Little girls in pink dresses grow up to be housewives. Each girl like a doll in her perfect little box. A perfect house, neat and tidy, children well behaved and orderly. Dinner always ready at five o'clock when their husbands walk through their bright white doors. That was what little girls dream to be when a babydoll is given to them and they play kitchen with the rocks they find in the yard. Then as they age, propriety is forced down their small throats and they are taught how to be a 'lady'.
That was not what Betty dreamed of. From the time she was seven, she was playing detective in the backyard. She yearned for adventure as she stared out the window. At the age of twelve, she was writing away in her pink journal. She kept her life in that book, discussing how her life was going to be and where she was running off to at eighteen. She wasn't going to be stuck in a little box with a man her parents chose for her. Betty would choose her happiness on her own terms not her parents', perhaps on her own, or with a man she loved.
A muttered curse from her father, as he hit a rather large pothole, broke her from her thoughts. She sighed as reality hit her once again. She wasn't eighteen yet, she had another long year ahead of her. So instead of being off to adventure, she was here stuck in a car with her parents and her older sister Polly.
"The Keller Family Resort" had been around for thirty-some years and had been a spot the Cooper family frequented since Betty's early childhood. While it had become a family tradition, the visits stopped as Polly entered high school. The family focus was no longer enjoyment in their summers but keeping their girls focused on the goal that lied ahead, marriage.
The car's speed slowed as they drifted through an archway adorned with vines and ivy.
The Cooper were quickly escorted to their family cabin located on the east side of the resort. The west side, they were told, was where the employees slept, while the east and south contained the guests and the North side held all the fun festivities.
Betty snorted at the man's mention of festivities. She was certain their idea of festivities was not the same as hers. She could only imagine her summer filled with rousing games of horseshoes and checkers. This was going to be a boring summer. Betty was suddenly grateful she went against her mother's wishes and brought so many books to read.
The man continued to ramble on about the various amenities the resort had to offer. Betty stop listening, standing near the window she took in the scenery. Just a few miles from their cabin lay a massive mountain peak, green cascading around it. Betty had never seen something so beautiful. In all the years she had visited this very spot, she never took the time to open her eyes and see the wonderful thing right in front of her.
Two young boys and a girl ran past The Coopers' cabin, giggling as they ran. The two boys ran a few feet ahead of the struggling girl. She was trying to catch them, her breath torn between laughter and running. Betty smiled thinking of the times when she felt as carefree as them. It had been a long time since Betty had wholehearted fun like those kids. Now life was all about sewing lessons and baking cupcakes. She sickened at the thought of returning home to more lessons. She prayed this summer would go by slow, she would live in her books imagining her parents were horses in the stables of Capulets' estate.
"Baby!" A shrill voice screamed breaking Betty's concentration on the outside world.
Betty took a deep breath as her nails dug into the palm of her hand.
, what an awful name. She was most definitely not a baby by the looks of her body. Neither was she mentally or intellectually a baby. Her older sister Polly could never remembered Betty's name as a child so she simply called her baby. Unfortunately, for Betty, it stuck and forever more baby she would be.
"Yes, mother?" She smiled politely as she turned to face her mother's stern face.
"You did not thank the gentleman for helping us with our suitcases."
"Of course. Forgive me kindly, thank you for your help." Betty smiled cocking her head sweetly at them. As the men left the cabin, Betty glared at her mother. "I'm going for a walk."
Betty let the soft summer breeze overtake her as she stepped outside. Her light blue sweater stuck to her skin in the heat. Letting her mind lay dormant as she walked around. She had done enough over-thinking for the day.
People walked by her with polite smiles and delicate waves. Betty returned the gesture with a smiling facade, she was not up for chit-chat about the weather and what a fine resort it was.
Betty felt moisture filling her fisted hands. She stretched her fingers out and gazed upon her palms. A sigh escaped from her lips. Her palms were scarlet red, blood seeping out from her nail shaped scars. She rushed to the nearest bathroom and scrubbed her hands cleaned. Her eyes darted around the public bathroom as she washed her hands. She didn't want anyone to see, they would think she was a murderer or that she had mental problems. Neither of which she wanted to get back to her parents.
When Polly entered high school and their lessons on marriage and how to be a lady, a perfect wife, started, Betty began to despise her parents. Every time she was scolded or whenever her parents mentioned a young man they had met, her insides curled and her rage boiled inside her. Her anger stayed inside flowing out just enough to reach her palms where her fingernails dug roughly into her skin.
Betty recollected herself and braced the outside world once again. As she looked at her surroundings she realized she had walked around almost the entire resort. The main hall where dinner and events were held stood in front of her. It was a massive building with beautiful white archways and flowers sitting in the yard.
As Betty stood there she heard soft latin music traveling from the right of her. She walked closer. There she found a room of older people stepping carefully to mimic the instructors. It was painful to watch as the elders awkwardly swayed to the music. The male instructor separated from his female copart and took a gray-headed woman by the hand. The woman laughed and a blush crept over her as he spun her around. Betty giggled at the interaction and snaked away from the scene making her way by to the cabin where her books awaited her.
The sun lowered onto the horizon as the Coopers walked to the main hall. Tonight was the first night of the summer season which resulted in a big shin-dig, dinner, music, and conversation. A mating ground, disguised with society and fancy dresses. The ballroom was filled with round tables and white satin chair covers. Three golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling which was painted blue, white puffy clouds scattered around it. The ceiling reminded Betty of the clouds she watched roll past her as she swung peacefully on the school playground. The children Betty went to school with were mean and harsh just because she didn't want to play with dolls or play house. So she spent her days swinging on the playground where no one could touch her, her thoughts filling her mind so the kids' words fell right out.
Betty followed her mother to their assigned table. Her parents gently led Betty to the seat in between them as if they were guarding her from the bad influences surrounding her. The put together men and women were going to spin Betty out of control. Betty scoffed at the thought, if only her parents knew what she thought in the comfort of her own head.
A screech resonated through the spacious hall, a tall man with salt and pepper hair stood on the stage. Next to him, a younger man stood near him mirroring his height. He had a boyish grin attached to his face, making Betty wonder if it was as fake as the smile she kept on her own face.
The older man's chuckle vibrated through the microphone as he scanned the audience, hands clasped to their ears. "Sorry about that disruption folks. Welcome to the summer season here at 'The Keller Family Resort', we are so happy to have you all here." He announced with a bright smile.
Dinner was served quietly and properly. Betty sat and ate her butternut squash soup careful not to slurp or drip any down her shirt. She sat up straight in her seat at the clearing of her mother's throat. Nothing Betty did was good enough for her parents, especially her mother.
Betty patted her mouth with her napkin careful to clean up any liquid left on her face.
"Hello, it's the Coopers, right?"
Betty looked up at the voice to find the older man from the stage glancing around their table. She smiled politely as her mother told him about their family and how happy they were to be back after all those years had passed. Betty looked at her older sister Polly and rolled her eyes which sent her into giggles, she tried to cover it by hiding her face with her napkin. Mrs. Cooper must have kicked Polly under the table because Polly wailed not even a minute later. "Sorry, excuse me, I bit my lip." Polly quickly covered.
The younger Keller walked up next to his dad informing him that some of the workers were there. Mr. Keller was apparently waiting for them, he jumped into boss mode as soon as his son told him. "Ah yes, well I must be attending business. Kevin here is about your dear daughter Betty's age, perhaps they can get to know each other. Do you mind Mr. and Mrs. Cooper?"
Mrs. Cooper's eyes glowed at the thought of a young man getting to know her daughter. "Yes! Yes, of course. Grab a chair Kevin!" Kevin obeyed immediately and pulled a chair up next to Betty. She groaned internally, not that he wasn't cute but she didn't want this vacation to be nothing but a courting call. Wasn't Polly meant to be married first? She was the oldest.
Betty sat silently as Mrs. Cooper pestered Kevin with questions about himself. Betty's hands bunch up her dress in an attempt not to destroy her newly marked palms.
Mr. Keller had made his way to the back door where the workers were waiting to be let in. He cleared his throat causing the cackling teens and young adults to cease their chatter. He sighed as they all looked at him. "I feel as if I shouldn't have to say this anymore, but as always you've proved me wrong."
"What can I say Mr.K? When you gotta move you gotta move." The dark haired boy in the front cracked. From what Mr. Keller could see that boy was the leader. With his untamed hair and leather jacket he looked like he'd stepped right out of west side story.
"Not the way you like to move." Mr. Keller warned, the group in front of him laughing knowing he meant the suggestive dancing that they've tried to get away with before. "The rules are simple. You dance to get the guests dancing. Once the guests are on the dance floor, you interact with them. Offer them to be your partner and show them a good time. And no suggestive dancing! No grinding, no gyrating, twerking, or other new terms I don't know about. Got it?"
"Yes sir!" They all responded with sly grins on their face.
"I mean it. If you do, you'll be on a bus home first thing in the morning." Mr. Keller said turning to enter the main hall again, the group quickly following. They couldn't lose their jobs, especially not the ones like the young leader who had nowhere else to go.
Betty watched from her seat as the group of workers entered the floor. If it wasn't for their lax pick of clothing, she would have guess them to be some of the vacationing families' children.
The band that sat atop the stage started a lively song that sounded somewhat like a old fashioned jitterbug tune. Although there were many people to watch, Betty's eyes focused on one couple. Both with wavy locks of coal colored hair, they moved perfectly in sync with each other like they were born dancing together. The woman spun, her hand holding the man's, him quickly pulling her back into his arms. There she bent backwards touching the floor with her fingertips his arm holding her place. He stared intensely down at her as she slowly rolled back up his body. Her eyes met his and a smile crept onto his serious face. Betty stopped to examine the man, his jawbone was sharp, his eyes severe and steady. She could tell his hair was before slicked back, every hair in place, but his dancing had changed that. Now stray hair fell in his eyes and his hair swung with his movements. The song had changed to a slower beat, the man pulled his partner close to him body and swayed delicately with the music.
"Betty….Betty…" Kevin called snapping his fingers in front of her. Betty jumped looking at him in slight shock. "Did I lose you?"
"Oh, no, no, I'm sorry just thinking, that's all." She claimed with a smile, her mother's glare burning a hole into the side of Betty's head.
"I asked if you wanted to dance?" Kevin repeated with a gentle smile. Betty just simply nodded in response. Kevin stood and took her hand leading her to the dance floor. Betty stepped close to him keeping a few feet between them, like a 'lady' would. Her arms held onto his neck as his hands found her hips. She looked past his shoulder letting her thoughts escape her again. Kevin kept silent letting the music overtake him. Betty and Kevin danced a simple two-step which guided them around in a circle. At one point, Betty was turned facing her family. She took in the view. Her mother was smiling up at Polly who stood near the table, a tall redheaded man chatting with her. Polly giggled at the man, her eyes twinkling at his words. Her parents had officially found both their daughters perspective husbands within the first day of their summer her at
Betty thanked Kevin for the dance as they pulled apart at the end of the song. The dinner was coming to a close. Betty gathered her sweater from her chair, the night containing a chill in the air. Kevin offered Betty a walk to their cabin, which she agreed to, anything to avoid her mother's questions about her evening with Kevin. If Betty had any luck she would arrive home after her mother had fallen asleep.
Kevin and Betty walked side by side through the resort, most people had already gone to bed. That was how a proper family worked she supposed, dinner then off to bed. What was the fun in that?
"Your mother told me you graduate next spring? Do you have any plans for after school?"
Betty nodded, her hands clasped behind her back. "Yes and No. I would like to move somewhere, but I don't know how I'm getting there, wherever 'there' is, or what I'm going to do once I get there." Kevin nodded as if he understood but really he couldn't quite catch her plans with her vague explanation. "What about yourself, any plans?"
"I plan on going to an university to study architecture." Kevin explained with a dreamy smile. He had his plans set and he seemed content with them.
"That sounds very nice Kevin. I think you'll do well in that field." Betty grinned at him. They approached the row of house Betty was staying in when Betty stopped facing him. "I can manage from here, thank you, Kevin for walking me."
"I wasn't a bother at all. Goodnight Betty."
"Goodnight Kevin."
Kevin walked back the way they came, Betty assumed his family slept above the main hall. She watched him walked away sighing knowing she had to break his heart at the end of the summer. This relationship was to please her mother and she wouldn't be allowing it to continue into the fall.
Betty made her way closer to her family's cabin but lights glowing from a building on the west side of the resort caught Betty's attention. Curiosity overtook her as she walked towards the sight.
Her strides reached a few feet of the building, the loud music and the warm ambiance drawing her towards the door.
"Woah! Watch out!" A young redheaded man shouted as he came waddling towards her, a 100 pound keg in his hands. Betty jumped out of the way not knowing if he will be able to stop. She threw herself to the door opening it for him as he tumbled inside, a cheer erupting inside as they caught sight of the keg.
Betty took the opportunity and followed him inside. The redhead was now doubled over catching his breath. A few other guys came and picked up the keg to set it on the nearby wood table. Betty placed a kind hand on his back. "You okay?" She paused as he looked at her, "I'm Betty." He stood up to meet her eyes. "Archie." Betty smiled at him muttering a nice to meet you.
Within a few seconds, Archie had left to find some beer leaving Betty to take in the scene. All around her were couples talking, kissing, but what intrigued her the most was the couples who moved around the dance floor. Each couple dancing on the floor, including some talking around her, she had seen just thirty minutes before. Their movements had changed dramatically from the ones she watched in the main hall. There was no more ballroom movements or cutesy dips and turns. Now their bodies were pressed against their partners, hips locked together. As the beat increased in speed, their hips rocked creating friction between them. Once again, Betty's eyes landed on the man she watched earlier. His facial expression had changed, his tone still serious but now his face with full of need.
"Well looky here, seems like we have a intruder." Betty snapped her head in the direction of the voice. Her eyes widened as the raven haired woman from earlier that evening approached her. It was just in that moment that Betty realized the man was dancing with a new partner.
"I... uh... I'm sorry. The door was open." Betty stammered trying to cover her ass.
"Don't worry hun, you can stay as long as you like. What's your name princess?"
"Betty. Betty Cooper. Um my parents call me baby." Betty looked down in embarrassment.
"Well I'm not your parents now am I? I'll call you Betty. I'm Veronica Lodge, you can call me Ronnie." She grinned at Betty, she was innocent, caught here with people of their kind, raw and damaged. Betty was a mouse caught in a cage as cats circled around her. Betty looked caught off guard but yet engrossed in the scene wanting more.
Before Ronnie or Betty could say another word, the man Betty had been watching appeared behind Ronnie. "Why is she here!?" He bellowed. "She's a guest! Are you fucking kidding me? We will be dead if Keller finds out she was here."
"I won't tell a soul I was here." Betty promised holding up a pinky finger to make her statement serious. The man scoffed at her small finger pointing at him.
"Come on Jughead! She won't tell a soul." Ronnie repeated gesturing to Betty's hand.
Betty repeated in her head, she had a name to remember him by. To remember them both by. Him and Ronnie. The best dancers she'd ever seen, way better at it than Betty would ever be at anything.
"No Ronnie! Out." Jughead directed the last portion to Betty as he pointed at the door making Ronnie sigh. Betty took a breath, her fists tight in a ball. Stomped out the room, slamming the door behind her.
She couldn't bring herself to leave the building's exterior. Her back pressed against the wall like glue not coming unstuck. The muffled music pumping through her body, adrenaline rushing through her veins. She stared at the ground in front of her.
Betty had been thrown out because she was a guest, a guest unhappy with her stay. Those ten minutes inside were the most exciting moments she ever had. She felt alive, not waiting for the day to come when she was free. Because she was free inside that building with people her mother would never approve of. It was over but Betty was going to feel that way again, she just knew it.
