Thanks to all my betas who contributed in different ways: lovingyouisbest, JD Bell; Joy Booth and Fredrika.
Final tweaking is my own.
This story is long and so I'm not sure if I wore them out or if they thought the latter part was better, but so far, most of their suggestions and changes have been for the beginning parts of the story.
Psyche/ Cupid- Golden Ass/ Pride and Prejudice mashup, Modern, Mature with some HMS which will have warnings. Also, there are gay characters in here, which I love but if your beliefs are going to get in the way of reading about gay people, please be respectful and don't read. There are also characters who are prejudiced in some way. I don't agree with their prejudices, but a good story involves a variety of points of view in order to carry the story and I hope this story is at least decent.
Introduction:
This is a little JAFF taking place in my beloved home region, Southern New Mexico. I thought it might be nice to see it in the Southwest as so few P & P take place there.
There are some time jumps.
There are a few characters who are part of one or a few chapters who don't play a part in the larger story.
With each new post (early on) I will make sure to indicate the timeline and also any new characters. I hope that resolves any confusion. I don't think that adding bells and whistles such as pictures of the characters will be any less confusing, but if I get feedback indicating interest, then I will do my best to post visual aids. There are 'links' on my profile page to help with visual aids such as the NM landscape, architecture, food, farm life, etc.
Characters in intro
The Mysterious entity -White Woman/Dark Woman (supporting character, appears throughout the story)
Maeve- jolly mentor to Elizabeth Bennet. Resident Costume Designer (in a couple more chapters here and there)
Various Longbourn Theatre Company Resident Artists, Faculty and Staff:
Kent Gilbert, Artistic Director.
Prologue: Pre Production
Spring Semester of the current year, Lizzy's junior year at Longbourn State University in Dona Maria, New Mexico. In the Costume Shop, with Maeve, Lizzy's supervisor, mentor and friend:
Maeve heard the voice, uncertain who it was, except it must be the spirit of some loved one who would not quite reveal herself. Maeve had heard voices from beyond the veil and seen unearthly things since she was a child. This voice was a voice of Inspiration, whispered to her without intelligible words. It put her in mind of a classic book she'd read so long ago. Inspiration came alive with sketches and swatches, colors and hints of scenery. When Maeve shared it with her friend, Kent, he immediately grasped it and they talked and drew inspiration late into the evening. They were in agreement that they would do what it took to make their vision of Pride and Prejudice a reality on the mainstage of 'their' theatre.
The day came for the Inspiration to slowly unfold. Before leaving the shop, Maeve grabbed some sketches and left a new piece of chocolate for her Muse on the makeshift altar, a shelf above her workspace. The piece of crown molding was adorned with all manner of sparkly things and a few patinaed photographs from decades ago. Even though she was still uncertain as to the spirit's identity, she uttered soft word of acknowledgment to her Muse and left, the bell on the door tinkling behind her.
Artistic Director Kent Gilbert futilely attempted calling order to Longbourn Theatre Company's cacophonous planning meeting.
"If everyone doesn't shut up this minute I'm going to say the "M" word! "* Immediate silence filled the stuffy room. Luck was more threatening to superstitious thespians than any 'realistic' fear. Leave it to the curse of The Scottish Play to make thespians quake in their boots. Well, it worked. Kent sighed and then pushed on: "As I was saying, this is a complex set, and, due to budget considerations, I suggest we scale down our fall musical. Pride and Prejudice is, after all, the original romance and has real marketing potential."
Debate ensued between champions of the perennial spring musical and the alternate, musical hating camp, until Maeve produced a rendering, a collaboration between Kent and herself (and the Muse), of people moving a stage in clockwork fashion. They wore period costumes instead of the usual blacks. "We can use the stagehands to move the stage; put them in servants clothing; it will save costs and the men in costume will give ladies in the audience more visual interest, if you know what I mean." Laughter erupted, mostly from the ladies. Maeve gave a twinkling reminder that there were no codpieces in the Regency era- only tight breeches. *
The macho Tech Manager did his best to sound like a grizzly bear when proclaiming that neither he nor his employees would wear girly clothes and Kent had better make sure this job was assigned to students. "We can work this out later, but I don't think it will be necessary for you to be in costume," Kent responded, evenly.
Everyone resumed mumbling around the table. Kent took a deep breath. "Let's take a vote. All in favor?" Hands went up overwhelmingly in favor of this proposal, leaving the small contingent of protesters to glower. The Unseen Hand had guided this vision closer toward fruition. The show would go on. After interminable negotiations, meetings, calls and more meetings throughout the spring semester, the Technical and Production Staff was decided:
Costume Design Major Elizabeth Bennet would Design Costumes. Maeve, her mentor and Resident Costume Designer- Head 'Costume Shop Babe'- would be her 'assistant'. Jane Bennet, Lizzy's sister, would be one of several Costume Shop interns, staff and students (Costume Shop Babes) who would help put together costumes.
When Lizzy was offered her first mainstage Costume Design opportunity, she was thrilled, but reluctant at its scope, especially since she'd be gone until a few days after fall semester started. The production was the first one of the fall season, and she didn't want to start out behind. Maeve convinced Lizzy that between herself and Jane, they would keep her posted, and that, knowing the other designers, they would be understanding. After all, professionals often have to go from one gig to the next, and conduct correspondence in between. Eager for the opportunity, Lizzy agreed to do it. Little did the Bennet sisters (or even Maeve) know the turn this Production would take.
*Macbeth: Thespians are superstitious about saying the name of that play within a theatre and so it is referred to as 'The Scottish Play'. If someone says the name of that tragic hero, the remedy is to run outside and turn around 3 times while cursing (saying a profanity, not the other type), then asking permission to come back in (I made this mistake once). I have heard the reason for the curse of the name has something to do with the Weird Sisters, the 3 witches in the play.
*codpieces, for those who are not part of the pervy horde or order of the cotton drawers in another universe, were coverings for bunchage used in the late middle ages, through, if I remember correctly, the Cavalier period. Here is a funny link about them. Note the date it was posted before thinking hipsters will be wearing these.
the art of manliness dot com/2011/04/01/bringing-back-the-codpiece
Lizzy Bennet: ODG
Francesca Bennet- Mother- mentioned in flashback
One shot characters:
Levi or The Tailor- a very distinct personality facilitating Lizzy's interests in more ways than one. One of my betas thought this person was too good to be true. However, I kept the person as I knew them to be, including their system for fitting. They are real, and it is true. I altered other identifying parts of this person, however. If any of you are from the theatre world and PM me with the correct identity of the person, I will give you a shout out! Please don't name the person in the comments however.
Cole- Lizzy's ex who appears in Lizzy's flashbacks.
Maya- Lizzy's partner in crime in sewing and in art
Millie Younge- a stage manager whose family owns a ranch in Chaparral NM.
Wickham- rambled into Lambton and got a job as a chef/ cook at a local restaurant.
Charlotte (Char)- mentioned in flashback
Jane- mentioned in flashback
Chapter 1: Lizzie's Summer Theatre Internship Wherein ODG Learns More Than How to Tailor Properly
May 26th of the current year, Colorado, Lambton Repertory Theatre (LRT), Intern Housing, the summer before P & P's production is underway. ODG is interning for the summer:
It was 7 pm before the first day of the Summer Season of LRT and Elizabeth sat in her cramped quarters, waiting expectantly for tomorrow to come, to finally meet the famous Master Tailor. Lizzy was one of the few who didn't join in pre production celebrations at one of the town's 2 bars. Introspective at the moment, and, with an abundance of time, doubts emerged. Usually at such a time as this she'd talk to her sister Jane. Instead she did the next best thing and wrote Jane an old fashioned letter on stationary she'd just gotten from one of the boutiques in Lambton.
Dear Jane,
May 26th: Here I sit in the cozy room of the rickety Victorian Era boarding home that is to be mine for the summer. You wouldn't believe how chilly it can get in the canyon at night. I'm glad I brought the old leather jacket Aunt Phil insisted upon. I confess I feel a moment of doubt: is this wild and lonely canyon town really a place to further my career?
No, no. That will not do. I am going to start over:
Tomorrow is the day I meet the legendary Tailor, The Amazon Herself, Levi. I can't wait to see if she really can fit a person by just knowing their waist size and the color of their eyes. If it is true, what might I do to find out her secret?
Well, you must agree that is a better beginning, but if I want to be fresh, I will turn in now.
May 28th: Jane, the silliest thing happened: I dreamed I was a punk rock chick here in Lambton and I was making all the miners put on a prom but they protested because they didn't believe in dancing. I insisted on making them dresses. This shadowy woman was the instigator of the protests, more to challenge me than for any other reason. Before I could unearth this Woman's motive, I woke up. What a weird dream.
But you know what happened, next? I told Maya and she ACTUALLY had the nerve to innocently ask this group of guys if they believed in dancing! I was so embarrassed but this one guy spoke up and said 'with the right inducement'. He looked at me and smiled and my stomach flipped. He was totally hot. OK. I smiled back. Happy?
I know you are dying to know the rest: we arrived at the costume shop and immediately were pulled into the Master Tailor's whirlwind. The Amazon was already in a foul mood and treated everyone as if they were stupid. As well she would with an 160 IQ. The Tailor insisted that I follow precise rules for cutting, pinning and stitching the costume pieces together. I was equally terrified of making an error AND of arguing. I pulled an all nighter to put together every piece, precisely to The Tailor's expectations. I felt like I was in some kind of twisted sewing rite of passage, complete with growling but nervous stomach, bloodied pincushion fingers, body locked into a permanent hunched over position from pinning and sewing more hours than I even realized were in a day. I might have gotten a couple of hours of sleep in the green room but couldn't be sure.
I won't keep you in suspense about the fitting: when the magnificent lead arrived for her fitting, I was positively stunned. The Tailor's system worked, whatever it was. All we needed to alter were the costume's length in a couple of areas. The Tailor magically turned from angry and arrogant to self satisfied and proud, showing off the statistical system She'd developed based on height, weight and average measurements, offering a copy to me- ME! I can't believe how lucky I am. I asked Levi if it would be ok to use it as a template to base my sizes off of and she gave me her blessing! She said she freely shared her system anyway. Oh, and by the way, the system does NOT include eye color. That was the ONLY exaggeration. But, as I was witness, the Tailor truly did magic knowing only 2 measurements. Can you imagine how much time that is going to save us? Alright, I know you aren't as geeky about clothes as me, you just do it for spare change so I'll stop now, except to say that the Tailor is a sweetie at heart. Her horrid moods are worth it to work with this mad genius of an Amazon.
I'll leave off here- You'll never guess who found me at the shop this afternoon? Yes! That hot guy who said he'd dance with the right inducement! We're going to have dinner at his place. He assured me he is a perfect gentleman. I will be safe, dear Jane, I promise.
Love, Lizzy
Having an extra sheet of paper, Lizzy repeated the same story of the Tailor's fitting triumph to her Aunt Phil. She then cleverly folded each letter into its own self contained envelope and posted the notes, but not before she had picked some wildflowers and pressed them into each letter. Lizzy only wished they could both be here in person to experience the shop and the canyon for themselves. She couldn't wait to hear their replies.
June 20th of the current year, Lambton
Lizzy biked in a leisurely fashion up the canyon. The reason for her foray was to consider her new acquaintance: George Wickham. On their first date, he made homemade pasta and pesto then they sat up on the veranda of his little room, watching the stars and listening to music. He made flattering comments but other than brushing her arm occasionally or staring deeply into her eyes, he didn't make a move, provoking in her a sense of expecting something that never came. The conflicting feelings were novel. Lizzy wondered if she'd really learned her lesson from Cole.
Wickham had soon charmed the entire cast and so was welcome in the Green Room. He hung out there during Lizzy's wardrobe duty. They'd visit in the off times while she waited for the cast to come back between scenes for changes and the like.
After the show they talked while she did laundry, waiting for cycles, sitting out back, watching the brook behind the theatre. She shared anecdotes about the shop's intense atmosphere and felt relieved to get it off her chest. Of course she talked to Maya, but that really wasn't the same. It was nice talking to a guy again. It certainly didn't hurt that he was frightfully handsome. He had a keen wit and she very much enjoyed chatting about plays, food, gardening, travel- anything, really.
It was fun, this flirtation (possibly more?) with such a man. It had been awhile since her last boyfriend. But, no, Wickham already was a little too much like Cole in looks and manner, causing a shiver up her spine. Lizzy resolved not to think again on back to the more pleasant subject, Lizzy enjoyed Wickham's tales of cross country culinary adventures -a veritable Anthony Bourdain.
Eventually Wickham traced his story back to a couple of years ago, when he partedways with old family friends. As he spoke of that time, his normally amiable features transformed into something feral. He proceeded to share lurid details about how he was all alone, orphaned as a child and how his surrogate family allowed a cruel aunt to take him away. As a young adult, he was reunited with this family who seemed to be happy about the renewed acquaintance and spent many meaningful occasions together. That was until he became ill and his surrogate, now orphaned, 'brothers' abandoned him.
Lizzy tried to find out details such as where this was, what his illness was, but Wickham changed the subject, a pained look crossing his face. She let the matter drop and settled for taking his hand. They sat in this attitude until Lizzy was interrupted by the buzzing of the washer. By the time she came back, Wickham had left a note saying he didn't feel well and had turned in. She was disappointed but figured, just like her, he had painful times in his past, better left unsaid.
With stationary in hand, sitting next to the stream, Lizzy jotted down her thoughts about Wickham to Jane and Aunt Phil. She also wrote about the little town she'd grown to love. For nearly a month, she'd immersed herself in everything evoking Lambton- the floral sweetness of violet candy from Irises… antique treasures discovered during rambles about town like at that hole in the wall bookstore behind the theatre… her daily mocha- fortification before grueling hours of sewing, cutting, wardrobe duty, and more sewing. Afterhours were free to spend in typical Thespian fashion, carousing, doing extra projects or paying jobs. She reveled in the surroundings, hiking up the gorge as much as possible, finding places from the old mining days where odd bits of old metal and glass can be unearthed. An old cookie tin held the stash. She really had no idea what she'd do with them, but they certainly were cool. She picked out some random bits to send to Aunt Phil, who would also enjoy them.
During the ensuing days:
Lizzy didn't have much time to talk to Wickham, as production ramped up for their next opening. Lizzy was very much looking forward to seeing him opening night. She had been more than a little disappointed when he showed up drunk and possibly high, with pupils the size of pinpricks despite the lateness of the hour and dimness of the lights. She tolerated his company, and found his arm brushing her breast one too many times to be inadvertent. Then, Wickham insisted on dancing a slow one with her and kissed her in a manner that left a great deal wanting from her imaginations of his first kiss.
When he became more forward on the dance floor, Lizzy excused herself went to stand with The Tailor, who engaged her in conversation about career plans and other randomness such as The Tailor's love of 20's gay culture. They bonded about their mutual fascination with Gertrude Stein and Alice B Tolklas. This got Lizzys' mind off of the party for awhile. She couldn't look at Wickham yet. It was too embarrassing. Unfortunately, Wickham's behavior called too much attention to himself as he proceeded to make his rounds with a half dozen other thespians (male and female).
Lizzy was astonished at how his attentions alternated so rapidly and felt it keenly. "Seen enough?" The Tailor asked and she nodded. The Tailor walked her to the boarding home and mentioned something curious: "Just because I'm a genius about Tailoring- and usually love- doesn't mean I don't get taken in too. You're nice and I didn't want you to make the same mistake I did." Lizzy felt a little guilty that she'd joked so much with Wickham about her experiences with The Tailor. Levi was turning out to be a better friend than Wickham, it would seem.
After that night Lizzy maintained a polite distance from Wickham, keeping her smiles up, that twang of sympathy and questions pulling at her heart, but she remained careful not to be alone with him. Lizzy both hoped, and feared, his overtures would inevitably turn to an attempt to explain that night. Really, there was no adequate explanation for the lightning shift in his attentions that could endear her to him in the same way. Yes, he shared more in common with her ex than his handsome features.
Maya's suspicions about her friend's love interest had been aroused and her questions, persistent. Lizzy gave noncommittal replies until one day something gave. "Wickham reminds me of Cole, that's all." Lizzy left the shop, claiming a need to go to the dressing rooms. Lizzy had met Maya after Cole, anyway, and had always tried to avoid that dreaded subject with new friends. Maya only knew a little of Cole, more from lack of discussion than any words about the man. The usually gregarious and forthcoming Lizzy showed a very different side to Maya during those times. Maya knew that Cole must have hurt Lizzy very deeply. Maya resolved to help her friend, even though Lizzy kept this pain close to her chest. Lizzy was grateful for Maya's eagerness to support her lovelife, but she just couldn't bring herself to share the history.
It was times like this that Lizzy missed her sister, Jane who had knew it, who experienced it with her. Lizzy had still not heard from Jane except for a small care package within school project correspondence. She hoped this meant her sister was busy back home, dating, or at least consumed with summer school. They certainly would have a lot to catch up on when Lizzy returned home in the fall.
Her only other correspondent, Aunt Phil, never wrote any words of advice other than sewing or clothing euphemisms. They were kindly meant but baffling all the same.
Without the benefit of Jane's advice, Lizzy decided to listen to her own inner voice.
June 26 -27th or some other Monday in Lambton (current year). ODG is still interning. Let's check in on her, shall we?
Unbeknownst to Lizzy, Wickham was often in the company of Maya's new interest, a charming waiter with a glorious crown of dreadlocks. Maya had lunch daily at the Inn, just to flirt with the Hippie. She was thrilled when he finally asked her out and suggested Wickham come along. Having mulled over Wickham's winning behavior all her times at the inn, Maya assumed that there must be some misunderstanding about it all. So, she determined that Lizzy could benefit from hearing him out, if he chose to discuss things, or at least to enjoy a night under the stars with the excellent conversationalist. She was sure Lizzy would be pleasantly surprised.
Lizzy and Maya had gone on their double date on Sunday, 'black Monday eve', as they'd called it. Maya begged Lizzy to join her, along with a new Hippie friend of hers for a picnic. When Lizzy got in the truck, she was disappointed to see that Wickham joined them. Maya explained that she thought it would be a nice double date. Lizzy flashed a look at Maya but didn't say anything- Maya's own eyes pled to go along with things. Grudgingly, Lizzy nodded her head in acknowledgment.
If Maya was so up on this, maybe she could give him a chance. Maybe Wickham would explain what happened opening night. She doubted it would change her now distant feeling, but she was still enough taken by his ineffable charm that Lizzy hoped, rather than expected, to be surprised.
They took a pickup to the edge of town, on a residential road overlooking the main street. It had started out well enough as they had a picnic on the tailgate with hotdogs and beer, enjoying a playlist of old Lilith Fair artists, by suggestion of Lizzie.
The date promptly went south after they'd paired off- Maya and her Hippie took a walk to a copse a little way off the road. Meanwhile, Lizzy's date, Wickham, elected to smoke copious quantities of weed. As soon as she'd seen him light up, Lizzy exited the truck and lay in the tailgate looking at the stars, trying to avoid a contact high. Wickham immediately took liberties when he got out of the cab, his warm palm 'accidentally' finding her thigh as he fumblingly crawled into the old pickup's tailgate.
She politely escaped as quickly as she could, rolling away and grabbing her tote from inside the truck, making her excuses and skip walking down the hill. Wickham just sat on the tailgate, staring dazedly after her. It was far from traumatizing but Lizzy couldn't yet laugh at the waste of an evening. She walked home without seeing what her friend was up to. Maya could figure it out.
The next day a glowing Maya simultaneously laughed at Lizzy's predicament while chirruping sympathies about the state of her love life. Maya couldn't help it that she'd gotten 'the good date'. Instead of further confiding in Maya, Lizzy insisted her friend 'owed' a favor. She roped Maya into getting a 2nd bike and they traveled up the ravine at an ungodly hour of the morning as far as Maya was concerned.
Lizzy carried thermos of her favorite mocha, a bag of trail mix, and a bottle of water. They rode up the gorge to a favorite little gurgling bit of spring. Surprised at finding fruit so early in the season, the friends plucked a few tart yet succulent wild raspberries found in this part of the canyon. "Black Monday! "* Lizzy cried. They found other botanical treasures and broke the law, weaving and donning crowns of columbine The offense, picking a dozen of the state flower, they rationalized, was nothing to other illegalities most of Lambton's population got up to daily, as evidenced by her date last night.
Maya attempted another apology to her friend but was cut short. Lizzy had seen enough of the men in Lambton to know none of them would even suffice for a summer fling. "You're quite resigned to the fact. Surely not all of them get high. Sometimes people make mistakes, too." Maya looked intently at her friend.
Lizzy answered, "I don't think I can deal with even a charming guy like Wickham's mistakes because I'm still too fragile." She decided that her friend, for all her fumbling attempts at help, deserved the truth. Lizzy concentrated on a twig, recalling, "Cole and I met 2 years ago. Tall, long hair and a charming smile like Wickham. He calmed my nerves when I had to go into the rafters in lighting class. It was love at first sight. I obsessed over him at his Don Giovanni practices and he made breathless recitations of the reasons he loved me. We planned to intern at the _ the next summer and move to New York when we graduated. I was going to move up the ranks in the garment industry while he worked on his singing aspirations. Mom even approved of him and my plan, which was huge. And then Everything Changed." The twig snapped- she'd forgotten it was even in her hands.
Maya had been working on another garland and determined this to be an appropriate moment to adorn her tearful friend. She moved behind and started braiding Lizzy's hair, which encouraged more recollections: "Just before a mini break, about 18 months ago, Cole's attention became erratic; he strung me along while cheating on me with an airheaded soprano. Of course I had no clue why he became distant. When I learned the truth on the first day back to school, I told him off in front of the whole production- at dress rehearsal no less. Of course that finalized the breakup. Not having his reassurance in lighting class made me get panic attacks in the rafters and I didn't know how I'd get through it. It turns out I didn't have to worry."
"That was when Jane had her accident and I took incompletes at school to be home, helping her. I almost killed both of us a time or two. She was zonked on pain meds and was practically a dead weight. When I had to help her out of bed, she'd fall on me and we'd hit the wall or floor and then I'd have to start all over again. Thank g-d the wheelchair came. Even then I had a hell of a time getting her from it to the bed or the bathroom. If it wasn't that, I was trying to finish up my incompletes before school started again. It's a wonder I even thought of Cole at all." Lizzy shook her head, pausing. When she began again, her tone changed.
"Of course, Mama mentioned him often, and badgered me about what I was going to do with my career plans now that I'd driven him away. All our lives she was on about either farming or marrying, like we lived 100 years ago. There was so much pressure that summer. I was the only one taking care of Jane and, still, Mama was on my case about what I was going to do next semester, how I didn't belong with artists, and that art had no future anyway." Lizzy snorted, "Like farming is so much more certain of a career anyway. I relied on Mama's approval to finance my way through school, and she made us miserable if she was miserable."
"Aunt Phil and Tia Lena suggested that I form a business plan and sell my own products- they would always make off-hand suggestions when I made things for myself or the family which I didn't take seriously at the time. I still wasn't too sold on the idea myself, but at some point I realized I wanted this thing. They helped me form a business plan and, now, I have a Plan B. Mom still thinks it's a stupid idea to run a store but she keeps her mouth shut to keep peace with my aunts and to keep me sewing for her projects. I don't care if she approves. I feel better about my future with no guys involved. I don't want to get distracted with some guy from somewhere with his own dreams and goals. It didn't work the first time. And now that someone reminds me of *him*?" Lizzy shook her head. "But look where we are now- Jane is fine on her own again and here I am, on track, learning from The Tailor this summer, my Plan B. We made it." Maya didn't ask further. Anyway, she'd finished Lizzy's braid and the canyon was beginning to become chilly, so they wended their way back down into their tiny corner of civilization.
Upon returning to Lambton, Lizzy carefully tucked one of the garlands into some spare muslin, in between an old copy of The Sound and The Fury, and posted it along with a letter she'd written to Jane detailing the awful date and the next day's canyon ride. Just the other day, Jane had included a bag of pecans in the package of swatches and notes Maeve sent, but still Jane had sent no reply or word of her own activities at home. If it were anyone else, Lizzy would feel ill used at this point, but she was determined to continue to think the best of her sister.
And anyway, Aunt Phil had just sent a care package- a vintage Pendleton shirt she thought would warm Lizzy in the cold mornings. Lizzy thought it was perfect for the look she had perfected during her stay in the Canyon. She would wear that old woolen plaid shirt with her vintage Doc Martens and the assortment of distressed jeans or flowing dresses, listen to her playlist and feel like she should be at the Lillith Fair.*
After the disastrous date, Lizzy saw little of Wickham. When she did, Lizzy offered her friendship and tried to engage him in conversation like the first days they'd gotten acquainted. He always seemed to find someone else who needed his attention and made polite excuses.
Lizzy didn't bother writing any more about Wickham to her sister. Jane would hear it all soon enough. Instead, she wrote to Aunt Phil wondering how a person can seem to be a friend, only to be so changeable. She didn't want to admit to her Aunt – or herself- that the man reminded her far too much of all that was left unsaid between herself and Cole. Her Aunt just sent another care package in reply: a package of dead stock bandanas she thought useful. Knowing Aunt Phil, Lizzy imagined that the care package was meant to dry her tears. Aunt Phil was rarely direct, instead conveying her feelings through odd gifts.
*Black Monday- the day that Theatres are closed or 'Black' as in only 1 light being on in the whole place, other than that it is 'black'
* The Lillith Fair was a festival in the 90s of women performers, started, I believe by Sarah McLaughlan back when she was still considered alternative and not mainstream. It featured a variety of performers from McLaughlan herself, toTracy Chapman, India Irie, Luscious Jackson, No Doubt, and I can't even begin to list who else.
Chapter 2: I Had A Vision
August 1st ,before Senior Year, Lambton- ODG is still enjoying her summer:
One serendipitous afternoon, the cold thin Colorado air gave new perspective after precarious moments in a Jeep situated too intimately near the edge of a steep mountain. Lizzy and its other occupants were on the precipice of careening down the mountain to be stranded, hurt or dead, in the middle of nowhere. Maya's Hippie gingerly quit his shotgun seat and began forcing rocks and branches under the back wheels. The Amazon cautiously followed and helped. Combined efforts enabled the vehicle to gain enough traction to move and the group continued up the mountain to its pinnacle.
When she, Maya, her Hippie, and the Tailor stood at the peak, cathartic tears poured down Lizzy's face, mountain winds carrying them far away. Adrenaline caused a rush of emotion in recollection of everything that had happened before- Jane, 'missed' chances with dreams and love. If Lizzy could face the highest heights and hard labor, maybe she was also strong enough to overcome other obstacles. The adrenaline didn't give any wisdom for how this was to occur, only the sense that her dreams were indeed possible. She had to build on this momentum artistically. As if on cue…"Hey do you guys hear that music?" Lizzy asked the rest of the group.
Maya's Hippie was breathless, "Those bells? That's crazy. It must be Yeti or something."
The Tailor snorted, "Yeti aren't up here. Besides they don't play bells. Maybe it's the pioneer ghosts." It was obvious by her sarcasm that The Tailor was joking.
Elizabeth turned her head and cocked her ears, searching, "It's not bells, it's some kind of period instrument. It's so beautiful."
Maya asked "What would yeti or pioneers be doing with period instruments? It's clearly faeries. I brought my crystal just in case. See?" Maya brought out a huge piece of glass. Her friends just looked at each other and laughed. They didn't even try to explain about the huge glass shard. Typical Maya.
Maya's Hippie peered into the distance and seemed to discern something, murmuring "Sounds like a spirit…. The Dark Woman." Just then the music faded away.
Pictures were taken and the exhilarating moment was captured of Lizzy at her pinnacle in a pristine photo- her hair whipping in the biting wind as she stood on the rocky peak overlooking a panoramic view, extending, it seemed, into infinity- an apt metaphor. If one looked closely, orbs could be seen floating all around her, but perhaps it was a trick of the camera.
The group agreed it was getting too cold so they jumped back in the Jeep, their destination below being hot chocolate. The mystery music was a topic of lively conversation at Mountain Man Java, but soon after the subject faded away, much like the music had. The change in elevation was more than just physical, as they descended in the jeep, Lizzy's concerns returned to the work waiting for her in her room. The strange experience remained in the corner of her mind, along with that rekindled strength of her will to ascend. This left no more time to wonder about mysteries of guys like Wickham and Cole, who, in the end, were just a distraction.
It was a good thing Lizzy had new found energy: Waiting on her bed was a new packet of materials for the show she was designing when she got to school. Lizzy ordered some take out and worked late into the night, exasperated that a certain William Darcy, Scenic Artist, was so fussy and insistent upon his scheme for the period and colors. She had to tweak all of her costumes and hoped she could send the revised designs back by Friday when the last mail went out.
Lizzy reminded herself this time Jane had baked a bunch of cookies which would get her through her work. She wrote thanking Jane for the cookies and described the mountaintop experience. She joked to her sister about the time that Jane had, in her stupor on pain medications, laughed about a fairy woman and bells, and wondered if she too was now addled. Lizzy and Jane shared hints of humor about their dark days now and she hoped the lately silent sister would find this story amusing. Finishing, she enclosed the letter in the packets for school. Lizzy wrote a separate letter, repeating many of the stories to Aunt Phil, taking extra time to complain about Mr. Fancy Pants as she termed Darcy. At least Aunt Phil had been sympathetic in her last letter, and hadn't even used one euphemism.
I'm Gonna Go In Style
Subsequent Lambton days were consumed with finishing the 3rd show's designs when Lizzy wasn't working wardrobe to the other 2 shows. Lizzy constantly checked and rechecked between the summer work and her school work, afraid that she'd send the wrong packet back to that particular William Darcy, G-ds Forbid!
When Lizzy decided to bring her school work into the theatre to work on it at lunch, the Tailor gave her the eagle eye and told her not to do 'outside' work during shop hours. Embarrassed, Lizzy stuffed the sketches and swatches back into the envelope and into her cubby.
Maya buzzed about doing whatever it was Maya did in the shop while keeping her Hippie company in her off time. When Maya asked about another double date- this time with a new- sober- friend of her Hippie, Lizzy told her friend she no longer had time for thinking about guys. Knowing that her friend preferred her silence on such matters, Maya let the matter rest.
After work, Lizzy took her sketches to the inn, hoping to eat dinner and avail herself of the owner's satellite internet connection. One of the few in town. She was disappointed when The Tailor followed her and laughed at the coincidence that the canyon was in for a storm, so the satellite wouldn't have even been functional. Lizzy had considered politely begging off company when the Amazon asked about the sketches. She proceeded to expound upon the stays and underpinnings used of the era, then cataloged various fabrics and the evolution of the style, noting the differences between Lizzy's sketches and notes sent by William Darcy.
The Tailor didn't hesitate to also expound upon the merits of Lizzy's nemesis and found his ideas quite refreshing, although quickly reassuring Lizzy that her own were also more than tolerable. From anyone else, this would have been offensive, but from the Amazonian genius, it was a compliment of the highest order. But of course Lizzy's nemesis outshone her- The Tailor knew him and considered him a visionary. Apparently he was also one of the very few guys who the usually same- sex preferring Tailor would consider if Darcy weren't so fastidious. Who was this man that made Amazonian geniuses practically salivate at his feet?
Even in relaxation, The Tailor was a task mistress and soon had Lizzy buzzing away completing the notes. When they finished, the two had all but shut the inn down. Wickham lingered for the first couple hours, bringing over snacks he made them 'on the house'. He sat and told them funny stories about patrons when Lizzy and the Tailor had taken a break to eat some freshly baked bread he'd brought out. But that was already long ago. The keys had been left in the door and they'd finally emptied the pot of coffee left by the owners. In Her genteel fashion, The Tailor walked her friend home, yet again.
This time when she sent the packet back, Lizzy didn't include anything for Jane. She supposed she'd see her soon enough, and this time, she was just too busy. Surely Jane was too busy herself, and would understand. She'd better. Lizzy declared to Aunt Phil that she wasn't at all upset that Jane hadn't written much, a she supposed there was a good reason.
Aunt Phil's consistent letters were only encouraging and generally contained something in the way of a cool care package. Lizzy decided to be extra generous in this, possibly last, response, and sent back to Aunt Phil some carefully wrapped tokens of her finds, including an intact blue medicine bottle with a desiccated cork stopper, a tiny piece of amethyst and a colorful feather.
Soon enough, the season was winding down and goodbyes started. The Tailor insisted upon taking 'her costume girls' to dinner at the Inn the night before her departure. They sat, enjoying the wholesome locally sourced meal while listening to a live blues performer. The evening would have been complete if it had finished there, but Lizzy noticed Wickham come out from the back where he was cooking and steal kisses from a woman who sat in the corner.
Millie Younge, Stage Manager, was a theatre student from UTEP, an oddity with a mullet/mohawk, perpetual sleeveless tee shirt, and taped up combat boots. They looked on as Millie and Wickham sloppily made out as if no one was watching. The two were oblivious that they were even in public, their hands grasping very private areas as breaths hitched. It was all so surprising- the display and Millie. She'd never even seen Millie outside the theatre booth. When did this happen? Lizzy, not for the first time, supposed the ways of love were mysterious. She amused herself thinking they were just the type of couple to be photographed on one of the quirky fashion blogs she followed. It felt good that she was so detached to be able to laugh at the oddity of it all.
The Tailor caught her eye and gave a look that meant She, too, had seen everything. Maya shot her an inquiring gaze, relieved when Lizzy commented that she found no objection to their coupling- she'd never felt anything like love for him. Lizzy's intense behavior earlier was enough cause for her friend to wonder if she had deeper feelings for Wickham.
Days later, Maya's concerns were put to rest in the strangest way. Lizzy came in and nonchalantly announced "Well, you don't have to worry about packing your tiny car with my stuff. My things will be traveling in Wickham's U-Haul. He's moving to Millie's ranch in Mesquite."
Maya at first looked at her unbelieving. Lizzy persisted: "Wickham kindly offered to take my things back home with little trouble to me, other than bribing my brother Lydon to retrieve the bags when they get to town."
Maya wondered "Is it wise to trust him with your things?"
Lizzy looked a little guilty: "I was nosy and asked around and learned, despite his oddities, Wickham's behavior has been impeccable- bills paid, even was a generous tipper at the bars and that he had seemed to come in to some generous funds by way of the Inn job. How he had managed to do that I don't know"
From what her Hippie said about Wickham's extracurricular -dealings- Maya could imagine- but it was benign enough and, after all, second hand information, so she merely raised an eyebrow. Lizzy was naive in these areas, and Maya didn't want to worry her about information that could, after all, be in error.
Lizzy looked at her but Maya waved on for her friend to continue: "I don't see any fault other than his propensity to be quite -um- amorous. Besides, once I retrieve my things, I figure my dealings with Wickham will be little to nonexistent. The man is far too enigmatic for my taste," she confided. Maya drily replied that Wickham wasn't the only one who could be enigmatic. Lizzy just smirked.
well, here are the first couple or so chapters. please review and if anyone else out there is interested in continuing to beta, let me know, esp if you are conversant in Spanglish! 3 W