It was a warm summer afternoon in my hometown of Jupiter Florida. I was out in the yard helping my mother tend to our garden. The watermelons were coming in lovely this year; firm and plump. Just how we liked them. Mother took her shears and cut a small melon from its vine and handed it to me.
"Victoria, be a lamb and give this to Loretta. I would like to have her serve this with our tea." I smiled and nodded my head, and headed back into the house. As I entered the kitchen, I greeted our maid, Loretta, with a warm smile. I sat the watermelon down on the countertop, opposite the tea tray she was setting together.
"Hello, Loretta. Mother would like you to prepare this for us."
"Of course, child." Loretta happily replied. "And I have something for you too." Loretta reached into the pocket of her apron and pulled out a beautiful silver locket. She then came over and put it on me.
"My mother gave me this when I turned 21, and now I'm giving it to you. Happy birthday, Victoria." I hugged her tightly with a big smile on my face.
"Thank you so much, Loretta. I love it." I looked down and saw how the silver shone in the sunlight that came in through the window above the sink. I felt like I couldn't stop smiling. Loretta then when back to preparing our tea, humming as she worked. Her soft Jamaican voice always soothed me.
"Ah, there is my lovely little dove." I heard my father exclaim, as he entered the kitchen.
"Hello, father." I opened my arms as he came in for a hug. He then sat his hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eyes.
"Now, for your birthday, your mother and I have two surprises for you." He smiled down at me as my eyes lit up.
"Really? What are they?" I asked.
"Now if I told you, then it wouldn't be a surprise." He said with a small chuckle. Mother then walked into the room, removing her gloved and then sat them down on the counter. Father then had us all go into the living room. Loretta sat our tea and watermelon onto the table. She then brought out a box from the closet. It was a creamy white color with a big bright red bow on the top. She gave it to me and I opened it with curiosity and glee in my eyes. Inside the box was a beautiful baby blue dress with a corset like top, the straps were about 3 inches wide, with floral lace pattern on the skirt with matching lace gloves that came up to my wrists. It was truly elegant.
"Oh thank you so much. It's too perfect."
"Why don't you go try it on?" mother suggested. She didn't even have to say anything else; I was already on my way up the stairs to my room.
While I was changing, I heard a knock at the door and a strange voice downstairs. It might have been one of father's work friends or a neighbor asking mother to borrow a cup of sugar. But I wasn't worried about that. I looked into the mirror in my new dress. I wasn't very partial to blues, but this shade was an exception. The skirt twirled so gracefully as I spun around and then it went back to its poodle skirt like design.
I went back downstairs to show mother. My joyful expression then changed to one of confusion. Next to father was a young man about my age. He was tall and had slicked back black hair. He was dressed sharply in matching white pants and shirt with a black and red vertical striped blazer. He stood up before me and introduced himself.
"Good afternoon, Miss Victoria. My name is Dandy Mott and I would love if you would accompany me on a date for the evening." He then took my hand and kissed the back of it. I was flattered by the offer, but I didn't quite know what to say. My parents were always trying to set me up with suitors so I could be married off into another wealthy home. But I always turned them down because I didn't want any of that. But, to keep them happy, I considered.
"Yes Dandy, I would love to go on a date with you." He smiled at me and then escorted me to his car.
Even during a movie and dinner, I was bored by Dandy. He just seemed odd, and not in the good way. It sort of seemed like something was very off about him. As we exited the restaurant, I passed by a flyer for a show called "Fraulein Elsa's Cabinet of Curiosities." I walked over and showed it to Dandy.
"Dandy, look at this. It's a sideshow. Would you want to go?" Dandy took the poster and studied it for a bit and then he shrugged his shoulders.
"Sure, why not. Anything to keep my girl happy." I faked a smile. 'My girl? Does he think we are already together?' I thought. We hopped back into his car and then drove down the old dusty road to the show.