A/N Thank you all so much for stopping by for a look at my newest Bethyl story, The Stranger Upstairs. This story sets our couple in 1930 in the midst of The Great Depression.
I hope you enjoy!
00
Georgia, 1930
At 18 years of age Beth Greene has never known anything but hard economic times. It isn't that money's tight, it's that there simply is no money. The stock market didn't have to fall to make Georgia's economy crash. It crashed a decade before Wall Street fell and things haven't gotten better.
1930 marks six years since her Daddy lost the farm. That's when he moved their family in with his brother. Her Uncle wasn't faring much better than them, but at least he still had his place and it's thanks to him they all had a roof over their heads.
Then they lost Mama, the flu took her in '27 and Daddy was never quite the same. He was consumed with a sadness he couldn't shake, and soon it seemed everything else started falling apart too.
It wasn't long after Mama died when Maggie ran off with some boy from up North. That upset Daddy nearly as much as losing Mama, and Maggie wasn't the only one who left. Shortly after she went North, Shawn headed out West hoping to find work. He tried silver mining in Arizona but never did strike a vein. Hungry and desperate for any type of work, he crossed the southern border into Mexico.
Not long ago he wrote to say he found a good job on a big horse and cattle ranch in Sonora, he says he's even learning to speak the language. It seems living on the ranch has even given him a dream. He wants to start up his own place just as soon as he can save the money. Then the shocker comes, he writes that the dream he has isn't his alone. He's met a young Senorita named Rosita Espinoza who shares the dream with him. They plan to marry the very next week.
That shakes Daddy right to his core, "What's he thinking?! That kind of marriage isn't even legal in Georgia. Doesn't he realize they'll never be able to come visit us?" His heart breaks once more with the certainty he'll never see his son again.
Beth is the only child Hershel Greene still has at home and he's desperate for her to stay. But she's just graduated from High School and although she loves her Daddy more than anything, she's young and anxious to have a life of her own.
She knows she has no future if she stays, all there is to look forward to is more poverty and a dismal existence. She has in mind she'd like to go to the big city, Atlanta sounds like such an exciting place. She sure would like to see what it's like to live in a place like that.
Daddy won't hear of it. He says it's as evil a place as the devil ever made. But Beth's heart tells her if she doesn't break away now she may never do it. She has to make her own life. She has to get out, but she can't bring herself to disobey her father.
She has no one she feels she can talk to about these things. No mama, no sister and no friend she feels comfortable confiding in. Desperation leads her to the preacher's wife, a very kind and understanding woman, Miss Olivia.
They sit in the parlor of Miss Olivia's home drinking tea and nibbling on molasses cookies while Beth explains, "I don't know what to do. I feel lost and trapped at the same time. I don't have a future here. I don't have a suitor; I don't even know an acceptable young man who I'd agree to marry. What am I to do?"
Miss Olivia is listening politely while Beth just keeps pouring her heart out, "Oh how I wish I could go to Atlanta, surely there's work there. That's what I need, to strike out on my own for someplace I might be able to find employment. I understand times are difficult everywhere, but I'd be willing to do just about any kind of work."
Miss Olivia doesn't hesitate for one moment; she has an idea in mind already. "It so happens a letter arrived just yesterday. It's from a dear friend of mine up Atlanta way. Her name is Erma Horvath, a lovely and Godly woman. Her husband Dale used to be a shopkeeper but he sold his business a few years back. After a while he got a little restless not working and they decided to try their hand at running a rooming house."
She stands and walks to her small desk, saying as she goes, "Let me quickly check. I don't want to give you false information." She sits back down with the letter in her hand and Beth can't help noticing it carries the fragrance of lilacs.
Miss Olivia continues, "Yes, yes it says right here, now that she and Dale are getting older they're finding it difficult to keep up with all the work. She's anxious about hiring just anyone off the streets, and she asks if I might know of the right sort of person who would be interested in helping them."
Beth is already starting to tingle with anticipation when Miss Olivia smiles and notes, "Now this sounds like a perfect description of you Beth. She says right here in this paragraph they'd like to find a respectable, churchgoing young woman to assist them. Someone to help with cleaning and cooking."
She looks down at the letter again, "Yes, uh huh, she goes on to write that the compensation would include a small private bedroom and use of a shared bathroom. There are meals as well, and it says there will also be a weekly stipend of five dollars." Beth is surprised by the city wages. Five dollars each week seems like quite a princely sum of money.
The preacher's wife touches an index finger to her temple and her brows crease when she says, "Let me think what else I know about the place. Oh yes, I remember now, it's not right downtown. It's just on the edge of the city. She does mention in her letter there's a streetcar that runs directly in front of the house. A person can ride it into Atlanta for 10 cents. Church is walking distance." She smiles at Beth and asks, "Would this position interest you Beth?"
Beth is so excited she's ready to jump up from her seat and run to Atlanta, "Yes, oh yes ma'am, that sounds perfect. I've been wondering how in the world I'd go about finding a safe place to stay, and how I could possibly pay rent while I'm seeking employment. And meals, oh my. It's as if my prayers and my questions have all been answered."
Olivia's nodding her head when she agrees, "And you're certainly no stranger to cooking and cleaning."
Suddenly Beth's expression turns glum, "Daddy will never agree. If he has his way I'll die a spinster keeping house for two grouchy old men."
Olivia shakes her head as she smiles, "Now Beth, let's not have that kind of talk. You just leave it to me and the Reverend, your Daddy will see the light. We'll pay him a call tonight right after supper." She pats Beth's arm, "Don't you worry Sweet Girl, I have a feeling we can persuade him."
"Oh my Miss Olivia, how will I ever repay you?"
"There's no need for you to repay me, I'll be helping out two of my very dear friends, Erma Horvath and Beth Greene. That's quite the reward."
Walking home Beth Greene has a huge smile on her face. What if they really can convince Daddy? What if she really is allowed to go to Atlanta? She's afraid to hope too hard, but as it turns out the dream comes true.
The following Saturday the neighbor man, Otis, drives her in his farm truck over to the depot in Albany. He stands with arms folded across his chest as he waits until she's safely on the bus to Atlanta.
She's scared to death. Maybe she shouldn't go. Maybe she's better off staying with her Daddy and Uncle. Yes, yes, she should apologize to the bus driver for any inconvenience and get off before Otis leaves.
Instead she looks out the window at the neighbor man, smiles and waves goodbye as the bus pulls away from the depot.
Her case is packed with everything she owns, and everything she owns doesn't amount to much. She has an everyday dress, worn thin from use, a bit nicer dress she's wearing now, and her Sunday dress.
She has three pair of threadbare underpants, two camisoles that are equally worn, and two pair of socks a person can practically see through. There's one thin nightie, a sweater that's ready to unravel, and an equally worn coat.
There are also some priceless treasures, a framed photo of her family in better days, when they were all together and complete misery hadn't yet set in. There's a beautiful leather-bound book full of blank pages and a fountain pen to go with it. Miss Olivia gifted them to her, telling her she simply must keep a journal of her big city adventures so she'll always remember them.
The third item is a bible the preacher gave her when he said, "You be sure and read the Good Book every day now Beth, it will help you stay on a righteous path."
As the bus bumps, bounces and rattles its way to Atlanta, she leans her head back, closes her eyes and thinks about what her life in the city will be like and all the things she'll do. Her dreams are modest and of a practical nature.
With her first five dollars of pay she plans to purchase two pair of underpants, two camisoles and two pair of cotton socks. After car fare, 25 cents for the collection plate on Sunday, and a two penny postcard to send Daddy and one to send Miss Olivia, she should have $1.54 cents left.
That's the sort of plan she has for these first few weeks, each week she's going to take care of getting herself a few things she needs. Nothing fancy, just some necessities. Well, maybe not only necessities. She smiles thinking she might allow herself to splurge on some lavender scented soaps and a roll of Lifesavers candy. Once she has the things she needs she can start sending Daddy a dollar a week to help him out.
She's all wide-eyes looking out the window as the bus enters Atlantic. The city is even bigger and more busy and hectic than she imagined it would be. There are so many buildings, shops, hotels, movie theaters and restaurants. Cars line the streets, there are power lines overhead and the sidewalks are crowded with people. Everyone seems to be hurrying to get somewhere, but she has no idea where.
That's not all she notices; she also sees the evidence of what the shattered economy has caused as they drive by a long queue of men waiting in a bread line. The sight brings tears to her eyes and reminds her how grateful she is to have a place to stay where there will be food to eat.
In her pocketbook she has a paper with the name of the stop where she's to get off the bus, and instructions where to walk from there to catch the streetcar for the rooming house. She also has an envelope addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Dale Horvath, it's her letter of introduction from the Reverend and Miss Olivia.
Her tummy is so nervous and her hands are shaking as she steps off the bus with her case. She looks around a moment, looks at her paper and makes her way to the streetcar stop. She's relieved to find it so easily, and once on the streetcar it's only a mile and a half or so before she reaches her stop.
The house is on the corner and Beth can't believe she may actually be calling it home. It looks so grand, why it not only has a big front porch, it has a huge upstairs balcony. Then she shakes her head, silly girl. Of course it's enormous, it would have to be with so many people living there.
She walks up four steps to the front porch and sets her case down. She lays her hand flat on her tummy as if that will help settle it, closes her eyes as she draws in a deep breath and rings the bell.
It takes two or three minutes before an older woman opens the door. The woman immediately smiles and says, "Can I help you young lady?"
Beth's so nervous she's afraid she'll faint as she hands the woman the letter, "My name is Beth Greene. Miss Olivia sent me, she said you may have a position available."
"Oh yes, come in dear. Set your case down and have a seat. Let me get Mr. Horvath so we can read this together." The woman disappears into another room giving Beth an opportunity to take in her surroundings. The parlor is spacious and she can't help noticing all the seating. Two sofas face one another and there are several occasional chairs. She imagines the room must be a busy place where the residents of the house gather in the evenings, particularly in winter when it's a little too chilly to sit out on the porch.
Her thoughts are interrupted when the older couple walk in the room. Beth stands to show her respect and the gentleman does the introductions, "Miss Greene, my name is Dale Horvath and this is my wife Erma. Please, have a seat and let's discuss the possibility of you taking a position here."
He tells her they've been running the rooming house for ten years and she's a little startled when he adds, "We don't rent to families or young ladies, our boarders are all men. Everyone who stays here is polite and respectful or they don't have a place here for long. We run a good home. We don't short them on food, we serve good hardy meals, it's clean and I keep everything in the house in good repair."
All men? Oh my.
"Erma can tell you what your duties would include and give you a little tour, then you two can decide if you're right for the position." He turns to his wife and smiles, "You ladies discuss the particulars, I'm going out for my walk."
When he leaves Miss Erma proceeds to explain, "Your duties would include cooking, cleaning and all that involves, and my hope would be for you and I to share that work equally. I can't do it all myself Beth, not anymore. Just cooking for so many is exhausting."
"We provide the men with two hot meals each day, breakfast and dinner. Some of them pay a little extra, 35 cents, to have us pack them a lunch as well. We start cooking at 5:15 in the morning and breakfast is served at 6:00am." She laughs a little when she shares, "None of the men ever misses a meal and you never have to worry we've made too much food. If you set it on the table, they eat it."
Beth smiles at the little joke and Erma continues, "Dinner is served promptly at 5:30 every evening except of course, Sunday. No one has ever missed the evening meal either, it's part of what they pay for. Room and board." She smiles again and says, "you'll set the table and carry the food in, along with coffee and water. When the men are done you clear the table and do dishes."
"You have your choice of eating your meal before they eat, there's a table in the kitchen, or after they're done. If you want to eat after their meals it's best you fix your plate ahead of time and leave it in the kitchen. They're not inclined to leave any leftovers."
"You and I will take our lunch at noon each day except Sunday. Sometimes Mister Dale will be joining us but he's usually out walking." Then she looks around conspiratorially and admits, "He always says he's out walking but I know where he really goes. The young man down the street bought himself an old broken down automobile and my husband can't help himself, he's got be down there every day helping the boy tinker with it."
Beth smiles and Erma holds out a hand, "Come, I'll show you the house."
Beth walks a few paces behind as the older woman leads her through the house. The next room is something of a sitting room, there are shelves lined with books, a small piano, two wing back chairs and a fireplace. Beth asks, "Do you play piano Miss Erma?"
"No, not anymore. The arthritis just won't allow it. Do you play?"
"Yes ma'am, my mother taught me. I played at church back home."
"Oh how nice, perhaps you'll agree to play for us sometime!"
Next is the dining room where there's a huge, heavy looking table with ten big chairs. There's a breakfront full of China and a sideboard. Beth points to the breakfront and asks, "Are those the dishes we use? They're so lovely."
"Yes, that's right dear, and the linens are stored in the drawers below. If the men don't make too big a mess of the cloth at breakfast, I just spot clean it and use it again for their dinner. I don't think any of them has ever noticed, nor would they care much if they did." She softly chuckles as they walk through to the kitchen.
Everything about the kitchen is large, not just the space. The pots and pans hanging from the big rack above the stove are not a household size, they're too big. They must be restaurant size. There are expansive counters, huge crocks marked flour and sugar, and a large coffee mill.
The refrigerator is oversized as well and it all makes sense, a household sized simply wouldn't be large enough for so many. Erma tells her, "There's a second, smaller refrigerator and a freezer in the mudroom at the back. Otherwise I'd be at the store every other day." Everything seems so modern. Real refrigeration. Beth has only known ice boxes at the farm and at her Uncle's place.
The stove is breathtaking. It's got to be almost brand new it's so shiny and modern, it doesn't use wood for fuel, it's electric. There are eight burners, four oven doors and a stay warm compartment. She's a little intimidated by it, and also anxious to cook on such a masterpiece.
Miss Erma explains, "The men all occupy bedrooms upstairs and there's a bathroom they share. You'll go up every other day, after they've left for work of course, to freshen the bathroom and vacuum the hall. On Friday mornings they leave their used bed linens and towels outside their doors and you'll collect them after they leave for work, leaving each of them a fresh set."
Her hands go to her hips as she explains, "You can't offer, but should a man ask you to make up his bed and clean his room for him, then you may if you choose to. You musn't enter his room when he's home, you wait until he's gone to work. Remember, you are no one's servant. You charge no less than 50 cents. I'm not able to do the extra work anymore and I know a few of them miss the service," she pats Beth's hand and smiles, "that would be your money to keep as long as it doesn't interfere with your regular work."
"Yes ma'am. Thank You." Her mind is already working, maybe she can make an extra dollar or two a week. That would be wonderful. What if she made enough to buy a new winter coat? Oh my. But she shouldn't count her chickens before they hatch.
She realizes Miss Erma is speaking again, "…and so we don't mind if you keep company with a young man, however you may not accept any invitations from the men living here. It's best not to mix work and romance."
Beth's cheeks flush as she answers, "Yes ma'am." She never even considered a suitor, but then maybe she might meet someone at church. No, no surely that won't happen.
"And we would have rules. I feel we should, after all, my dear friend has entrusted us with your well-being. If you should accept an invitation from a young man, we'll want to meet him and we'll expect you home from any dates no later than 10 P.M."
"Yes ma'am." She's sure she'd have trouble keeping her eyes open that late.
Finally they continue their tour. "Just beyond the kitchen is where you'll be staying. This first doorway on the right is where Mr. Horvath and I have our private sitting area and bedroom." She opens the door opposite theirs and says, "This is the bathroom the three of us will share."
Beth smiles, "It's very nice." And it is. She's never had indoor plumbing and she can't quite believe what she's seeing. Besides the toilet there's a huge bathtub and big porcelain sink with a mirror above it, a full dresser and a full-length standing mirror. Rural America has yet to see such modern conveniences.
"Well I'm glad you like it." The woman walks in and pulls one of the dresser drawers open, "I'll clear this drawer out for you to keep your bath things."
"Thank you ma'am." She doesn't have much to put in it, a bar of soap, some shampoo, toothpowder, toothbrush, her hairbrush and a few hairpins. But maybe she'll get that lavender soap.
"Of course Dear, and now let me show you what would be your room. It's right this way."
Some might look at the room and think it isn't much, that it's small and a little cramped. Beth thinks it's glorious. There's a single bed with a pretty and soft-looking white chenille bedspread, and what looks to be a soft fluffy pillow. Next to it is a tiny night table with a lamp, there's a three-drawer bureau with a mirror and a second lamp, and a cozy looking little chair covered in a pink floral chintz. Her own room, and it's beautiful.
"So what do you think Dear, would you like to come to work for Mr. Horvath and I?"
"Oh yes ma'am, I would very much."
"Oh I'm so pleased. Olivia had such wonderful things to say about you. You go on and unpack then and wash up. We're going to have to start getting dinner ready in 30 minutes."
"Yes ma'am."
It doesn't take her five minutes to unpack. The last thing she does is set her family portrait on the dresser as she quietly whispers, "I'm going to be just fine Mama and Daddy."
Over the next two weeks she gets in a routine, and her routine involves a lot of work. It seems like she no sooner gets done fixing one meal and cleaning up, then it's time to start another. But the men make her feel proud of the work she does, they're always so pleasant and grateful.
Miss Erma urged her to play that first night and now it's become a part of the dinner meal. Each night as soon as she gets the men's food on the table she plays piano and sings while they eat. At first she felt so nervous and embarrassed, but now that she knows them a little better, and they all treat her so kindly she enjoys playing as much as they enjoy listening.
She has three men whose rooms she makes up for them each Friday. Mister Abraham, he's one of the football coaches at the University. Dr. Eugene, he has some kind of position in the science department at the University, and Mister Aaron, he's the accountant at a big hotel downtown.
That's a whole dollar and a half more each week. After just one month she's earned enough money that she now has her necessities, new underpants, new camisoles, new socks, a pair of woolen hose for winter and the first new pair of shoes she can remember having in such a long time. She's also enjoyed a glass of lemonade at the drugstore each week, purchased three rolls of Lifesavers, Lavender soaps and fancy shampoo made just for ladies.
Miss Erma has invited her to use her sewing machine and Beth has purchased the yard goods to make herself two new dresses. Not anything fancy, she has no use for fancy. She only wants everyday dresses for work, ones that aren't threadbare.
All that's left on her list is a warm winter coat and maybe even a new sweater, then she can send Daddy money and start saving. Saving for what? She's not quite sure, but she's sure it's a good idea to save. Like most folks these days she doesn't trust banks, she keeps her bit of money wrapped in a handkerchief and tucked in the drawer beneath her underwear.
On days when Miss Erma's arthritis is flaring up and she can't do much, Beth's work is a little harder. She's not one to complain though. She's so grateful for everything she has, she never dreamed someday she'd have so many new things.
It's late Saturday morning and Mister and Mrs. Horvath are at the grocers while Beth's busy in the kitchen. She's just put the frosting on two cakes, a cherry chip and a chocolate. One is for tonight's dessert and the other for Sunday's afternoon meal. There will be no cooking on Sunday, it's the Lord's day. She's already made the afternoon meal for Sunday, a tray of cold meats, breads, a potato salad and succotash. All will be put on the table at one o'clock, along with the cake, water and a pitcher of sweet tea.
For now, as soon as she's done cleaning the kitchen she can have her bath and go into city. She doesn't have any particular reason to go really, it's just an opportunity to get out and walk around. She'll be off work until Monday morning. Well except she always helps put the Sunday breakfast and afternoon meal out, she doesn't mind and she knows Miss Erma appreciates the help.
She's feeling a little melancholy as she finishes washing the last pan. Mister Jim moved out yesterday and she's going to miss him. He was always so pleasant and such a gentleman. Mr. Horvath has already rented the room to a fellow who came by last evening while she was working in the kitchen. She hasn't met the new boarder yet but she's got his room ready and she's been told he'll be moving in later this afternoon.
She's about to remove her apron when the front doorbell rings. She smooths the garment down with her hands and smooths back her damp curls as she walks to the front door. When she opens it she feels her stomach clinch a little at the sight of the man standing there.
His eyes are as blue as a flint stone and his shoulders at least a yardstick wide, and even as cold as those eyes look she could swear they're burning a hole right through her. He pulls the cap from his head, nods, "Miss," and says, "I'm the new boarder, Daryl Dixon."
00
A/N There's our start. I hope you enjoyed it and that you'll leave a comment. This story will post each Friday, and next week we'll find out just who this new boarder, Daryl Dixon is. I hope you'll check back in then. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please have a look. Until then stay safe and well and remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee