The Next Generation
Chapter 2 – First Dates
"Where have you been Annie Dawson?" My dad bellowed as he entered my bedroom with my mother. I flipped over so I was smiling at the ceiling.
"Oh dad I met this boy," I sighed.
"Boy? No, you're only seventeen," my father sounded shocked at the idea. When I looked at him he was pale, his eyes wide.
"Mom was seventeen when she met you and anyway I only just met him. He's taking me to the movies," I told them. My dad ran is tongue over his teeth and raised an eyebrow, clearly becoming uncomfortable with the conversation.
"That's different anyway how did you met this boy?" He practically spat out the last two words.
"Well I was taking a walk and I just bumped into him, his names William," I uttered dreamily.
My mother walked over from the door behind my father and came and sat on my bed.
"Darling," she started, "your father isn't used to having a daughter who's being courted. Ignore him," she wrapped me in her arms and pulled me in to the tightest hug, "be careful," she advised.
"Oh mother its only one date!" I exclaimed. The look she gave me silenced me. I knew it best not to speak any more.
The next day
The clock beeped 5 pm. I only had two hours left before my date and I was practically jumping up and down with excitement. I had put off getting ready all afternoon because I didn't want to be too eager but I could put it off no longer. I walked over to my vanity and picked up my best porcelain brush and ran it through my knotty curls. I barely ever properly brushed my hair because of its density. My parents scolded me for it but I knew they weren't overly bothered.
It took a great deal of combing before it was knot free but tonight was a special occasion so it was worth it. I took my pins and pinned my curls down at nape of neck so that my hair was smooth over my head but became a neat mass of curls at my neck.
I picked up the tube of red lipstick I had borrowed from my mother and delicately painted my lips with it. The only make up I owned was mascara which I carefully ran over my already dark eyelashes. My cheeks had a natural blush in them so I didn't think it necessary to steal my mothers blush. I looked dead ahead into the mirror. Not too bad, I thought. My porcelain skin, which I had inherited from my mother, seemed to glow with happiness.
The dress I had picked out to wear was a nude pink one with flowers swirls, it pleated a bit at the hips and around the shoulder, legs and stomach were pink and brown sequinned flowers. I pulled it on over my head and let if fall off of me. I thought it went rather nicely with my white stockings and black shoes. The shoes looked like every other pair in shop windows, black with a heel and buckles.
I smoothed my hands over my dress and turned in every which way to check I looked good from every angle. When I was assures I ran down the stairs eager to show my parents. I could hear my little brothers running around in the garden so I knew they wouldn't be a problem. They were quite young, 7 & 9 so when it came to me looking pretty and getting dressed up they always felt the need to make a big issue out of it.
I ran into the kitchen where I was certain my mother would be cooking. I was right. My father was outside playing with my brothers.
"Oh darling don't you look wonderful!" she stated.
"Really? Do you think so?" I asked feeling very insecure.
"Of course, I'll call your father he'd hate to miss you looking so pretty," she said as she shouted out the window to get my father inside. He came running in, his face sweaty from all the running and his shirt covered in mud.
"Annie you look spectacular," he assured me. He embraced me, trying not to get me mucky. As soon as he pulled away the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," my mother shouted back as she started to walk for the door.
My heart sped up in anticipation. What if he didn't like me any more? I could feel my palms becoming sweaty. Automatically they went to my hair smoothing it down and bouncing the curls up. I swallowed the lump that had begun the form in my throat. I could hear his footsteps across the hall and his deep voice, like velvet, as he spoke to my mother.
"Miss Annie Dawson, you look amazing," he spoke as soon as he entered the kitchen. I could feel my cheeks turn red at his compliment. He was dressed in a grey suit, his dark slicked back under his trilby.
"You look quite dapper yourself Mr Hockley," I returned. He reached over and took my hand in his again reaching it up to his lips.
"What did you say your name was?" my mother asked her voice sounding breathless as she walked over to my father.
"William Hockley ma'am," he replied removing his hat.
My father put his arm around my mothers waist, "Who are your parents?" he asked.
"Erm Caledon Hockley and Marie Hockley," he told them turning to face me his face full of confusion at the questioning.
"Of Hockley Steel?" Mother pressed.
"Yes," William sounded extremely confused. So was I. To save further questioning I took Williams hand and said to my parents,
"We really must be going or we'll miss the film." I didn't stop to hear their reply, I was out of the door as soon as possible dragging a bemused William along behind me.
"I'm really sorry, I have no idea what that was about," I apologized after a few moments of walking in silence.
"No its fine, I'm sure my parents would be the same."
We walked in companionable silence for a little while. I enjoyed being able to take in the cooling sky and all its pretty pinks and blues. I could never seem to get over how beautiful nature truly was. I mentioned this to William and he seemed to agree with me. I couldn't believe how much we had in common.
"So what movie are we going to see?" I asked as we neared the picture house.
"I think its called On with the Show," he said. I'd heard about that one. Apparently people spoke in it. The first one to ever be like that.
When we got to the movies William handed over the money for our tickets and ushered me inside.
"I love coming to the movies. I always think they are just spectacular," I gushed.
"Yes I quite agree. I can never seem to get over how much work goes into them," he spoke with the same level of enthusiasm as I did but his answers were short I couldn't shake the feeling that he had gone off me since the incident with my parents for now he was all distracted.
The movie was wonderful. It was a musical, which I thoroughly enjoyed and was all taking, all colour. Everyone could be heard raving about as we left. When I asked William what he thought he couldn't praise the film enough. Slowly he seemed to be returning to his normal self but I doubted I'd see him again after tonight.
"William, I am truly sorry about my parents. They were so rude and I worry that you've gone off me because of them," I confessed. He stopped and turned to face, his own face illuminated by the street lamps.
"Why would you think that Annie?"
"Its just all evening you've been distant," I explained suddenly feeling very self conscious of how clingy I was being, this was only our first date.
"No, Annie, I truly like you. I think your the most beautiful and interesting girl I've ever met and that isn't just a line, I mean it." He bent slowly, his finger tips going under my chin, he lifted my head to his. He slowly pressed his lips to mine. His lips were soft, the kiss magic. I never wanted this to end. My stomach had butterflies and it felt like the moment would last forever I never wanted this moment to end.