The Great Gatsby Chapter 3
June's POV
I shifted slightly in my seat on the train as I waited patiently for my stop. Its Grocery day and unfortunately this time I have to go to a different store than usual because the regular one didn't have an ingredient I need to make a special cake for Jay. As it turns out while he loves and will devour many of the desserts I make for him his favorite is Orange Dream cake.
It seems ever since I brought those peach puffs to him about a week and a half ago we've become great friends. We've taken rides on his hydroplane together, swam in the ocean behind his house, and sometimes he'd come over to eat dinner with me. It's been wonderful spending time together but the only bad part is I still don't know very much about him. I've told him many things about myself but he hasn't told me where he's from, his job, where he went to college, and it is killing me! I've always been really very nosey. So I really want to ask but I'm afraid that I'll make him upset. After all he didn't mention it for a reason right?
I was broken out of my thoughts when the train signaled its stop at the Valley of Ashes. The Valley is basically place New York's dumping ground. It's halfway between west egg and the city where the burnt out coal that powers the golden city is discarded by men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air. This fantastic farm is forever watched by Dr. T.J. Eckleberg, a forgotten oculist whose eyes brood over it all like the eyes of god.
When the train fully stopped I saw a man rush up the isle pushing people out of the way in his haste to get to the door. Why is he such a hurry to get off here? He looks very familiar. It's probably nothing… Wait that-that's Tom! I saw the side of his face when he turned to get off the train! But why would he be getting off here? He doesn't like to be around new money people but he can stay around ill-mannered poor people in this dump. It's really not my business what he's doing here. But my nosey streak flared up and my body went on autopilot. The next thing I knew I was running off to follow Tom.
I hopped off the train. Once I was firmly on my feet I pulled a scarf and some sunglasses out of my purse and put them on. It's not a good disguise but I suppose it'll do. I ran through a broken fence and past a barber shop after tom and he soon arrived at a run-down car garage. I ducked behind a car just in time as Tom called out to a sweaty greasy man who worked in the garage.
"Hello Wilson! How's business?" Tom said
"I can't complain. So ah when are you thinking about selling me that car?"" Wilson asked in a thick new Yorkers accent.
"My men are still working on it."
"He works pretty slow don't he?" This isn't very important! All Tom came here to do was discuss a stupid car! I can't believe I wasted time coming here! Now I have to spend more money on train tickets and-
"If its business you should be talking to me." A woman said as she came down the stairs. Her accent is thicker than Wilsons! Her face was overly painted with makeup and her red hair was in ringlets. And what on earth is she wearing! She had on tight short sleeved dress that's a saturation of red, white, and black. She had red fishnet knee highs and red shoes along with cheap plastic bangles with red earrings. Can you say tacky?
"Get some chairs why don't you so someone can sit down." She barked at Wilson before her eyes settled on tom and her features softened. Maybe it was worth following Tom here.
"Uh yea sure. Let's talk business. Sure. I'll get the chairs. Myrtle why don't you entertain-"
"Hurry up!"
"Yea alright." Wilson said as he went to the back to get chairs. Once he was gone Myrtle slid over to Tom and seemed to be flirting with him. But she pulled away once Wilson called to ask if Tom wanted candy. Myrtles scanned the area and locked eyes with me.
"Hey Dame! You need something?" She yelled from where she stood with one hand on her hip looking annoyed. I ripped the scarf of my head and walked towards them with as much dignity as one can when one has been caught spying.
"Yes Tomato. I was just thinking about buying a car and I wanted a mechanics advice on what make and model would fit me. Hello Tom." I said with a nod in Tom's direction. Tom just stood there in shock before he snapped out of it.
"June! How are you?! It's been too long!" Tom said giving me a squeeze and a kiss on each cheek. Meanwhile Myrtle was literally looking like a tomato; her face was so red! She looked terribly jealous and angry.
"I've been fine Tom thank you. Would you like to introduce me to your friend?"
"June this is Mrs. Wilson she's the wife of George Wilson he owns the shop. Mrs. Wilson this is June Carraway my wife's cousin." Tom said. Myrtle scowled at me but held her hand out for me to shake anyway. I gave her the same look and took her hand.
"Listen Myrtle I want you to get on the next train, now. Call your sister so she can meet June." Tom said as he gave her money for the train. Goodness Tom has no shame. Making plans with his mistress right in front of me! What the heck! Does he really think I think that's his friend? How stupid does he think I am?!
"No no really. You don't have to. I have to get home anyways!" Or should I say I have to go straight to daisy's house and tell on you.
"June you don't know many people and it's not healthy to hide out in the house like you do." Tom said. How dare he talk to me about that! And in front of Myrtle too!
"I haven't been hiding anywhere. Don't be upset that I've found another friend and that's limited the amount of visits I make to the house."
"Anyways you'll love Catherine. You should go with us." Myrtle said her scowl replaced with a mock friendly smile. What does she have under her sleeve?
"I guess I will." I said giving her the same look. Bring it on.
A While Later
I. Am. Going. To. Tear. Up. This. Apartment.
Myrtle is evil! She and Tom are in the other room sleeping together! And I can hear them! That's why Myrtle suddenly decided she didn't mind me being here. She wanted to mess with me so she called Tom in there under the pretense she needed him to rearrange a few heavy pieces of furniture. Furniture my behind! I mean really do I look that stupid? Well let's see them sleep together through this!
"HEY! GET OUT OF THERE THE BANKS CLOSED! TOM IT DOESN'T MATTER TO ME IF YOU'RE GETTING IT ON WITH YOUR BEARCAT OF A GOLDDIGGER YOU'RE NOT DOING IT WHERE I CAN HEAR!" I shouted while I banged on the door with all my might. The noises stopped and I heard what sounded like myrtle cursing. I feel so satisfied now. Well I need to get out of here. The faster I get home the faster I can tell Daisy. As I got closer to door I heard someone knocking obnoxiously. I opened it to see a woman.
"I'm Catherine. Ain't we havin' a party?" So this must be Myrtles sister. I guess tackiness runs in the family. She had on an outfit similar to myrtles the only difference was she had on blue, yellow and black.
"Yes but I'm not going to attend it." I said as I grabbed my purse and started to leave. There is no point in me staying here. I don't want to be around any of myrtles people or tom really for that matter. I was about to leave when I bumped into another person! This must be myrtles friend. Tackiness must be some terrible disease that's passing around; that's what it is.
"Oh hello! Oh Chester this must be the cousin. Oh you are adorable!" A girl said as she pulled at one of my curls. She passed by me to reveal a man with the worst mustache I've ever seen.
"Chester McGee a pleasure to meet you." Chester said as he stuck his hand out for me to shake. He must be her boyfriend or husband since they're kind of dressed alike. Myrtle has some odd friends I'll give her that. I took it then made my way for the door.
"June wait! Wait!" Tom called as he ran after me. His hair was ruffled, his shirt was open exposing his undershirt, and he looked sweaty. Just looking at him like this makes me so mad!
"I'm just going it's time for me to leave."
"Nonsense! Go on in there and talk to Catherine or Chester."
"Tom I am not comfortable here. Daisy is my cousin and you should be ashamed of yourself!"
"Listen June I'm not angry with you for what you did before. You keep using Daisy as an excuse but I know what's really wrong. It's perfectly natural you would feel a little jealous with you being a virgin and not being married. And I admit I should have taken your feelings into consideration. However we have all summer to fix all that. Now do you wanna sit on the sideline and watch? Or do you wanna play ball?" Tom said gesturing to everyone behind him as they cheered in agreement and encouraged me to play ball. I am literally frozen in shock right now. I can't believe Daisy told tom I'm still a virgin! Oh she is going to get chewed out when I get back home! But you know I think I can stay for a little while.
Tom took my silence for a yes and picked me up bridal style much to the amusement of everyone else. He lightly tossed me onto an armchair next to Catherine.
"Gimme your purse. Relax and enjoy yourself! So you live in long island too?" Catherine asked from her place by my knee. She took my purse and threw it behind the couch.
"I live in west egg."
"I was just there about a month ago at a party. A man named Gatsby's. Do you know him?"
"I live next door to him. He's one of my friends."
"Well he's not someone you really wanna be friends with. I heard he's a cousin of Kaiser Willams. You know the evil German king." Catherine said as she scooted next to me on the chair. There wasn't much space so she was basically sitting on my lap. Goodness this girl is heavier than she looks! She leaned over a whispered in my ear.
"Neither of them can stand the person their married to."
"That's not true Tom loves Daisy. He says all the time just how much he loves her. And Myrtle…She doesn't like Wilson at all?" I said in disbelief. How can you get married to someone then say later on you can't stand your husband! If that's the case why even stay married?!
"He's a greasy little scumbag." I heard Myrtle say from across the room. She sounded and looked very pissed off. Tom is going to be in trouble later!
Then Tom came over with two drinks. He gave me mine along with a warning look. He must not want his bluff called. Well it doesn't matter what he wants. If someone asks I'm just going to be brutally honest. He tried to give Catherine hers but she didn't want it.
"I feel just fine on nothing at all. Nerve pills; I get them from my doctor in Queens. D'you want one?"
"No thanks my nerves are fine." I said but Catherine shoved two pills in my mouth and made me take a large gulp of the liquor Tom put in my hand earlier.
Now I have only been drunk one time before in my entire life. So you can imagine how completely odd and surreal this experience was for me.
That night in the hidden apartment Tom had for Myrtle we were voided by a sort of chemical madness; A Willingness by the heart that burst on us all. Everything was passing in such a blur because of the nerve pills that I only remember bits and pieces of it. I remember dancing with Catherine and Chester, drinking champagne and hitting someone with a pillow making feathers fly everywhere, and Tom picking me up. I remember jumping around in nothing but my underwear. My dress lost somewhere in the madness. I couldn't really think properly and I felt like I was floating. The rest of the night passed quickly and the last thing I remember is feeling satisfied at Tom smacking Myrtle in the face breaking her nose.
The Next Morning
I woke up to the sun shining, the birds chirping, and wind lightly blowing. Wait I shouldn't be able to feel the wind like this! I-I'm not outside am I? I sat up and looked around to see that I was sleeping on the swing on my porch! Why am I outside?! And how did I get home?! Well Tom probably brought me home but I'm not sure. And why am I wearing a bath robe?! I looked down to see I had been using my lacey brown and white polka dot dress as a pillow. It smelt of sweat, stale alcohol and drool. Maybe it is a good idea someone put me in this robe. And where is my- oh my purse is right here. Thank goodness it still has everything in it.
"June? Are you alright?" I heard a voice say that sounded like it came from a megaphone. I looked up to see who I believe is Jay coming towards me. The sun is too bright to see him though.
"Jay? Please stop yelling. I-I can't really remember a lot of what happened the other night and I'm so confused." I said burying my face in my hands. This is so embarrassing! I don't want Jay to see me like this! I probably look a mess! He probably thinks I'm terrible now!
But then I felt him sit down and an arm wrapped around my waist. Jay pulled me close to his chest and I nestled into his embrace making him tightened his arm around me.
"It's ok. Everything will be ok. You don't have to say anything about it if you don't want too. Now let's get you inside. Can you walk or would you like me to carry you?"
"Carry me please. I feel very ill." I said snuggling my face into his neck. He stiffened a little at the contact but slowly relaxed and picked me up bridal style. Almost immediately my palms started to sweat and my heart started racing. That's strange I felt the same way when I first met… no no its not. It can't be and it's not. I can't start having a crush on Jay! I already have someone I care for!
"Is your bedroom upstairs?"
"Yes it is." I said my voice muffled by Jays shoulder. He even smells wonderful! Jay carried me up the stairs and gently placed me on my bed. I'm so glad he's here! If he wasn't I'd probably have fainted trying to get to my room. While Jay tucked me in I closed my eyes hoping the dizziness would go away, but it didn't. Luckily I fell asleep quickly because the next thing I knew Jay was standing in front of me with a glass in one hand and a plate of eggs in the other. As he put the plate on the nightstand next to me I noticed there were aspirin on the plate as well.
"I hope you don't mind but I looked through your medicine cabinet and got some aspirin. I also made use of your kitchen since I'm sure you haven't had anything proper to eat this morning." Jay said as he lifted me up so I was sitting up. He helped me take the aspirin and I ate the eggs. After I was finished he put the plate away and helped me lay back down. I snuggled into the covers and started to fall asleep. But before I fell asleep I reached over and held Jay's pinky finger. I felt the familiar shock that I always feel when I touched him and smiled.
"Thank you for helping me Jay. You're a wonderful friend." I murmured squeezing his finger a little before sleep finally took me.