“Come in, Aunt Florence.”
Her Aunt entered, breathless from the overlylarge package she was carrying, which was beautifully wrapped witha soft pink satin bow.
“Is that for me!” Jessica exclaimed.
“Yes, it is,” her Aunt replied. “Do youremember the Maurice Levkoff boutique we visited the other day andchose an evening dress for you?”
“That’s it,” Jessica squealed happily.“They’ve altered it already?”
Jessica retrieved the box from her Aunt andhurriedly placed it atop her bed and began to unwrap the bow.
“I asked them to rush it, dear. I was anxiousfor you to have it for tomorrow.”
Jessica paused lifting the top off thepackage, as she exchanged a puzzled look with her Aunt.
“Why tomorrow?”
“Well, there’s a gala at the Met, and Ithought it would be the perfect opportunity for you to get yourfeet wet.”
Jessica chewed at her lower lip and hesitatedlifting the top off the dress box.
“So soon?”
Her Aunt waved her hand at the box for her tohurry along.
Jessica lifted the lid, let the top slip tothe floor, pulled back the sheer tissue paper and gaped openly as awhish escaped her lips.
“Have you ever seen anything so exquisite?”She purred, as she lifted the creation from the box, held it infront of her and slowly twirled before the full-length floor mirrorin awe of the reflection gazing back at her.
“No dear,” her Aunt replied. “I do believe itisthemost ravenous gown I’ve everseen.”
The undergarment was royal blue satin ofmid-calf length, set off by a cloak of white Schiffli embroidery,with mid-length scalloped sleeves and matching hemline, delicatelystitched with tiny, intricate rosebuds and belted with a `royalblue silk ribbon.
“I think I may have to hire a body guard tokeep all the young bucks in this City at bay and the single womenfrom killing you over pure jealousy,” her Aunt chuckled.
Jessica made a face and clucked at her Aunt.“I admit the dress is simply beautiful, but I don’t believe menwill be throwing themselves at my feet, Aunt Florence.”
Her Aunt plopped down on the edge of her bed,shaking her head in argument.
“You’ve been sheltered too long, child. Itruly believe you have no clue what a natural beauty you are. Yourarrival has caused quite a stir, that, I assure you. The chase ison.”
Jessica turned, draping the gown over herarm, as she gazed at her Aunt with a stern intensity.
“Well, they can chase all they want. I’m notinterested. I’m your companion and that’s enough excitement for me.I told you, I’m not ready … and … and I don’t think I can evertrust another man again, ever.”
As she drew near, her Aunt reached for herhand and pulled her forward to sit beside her upon the bed.
“I know, dear. I know,” she patted her handtenderly. “I don’t expect the hurt and fear to dissipate likethat,” she snapped her fingers. “But, you mustn’t build a wallaround yourself either. You’re smart, stunning, resilient, and havea remarkable future that is awaiting you with adventuress,fulfilling accomplishments and wonderful memories, that will lastyou a lifetime. That life, won’t happen, if you aren’t willing tosuck it up and take risks. Learn from those experiences. Don’t letthem disable you.” She drew Jessica into her arms and hugged herfiercely, then held her at arm’s length. “Tomorrow night is aboutfun, making new acquaintances, and continuing to leave the pastwhere it belongs. Are you willing to do just that?”
Jessica knew that her Aunt was right. Likeanything else in life, to move forward, one had to take baby steps.She wasn’t about to let her fear of getting hurt, disable her. Notby a long shot. It would be like allowing Richard and Hal to stillhave a hold over her.
She nodded her acknowledgement slowly. Withher Aunt by her side, she could survive her ‘coming out’ in NewYork society or any other damn city in the country.
OceanofPDF.com
CHAPTERSIX
They took a horse drawn carriage down FifthAvenue to 82ndStreet. It was a gorgeous evening in thecity. The crisp Autumn air was refreshing and the clear, blacknight sky sparkled with the twinkling of a bazillion stars.
