"Oooh, this is so exciting!" Minnie grinned as Clarabelle gushed that statement for perhaps the fiftieth time.
"I know," she giggled. "But Clarabelle, could you please keep this under your hat until the engagement party tomorrow? I'm sure Daisy would appreciate it." The cow's face immediately turned beet red. Her hands began wringing nervously and her eyes darted around the room.
"O… oh… well, uh, yes! I-if you say so… if it's supposed t' be hush-hush I'll keep it…" Minnie burst out laughing as she sat down by her mirror.
"I'm just teasing… I know you've told everyone else who works here already." Clarabelle sighed loudly in relief, making Minnie laugh even more. But as she started to undo the ribbon woven through her hair, her face grew more solemn. Clarabelle noticed and walked over, looking a little concerned.
"You need anything?" A slight smile tugged at Minnie's face; with the exception of Daisy, sometimes she felt like the servants were her only real friends.
"Thank you, Clarabelle, but I'm fine." She looked up and managed a wider smile. "Why don't you just take the rest of the evening? We all have a big day tomorrow."
"Ohh, that'd be great, but are you sure?" Clarabelle asked. Minnie nodded, still smiling.
"Of course… besides, who else is gonna make sure the rest of the block knows? If everyone is talking about the engagement, that'll definitely make Daisy happy." Her friend laughed.
"Alright, then… I'll see you tomorrow."
Before heading out, however, the cow hesitated for a moment.
"Minnie, do you mind if I work at the party tomorrow?"
Minnie looked up with a slight frown.
"Well, no, of course not, but if you need more money, I can…"
Clarabelle shook her head.
"Oh, it's not for me. See, this friend of Horace's is having troubles, and we're all helping him out as best we can." Minnie immediately smiled and nodded.
"Oh, of course! Let me know if there's any way I can help too!" Clarabelle grinned.
"Sure, no problem. I'll see you tomorrow!" Minnie waved, then turned back to the mirror and pulled the ribbon out of her hair. She sighed and placed her elbows on the vanity table, gazing at her reflection. As happy as she was for Daisy, she couldn't help feeling a little jealous of how lucky her friend was. She was deeply in love with a good man (albeit one with a very short temper) who was just as crazy about her, and he was the same class.
She let out a heavy sigh. No one ever seemed interested in her for any reason other than the high standing of her father. She was beginning to think that Donald was the only decent high class guy there was. Her brooding thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on her door.
"Minerva? Can I come in?" Minnie smiled and turned at the gentle voice.
"Yes, Father." The door opened and her father, Marcus, walked in, returning her smile. Minnie had become more aware of her father's stature as she grew older, but with her he was always the loving man she had known since her childhood.
"Did Clarabelle talk to you?" she asked teasingly. Marcus walked to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"A real man doesn't need to be told when something's troubling his daughter." A frown came to his face. "Has that Rodawn fellow been bothering you again?" Minnie shook her head.
"No more than his usual nonsense," she said, rolling her eyes. Mortimer Rodawn was a gentleman… or more appropriately, a sorry excuse for one… who was always trying to get his hands on her. Minnie despised him; he was nothing but a shallow, brainless egomaniac. "But it's all right, I'm fine." Marcus raised an eyebrow and gave her an amused grin.
"Does any overprotective father accept that excuse?"
She couldn't help giggling at that, and then glanced back at her reflection.
"I know I should be happy for Daisy, and I am, really. It's just…" She sighed. "No man's ever wanted me like that, just for me, and I'm starting to think that none ever will." Her father looked at her with sympathy, then smiled and gave a strand of her hair a gentle tug. This was an affectionate gesture he had used since she was a little girl.
"Then they're all idiots. And as far as I'm standing, no man's ever gonna be good enough for you anyway."
"Daddy!" Minnie giggled again. Marcus smiled at his daughter, then his face grew more serious.
"I also came because… I wanted to give you something." Minnie cocked her head.
"Oh?"
Her father carefully took a small wooden box carved with a flower out of his pocket and held it out toward her. Minnie took it and slowly lifted the lid. What she saw made her gasp softly.
"Father…" she breathed, gently running her fingers over the exquisite red and gold necklace. "Mother's necklace?" Marcus smiled again as he reached over and lifted it out.
"I gave this to your mother the night we announced our engagement… quite the scandal, if you remember the stories." Minnie smiled; her mother had not been from nearly as high ranking a family as her father had been, but they had completely disregarded that.
"But things worked out," her father continued. "Your mother always said afterward that this necklace had brought us luck. She never took it off, until…" he dropped off, then inhaled and fastened it around his daughter's neck.
"She always wanted you to have it." Minnie looked back toward her mirror and her eyes widened as she fingered the necklace. She'd always been a modest girl, but in that moment, she felt beautiful.
"You look just like her," her father said softly. Minnie turned to him, her eyes brimming, and hugged him tight.
"Thank you, Father." Marcus smiled as he returned her embrace.
"You'll find that too, sweetheart," he said gently. "I know you will."
….
Late that night, across the city, the door to a rundown apartment creaked as it opened. Closing it again, Mickey walked in and slumped on the sagging couch, exhausted. As he slowly pulled his work boots off, a tall, lanky figure pulled back a blanket that separated the room.
"Hey, Goof," Mickey said with a smile, and then groaned as he cracked his back. The dog humanoid frowned in concern as he looked at his friend.
"Gawrsh, Mick, ya look awful tired." Mickey shrugged.
"Yeah, I'm a bit tuckered out, but it was worth it." He stretched his sore feet and smiled. "I made twice what I was hopin' for today, n' I've got a serving job lined up for some ritzy event tomorrow night… that should get good tips. If I keep pushing, I think I can make what Oswald needs for Ortensia."
Still frowning, Goofy walked over and sat down beside him.
"Yer not gonna be much help to 'em if ya keel over, and ya don't look too far from it." Mickey sighed and leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees.
"I'm fine. It's not gonna be like this all the time, just till I make enough. Besides, I just heard from my boss and I'm never gonna get my old job back in time. What other choice do I have?"
Goofy looked at him for a while, then smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry," he said as he stood up. Then he reached into his pocket and tossed a large, heavy leather pouch into Mickey's lap. The mouse frowned in confusion as he picked it up, then his eyes widened. Goofy grinned widely.
"I told Horace 'bout it… everyone pitched in." Mickey stared at him, and then smiled.
"Thanks, pal. I'll pay ya back someday."
Goofy shook his head.
"We're yer friends, Mickey. That don't cost ya a thing."
