Chapter 2: That Girl From New York
Alongside some other women backstage in a New York theatre, Elizabeth Quressimo was waiting for her appearance in the rehearsal practice for Sally. Of course, she got the lead for her looks and talent. It was a good choice and Elizabeth was grateful.
She was five-five with light brown curly hair and olive Italian skin. Another fascinating feature of hers was her eyes. While everyone in her family had brown eyes, hers were ocean blue. There was never an explanation, they just never changed color like the rest of her siblings. As a child, she always stood out and teachers and adults could swear that she was adopted. But, she wasn't. This made Elizabeth feel good. Special. And she was always flattered when people notice them. Everyone has one special feature, and hers are her eyes. They were different. Different from her family. Elizabeth enjoyed every minute of it.
The backstage smelled of cigarette smoke and thick perfume. She did smoke. Every once in a while, she would have a smoke, but was never an addict. She was one of those people who didn't get addicted to cigarettes. And never will. The lights were also to dim. It wasn't a well equipped Broadway theatre but it stayed up and one of the largest in the whole state. There wasn't rats or mice running around which relieved Elizabeth.
Her cue to go on stage was coming up. She had trouble hearing the lines and director from all the laughter around her. She was scared she would miss it. Everyone was just standing casually like a cocktail party not minding or caring. To them, it wasn't a big one rehearsal. To Elizabeth, it was life. It was her first time on the stage and didn't want to screw up because of everyone's stupidity. She was memorizing her lines and everyone else so if they forgot and messed her up, they'll know what to say. Also to top it all off, the director wasn't in a good mood. The last thing Elizabeth needed was a lecture from the director about self discipline, commitment and responsibility.
She managed to squeeze through the people near the curtain to hear the lines. They play, she knew forwards and backwards. A young girl, Sally is a dishwasher at the Alley Inn who poses as a ballerina and finds love. In the end, she marries the man. A happily ever after story. Right now, she was dressed close to rags, and an apron. Then, she'll change into a tutu and tights keep changing back and forth. It didn't matter to her, she was doing what she loved the most: acting. Her parents disapproval didn't stop her from following her dreams. One thing Elizabeth wasn't going to be was a quiet or nice girl and stay at home. Oh no, Elizabeth was going to go for the spotlight to act, sing and dance. She wasn't going to be like her sisters. She was independent. After all, she was the first for everything. The first to be born in America (her family's from Italy), the first to move out of the house, the first to disobey the rules. The first to do a high raising job that's not stuck in the kitchen doing dinner or laundry. Elizabeth was independent and was going go through life like that. But when the right man comes along, she'll settle down, hopefully and have a kid or two.
Finally, she heard it and went on the lines, did her songs and movements and went home. Not really a home, but a apartment building. She was staying with a friend and was splitting rent 50/50. It wasn't very fancy and had all they needed. Besides, they weren't really caring what it looked like. No one ever came anyway.
Elizabeth was walking the busy streets of New York. The people talking, the cars honking, whistles blowing, it was home. These sounds were beautiful to Elizabeth like a lullaby is to a baby. She got to the apartment, to find out that her friend, Betsy Jones was there.
Now Betsy was different from Elizabeth. She was plump, a red head, and paler than a ghost. But she was also a flapper, just like Elizabeth. They both wore the beads and the outfits to make a statement that the world is changing, so is the fashion. They were young enough to show the world that it's ok to be different and to get use to it because it was coming fast. Betsy was also a Protestant to Elizabeth's Catholicism.
"Hey, Liz. What's up?" Betsy greeted as she was getting something to eat.
"Not much. Rehearsals were brutal. No one really cared what was going on. They were just having a cocktail party." Elizabeth stated as she grabbed something herself.
"Look on the bright side, in two weeks, you'll be a star. All eyes will be on you. You'll get deals from Hollywood or around the world."
"Now, you're making me nervous. Besides, I'm going to be traveling all the way up the Northeast for this play. What am I going to do?" Elizabeth sighed and plopped on the couch with her pastrami sandwich on rye.
"Liz, I'll tell you what you're going to do." Betsy sat with her. "You are going to travel with them and do what you want to do. You're going to be a star. A star. Something you always dream about. This is why you're doing this. To follow a dream. And to meet a guy for one night, or two."
"Betsy, all was good except that last statement. It's not going to happen. Anything happen at the store?" Elizabeth curiously asked changing the topic.
"Well, business was slow. The grocery was a disaster. Some kids ruined the whole thing and I had to clean it up as usual. Then I came home early."
"Did anyone call?"
"Actually, yes. Your parents."
Elizabeth froze in her spot. Her pastrami stopped in her throat and she almost choked. She coughed once to clear it out, then paused before she responded. "What did they want?"
"They just said they wanted to talk to you about something. Just to check up on you, I guess. They weren't specific. And they wanted you to call back."
"You already know my answer to that. Tell you what, the next time they call, tell them that I'm not here. Better yet, tell them I'm dead. They'll be happy about that." Elizabeth finished her sandwich and went to wash herself in the bathroom.
"Why can't you call them back?" Betsy shouted over the running water.
"Because, I hate them. Name one good thing they ever did for me? Nothing. My mother is the worse. She'll cry over Anthony, Roberto, and Lucy. But never me. If I had a good grade in class, all I got was 'oh good job Lizbeth.' But whenever it was any of them, we celebrated with a fancy dinner, or hanging it on the wall. Hell, she would call the whole family in Italy if she could afford it. We fight constantly because she wants to control my life as usual. Mother always did that. Telling us to be like everyone and act like everyone. And this is coming from an immigrant who has a halting English/Italian accent. And Daddy? Father would just let her do it. He just sat there and see me take it. Mother was always in charge. And when I was able to move out, I did. After graduation, 18 years old I was out. I wasn't letting my own mother take charge of my life. I'm independent. I'm not like my other siblings. We never talked since. I gave them our number so if an emergency happened, like a death or something. I'm 23... 5 years. She wants something. What, I don't know. And frankly, I'm never gonna find out!" Elizabeth ran out of breathe and came back from the bathroom to the main room.
"Wow, Liz. You and your family are full of issues. So are you sure this is not a death?"
"Betsy, the thing about my family, they're pretty close. So to answer you question, if there was a death the whole entire family would never stop calling. They will be calling here months after the person is dead."
"Incredible. Do they know about the play?"
"I don't know. They probably read about it in the paper or something. Will they go to it? Not in a million years."
"Let's blow this all over and go to Chinatown."
"Why would we do that?"
"Because my friend, we can." Betsy went to grab her coat and shawl. "This is American, and in America, it is filled with a lot of opportunities. I say we take the opportunity to Chinatown. And, you deserve it after your hard work with this play and all. A girl should relax once in a while she can. Get what I mean?" She put both her accessories on and stood near the door waiting for Elizabeth to respond and set her a smirk.
"Yeah, I got you. But, I'm not getting drunk like last time. The last time, I got drunk, I couldn't work for three days because I wasn't steady. That's how I got fired. I'm going to have gin, or martini with the olive of course and that's it. I may have two drinks."
"Two drinks?! Girl, you're going to get more than that, believe me. Now, go get your coat and let's boogie! We're having a night on the town! We haven't had one in a while and believe me when I say that you deserve one."
Elizabeth got her coat and shawl. The two ladies head out the door to have a night on the town.
"God have mercy on me!" Elizabeth shouted as they were outside.
Elizabeth and Betsy got to Chinatown and had the best time in a long time.