CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

"Gard did I get any mail today?" Nellie asked on Saturday as Uncle Gard came through the door holding the mail.

Uncle Gard sifted through the stack of mail he was holding.

"Nothing from any schools Nellie, but you did get something from Ladies Life Journal. Doesn't Cornelia already get that?"

Nellie grabbed the envelope and went off into the broom closet in the maid's quarters, shut it the door, and yanked on the string, turning on the light. A letter like this she would need complete privacy to read it.

Dear Miss O'Malley

We would love to credit you as well as publish your submission in our magazine, however since you did not send it in we need the person who actually sent it in to confirm that you actually wrote it. If the submitter could please write us explaining the situation, we will publish your story as the winner in our July issue. The submitter must reply by April 15th, or else we will forfeit your submission as well as your prize.

Good Luck,

Suzanne Daley

Nellie felt sick. She would have rather had received a letter saying that she had been disqualified right then and there. Instead they dangled a remote second chance like a carrot. She would rather die than ask Eddie Ryland to submit a letter saying that he sent in the story and Helene Fitzgerald was really Nellie O'Malley. He would probably say that her lying served her right, and she shouldn't win. She crumbled up the letter, and threw it away,

Samantha's tea was later that day. She really didn't want to go. She still hadn't heard a word from any schools, she had a rough day teaching, and now she would really look like a fraud to Ladies Life Journal because she had no back up on the Helene Fitzgerald fiasco. She rued the day that she had given Eddie that story. She wished she could just shut herself up in her room with her book and a box of chocolates, but Samantha was expecting her.

Samantha had errands to run throughout the day but she said she would meet Nellie at the Edelweiss Room at three. With Samantha not being around, there was no way to tell her that Nellie had changed her mind and did not want to.

At a quarter to three, Nellie put on her coat and hat. She made no attempt to change her dress, or brush her hair that was windblown from walking to and from the settlement house earlier. She didn't care how she looked for Samantha or her dippy friends.

The Edelweiss Room was bustling with people. As soon as Nellie pushed open the door the smell of warm, melted, cinnamon, greeted her nose. At least the food would make her feel better, and she'd get hot chocolate instead of coffee. Chocolate always made her feel better. She looked around. Though the place was busy, Samantha was not yet there. Typical Samantha, always late.

Nellie ordered her food and hot chocolate and found one of the last tables available. She didn't bother pulling up chairs for Samantha's friends. They could do that, when they finally decided to show up.

Eddie pushed open the door to the Edelweiss Room. Eugene had been with him, but had to run home because he had forgotten his wallet. Eddie was going to go with him, but Eugene told him to go on in and order, and he'd be along. It didn't take much convincing. Eddie had had wrestling practice that morning and didn't feel like walking all the way back to their place. Eddie ordered a coffee and the gooiest, messiest, Danish on the morning and went to find a table.

He did a double take. Oh no. Why out of all the people in New York City did Nellie O'Malley have to be here? She hadn't seen him, but he definitely knew that was her, sitting at a table near the window, sipping a warm mug of something, looking all sophisticated in a dark green wool skirt.

Eddie would have left but he already had food ordered, and Eugene was planning on meeting him. Unfortunately, the place was so busy that Eddie was having a hard time finding a table to duck away to. In order to find an empty table he would have to walk right in front of her, right in her line of view. Oh well. He wasn't going to let her wreck things. She was the one who had hurt him, and she was the one who should feel humiliated. He wished he had had a book or something to read, to act like he was distracted. Since he had thought he was gong to be with Eugene he had left all books at home. Keeping his head turned away, Eddie walked right by Nellie to a small table against the wall, and sat with the chair angled away from her.

Nellie looked up from her reverie of hot chocolate. She noticed a huge, solid, lad walk by her. That form was all too familiar to her. Could it be? Or was it just the fact that she was still thinking about the Ladies Life journal letter? It couldn't be Eddie!

While he was sitting with his back to her, Nellie could get a better look. It sure was! There weren't too many boys as built and tall as Eddie. He sat slouched in his chair, as if he were trying to keep a low profile.

He knows that I am here thought Nellie. I have no idea where Samantha is, but I have to get out of here. I can get the strudel to go.

Nellie got up to go up to the counter and change her order, but in her haste she didn't think that going to the counter went parading right by Eddie Ryland. She did and their eyes met. Nellie gave him a shy, guilty, smile.

Eddie just glared back.

Nellie felt as if she had been kicked in the stomach. They didn't have to speak to each other, but they didn't have to glare! Nellie looked away and asked for her strudel to go. She was told it would still be a few minutes, so she went back past Eddie Ryland to her table.

It was completely obvious that they were purposely looking away from each other.

How dare she think she can smile at me? Eddie thought. Does she think that a few months erased the pain she put me through last summer? I loved her, I was going to marry her, and all I was to her was a game.

"Sam this is a disaster," Eugene muttered.

Samantha and Eugene were hanging out near the window of the crowded coffee house. They could see Nellie sitting by herself, and they had caught a brief glimpse of Eddie sitting with his back towards her, even if he was just staring at the wall.

"I thought he would go over to her," said Eugene. "I felt that he still felt something for her. I guess he was really hurt."

"She's not going to go speak to him," said Samantha. "We have to do something."

"I think we should stay out of it," Eugene replied.

Nellie heard her name called up at the counter. She dashed up to get her order. She clutched the paper bag in her hands. Just then Samantha burst in.

"I am so sorry that I am late Nellie," she said. "What are you doing?"

"I'm leaving," replied Nellie. "Where were you?"

"I got held up," said Samantha. "I am going to order, go back and sit down. Why hello Eddie." She turned to Eddie Ryland. Eddie's face went red.

"Are you enjoying your internship with my uncle?"

"I have nothing more to say to you or your little servant friend," Eddie spat. Eugene found himself stumbling inside the coffee house as well. There was no stopping a determined Samantha.

"Real big of you Eddie taking cheap shots at my friend," said Samantha.

"Let's go Samantha, please," begged Nellie.

"You're the cheap one," spat Eddie. "Eugene take your wacko girl friend and her servant out of here."

"I have every right to be here," Samantha retorted. "We have ordered food. Plus I know that you are interning for my Uncle Gard. You are his servant!"

"So is Nellie interning on how to become an unreasonable, manipulative, conniving, hussy?" Eddie said coldly.

It hurt him seeing Nellie's small frame standing behind Samantha. Her pretty, angelic, face, looking pained as he taunted her, her clear blue eyes filled with sadness, her radiant strawberry blonde hair all windblown, wisps falling about her face.

"I hate you Eddie," Samantha growled.

"I hate you too Samantha," Eddie replied. "I'm getting out of here, I need a smoke."

"Eddie! Sit down!" Eugene screamed. "Samantha you hush up!" People in the coffee shop had now turned to gawk. Samantha was never good at keeping a low profile.

"I am sick and tired of having to be around the both of you whining and moaning over each other! Sam, you complain to me so much about Eddie that I would think that you love the guy! And Eddie I will not have you saying ill things about my Samantha, and my my hopefully- future wife."

"Oh!" Samantha gasped wide eyed.

"This was so not the way I wanted to go about this," Eugene said turning to Samantha and kneeling down on one knee in front of her. "I was going to do it this spring, when they weather was nicer, and take you someplace romantic, but now is as good as ever.

Samantha Parkington I am completely and madly in love with you, and I have been since I laid eyes on you for the first time this summer. Ever since that moment I have lived and breathed for you, and I want to make you the most loved woman in the world. Will you marry me?"

Samantha had tears streaming down here face.

"Of course Eugene, I love you too."

"I haven't gotten you a ring yet," Eugene said feeling stupid, for the whole coffee shop was watching. "I wasn't planning on proposing today. But at least this way I can take you ring shopping with me, and I can get you whatever you pick out."

"That sounds perfect," Samantha beamed and she fell into his arms. The whole shop began applauding.

Eugene and Samantha were both blushing, though Samantha was happily soaking up the attention.

"Eddie," said Eugene. "I want you to be my best man in the wedding."

"And Nellie you will be my maid of honor," Samantha put in quickly.

"So you two better be getting along by then, because I will not have you two squabbling at my wedding," said Eugene.

Eddie and Nellie were both so surprised by Eugene's marriage proposal that having to be in the bridal party together didn't register. Nellie had figured since Eugene would be graduating in the spring he would propose sometime that spring, but she sure wasn't expecting it at that moment.

"Sam I am so happy for you!" Nellie jumped up to hug her and Eugene.

"I couldn't have done it without you Nellie," Eugene told her.

"Congratulations," Eddie said. "I still think you are crazy Eugene," he gave Samantha an annoyed glance. "I am going to give you two lovebirds a little privacy." Eddie got up from the table, threw on his coat. Nellie also felt awkward, and that Eugene and Samantha should have some time alone.

"I'm leaving too," she mumbled.

She headed out the door, with Eddie behind her. Unfortunately home was the same way for both of them. Eddie immediately fumbled for a cigarette as soon as he got out the door.

"Samantha and Eugene are a sweet couple," Nellie said trying to ease some tension.

"He is much too good for her. She will only hurt him, he has spent most of his life getting hurt," Eddie ranted.

"Samantha loves him," Nellie said softly. "She really does, and I would know."

"Oh yes that's right," Eddie said as he took a long drag. "Samantha loves to tell everything to her little servant friend."

They were silent for a few minutes.

"Do you think I could have one?" Nellie asked.

"What?"

"A smoke."

"You don't know how to smoke,"

"I don't think it is rocket science," replied Nellie.

Eddie sighed, reached into his pocket and pulled out his little silver box of cigarettes. He gave her one.

"I suppose you are going to ask for a light too?" He grumbled.

"Yes please," said Nellie. She bravely put the cigarette in her mouth. It soothed her Father's nerves, it seemed to soothe Eddie, so perhaps it would help her.

Eddie lit the cigarette, only to have Nellie immediately start coughing. She took the cigarette out of her mouth. Eddie began laughing as Nellie hacked and gargled.

"How do you smoke that stuff?" She coughed.

"You get used to it," he replied and intercepted her cigarette. "I'll take that so you don't waste it. Smokes aren't free."

Nellie's throat burned as she still hacked and coughed.

"You can have it," she grumbled. "Look we need to be civil to each other for Samantha and Eugene. We are going to have to see each other from time to time."

"I can't seem to get crazy women out of my life," said Eddie.

"I will call a truce with you on one condition," said Nellie.

"I'm not going to kiss you or do none of that," Eddie quipped. "No more."

"Good," Nellie said. "That wasn't what I was going to ask. "I want you please write Ladies Life Journal and tell them that Helene Fitzgerald is just a pen name, and that Nellie O'Malley is my real name, and that you submitted my story to them without my permission so they can publish it."

"They are really going to publish that thing?" Eddie asked.

"I guess," replied Nellie. "But only if you write to them, since I didn't submit the story myself, and my name is different from the one submitted with the story."

"That's what you get for playing your stupid games," Eddie shrugged. He threw his cigarette butt into a snow pile. "I'm not sending anything in."

Nellie watched as he took off down the street, wishing it would be the last time she would have to see him, but she knew it was not.