Chapter thirty-eight: Aerial

December 7th,

Kate exhales as she comes down the stairs; she's exhausted and slightly miserable. She had been glad that her bout with influenza was finally over, so, no more vomiting. Thomas hadn't had a good night last night, he'd thrashed around for a bit, but she'd held onto him. It took a while, but he'd finally calmed down after almost two hours of restlessness. Kate made a note to ask her doctor for a few ideas, she was exhausted from worrying about him and it was wearing down her body. The vomiting had started up 2 days ago, even though she'd been over the influenza for two days. Kate was certain it was something she'd eaten, but she couldn't quite narrow it down. Truth to be told, she'd rather sneak back upstairs and go to bed, but, there was work to be done.

The hall phone rings and Kate sighs as she picks up the phone. "Hello?"

Hi Kate! It's Noni. She smiles faintly. Is Arthur there?

Kate glances around to see Arthur walking towards the library. "Arthur. Telephone."

He frowns. "Who is it?"

She smiles and hands him the phone and receiver. "It's Noni."

His brow rises as he heads towards her. "What does she want?"

"No idea." She smiles as he takes the phone from her. "Find out, won't you?"

Arthur lets out a huffing sound as he asks. "What do you want?" Kate heads towards the library as Arthur snorts. "You're insane. No. no, I'm not coming down there!" he jolts. "And you call yourself a lady?"

Kate bites her lip to keep from laughing as she taps on the library door. "Enter." Tommy said, slightly testy, but polite.

She steps inside and sees that he's entertaining a man and a young woman. She can tell from the look in his eyes that he was as tired as she felt. "I'm sorry to disturb you Thomas." she said in as wifely a voice as she could muster for the moment in front of company. "I just came to retrieve a book for some research. I won't be long."

"No worries." He stands up with a smile. "This is Mr. Livingston Dow and his daughter, Marietta." He holds his hand out towards her. "And this…is my wife, Katherine Shelby."

Kate recognizes Mr. Dow from the papers. Thomas had mentioned he'd be stopping by this week and that the man was a boring, old fart. Kate deduced that he was old fashioned, so, she slipped into character. She bobs her head as she demurely folds her hands, presenting the look of a submissive housewife. "A pleasure to meet you both."

Mr. Dow actually dares to check her up and down in front of his own daughter. "An honor, Mrs. Shelby." Mr. Dow states. "You could join us if you wish."

"Please do." Marietta pleads. "I'm here to keep an eye on father and I'm bored to tears."

Taking sympathy on the teenager, she smiles. "Alright, why don't you accompany me to the parlor? I'll ring for some tea."

The girl jumps up from her seat. "Anything."

Kate grabs the Count of Monte Cristo from the bookcase before acknowledging the men. "Gentlemen, feel free to join us after you've concluded your business."

Thomas nods. "We will Kate."

Marietta hurries out of the room, very impatient as Kate closes the door behind her. "Thank God. I hate it when men talk business."

"Why are you here then?" Kate asks as she leads her way to the parlor.

"Dad's sick, I'm supposed to make sure he remembers to take his pills and not choke on his vomit, should he spasm."

"I see." Though Kate thinks with that flippant attitude, this girl really isn't someone she'd want to watch her should she need medical assistance.

"Pardon me," Elton states as he approaches her with a medium sized box. "a package from America has arrived."

"Ah, it's probably the sheet music." She takes the box. "Thank you. And Elton, might you ask cook to prepare us some tea? We have two guests."

"Of course, Mrs. Shelby." He states as he turns to head down towards the kitchen.

"Oh, please open it!" Marietta begs. "I love the new American music."

Kate hands her the package. "Be my guest." Marietta tears into the package with gusto as Kate sinks down onto the couch. She hides a yawn behind her hand.

"Wow," Marietta pulls out a piece of sheet music and studies it. "do you play?"

"A little bit."

"I love to play the piano, I just never have much of an opportunity to play on a proper instrument." She makes a face. "Father doesn't approve."

Kate smiles indulgently. "In that case, feel free to try out ours." Marietta hurries over the piano. "It may be out of tune though. I haven't gotten around to playing it yet."

"Do you sing?" Marietta asks her green eyes wide.

She nodded. "A little bit."

"Wow," she sits down at the piano bench. "this is a beautiful piano."

Kate nods. "Yes, my husband has excellent taste."

"Why don't you accompany me?" Marietta invites her. "You have all this music, why not?"

She stammers, but decides just to humor the girl. She's just too worn out to argue today. "Alright, but I warn you, my voice isn't that good."

And of course, Polly wanders into the room just as Marietta started the intro with a flourish. Some day he'll come along, the man I love. She leaned against the edge of the piano; Marietta lowers the key to match her range. Polly smiles approvingly. And he'll be big and strong, the man I love. And when he comes my way, I'll do my best to make him stay.

It was in that moment that Tommy decided to enter with Marietta's father. He'll look at me and smile. They make eye contact for a brief moment and she smiles at him. I'll understand. And in a little while, he'll take my hand. Kate feels Thomas's eyes on her as she keeps her eyes glued on the sheet music. And though it seems absurd, I know we both won't say a word. Maybe, I shall meet him Sunday, maybe Monday, maybe not. Still I'm sure to meet him one day; maybe Tuesday will be my good news day. Kate inhaled, blinking back the tears that suddenly decided to surface. It was an emotional song though, so full of promise. He'll build a little home that's meant for two, from which I'll never roam. Who would, would you?! And so all else above, I'm waiting for the man I love.

Marietta squealed and instantly applauded, as did everyone else. "You're amazing! I've never heard anyone sing like that!" she turned to her father. "Have you!?"

He applauded politely. "You have an unusual voice Mrs. Shelby."

She nodded in acceptance as she moves to sit down. "I never claimed to be a good singer."

"I heard passion and heart." Polly stepped towards her, studying her carefully. "Our Kate's endured a lot in her time; it comes out when she sings."

Thomas nodded as he held out his hand towards her, drawing her back to his circle. "Indeed. This is why I never deny her anything." She flushed as she sat down beside him. He leaned forward and kissed her brow, causing her to tremble. "That was beautiful dearest."

"Thank you."

She shivers and rubs her arms. He frowns. "You ok?"

She nods. "Yes, I'm just a little cold."

He scoots closer to her, wrapping his arm around her. "Better?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"Tell me," Marietta sat down opposite her excitedly. "what would you think about singing on stage?" she immediately began shaking her head. "Why not? You'd be fabulous!"

"I'm a wife and mother." She reminded Marietta. "My place is here."

Marietta huffs. "A woman's place is in the home. This is 1930 now; a woman doesn't need to be so dependent on a man."

"Marietta." Her father says sharply. "My apologies, she's just turned sixteen and thinks she knows everything."

"No, it's alright." Kate says with a smile. "She's young and inquisitive."

"Mr. Shelby," she turns to Tommy. "you wouldn't allow talent like hers to go unsung."

Thomas reaches calmly for a cigarette. "I have no objections; Kate is free to do whatever she wants."

"See, he has no objections!" Marietta points out. "You can do whatever you want!"

"Did you ever think that maybe all I ever want is just to stay here?" she asked, her tone causing everyone to pause in place. "My husband is a very good man. If I wanted a career in the theatre or anywhere else, he'd be the first one in line to support me in my venture. Our marriage is open and free."

"Then…if you can do all that, why are you here?" Marietta questioned. "You're one of the few women who can do whatever they want."

"Because… I'm happy here." She states honestly. "I have a home, a family, and a man who loves me dearly," he squeezes her hand, "so my life is fulfilled. I don't need anything more, someday when you're older, you'll realize that's a most wondrous thing to be blessed with."

"Do you vote?" Marietta asks.

Kate rolls her eyes. "I can't abide politics. It's dull, dreary and you never know who's' telling the truth. So, if I were to vote, I'd rely on my husband's opinion, come Election Day."

"Again," she points out. "you're letting him make the choice."

"Actually, either I vote for his choice, or I don't vote at all. It's that simple. I don't bother to do research, I hate politics, it's tedious and I trust his judgment."

"You could learn a thing or two from Mrs. Shelby." Her father states as Elton comes in with the tray of tea. "She's learned how to balance a career and domestic life."

"It should be one or the other!"

"And why not both?" Kate inquires. "Or are you simply not capable of managing both?"

"I just dislike the idea of submitting to a man."

"Yet I'm assuming your father pays your allowance. Aren't you therefore submitting to him?" Marietta glowers at her as her father chuckles. She leans back into Thomas's arm. "Might I suggest we switch the topic, else we become violent and start throwing tea at one another?"

"By George, your wife has a witty tongue. She should be a writer."

Thomas laughs. "She is. You may know her by her pen name, Katherine Carter."

Mr. Dow bobs his head. "Indeed, all the females in the house have read them. I myself must admit, that I read your latest novel, 'the Lavender Cottage.' It was a very gripping story and daring in this time and age to make your main character German."

Kate smiles. "Yes, he was a friend of mine who passed away, so, I gave him the happy ending he deserved."

Elton clears his throat. "Mrs. Shelby, I took the liberty of having cook draw up a few cucumber sandwiches."

"Thank you Elton."

"She also prepared your favorite tea, raspberry." She smiled, but for some reason, the idea of raspberry tea was not as appealing to her as it normally was. But then, that could because Thomas's cigarette was offensive to her nose today. Either way, she hoped that company would be gone within an hour before she puked all over the clean carpet.

Idcam: Kate wasn't really puking for two weeks. She had to help Thomas through his withdrawls, which took a week. Then she caught the influenza, which got her stuck in his room for another week. Noni and Arthur are very amusing to me at the moment. Might do a spinoff, focusing on those two, but my spinoffs rarely do well.