by Juli Valenti
“He’s picking me up and we’re going to a costume party, thing.”
“A costume party?” Her nose scrunched up a little on the question. “Jessie, I love you, but you’re the quietest I’ve ever met. How are you going to manage at a party? Drunk people will be there, and they’re NOT quiet.”
Jessie laughed, which surprised Toni.
“It’s not a frat party, Tones. It’s…well, it’s sort of this gala thing. You know, with people in elegant costumes doing elegant things. No beer pong, no flip cup. A shame on the last two, I think, but hey, it wasn’t my choice. If I had been my choice, I’d still just be a grumpy old troll living under the bridge, as you so often like to tell me.”
“I’ve never called you grumpy or old, though I do know a pretty catchy tune to that. I could sing it for you some – WAIT. Do you mean the Masquerade Gala? The one held downtown?”
“I guess so, why?”
“Wow! That’s…that’s HUGE, Jessie! A lot of people in the money scene go to it, and there are rumors of a red carpet and celebrities attending too! The tickets are crazy expensive, but all the money goes to some charity. That’s a pretty snazzy date, missy!” There was awe in her voice as she explained. Jessie was surprised when this news didn’t surprise her, nor did it scare her like it would have. Dominick was going to be there with her, and with him she felt safe.
“Do you have a costume already? Are you coordinating with him?” Toni continued; she was a woman on a mission, and it seemed to a ‘get as much information out of Jessie while she’s still talking’ mission.
“I do, and we are.” Jessie didn’t elaborate. She still wasn’t completely happy with the costume choices, and had known from the start that it was a bad idea to allow a man any input in them at all. At least he hadn’t chosen something slutty, and she was glad she’d gotten him away from the whole “fairy tale” concept he’d tried to win with.
“Well?” Her coworker bounced in anticipation. Jessie sighed, but didn’t want to disappoint her. She could see that they could probably be friends one day, if she would just let her in, and didn’t want to lose the prospect. Sure, she may not be ready just yet, but she may at some point.
Jessie mumbled the costume choice. She was hoping that she could get away with that, and that Toni would just let her get away with it. Fat chance, that.
“You aren’t getting out of telling me that way, my friend. Now, louder, using your best outside voice, try that again.”
“Ugh. We’re going as Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler. I have this incredible, yet embarrassing, giant green dress thing. It’s so unfair, he gets to go in this dapper suit, and I look like a green cream puff.” Jessie sounded indignant.
“What are you still doing here then? He’s picking you up at seven-thirty? It’s six! You need to go run home to get ready. I’m sure it takes a while to get in that dress and you still have your hair, and your make up, and –”
Jessie raised a hand, stopping the tirade coming from her new friend. She knew that once Toni got on a kick, that she would keep on until she either ran out of things to say, or until she couldn’t breathe. If the latter, she would just take another big gulp of air and continue on.
“I’m going, I’m going. I just finished counting the money. Watch - this is me, walking the money into the safe. See?” Jessie said, walking to drop the money into the safe, then untying her apron and throwing it at Toni. “Please say bye to Mr. C. for me, and thank him again for giving me day shift today.”
With that, Jessie turned on her heel and walked out the door into the still bright evening. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she realized that for the first day in a long time, she was looking forward to night. She’d never admit it out loud, but there it was.
Chapter Twelve
“This dress…is…ridiculous,” Jessie said to herself in the mirror, swaying to watch the bell-like skirt move. The dress was exactly like she’d told Toni: giant and green. What she hadn’t said, however, was that she was secretly in love with it. The bodice was green and cream floral cotton, though still fit snug against her curves and pushed what breasts she had up, causing them to defy gravity. The lace detailing that scattered along the neckline lead to delicate cap-like sleeves that made her shoulders look delicate, sweet even. True, she could hardly breathe with the cinching of the corset, but it was totally worth it. The matching skirt billowed out from her hips, flowing down to the floor, and was filled out with the help of an embarrassingly large hoop skirt.
Sighing at her reflection, she picked up the emerald green sash and fastened it around her middle. Jessie had to strain to see behind her, to be sure the bow was perfect, and when it was she turned to face herself again. She hardly recognized the woman in the mirror: she’d done her hair in the true fashion of the timeframe, with large tight curls, and her eyes looked large, framed with mascara and liner that she was unused to. Her lightly painted pink lips pursed as she thought of the large matching hat that lay nearby on a chair. She couldn’t decide if she wanted to wear it or not – the thing was a monstrosity, as far as she was concerned, with its green satin ribbon and huge brim.
A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and she turned, glancing at the clock as she did. It was 7:28. Crap, she should have known that he would be on time – he was an anomaly like that. Really, who was truly on time these days? There should be a law against it, she thought. She’d been hoping he’d show up at like…8:30…or you know, not at all. The gala had seemed like a much better idea a few hours ago, especially now that she was dressed up in this beautifully absurd outfit.
“Hang on!” she yelled, louder than she probably needed to. Her walls were very thin, and she probably could have whispered, and he would have heard her. As if on cue, her neighbor beat on the wall hollering a loud “Keep it down!” Sticking a tongue out at the voice, she searched for her accessories for the night.
Jessie scooped up her lightweight shawl and double checked the contents of her tiny coordinating teardrop purse. She still couldn’t understand how women back in the thirties and forties carried the things they needed. Then again, without cars, or ATMs, she couldn’t fathom what they actually would have had to carry at all. After ensuring that she had her driver’s license, debit card, house key, and chapstick, she was as ready as she was going to get. Another knock sounded on the door.
“Okay, okay!” She rushed to the door, paused to take a deep breath, then opened it quickly - all but pushing Dominick out of the way so she could close it behind her. She didn’t look at him as she locked the deadbolt.
When she turned, her eyes met his gorgeous, stunned face. She took a moment to admire his costume- tux jacket, complete with tails, gray vest, white, button-down shirt, complete with an ascot. He wore matching tux pants that hugged his lean legs, along with shiny black dress shoes. He’d added a gold pocket watch, which completed the ensemble perfectly. Man, he just stepped out of the hottest old Hollywood movie, ever, Jessie thought. When she’d finished her perusal and looked up at him again, his eyes were wide, his mouth partly open.
“What?” she asked him, fidgeting with the poof of the skirt, beginning to feel self-conscious. She’d been pretty sure that, though she looked completely unlike herself, everything was where it was supposed to be. Had she missed something?
“You look…you…wow. You’re stunning,” he stuttered, his eyes finally meeting hers.
The admiration on his face was clear to see, and Jessie felt herself warm, a blush rising from her neck to her cheeks.
“So do you,” she said lamely, not knowing what else to say. “There was this God-awful hat that was supposed to go with the costume, but I just couldn’t bring myself to wear it. Besides, I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t have even fit inside your car…” she rambled, trying to break the unfamiliar tension between them. It was probably just the corset making hard to breathe. Yep, that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
“Well, with or without the hat, you’re…you’re a d
ream.” He looked her over one more time, cleared his throat, and said, “Okay. I’m done being creepy now, let’s go – the car is downstairs. I double parked. Let’s hope they didn’t tow me.”
“Okay. Oh crap! I forgot the candy. Hold that thought, I need to put my bowl out.” She turned back to her condo, cracked the door, and grabbed the black “Here Comes Halloween” Jack Skellington bowl she’d filled with assorted candy. Scooting back, she placed it on the mat in front of her door, before pulling it shut and locking it again.
“Are you okay? If I didn’t know any better, I would say that you are uncomfortable with me around your house,” Dominick asked as he watched her.
“I just…I haven’t had anyone here. It’s not something I know how to deal with yet, so like everything else, I’ll just avoid it. Don’t ask, okay?”
“You’re the boss, pretty lady.” He held his arm out to her, and she hesitated a moment before placing her hand on it. “Let me help you down these stairs. We don’t want you to break your neck trying to get down them in that dress and heels.”
Jessie let out a small laugh. At his quizzical look, she lifted the bottom of her skirt up to reveal a pair of black, low-cut Converse. He laughed, a sharp bark of humor, and then shook his head.
“What?! I’m already nervous enough. Putting me in heels plus this dress? That’s just asking for a disaster. I figured I’d save us the trip to the emergency room...I doubt they’d have enough room for me with this crazy ensemble.”
Still chuckling, Dominick guided her down the stairs, helped her maneuver into the car, and led his southern belle to the ball.
***
The masquerade gala was more than Jessie could have ever prepared herself for. Her mind was spinning as Dominick pulled up to the front; there were reporters from every news channel in Tampa, as well as paparazzi. Real paparazzi. Valet took his keys, speeding away with his car and leaving them staring at a roped off red carpet. A real, honest-to-God, red carpet.
Dominick looked down at her, eyes sparkling. When she didn’t move, he gently took her by the arm, and led her to the doors, ignoring the throng of cameras and people. There were several shouts of “Over here!” and “Picture, please!” along with incessant flashing of light from the photographer’s bulbs, but he ignored them all, keeping his eyes firmly ahead of him. His grip never wavered, guiding her steadily as she struggled to look as poised as the character she was portraying.
Once inside, they were greeted with waiters holding trays of bubbling pink champagne, and dim lighting. Tables with candles were placed intermittently throughout the room; soft lighting illuminated the art on the walls as well as little sitting areas, casting a soft pink glow around the room. Even amidst the crowd, the smell of apples and cinnamon was strong, making the room seem more like Christmas to her rather than Halloween, despite the costumes of course. Music filtered softly through speakers, some slow songs that Jessie thought she may have heard via the diner’s radio. There were people crowded throughout it all, clad in various costumes ranging from elegant to funny. She saw Marilyn Monroe with her Joe DiMaggio. Marc Antony stood close to a Cleopatra, while talking with a couple that looked to be dressed as Ozzy and Sharon Osborne. She even saw a Hugh Hefner surrounded by three girls in bunny costumes. Everywhere she looked there was something to see – it was beautiful and interesting and she hated that she was getting overwhelmed so quickly. She tried to keep her breathing even and the hand in Dominick’s steady. She must have tensed though, because Dominick moved his hand to her back, swirling in a pseudo-comforting fashion.
“Relax. They’re just people, it’s just a room,” he whispered softly, his mouth close to her ear.
“I’m not good with groups…or things like this,” she admitted to him, dipping her head slightly to cover her face with her curls. “Maybe this was a bad idea.”
“No, it wasn’t a bad idea – you just need to take it slow. It’s a lot to take in, I know. Come on, we can go sit down on one of the couches.”
Dominick didn’t wait for a response, instead squeezing her hand before guiding her to one of the small two-seater white couches. He helped her to sit, arranging the hoop so it fell right, and crouched on his knee in front of her.
“Jessie, we have already agreed that I won’t press for any information you don’t want to give. The weather discussion option still stands, if that’s what you want to talk about. We can even go and just pass out candy – but look at me.” He had placed a finger under her chin, raising her face. “Tonight? You’re not Jessie Braden. You’re Scarlett O’Hara, on the arm of your Rhett Butler. You’re an icon, classic and beautiful. I, for one, am proud to have you here on my arm for as long as you choose to stay. Remember, we can leave any time you want – it was part of our deal.”
Jessie sighed, nodding her head in silent agreement, hating herself. She didn’t want to be this girl, the one who couldn’t stand to be in a beautiful room surrounded by people. Even just a year ago, she would have been in heaven. Now, she was trapped in her own mind, a hell of her own guilt, her sorrow, her… failings. She didn’t want to ruin his night because of her inability to socialize. She would just have to dig deep, locate the social butterfly she used to be, and hold on with both hands.
Music began to filter louder through the room, and Dominick stood. Holding his hand out to her he said, straight-faced, “Come on. Dance with me. Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”
Jessie couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of her throat. Even she knew of Dirty Dancing, and that he’d quoted it pretty much made her night. She placed her hand in his, and allowed him to help her up, and lead her to the dance floor.
“Tell me your secrets… and ask me your questions. Oh, Let’s get back to the start,” Dominick sang softly as he pulled her in tightly against him, wrapping an arm around her waist. Her hand still in his, he began to move them. Jessie felt completely awkward, but as she allowed her body to follow his she relaxed into his arms.
Dancing with Dominick was like walking – she didn’t know where she was going, or how she was getting there, she just was. She stared into his honey eyes, and felt the world fall away until it was just the two of them, and the crooning voice singing as they moved.
“Nobody said it was easy, No one ever said it would be this hard,” he finished the song, dipping her so low that Jessie’s hair brushed the ground. When he raised her back up, neither moved. Their eyes were locked, and her stomach tightened beneath her corset. The feeling took her by surprise. She hadn’t felt anything other than grief and guilt for so long that it took her a moment to realize what she was feeling. Desire.
Dominick moved his head slightly toward her, and she felt a flare of panic - she didn’t know what to do. Before she had the chance to make a decision, his lips came down, and he kissed her.
Chapter Thirteen
Jessie was lost the moment his lips touched hers. They were soft, so soft, against hers as he pressed firmly to hers. She molded against him, her arms going around his neck to hold him closer. His hands tightened their grip on her hips, holding her in place, while his tongue swept across her bottom lip. She gasped and he used the opportunity to intensify the kiss.
He tasted sweet, like chocolate and mint, and as he explored her mouth, she found that she was doing the same. She kissed him with awakened passion, unable to keep herself from balling her fist in his hair. His grip at her waist was almost painful now, but it only fueled her fire. She needed more - more of him, and this feeling of being alive. The minute she thought it, it was like an ice-cold shower. She was alive, and her precious baby wasn’t.
She pulled away, gasping, tears running down her face in black tracks. She had to get out of there, and without saying a word, she turned and headed to the open doors. It looked like they led to a terrace of some sort, but Jessie didn’t care. As long as they got her away from Dominick, away from the party, away from this farce she’d gone through with tonight, she’d be fine.
“Jessie! Wait!” she
heard Dominick call out from somewhere behind her. She never glanced back. She couldn’t bear to see him, to see the look on his face. She continued to run, almost there, and then she was free. The humid night air hit her, filling her lungs. Her breath came in gasping pants, her tears choking her as she tripped on the curb and fell in a heap onto the sidewalk.
“Jessie,” Dominick’s voice drifted down at her and she saw his shoes through the blur of her tears. His tone was one of confusion, pain, and concern. It was just too much. Covering her face with her hands, she sat there on the sidewalk, sobbing. Through her pain, she was vaguely aware of Dominick sitting next to her, though he didn’t move to touch her or console her.
After a few moments, though it could have been hours - she wasn’t sure - her sobs turned to soft hiccups. Wiping her face with her hands, she realized that he was still sitting beside her. He was quiet, not looking at her while she recovered from the things that plagued her. She waited for him to ask the questions he had promised not to, but he didn’t. He remained silent.
“I’m...I’m sorry,” she said softly, words catching on a tremor that ran through her.
“Jessie, don’t apologize. I shouldn’t have kissed you like I did. I promised you that I wouldn’t ask questions, and I won’t, I’m just sorry that I’m what set this off in you.”
His eyes were sad, self-destructive almost, as he glanced at her. The look hurt her heart. She’d never wanted to see a look like that cross his face, and hated that she caused it: her inability to talk to him, to confide the worst parts of herself to him. If she kept going the way she was, she was going to push him away – and she didn’t truly want that. She felt…different when she was with him.
Standing, he lifted her up off the ground and without saying anything further, guided them to the valet stand. While the man ran off to retrieve his car, Dominick turned to her, his face sad in the soft lights of the night.
