by Jill Caplin
Glenna smiled at her after Tessa returned, so she went over to see if she needed something.
“I need you to go to the back room and get me another container of mushrooms. The pantry is through those doors in the back.”
Following her instructions, the hallway led to a considerable pantry and cold storage. Walking inside, Tessa peered around for the box of mushrooms. She sensed someone standing in a far corner. It didn’t feel right being alone with a stranger.
The person walked out of the corner. Tessa gasped, not believing she stared at Aden.
He rushed up to her and hugged her. For just a moment, she enjoyed the embrace.
“When did you get exchanged? Who are you with?”
“This month to a guy named Mason. Glad to see you.”
“You have no idea…. never mind. I think you do. We better get back.”
Grabbing another tray of drinks, Tessa returned to the main ballroom, walking quickly to Audra and her parents. Her parents grabbed the glasses off the tray and handed one to Audra.
While heading back towards the kitchen, Tessa turned back to the crowd of people as a man’s voice caught her attention. The Counter sounded just like the same man she heard in The Annex. She recognized him, all dressed up in an orange tuxedo, as he stood next to his wife, who wore an orange satin gown. The woman had an ordinary oval face with the same brown hair and eye color as her husband. Next to them stood their son, wearing almost the identical tuxedo as his father.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming. We need to praise the New Leaders for establishing this tradition of combining a young man’s entry into life’s work and a Union with a young woman. We’re here to celebrate the nineteen years of the life of my son. He can now start working with me. After consulting with the Matchmaker, we will name his match tonight,” the Counter said.
Applause erupted across the room from everyone in attendance. Tessa rushed back into the kitchen. The ideas of having a Matchmaker choose a mate for someone didn’t make any sense.
Going back to the kitchen, she hoped to see Aden again. Glancing around, Tessa couldn’t locate Aden anywhere. Disappointed, she went to grab more drinks. Tessa then noticed Glenna staring at her.
“Go get me some more mushrooms. There’s a restroom there if you need to use it.”
It seemed like a good idea. Smiling, Tessa saw Aden standing there again.
“Nice to see you,” Tessa said.
“All servants attend these celebrations. Glenna happens to know Wilson, who knows Mason’s driver.”
“Hope I get to see you at the next celebration.”
“Me too. You know, I’m still attempting to figure out the right door and code to get us out of New City. See you next time,” Aden reached over and lightly kissed her on the lips. He winked and left through the door.
Smiling, Tessa waited a minute, picked up the mushrooms, and returned to the kitchen. Handing the mushrooms to Glenna, Tessa smiled at her.
“That boy of yours is with his family,” Glenna said, “Now you better get back to yours with the drinks.”
“Thank you,” Tessa said and hurried back into the main ballroom.
Tessa noticed the son of the Counter standing next to a pretty girl with stunning features wearing a purple dress. It seemed to her Bankers and Counters deserved each other.
Audra and her parents were speaking to another family of Counters. She offered drinks to Audra and her parents. Audra waved Tessa away with her hand. Tessa thought it must be her way of showing off to people.
By the orange color of his tuxedo, Tessa figured the young man standing in with his parents had to be Mason. He stood tall, with striking features of deep, green eyes and thick black eyebrows. The father with blond hair, a big nose, and square jaw was a hefty man. He wore the same silk tuxedo as his son. His wife, with her long face and black hair, wore a long, orange, suede dress two sizes too small.
Returning to the kitchen, Tessa picked up another tray of drinks. Going through the doorway, she walked on her way towards Audra when she bumped almost directly into Mason. He stood just inches away from her. Tessa cringed as his finger slid down the side of her face.
“So, you’re Audra’s new girl?” Mason said.
“Yes, sir, I am,” Tessa said, muttering.
“Well, I need you to tell her she might be lucky enough to be chosen for me by the Matchmaker.”
“Couldn’t you tell her yourself?”
“I’m not allowed to relay messages.”
“Not sure if I’m allowed.”
“If you refuse to tell her, I might think of trading in my servant.”
Staring at him with open eyes, and not wanting to show him any fear, Tessa couldn’t stop showing him her concern.
“I can see you wouldn’t be happy with that,” Mason said. “Now go tell her.”
“I will, right now.”
“Good, maybe I will keep him. There’s a rule of sharing servants after a Union. A rule I’m looking forward to.”
Taking his words as a threat, and afraid he would touch her again, Tessa nodded without looking at him, and he left. Looking up, she noticed Audra waving at her and went to her side.
“What would Mason possibly want with you?” Audra asked in a curt tone.
“Just to let you know that the Matchmaker might choose you for him. I hope you’re happy to hear that.”
“Well, I’d hope so. We do have a wise Matchmaker,” Audra said. “Why did he choose you to tell me? He’s not allowed to talk about it, but anyone but a servant usually deliver the news.”
“Sorry. I had to repeat what he said. Just following his orders.”
“That’s fine. Go tell Wilson to bring the car around.”
Tessa carried the tray back to the kitchen. She waved good-bye to Glenna and left the kitchen through the side door. Wilson stood outside. Smiling at him, they started walking to the front of the building.
The electric car stayed parked in front of the building where the Hills were waiting. Wilson opened a door, and Tessa did the same for Audra. No one said a word on their short ride back to their apartments. It appeared the family liked keeping their conversations private.
Back at the apartment, Tessa followed Audra to her room. She wanted to see if Audra needed anything else from her. Tessa hesitated outside the door, waiting for an invitation inside.
“Well?” Audra asked, impatiently, as she stripped off her shoes, blouse, and skirt, “After a celebration, you hang up these clothes and then that’s it. The clothes you’re wearing are for celebrations only, so take care of them. The bathroom will do until tomorrow morning.”
After hanging up the clothing Audra handed to her, Tessa left the room. She smiled, realizing how she would love to give Audra all the privacy she wanted.
After scanning her eye outside her room, Tessa watched her balance go up several dollars higher than before because of the celebration.
Still holding a negative balance, Tessa figured she would always be in debt in New City. She wondered why anyone would bother coming to New City if their balances were remaining about the same. It means if any servant visited the Entertainment Center on their rare day off, the money they owed, New City would increase over time, and they would never be free of debt.
Inside her room, as Tessa recalled the words Mason said to her, she started crying. He acted so rudely threatening to send Aden back to The Annex after he arrived. Tessa could never imagine being a servant to both Audra and Mason as a couple.
The way he stared at her made Tessa shiver, but his touching her cheek made her even sicker. His actions just fueled her desire to leave New City. Tessa promised herself she would do whatever she needed to stay in New City, but she would never to be a servant to both Audra and Mason.
Glancing at the printout of her weekend chores, Tessa groaned, realizing the bathroom still needed to be cleaned three times every day. At least having to do fewer daily tasks made her happy. Everything she needed to do started
after lunch, which worked for her since Tessa still had to do her laundry and press her dress clothes in the morning.
Exhausted from such a busy and emotional day, Tessa folded and placed the new uniform in the bottom drawer next to the extra linens. She took a short shower, changed into the nightgown, and climbed into bed.
Just thinking to herself how she entered a side door for the party made her think about how slaves were treated in the past. She snarled, thinking how rude people were to their servants and where they felt they had the right to treat them like slaves.
Tessa also started thinking about why people would want to be exchanged. She figured if the gates were open to people of The Annex, then the residents of New City wouldn’t have their slaves and then how would they function in their daily lives without them.
Getting to see Aden earlier in this evening caused her mind to rest instead of race. Tessa hoped she would dream of Aden keeping his promise of gaining access to the right door. Leaving through the right door meant she would be one step closer to reuniting with her parents.
14
Union
As the days grew closer to Audra’s birthday, Tessa hardly noticed her in her room. She wondered why Audra seemed so distant. Tessa reflected to the celebration she witnessed. She wondered how often they happened and if anything would be different at Audra’s.
One evening after Tessa finished her chores for the day; she decided to knock on Dalia’s door. Tessa heard a woman’s voice asking her to come in. Dalia sat on her bed, and Tessa sat on the chair. The last bell sounded, and they started to talk.
“I hope you’ve been doing okay here,” Tessa said.
“I’m fine. I like my new family. It just is what it is,” Dalia said, “You look like you have something on your mind. What is it?”
“Audra’s been pretty quiet this week.”
“Only you would think so. The Matchmaker has been to the house,” Dalia said. “Audra and her mother have been shopping for their celebration clothes. It’s a mother and daughter only outing.”
“Guess I missed quite a bit.”
“No need to worry. Just don’t forget to compliment Audra on her gown. She will want to show you off before the celebration starts.”
“That didn’t happen at the last one?”
“A minor thing. None of those people will care who you are,” Dalia said. “After she shows you off, Audra’s father will allow the parent of the boy the Matchmaker announce her as his bride. Whoever forms a Union with Audra will be of similar rank in society.”.
..”
“What happens afterward?”
“Oh, everyone goes home. The ceremony of Union itself is private. It won’t be for a few more weeks. You’ll still be part of the Hill household.”
“Thanks, Dalia,” I said, “I was worried I’d be sent to Audra’s own home right away.”
“The paperwork to apply as a couple for an apartment takes time. They still have to follow the rules of New City like any other couple.”
“Have servants ever had their place to live together as a couple?”
“We manage to have personal relationships.”
“I meant, living together alone and going to work for a family or someone.”
“That’s unheard of here.”
“Just because it’s unheard of doesn’t make it right. Look, I don’t want to keep you up any longer. I better go,” Tessa said.
“Oh, as part of the celebration, you should earn a day off.”
“Thanks so much for telling me. Never thought that would happen any time soon.”
“It’s a tradition here. It’s getting late. Good night,” Dalia said.
Back in her room, Tessa changed into her nightgown. Once under the covers of the bed, she sighed a bit of relief, knowing she did not have to be Audra’s servant right after her celebration. She savored the idea of having a bit of breathing room after the ceremony.
Smiling, Tessa hoped Audra’s birthday celebration would be the day Aden would tell her he would be ready to escape. It would be incredible for her to have a day off with him. She just hoped he kept his promise.
15
Celebration Times Two
Finally, Tessa heard the pager to get Audra ready for her celebration. She rushed to Audra’ room and knocked on the closed door.
“Come in,” Audra said.
Opening the door, Tessa discovered Audra smiling and dressed in a long, purple satin gown. Gathered below her breasts, it had puffed short sleeves and hung down to the floor. Her hair done up in a bun and her face painted with the purple eye shadow, lipstick, and nail polish. The shoes she wore on her small feet were purple pumps.
“You look beautiful.”
“It’s a beautiful dress, isn’t it? Audra said, “Clean up my bathroom. Then change into your nicer clothes. I’ll page you again when we’re ready to leave. I’ll be in the living room with my parents when it is time to go.”
After doing the chores, Tessa left and returned to her room, changing into her white shirt and pants. The page went off, and she arrived at the living room to meet Audra. Audra stood next to her mother and motioned for her to stand beside her.
Mrs. Hill wore a long, purple sateen dress and matching the sequined jacket. Her husband wore a matching purple satin suit and tie.
“Tonight, I’ll present you before my celebration begins,” Audra said, “When you arrive, you go through the kitchen as always and then meet me without drinks in the main room.”
“It’s time to go,” Mrs. Hill said.
Tessa followed the three of them to the front of the apartment where Wilson waited with the car. Going around to the side, Tessa opened the door for Mrs. Hill then Audra. She then got in the car and sat beside Audra.
Once they arrived at the building where they attended the last celebration, Wilson stopped the car. Tessa exited and let Audra out on her side. She walked with Wilson down the alley to the side door. With the evening being all about Audra and her birthday, Tessa suspected she didn’t matter to anyone.
Inside the sizeable kitchen, Tessa walked into a repeat of the other night. Lots of servants rushed around, attending to their duties, making or placing drinks or appetizers on trays. She walked over to where Glenna stood cutting various shaped vegetables for appetizer trays. Tessa smiled at her.
Going through the double doors into the main ballroom, she walked straight to Audra and her parents, standing next to her. She observed other couples dressed in elegant, purple colored outfits walk up to them.
Bowing her head in respect kept her from blushing from all of the strange eyes looking at her. After listening to a few words of congratulation for Audra, she brushed Tessa away with a simple hand gesture.
Returning to the kitchen, Tessa grabbed a tray of drinks. She returned to the ballroom and displayed the tray to the Hills. They reached for their glasses and stood around, talking to several of their friends. Tessa noticed Mason arrived at the party with his parents, and dressed identical to his father, wearing an orange tuxedo. Mason’s parents approached the Hills with their son. She headed to the kitchen for refills.
Inside the kitchen, Tessa spotted Aden and resisted the urge to run up to him. Smiling at him, he smiled back at her. He left walked away towards the ballroom. Tessa refilled her tray and returned to Audra’s parents in the hall. They grabbed their fresh drinks and placed the empty ones on the plate.
On her way back to the kitchen, Tessa heard the voice of Mr. Hill speaking through a microphone. Curiosity kept her in her place, so she stopped for a moment to listen to his words.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming to the celebration of her daughter turning nineteen. As you know, it is a special year for any young woman when she is chosen as a bride. I will hand the microphone over to Mr. Boatwright.”
There were several moments of applause as Tessa noticed Mr. Hill turn the microphone over to Mason’s father.
“I am fortunate to be the bearer of joyous news. My so
n, Mason, has picked Ms. Audra Hill to be his bride. He consulted the Matchmaker. Ms. Audra is the perfect choice.”
The applause erupted and then stopped. Tessa watched as Audra went to stand beside Mason. Returning to the kitchen, she didn’t see Aden anywhere. She decided to try the back room and smiled at Aden as she bumped into him near the door.
“If you can, meet me at the book shop on our off day,” Aden said with a smile. “I found a way to escape New City.”
“You did?” Tessa smiled and hugged him.
“Just working on figuring out the code to the exit. I should have it by then.”
“That’s awesome, Of course, I can meet you there,” Tessa said.
“Right after breakfast.”
“Got it. Better go.” Tessa said. Aden smiled and left. Tessa waited a few moments before going back into the kitchen.
She stopped to say goodbye to Glenna before she left.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, go on. We all knew The New Leaders didn’t waste their money installing cameras where our restrooms were. There’s a camera in the big panty. That’s what they care about; their food, not us.”
“Can I do something for you?”
“Sure. Tell Wilson I said hello.”
“Will do,” Tessa smiled and carried an empty tray into the ballroom. She couldn’t figure out why Glenna didn’t stop and tell him herself. All the drivers waited outside the side door.
Walking back to Audra and her parents, Tessa watched the Boatwrights walking away, but she didn’t see Mason with them. As she filled the tray with the empty glasses, Audra talked to her.
“Go tell Wilson it’s time to go home. In honor of my celebration, you’ll have tomorrow off. Go to New City if you like, but be home by supper. Nothing for you to do for me when we get home.”
Tessa nodded, ecstatic finally to have a day off to plan her escape with Aden.
While walking towards the kitchen door, Tessa had no choice but to stop. Mason stood in front of her, blocking her way. So, startled to see him, she didn’t know what to say.
