The New Year Changes Everything
Delightful laughter, lovely music, and new electric lights filled Mother's drawing room for New Year's Eve, and Cora soaked up the sounds of the many different people that filled the room. It was so exciting to be old enough to attend Mother's society party.
After the dedication of the statue, Cora continued attending finishing school while Mother and Harold still clashed every time, they were near each other. Meanwhile, all Poppa's attention returned to business, and their family rarely saw him at all. Even Christmas, as nice as it was, wasn't a family holiday, as Poppa didn't celebrate it.
It was why Cora had looked forward to the New Year's celebration, as everyone enjoyed that. An even warmer feeling swelled in her chest as she saw her Poppa's tall form speaking to someone in the distance. And everyone said the New Year was time for change. Perhaps Cora would see Poppa more, or Mother and Harold would argue less.
"I'm so glad your mother decided to host this party, even if she wasn't invited to Mrs. Astor's for New Year's," Jane Rockefeller said with a smirk. "Especially since she decided we were old enough to attend."
Cora met her eyes in understanding, as even more energy spread through her body. Despite Mother's pushiness in Cora finding an "appropriate match", there were a lot of benefits in being sixteen. This was a much larger party than Cora had ever attended. Then she smiled at Jane, glad that at least one of her friends had come to the party, even if Emma had gone South for the holidays. "Mother definitely prefers to get her way. If she cannot be invited to the most exclusive party in New York, she will host her own."
Jane nodded and turned toward the champagne cart with large eyes. "Then she would definitely prefer us to have a glass of bubbly, wouldn't she?" Her smirk grew bigger at the prospect of doing something she knew her uncle wouldn't approve of, and her red gown only accented her rebellious nature. Even though the dress had the same hoop skirt and high neck that Cora's deep green gown had, there was something defiant about that ruby dress.
Her friend guided Cora toward the drinks, and although her stomach shifted a bit at the idea of Jane doing something her friend knew her uncle wouldn't like, Cora told herself it didn't truly matter. After all, she wasn't Jane's uncle, and Mother had never favored temperance.
On the contrary, Mother believed Cora's ability to order a drink was an important part of New York society. "I would like a glass of champagne, please," Cora said as she reached the front of the line. She did her best to speak in the accent she was supposed to perfect.
The man Mother had hired for this occasion nodded and handed her a champagne flute full of bubbly liquid. Cora took a sip while Jane asked for her own drink, an element of disobedience in her voice.
Then her eyes widened as she saw one of the politicians who rode in the parade last fall. Not the President, of course, but…that congressman. Those new electric lights lit up the drawing room more than normal, so Cora was certain it was him. And wasn't he the new mayor of New York? Mother must be thrilled to have such an influential man in her home. "Why Mr. Hewitt," Cora said with delight as she approached the man. "It is so nice to see you celebrating the New Year with us.
Mr. Hewitt glanced around Mother's crowded drawing room with a smile. Most of the furniture had been removed so there would be room for lots of guests and even space for dancing. "Yes, Mis…Levinson isn't it?"
Cora nodded, her smile growing as the man recognized her. "Yes." She sipped her champagne. Did he favor temperance as much as Jane's uncle? Harold had said something about him trying to close the saloons in New York once.
"Well, your home is a wonderful place for a party, especially with your father's business doing so well." Mr. Hewitt smoothed his beard a bit, and Cora smiled, relieved that he wasn't offended by the champagne. She also appreciated that her father was recognized.
"I know my parents will appreciate the compliment, sir," Cora said politely.
Mr. Hewitt nodded and wandered away, no doubt to find another person more influential to speak than Cora, when Jane's hand grabbed her arm. "Don't tell me you're already friends with Mr. Hewitt!"
Cora chuckled a bit at that comment, although she held her champagne glass carefully, so not to spill a drop. "Not friends but I know how important it is to Mother that he is here, so I spoke to him a bit, thanking him for coming to celebrate the New Year with us."
"That's just it, Cora you were just speaking to the new Mayor of New York!" Jane said, probably louder than she should have. Her drink jiggled in her hand. Miss Maple wouldn't approve of her behavior, but Cora didn't reprimand her; it wasn't as if Jane would care, anyway.
Instead, Cora took a sip of champagne and then said, "It's too bad his son is already engaged to Miss Work. He's the type we're supposed to be looking for, and the young Mr. Hewitt is pleasing to see."
"Why Miss Levinson," Mr. Johnson, Poppa's manager at his store in Cincinnati said, his warm brown eyes widening with delight as he saw her. "The last time I saw you, you were still this high." His hand indicated to Cora's shoulder. "Now you are almost grown and attending your Mother's New Year event of the year."
Placing her drink aside, Cora engulfed the jolly man who'd been almost as an uncle to her when she was younger. "It's so wonderful to see you, Mr. Johnson. Why didn't anyone tell me you would be here?"
"And ruin the surprise?" Mr. Johnson laughed, deep with his entire body quivering until Cora couldn't help but join. She also reveled in his reminder that Cora was truly maturing. Everything was changing, and definitely for the better.
When she finally let go of the man, Cora glanced at Jane and said, "I'm sorry. Mr. Johnson, this is my friend Jane Rockefeller. Jane, this is Mr. Johnson. He runs Poppa's store back in Cincinnati."
Mr. Johnson's eyebrows went up at the mention of Jane's last name, and Cora had to remind herself that Mr. Rockefeller was also from Ohio, something she often forgot as her family lived in New York for a few years. Mr. Johnson held out his hand and said, "It's a pleasure, Miss Rockefeller."
Jane shook her head, probably at his formality, but still grinned and shook his hand.
Mr. Johnson patted Cora's shoulder affectionately. "It's so good to see you, but I'd best go speak to your father."
As soon as he disappeared, Jane grabbed Cora's arm again. "You know everyone here! From the new mayor to jolly old men." Her face was wide with excitement. "Please introduce me, especially to the men."
Cora's eyes scanned the drawing room at all the different men there. Some were Poppa and Mr. Johnson's age, but many were younger. She wished she knew them all. "I don't know nearly as many as you think, Jane," Cora said with a smile. She took another sip of champagne. "Poppa has several store locations now, and the only man I know associated with that is Mr. Johnson. Some of them may even be entry level workers."
"Entry level workers?" Jane's face grew even more excited at the possibility of interacting with men they were not supposed to be seeking matches. Cora shook her head, still not understanding her friend's fascination with doing what she'd been instructed not to do.
"At least you know me, Cora," said a much younger, suspiciously familiar voice. She spun around and there stood her obnoxious younger brother with his trademark devilish smirk on his face. "You could introduce me to your friend."
He marched towards Jane, but Cora stood in front of him, especially as she had an idea that he might be heading for her friend's chest. "You aren't supposed to be down here!" she said, shaking her head at him. "Mother made you promise." It had been especially thrilling to know that she was allowed to come to the party when Harold was not. Things were supposed to be changing with this New Year's.
Her brother shrugged, twisting the knife of Cora's aggravation. "You cannot expect me to stay away from the action. And neither can Mother."
"Yes, we can," Cora said. She wished to scream for his behavior, but instead she counted to ten and , searched the room for their mother. Her obnoxious brother was supposed to be their parents' responsibility. But although their mother's striking red hair should be easy to spot, Cora couldn't see her in the sea of guests. Nor could she spot Poppa's tall form, with his head above everyone else.
"Come with me, Harold." She put down her champagne again and grabbed his arm much tighter than the times Jane had grabbed Cora's earlier tonight. Then she pulled him out of the drawing room.
"But Cora – " her brother said shaking his head, his devilish smirk gone.
"But nothing," Cora said as she took him down the dark hall. Past the dining room and the conservatory before turning the corner to the long, elegant staircase.
"I'm not going back upstairs," Harold said, glaring at his sister. "It's not fair that I'm the only one in the house who isn't at the party."
"Mother specifically said it was for grown-ups only," Cora said as she pulled him up the stairs. It was a good thing he was only thirteen, or he would be much too heavy.
"And you're such a grown – up?" Harold said, unintentionally hitting on one of her sore spots. If Cora truly was as grown-up as she wished to be, Mother wouldn't be able to tell her what kind of man to marry.
"At least I'm older than you," Cora said, perhaps more forcefully than she should have. They reached the top of the stairs, and looked down the upstairs hallway, covered in oriental rugs. Finally, she opened the door to Harold's room. "Now stay here," she said, her voice sounding much more exasperated than she wished it. But her brother was too much of a bother sometimes.
When Cora finally returned to the party, Jane was nowhere to be seen. And someone had clearly taken her champagne glass. Her eyes sought either one, but instead landed on the face of a youngish man with deep brown eyes and silky dark hair.
Mother's bright electric lights were worth it purely because it allowed Cora to see this man's face.
What was even better was that he was tall. Enough that Cora still looked up a bit at him, even though she wore high heels and considered rather tall herself. "Hello," she said brightly to the man, holding out her gloved hand. "I'm Cora Levinson."
The man flashed her a huge smile that melted her heart. "I am Frank Samson." He shook her hand firmly. "You must be Mr. Levinson's daughter." His warm brown eyes studied her form in a way that caused her to feel older than sixteen, and it made her heart jump.
"Yes, I am," Cora said, almost with a giggle.
"I'm the foreman in the clothing factory bought recently," Mr. Samson said, and Cora gaped at him in surprise. She hadn't realized Poppa had bought any factories, and the statement only proved how little she knew about her father now. Cora knew he rarely came home, and even when he did, he spent a lot of time in his home office.
But surely, she would have known if he were changing the direction of his business entirely? "I thought my father's industry was dry goods."
Mr. Samson flashed her another one of those melted-worthy smiles. "It is. From what I understand, he wished to buy our clothing factory so we could supply his stores without paying the middleman." How could it be that this handsome man knew more about Poppa than Cora did? Suddenly her face was closer to his.
"I actually think Mr. Levinson owning the factory is going to be good for the workers," Mr. Samson said thoughtfully, his chest almost brushing against Cora's. She had never thought a man's innocent touch could feel this good. "Most of them are Jewish and they'd rather work for another Jew."
Was there an element of disproval in Mr. Samson's voice, just because Poppa was Jewish? Cora should back away from him a bit, for such implications, but she couldn't bring herself to do so. Besides, perhaps he didn't mean it the way it sounded. "Popp runs a very successful business, no matter what his heritage," she said softly, just in case.
"Oh, I know," Mr. Samson said smoothly, and Cora relaxed completely. Then he wrinkled his nose a bit and said, "Speaking of heritage, what is yours? You talk rather…posh to be the daughter of Mr. Levinson."
Proud energy swelled inside her, and she felt even more mature than she had all evening. She must be speaking more like Miss Maple wished, for Mr. Samson to notice it. "It has nothing to do with my heritage," she said with another giggle. "Mother has enrolled me in the East Side Finishing School, and the teacher trains us to talk more sophisticated."
"Ah," Mr. Samson said with a nod and another smile. Then his expression turned more devilish, but far more appealing than when Harold wore the same expression. "Then I suppose you are taught dancing steps as well." His head indicated the spot Mother had cleared for waltzing, and Cora let the string music fill her ears. "Come with me."
Mother would say waltzing with a mere factory manager was inappropriate, as it implied, they could begin courting eventually. But Cora followed Mr. Samson anyway. She now understood exactly why Jane and even bothersome Harold found doing something they were not supposed to do so exciting.
Besides, Cora had been hoping all night to practice the waltz steps that Miss Maple had taught her just before Christmas. Certainly, Mother would understand that. Originally, she'd thought that Poppa would dance with her at least once, but as Cora could see him speaking to another business associate, it was clear he did not have time to waltz with his only daughter. Meanwhile, this man had chosen to dance with her.
Mr. Samson held her gloved hand and placed the other on Cora's waist, causing her heart to gallop faster than a horse. Her own smile spread even further as she placed her other hand on his firm shoulder and their feet began to move to the music.
They danced song after song, neither caring when the first one ended, still needing to feel their arms wrapped around each other. She didn't see Mother at all, but Cora rather hoped Mother saw them. She had been right earlier tonight.
The New Year changed everything.
"I need to see you again after tonight," Mr. Samson said into Cora's ear, as midnight grew closer. The lights on Fifth Avenue which could been seen through the large bay windows were just as intense as Mother's lights inside the house, and that meant the countdown would begin soon.
But Mr. Samson's words were even more intense. "Meet me in Central Park next Saturday afternoon. I have a new carriage we can use."
The suggestion struck Cora by surprise, even as they continued dancing. It sounded rather like the beginning of a courtship. It was exactly why Mother warned her against dancing with inappropriate men. Besides that, wasn't a man supposed to speak to Poppa before pursuing such an arrangement?
Cora opened her mouth to say she could not. There was a difference between disobeying her parents with a simple dance and a formal courtship. But instead, she listened to the sound of the cello and violin, recognizing Chopin. Miss Maple would be proud.
"Cora?" Mr. Samson's smooth voice interrupted the music. "Please say I can see you again." His warm hands tightened around her, causing her heart to swell.
There could be no other answer. "Yes," Cora said, gazing into those brown eyes. "I will go carriage riding with you next Saturday." As he hadn't spoken to Poppa yet, maybe it was a simple outing, rather than a courtship.
Mr. Samson flashed that amazing grin again, and Cora squeezed his hand and shoulder even tighter as they danced.
"It is one minute until midnight!" Mother said, standing at the front of the crowd. One thing about Mother was she had a loud voice that could catch the attention of all people when she wished. Everyone turned toward her bright red hair large hoop dress in a rose red.
"Look at the clock," she said just as loudly, clearly delighted to have everyone staring at her. They all turned to the clock displayed prominently on the mantlepiece. Indeed, the minute hand was extremely close to twelve.
They all waited as it inched forward. Even the cellist and the violinist ceased playing. "Happy New Year!" they all said at once, clapping. Cora loved how excited all the guests were for the new year, perhaps things were changing for the better for them, too.
All at once, her eyes fell on Jane, and Cora felt a bit guilty. Wasn't she supposed to have introduced her friend to some of the guests? Still, it appeared Jane had found a young man on her own, as she stood next to a nice-looking one, although buy the type of suit he wore, her young man wasn't more than an entry-worker. Maybe even one of the factory hands Poppa now owned.
But that was exactly the type of man she'd been searching, so Jane was clearly happy with it. Her friend met Cora's eyes and smirked as they continued to clap, her head nodding toward both Cora and Mr. Samson, and Jane and her young man.
Mr. Samson let go of Cora's hand momentarily so they could clap, before taking it again. Perhaps she and Jane were more similar than Cora had first believed.
The New Year did change everything. Especially as Mr. Samson kissed Cora's gloved hand before he left, just like the princes in her fairytale books. This could be the best night of her life.
