping it would be quicker than the trolley.

“We’ll be home long before the men get back from their game. They’ll have no reason to question why we were late getting back for dinner,” Julia said.

And unlike last weekend, there’d be no reason for any tension on the way to the Talbots’ tonight. Millicent settled back in her seat and sighed with relief.

* * *

Matt and Joe came home just in time to freshen up for dinner. They were in high spirits—the Giants had won their game and they’d had a great day.

“How did your shopping go?” Matt asked as he held out Millicent’s chair for her.

“Wonderful. Julia and I bought trim to dress up our Sunday hats for winter after looking at the newest styles in Macy’s.”

“Oh, that sounds like fun,” Mrs. Heaton said as Maida and Gretchen began to serve dinner.

As always it was quite good. Mrs. Heaton’s menu tonight was fried fillets of halibut, shredded potatoes and slaw, with lemon cake for dessert. Filling, but not too heavy for this time of year.

Conversation covered the shopping trip and the baseball game before Mrs. Heaton said, “We have a new boarder joining us soon. Do any of you remember Georgia? She’s the daughter of a friend of mine.”

“The one who was Michael and Violet’s houseguest?” Matt asked.

“Yes, that’s her. She’s a teacher and wants to find a position here in the city.”

“I remember her,” Millicent said. “She seemed very nice.”

“She’ll be taking Rebecca’s old room. I’m sure you’ll all welcome her.”

“Of course we will. It’s always fun to get to know new boarders,” Julia said. “And it will be good to fill out the table once more. Especially when Emily and Stephen begin working longer hours getting ready for Christmas.”

Millicent couldn’t argue with that. “We’ll do our best to make Georgia feel welcome, Mrs. Heaton. But she’ll feel at home here from the start and that’s because of you.”