Here is part two, it's a little longer and deviates from the movie a little more but I hope you still enjoy it!
Against Richard's will, Therese gets a job. She's shopping in Frankenberg's department store a few weeks after the party when she sees the job posting for sales clerks on the wall of the elevator. On a whim, she pushes the button for the basement, fills out an application, and thinks nothing of the incident until the hiring manager calls the number for her apartment building.
After a single interview that lasts only about fifteen minutes, she has a job. And after far less training than she thought there would be, she stands behind the sales counter of the toy department. Richard is not especially happy, and his pride is a little bruised but he's not the type to stand in her way.
When the doors are unlocked at ten in the morning on her first day, customers rush in and Therese is immediately overwhelmed by the Saturday shoppers. Someone asks her the difference between two dolls and she makes up an answer on the fly. A woman carrying a child asks where to find the closest ladies' room and Therese gives her directions that she's only half confident are correct. She does not think to bring a lock for her locker, and someone steals her lunch. But she has no major blunders and manages to keep her head above water.
At the end of her first week, Therese stands in line for her check. When she rips open the brown paper envelope and sees her name in bold type next to the dollar amount, she can't help but smile and feel a little accomplished. If she keeps at this, in the very near future she will have both a beautiful wedding and a new camera.
Therese cannot stand the thought of being mediocre when she could truly excel. She vows to become Frankenberg material; at the very least it will make her days pass by more quickly.
She's been on the job a while when Carol comes in. Therese spots her immediately as anyone would. She's calm and graceful even in a store of bustling customers and sales clerks, and the red of her dress suit boldly stands out. Her handbag and shoes are golden in tone, and a gold silk scarf adorns her neck. It's shimmery and moves in the wind when she walks. Therese thinks of how it looks incredibly soft, and flatters the rest of the outfit well.
Carol has a child on her hip that looks remarkably like her around the mouth and chin. She whispers something to the child before setting her down and taking her by the hand. When Carol looks up, she meets Therese's gaze and her eyes light up. Therese's heart beats a little faster.
Carol makes her way over to the counter, Rindy in tow with wide eyes taking in all the toys.
"Well hello there," Carol says, the smoothness in her voice shining through.
Therese can't help but smile. "Hello Carol. It's so nice to see you again. And you," Therese directs herself toward the small child, "Must be the famous Rindy."
Rindy cracks a smile, "Hi."
"Were you two looking for anything in particular?" Therese asks.
Carol squeezes Rindy's hand lovingly before saying, "We were just shopping for a treat."
Rindy pokes her head out to inspect the display case at her eye level, looking at the many selections of dolls and toys behind the glass. Someone bumps into Carol from behind and apologizes quickly but keeps moving. She startles, and reaches in her handbag for a cigarette. For once, there is a crack in her calm demeanor.
"I'm sorry, Carol. We can't allow smoking on the sales floor."
Carol looks a little apologetic before putting the gold case back into her bag and taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry, shopping makes me nervous," she says, untying the scarf around her neck for some fresh air and setting it on the counter.
"Well that's alright, working here makes me nervous," Therese says back. She softens for face to try and put Carol at ease.
"You're kind. And you must have a brilliant poker face." Carol fights the urge to wink.
Therese chuckles a little at that. "If you look too close, you might see the well hidden terror. I've only been here a few weeks."
"Well, someone certainly learns quickly," Carol says, "You seem perfectly poised to me."
Therese laughs full out then, "If you only knew. I keep the employee handbook in my pocket." Carol laughs.
After a moment, Carol stoops a little to Rindy's level. "Is there one here that you like, sweetheart?"
"There's so many," the little girl replies.
"What was your favorite doll as a child," Carol asks, once she is upright again.
Therese falters for a moment, before saying, "Not many to be honest." For some reason this fact endears her more to Carol.
"But there is a train set here that I'm quite fond of, over by the elevators," Therese points. "You might have seen it on your way in."
Carol turns to look at the model train set in question, squinting a little to take in the details. Another sales associate comes to Therese's counter space, placing a doll in the case beside the cash register.
"It's new. It's self-propelling, and those cars are hand painted. I'd show you, but I'm sort of confined to this desk," Therese explains.
From behind her, the other sales clerk chimes into the conversation, "That's alright Therese. Go on and show her, I'll cover for you."
Therese lifts the glass panel and walks from behind the sales counter, thanking the girl who has taken her spot. The trio makes their way over to the train set in the display case. She turns the levers on the toy's control panel, showing Carol and Rindy how it works.
"Oh mama, look!" Rindy cries, excited from watching the trains move along the metal track. "I think I like this one."
Carol smiles down at the girl. She checks the price tag of the train set, noting that it's a little more than she wanted to spend today on a toy. But Rindy's excited eyes pull at her heart and she knows that she would do almost anything to keep her little girl happy, especially in the wake of her parents' divorce. Rindy has been her saving grace, and she deserves a little something special.
"We'll take it," Carol says to Therese. Rindy looks so excited that it warms Therese's heart. "Oh thank you, mama!" Carol just laughs.
"Come on, sweet girl. Let's go pay."
Back at the counter, Therese rings up the purchase, filling out Carol's information so that she can pay by credit. She unlocks a cabinet behind the counter and pulls out a large cardboard box with a handle.
"The train set comes in a few parts, but they are easy to assemble," she explains, "The box is a little heavy, but I can have someone help you to your car with it if you'd like."
"Oh, that would be lovely. You're such a dear, Therese." Therese finds herself blushing yet again in the company of this woman.
Therese turns behind her a few steps and picks up a phone, speaking to someone on the other end to arrange the transport of the train set to Carol's car.
While they wait, Carol and Therese chat pleasantly. "You know Therese, you are welcome to come to our weekly book club meeting at Jeanette's place. A few of us get together on Wednesday afternoons to catch up."
"That sounds nice, Carol. I would love to meet some new people," Therese says, "Are you sure it would be alright? I don't want to impose."
"Of course, Therese," Carol assures her, "The ladies there bring friends now and then. I would really enjoy your company."
Therese's eyes go a little wide. At those words, her decision is made. "I would love to join you."
Carol's smile is wide and warm. A second later she dips her voice conspiratorially to say, "I will warn you, there seems to be more gossip at these gatherings than book discussion."
Therese laughs, "Oh that's alright. I'm sure it's a fun time."
"Lovely," Carol says. "We meet on Wednesdays at four in the afternoon. Jeanette's place."
"I'll be there."
A few minutes later, a tall, lanky man in a Frankenberg's cap comes, and lifts the box to his shoulder. Carol and Rindy wave goodbye before making their way to the elevator. Once the doors are closed, Therese looks down at the counter and sees an item left behind: a gold silk scarf.
In her haste to be punctual, Therese gets to the book club meeting a half hour early. The neighborhood is unfamiliar and she did not want to get lost. She can see through the storm door that the house isn't empty, and a few ladies are gathered inside.
Nervously, Therese rings the door chine and straightens her skirt with her free hand. The other carries a fresh fruit salad and her purse slings over her shoulder.
Jeanette answers the door a few seconds later. "Oh Therese, I'm so glad you could make it. Carol mentioned you might stop by."
Therese smiles at her friendly tone, "Thank you for having me." She steps inside the door and follows Jeanette to the sitting area, waving hello to the women seated there.
"I've brought a fruit salad, I chopped it this morning," Therese hands the wrapped parcel to Jeanette, "Did you need any help setting things up?"
"Well aren't you a dear!" Jeanette exclaims. "Ladies, this is Therese Belivet. She's engaged to Sy's cousin Richard."
The furniture has been rearranged to form a makeshift circle for the meeting's comfort. The ladies seated in the sitting room all wave hello with varying degrees of interest. A brunette with highly arched eyebrows eyes Therese from head to toe, making her smooth her skirt down yet again.
"Would you ladies like something to drink? Who do we have so far?" Jeanette asks, noting the uncomfortable moment.
"Marianne and Betty are here, as well as myself and Therese," the brunette says, "And when you get the chance, I would love some tea."
"Oh good, Nancy, that just leaves Annie and Carol, we'll wait a bit for them," Jeanette replies, moving to the kitchen to gather the kettle and makings for tea.
"Might want to send out a search party for Carol," the blonde says. If Therese recalls correctly her name is Betty.
"I'm surprised she still comes to our book club. Isn't there another one for people like her?" Nancy snickers once Jeanette has left the room.
Therese wonders what she means by the term. People like her.
'Well who knows, she isn't a lost cause quite yet. Didn't you see her dancing with Harge at the party?" Betty volleys back. The honey blonde on the corner of the couch remains quiet, which Therese interprets to be positive for the moment. She must be Marianne.
"Maybe she came to her senses after all! Wonders will never cease," Nancy drones. The pair laughs. Marianne catches Therese and rolls hey eyes at the two gossiping. Therese smiles.
A few moments later, the door chime rings and Therese chuckles a little at Jeanette's haste to answer it. She hears Carol's voice over another that she doesn't recognize. A tiny nervous thrill rolls gently in her belly at the sound of it. She finds it a little odd to have missed someone that she doesn't even really know.
Carol comes into view after a beat, carrying a covered basket, and with the two other women in tow. She catches Therese's eye with a wink and a smile as pleasantries between the group are exchanged. When Annie takes a seat next to Nancy, Carol goes to the kitchen to help Jeanette with tea.
The teatime spread truly is quite impressive, and the ladies help themselves to hot tea and the other offered delicacies. Carol has made fresh popovers, which she tells Therese as she reaches for one.
"You must tell me what you think of them," Carol says from her perch beside Therese, "I've been trying to perfect the recipe."
When Therese takes a bite, flavor erupts in her mouth. The crust is flaky and buttery with just a hint of sweetness. Therese has no idea it was possible to fall in love with a food at first bite. "My god, Carol," she says after swallowing, "You are a marvel."
Carol laughs heartily, "That is certainly what I like to hear." Secretly, she's delighted Therese has enjoyed her cooking. Something about this girl makes her want to impress.
The ladies settle with their refreshments and tea, and books are taken out of handbags under the guise of discussion. A few minutes into it, Therese realizes that the book itself is a ruse, and if any of these women have read more than the first chapter they have not indicated. They are far more interested in the happenings of the neighborhood than in any book's plot. She feels silly for reading halfway through the novel.
The book club meeting winds down an hour or so later, and the ladies begin to take their leave. Carol walks Therese to the sidewalk and the waiting cab she plans to share with Marianne. Carol's hand ghosts the small of her back to guide but she does not touch.
Before she can step into the cab, Therese remembers the item in her bag. "Oh, Carol, before you go I have something for you."
"What's that?"
Therese reaches into her purse to reveal the silk scarf Carol left behind at the Frankenberg's sales counter. She reflects briefly on the moments she spent running the file fabric through her fingers, and the light scent of Carol's perfume that it carries.
"Oh, thank you, Therese! I was wondering where I left this. I thought it was lost for good." Carol takes the scarf as it is offered to her, letting her hand linger on Therese's warm palm.
"I wanted to make sure it was returned to you safe and sound. I don't always trust the mail for a secure delivery."
"That was so kind of you, Therese. Really. Thank you." Carol's eyes go soft as she takes in the sweet woman she is so glad to have met.
"It was no trouble." Therese blushes and shrugs at the attention. She takes a step away, preparing to climb into the waiting cab before Carol calls her back.
"Therese," Carol says, scarf still in hand, "Are you busy this afternoon?"
"I was going to go home and read some more of this book. Heaven only knows why," Therese laughs.
"Would you like to come by my house? There's some pretty country out where I live. I was going to bake some sweets with Rindy. I'd love it if you could join us." The self assured woman Therese has come to know and enjoy steps in the shadows for a moment. Carol looks poised for rejection.
"Yes." Therese says. She's not sure of many things, but in this there is no question. "I'd love to join you."
Carol's smile is sharp and immediate. Therese's breath goes a little shallow at the suddenness of it. She waves the cab away and watches as it goes down the street and back towards the city.
In the car, the suburbs stretch out into patches of free land more and more as they draw closer to Carol's home. Therese enjoys the way Carol commands the vehicle as she drives with confidence. It's not too long of a drive before she turns into a driveway and pulls up to a stone covered mansion. The architecture is gorgeous and ivy leaves add to the rustic feel. Until this moment Therese has worked hard to not think about just how much money Carol must have.
Her heart warms as she watches Rindy run out of the house to greet her mother. The housekeeper looks on silently and does not greet Therese as she steps over the threshold. Therese is happy to see the train set set up on the living room floor, a few small dolls ride atop the cars as they travel along the track.
Carol has a terse, quiet conversation with the housekeeper before she is let go for the day. Therese is not sorry to see her leave. She has endured enough judgmental eyes for one day.
"Sweet heart, you remember Mommy's friend Therese from the toy store?" Carol directs her attention to her daughter.
"Hi," She says after a moment, "I love my train."
Therese crouches to the child's level, smiling at her earnestness. "I'm very glad. I used to have one just like it. I'm glad your dolls have something to ride."
Rindy smiles, "Me too!"
Therese could watch Rindy and Carol together for hours. With her daughter, Carol seems so light and free, especially compared to the slightly withdrawn woman she met at the Harrison's party all those weeks ago.
She watches as Carol sets down her coat and bag while letting Rindy chat on about her day. She is shocked but amused when Carol also removes her shoes. Therese takes her queue and does the same.
"I was thinking, we could make some cupcakes for dessert," Carol leans down to Rindy, "What do you think about that, my pretty little bird?"
"Cupcakes!" Rindy jumps up and down a little, "With frosting?"
"But of course! A cupcake without frosting, my dear, is just a muffin." Carol looks up at Therese and winks.
"No muffins!" Rindy declares.
"No muffins," Carol agrees.
"Let's get the ingredients together, shall we?" Carol says as she ties an apron around herself, and then grabs a spare for Therese. Carol lifts it around Therese's head before gently turning her to tie the ribbons around her waist. Therese's heart just might beat out of her chest when Carol's hands brush her sides gently.
Rindy has taken a child-sized apron off of a hook closer to the floor and turns to Therese for help to tie it. The trio pulls together the ingredients, Carol lifting Rindy up onto a stool to help her measure at the counter.
The cupcakes are ready to pour into the muffin tin, and afterward they will get to work on the frosting.
"Therese, would you mind grabbing some more sugar from the canister by the ice box?"
"Sure," Therese says. Carol and Rindy are deeply focused on filling the cups without spilling too much batter.
She picks up the sugar canister, dislodging an envelope of photos haphazardly shoved behind it. A few spill out, and Therese cannot help but look as she puts them back.
In a photo is Carol, clearly a few years younger sharing an embrace with a pretty woman with darker hair. Something about their shared moment is incredibly intimate. She gazes for a moment more before remembering herself and righting the photos.
"Here you go," Therese says, handing Carol the canister of sugar. Carol gives her a contemplative look before it turns into a smile. Rindy focuses on filling the last indentation with cake batter.
"Oh Rindy, these might just turn out to be the best cupcakes I've ever had," Therese says to the little girl.
She looks up at her mother's friend with wide happy eyes. Carol slides the dish into the oven and sets a timer. Rindy goes to play as the treats bake, building a city of blocks to compliment her train station.
In no time the cupcakes are iced and served, Rindy tucking into one with obvious enjoyment. But after dessert, she starts to wilt and Carol can tell the little one is tired. She takes a moment to tuck her into bed, so Therese begins to clean the kitchen.
Therese cleans the dishes and thinks of the photo that's left an imprint on her mind. Suddenly her thoughts are filled with Carol. It's not so difficult to picture an intimate embrace with the woman. She is simultaneously thrilled and terrified. Carol comes up behind Therese and stands close to the sink, leaning a hip against it as the dishes are washed.
A few moments of silence pass before Carol takes a chance and breaks it. "What are you thinking about?"
Therese shrugs despite being up to her elbows in soapy water. "Nothing really," she covers. "I'm wondering at how you managed to make such delicious desserts and make it look so easy. I'm awful at baking."
"It's not impossible," Carol smirks. "Though there's a certain science to it. My grandmother taught me."
Therese thinks that's very sweet, and tells Carol so. "If you'd ever have an apprentice I would love to learn."
Before Carol can answer, there is a key in the front door. Therese watches as Harge Aird steps into the house, and Carol's spine goes rod-straight in seconds. Therese can tell by the stone set of his jaw and shoulders that he is angry, if not incredibly tense.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know we were having company," He says. His eyes flick back and forth between his soon-to-be ex-wife and the stranger in his home.
"Oh, It's nice to meet you," Therese offers, drying her hand on a towel before stepping forward and offering it to the man. "I'm Therese Belivet, a friend of Carol's." He does not reach to take her hand, and she tries her best not to feel self-conscious in her bare stocking feet and an apron.
"Hargis Aird," he says sternly. A moment passes before he asks, "How, exactly, do you know my wife?" Harge continues to switch focus between Therese and Carol.
Therese begins to answer before Carol cuts in, "Harge, don't start. We met at Sy and Jeanette's party. She's engaged to his cousin."
"I'm sure, Carol," he says condescendingly.
Carol gives Therese a pleading look, "Could you give us a minute, Therese?"
"Of course," She says, backing away from the closing kitchen door.
In the living room, Therese takes the liberty of putting on a record to drown out the obvious arguing taking place behind the closed door. Abby and I were over long before you and I were over, Harge, we've been through this. She locates a new looking rotary phone on the hall table, calling the cab company saved on the dial pad. It will cost a small fortune to get to the train station but it's the price she will pay.
The din of voices calms down, and Carol comes out into the sitting room. Harge stalks silently upstairs. Carol is far more snappish than she intends to be when there is an attempt for polite conversation. Therese stays only a few moments before taking her leave. She watches the cab pull up to the house, and pulls on her coat.
From the backseat window, Therese watches Carol watching her ride away, holding herself still and looking as helpless as she's ever seen her.
When she is finally home, Therese finds Richard up waiting and reading the newspaper. The radio plays jazz on low volume.
"Terry," Richard says, folding his paper in half, "I'm glad you're home."
"Me too, I had a very interesting day," Therese sinks into his hug as he comes forward to embrace him. He feels comfortable and familiar.
"What was so interesting about it?" Richard asks. He separates from the embrace and walks to the counter to switch the radio off.
"Well I went to the book club meeting, the one Jeanette invited me to. But I'm not sure I like it. I don't know how to be as nattery as those women."
"I'm not surprised, you've always been different. It's what I like most about you." Therese tries to se this for the compliment that it is, but something in his tone puts her a little on edge. She has spent the entire day being somewhat of an outcast.
"I also saw Carol today, I'm glad. I was able to give her back her scarf. And then we -"
"Have you thought anymore about what dates you'd like to go to France?" Richard cuts her off mid sentence. "I know the wedding is in August and there's only two sailings after that we could take for the honeymoon."
"Richard, are you even listening to me?" Therese does not filter the annoyance in her voice.
"What? Yes. I'm sorry." Richard realizes his blunder and attempts to correct it, "Continue. Please."
But Therese doesn't have the heart to resume talking if Richard is only listening out of politeness. She wonders if all men have such a one-track mind or if she's simply uninteresting.
"It's alright," she concedes. "I'll think about the dates for France." Richard seems satisfied with the response and begins to get ready for bed.
After tossing and turning a while, sleep does not find Therese. Oblivious, Richard sleeps soundly beside her. She decides to get up and make a cup of tea to soothe herself. While the kettle boils, Therese hears the phone ringing in the hallway.
"Hello?" Therese attempts to be mindful of the hour and her sleeping neighbors.
"Therese, is that you?" She recognizes Carol's voice immediately. Despite their somewhat rocky evening, her body still responds the same way it always does to the blonde.
"Yes, Carol. Is everything alright? You sound upset."
"I just called to apologize," Carol says. Her voice sounds a little lower, as if scratchy from cigarettes and tears. "I didn't mean for today to end up this way."
Therese sighs. "Nothing today was your fault, Carol. I wish there was more I could have done to help."
Carol breezes by that, still taking the blame for the down turn in their evening.
"My friend Abby and I are going to lunch tomorrow. Please join us. I can make it up to you. Do you have to work?"
"Yes, but I have a lunch hour at one," Therese says. The pain in Carol's voice makes her want to be as accommodating as possible. "I can take a few extra minutes to have lunch."
"We can meet at Dominique's. It's a bistro. Do you know it? It's a few shops down from Frankenberg's. I can give you the address."
After taking down the details, Therese says, "Alright. I'll see you a few minutes past."
"Therese?"
"Yes, Carol."
"Thank you." She hangs up.