An Imperfection in the Kitchen Floor

by Heather Greenleaf

  “I just don’t know about this, Tish. You are only sixteen, I don’t know the Howerths, and the park is known for its riff-raff,” Papa said, moving back and forth across the floor and worrying his hand through his thinning and greased-back hair.

  Mama entered the foyer just then and, taking my arm on one side and his arm on the other, walked us toward the door, saying, “Julian, the park is known for its superior police force, in place for the specific purpose of women feeling safe there unaccompanied. She will be fine. Have a lovely time, Tish.”

  Sighing, Papa walked out the front door and down the porch steps. Smiling gratefully at Mama, I quickened my step after him, my braid bouncing against my lower back at each step. Papa and I walked together toward town. It was a clear night, warm and calm. Quietly, twilight was falling and the stars were beginning to peek out. The streets were nearly empty, and the few houses we passed along Easton Road were glowing yellow from within. At Papa’s pace, I double-stepped to keep up.

  He was still very quiet, so I ventured, “Papa, I’m sorry about the gherkins this morning.”

  Papa sighed. “Tish, if you are going to be working in the shop, you need to be more careful, more present of mind. Those gherkins cost money, and we can’t afford to waste before we even get started.”

  “I know, Papa. I’ll try to be more careful. But honestly, Papa, maybe it is best if you hire someone else? Someone more permanent?”

  “We cannot afford that right now. I need you to help the family,” he said with finality.

  Everything inside me screamed to further declare my independence, insist to him that I wouldn’t stay and help the family, how I would go, and soon. Instead I just nodded and kept quiet. It was a fight for another time.

  We approached the center of town. Mrs. Howerth, a stout, stern woman with a military air, was waiting next to Virginia at the triangular meeting of streets that was the middle of Willow Grove. Both mother and daughter were dressed in fine clothing, though Virginia wore white and Mrs. Howerth a dull gray. Both wore straw hats, Virginia’s the one I had admired earlier in the day.

  When we approached, Mrs. Howerth extended her hand, palm down, for Papa to grasp. He did, cordially, and thanked her for her pie Virginia brought earlier. “I am sure the family is enjoying it right now,” he said with a nod back up the hill toward our house. “And thank you for taking Tish with you tonight. I expect that the dance will be over by ten o’clock, and that you will come right home afterward?”

  “Yes, Mr. Hess. I will be with the young ladies the entire evening. We will go to the dance and then come home directly. There is time enough later in the season for rides and such,” Mrs. Howerth said, shooting a sideways look at Virginia. I gleaned that there may have been a debate about this earlier that Virginia did not win. Virginia pursed her lips briefly and then smiled at me.

  “Well, then. All right. Tish, have a nice time,” Papa said with thinly veiled reluctance. He handed me a little spending money and with a brusque pat on my shoulder, turned to walk back up the hill toward home.

  “Well, ladies, it is getting late. Shall we be off?” It was a question, but seemed more like a command, as Mrs. Howerth’s back was already turned to us as she briskly walked toward the park entrance.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Virginia and I chimed together, falling in step behind her. Virginia smiled at me and we entered the park.

  The main entrance sat just past the superintendent’s stone house, and we walked along a landscape lined path. Along the flat green expanse, other paths diverted to the left and around small ponds. Mrs. Howerth walked straight ahead with purpose, and we followed after her. Crossing over Moreland Road, we continued along the path and past the large lake with the electric fountain. It was too early for the lights to illuminate the waters in color, so we marched on toward the casino building. The bandstand, looking just like an open clam shell, was on the left. There was another pond to our right. I swiveled my head in both directions to see it all while staying closely on the brisk heels of our chaperone. The same faint music I could hear from my bedroom was loud now, tinny and repeating in a short loop of song as the carousel horses circled. Lights blinked from the games, and vendors called out their wares.

  Mrs. Howerth abruptly stopped and turned, entering a large hall with a blazing sign reading Dance Land. Virginia and I entered through a wrought iron arched doorway that opened into an empty and cavernous space. There were stairs on either side of the entrance leading to a balcony that surrounded the entire room. Seating lined the outer wall. The ten-piece band was just setting up, and Mrs. Howerth left us to approach them, her heels clacking loudly across the floor.

  Alone now, Virginia said, “Tonight is going to be such fun!” She turned to face me full on and grasped my arms.

  “Are you looking forward to seeing someone in particular?” I asked, aware I was, perhaps, prying a bit, but interested in getting to know my new friend.

  “Oh, no. Certainly not. There will be lots of boys here tonight, townies mostly, but they are too young and unestablished. I intend to marry someone who has already amassed some money and influence.” She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “There are plenty of men who come in to Daddy’s shop and have their eye on me, you know. Most are married, but some…” She trailed off, unwilling to give any more. “But, before I marry an old man with lots and lots of money, I intend to have a little fun with the young boys!” Virginia grinned and quickly checked to be sure her mother was out of earshot.

  I was amused, and liked the bright boldness of Virginia. It was suddenly easy to open up when she asked me, “What kind of boy do you like, Tish?”

  “I don’t really like the idea of settling down right away.” Virginia looked at me as if I were joking. “No, really,” I insisted. “I’d like to travel a bit, maybe live in a few different places. Do you know anyone around here who thinks like that?”

  “I’m not sure.” She looked thoughtfully at the ceiling and continued, “Most of these boys are just going to do what their fathers do, right here in Willow Grove. I had my eye on Paul Robinson for a while; he lives around the corner from you. His father owns the newspaper. Now, he would have been a good man for either of us. His family travels abroad all the time, sometimes for half of the year. But he married a girl he met in college.” Virginia sighed wistfully at her opportunity lost.

  “Hmmm, well, I certainly don’t have to meet the man I am going to marry tonight. In a few years, I can travel west on my own, paint the mountains out there…” I suddenly fell silent. I had never actually expressed this wish to a stranger before. And here I had said it, right out loud, let it echo in this cavernous hall. Perhaps the dream was getting so big it couldn’t be contained any longer.

  “West? Like Colorado or California?” Virginia asked, only half listening, slightly twirling her hips and, I guessed, imagining the dancing to come later that evening.

  I nodded casually, trying in vain to make it seem less important. “It can be anywhere that is new and exciting and full of color. I was just recently reading The Eyes of the World, and it is all about California, the mountains, the palm trees, the orange groves. I have never seen anyplace like that. Wouldn’t you love to live in a place so interesting, or at least experience it?”

  “I suppose I might, but I am happy right here. This park makes our town exciting enough, and there are lots of new houses being built every day. Important people come here all the time, sometimes to live. Willow Grove is going to be something. You’ll see. And I am going to be one of the most influential ladies here.” With a big spin, Virginia opened her arms wide and looked almost theatrical in her declaration.

  We stopped chatting as other young people started filing in. The girls entered arm in arm, twittering in each other’s ears and quietly giggling under hand-covered mouths. There was not one among them so bold as Virginia. She and I watched them file through the arch. I stood silently observing and she called out friendly greetings, waving her hand high in the air and
flapping her wrist. Wearing white dresses with dark stockings and boots, most girls took off their simple straw hats upon arrival, revealing softly secured low buns or long braids. They collected like fish caught in a small pool, despite the cavernous room. Gathered tightly in one area, there was safety in numbers.

  The boys were raucous and pushing, their hair slick under their straw and banded hats. Most wore high-waisted three-piece suits, a bit loose, as if they were borrowed from an older brother or father, and lace-up boots. The park had a strict dress code, but Mrs. Howerth seemed the type of woman to require refinement at an event like this, even if the park didn’t.

  Despite their attire, there was little formality about these boys. They all seemed to expect a loud and boisterous evening. Seeing them arrive, and hearing their echoing voices race around the space, Mrs. Howerth left her post instructing the band and approached the swell. She clapped her hands, hard and loud like a schoolmarm.

  “Gentlemen, please,” she bellowed once she had enough of their attention. “The band will begin to play in just a few moments. I trust that we will all behave like the ladies and gentlemen we are while we dance. I will be watching from the refreshment table.” A stern look completed her speech, though when she turned her back, the volume level rose again quickly.

  Soon, the band began to play and couples formed on the expansive dance floor. I watched as Virginia paired off with different boys, song after song. There were a few fellows who looked my way, but just momentarily before their eyes found a partner that they wanted.

  Wishing I had brought my sketchbook to keep me occupied, or at least help me feel like less of a wallflower, I gazed around the room. Across the hall, my eyes fell on a man standing alone. He was particularly tall and slightly older than the rest of us. He showed no interest in anyone there and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was lurking. I continued to look around the room, but was drawn back to him suddenly. I could feel his eyes on me. He held my gaze, almost wolfishly, but without menace. He wore a blue jacket and untailored pants. His face was handsome, with dark brows and deep eyes, and I was unable to look away.

  Virginia arrived, bouncing, at my side. Her firm grasp of my arm broke my eye contact with the man in the blue jacket, and I turned to be dragged to the refreshment table.

  “Have you danced yet, Tish?” Virginia asked, not stopping but craning her head and neck back toward me.

  “No, I haven’t been asked yet,” I replied, embarrassed to have to say it aloud.

  “Let’s get a glass of punch, and after that, I will introduce you to people. They may not be world travelers, but they’ll do for a dance,” Virginia winked at me and with her standing next to me, it didn’t take long. Two fellows sauntered up as one song ended and both seemed in pursuit of Virginia. Arriving at the same time, she guessed their intentions and didn’t allow them to speak. Holding out her hands to both of them she said, “Joe, Frank, this is my friend Tish. She recently moved here, and this is her first dance. Joe, I’ll dance with you first while Frank and Tish dance. Then, next song we will switch partners.” Without giving anyone the chance to object, she dragged Joe onto the dance floor, leaving Frank and me awkwardly behind.

  “Tish, is it?” he asked politely. I nodded. “I’m Frank Leeds,” he said. “Would you care to dance a bit?”

  Clearly, I was the consolation prize, the duty that needed to be undertaken to curry favor with Virginia, but I nodded again and we entered the dance floor. We struggled for small talk, and though Frank was handsome and kind, he seemed simple and I was barely interested. I was grateful to be dancing, but now that I was, I enjoyed myself less than I expected. As we spun around the floor, my eyes continually found the man in the blue jacket. And he was watching me. I felt uneasy, but thrilled somehow as well.

  The song ended and Frank dropped his arms, turning to find Virginia quickly. Joe joined me, somewhat reluctantly. Joe was not as attractive as Frank, but he was gregarious and funny. He cracked jokes and we laughed.

  Perhaps because Joe and Frank had danced with me, the other boys began to warm up and a few sidled over and introduced themselves. We danced to a few songs and then moved on to other partners. Everyone was very cordial, but none were worth a repeat performance. The man in the blue jacket never moved from his place against the wall, but every time I looked at him, he was looking at me. I waited for him to ask me to dance, but the evening began winding down. As Virginia and I prepared to leave, I looked at him once more, only to find that he was gone and that I was disappointed.

  The night was dark, the stars blocked from view by the electric lights that illuminated the vendor stands along the midway. We walked past the fountain, now lit and dancing, its colors changing from red to green as we strolled by. Further, the moon shone its perfect circle reflection off the lake. There was a chill in the air, and Virginia and I huddled close to each other a few steps behind Mrs. Howerth.

  Hoping we were far enough back that she couldn’t hear us, Virginia asked me, “Did you fancy anyone you danced with tonight?”

  “I thought Joe was very funny, and Frank was handsome, but I think they both preferred dancing with you,” I answered without the slightest feeling of jealousy.

  “How about the other fellows that you danced with. Anyone memorable?”

  “Honestly, no.” I hesitated, curiosity getting the better of me. “Did you see that man in the blue jacket? He wasn’t dancing, just, well just sort of standing at the edge of the dance floor.”

  “No, I didn’t see him. Why? Was he handsome?”

  “Yes, but, well never mind. I just thought you might have known who he was.” I wanted to stop thinking about him. “How about you? Who did you enjoy dancing with the most?”

  “Well, Frank certainly is handsome, but his father only has about six acres of farmland up in Hatboro. He has an older brother, also, who is sure to inherit the farm, so Frank will likely just work under him there. That isn’t what I want out of life, so while Frank may be handsome, he’s not for me. Joe is so funny, isn’t he? Too funny, perhaps, though. Not serious enough about anything to get very far in life. Like I said, this was just a fun Friday night. I don’t want anything more from any of these young boys than a dance and a laugh.”

  Mrs. Howerth turned back to find us straggling quite far behind and called to us to catch up. “Mr. Hess will likely want his daughter back before dawn, Virginia. Please stop dawdling.”

  We quickened our step to catch up, and turned our conversation to less private matters. The park was still full of visitors getting refreshments, playing games, and awaiting the nightly show. Fireworks streaked the sky and crashed through the night as we exited the park. I gaped at them over my shoulder, but Mrs. Howerth and Virginia barely gave them a glance.

  When we arrived at my house, the electric lights were still on in the front room. I thanked Mrs. Howerth for allowing me to attend the dance and gave Virginia a quick squeeze before alighting the stairs to the porch and the front door. With a quick backward wave, I entered the house.

  Papa was seated in his chair, his black notebook of recipes on his lap, pencil furiously scratching down new notes.

  “How was your evening, Tish?” he asked.

  “Fine. Thank you for allowing me to go.”

  “Good, good. I’m glad,” Papa said, stifling a yawn. “You can thank your mother. I would have preferred that you stay here and not risked any trouble down there at the park. Now up to bed, both of us. I suppose the perfect potato salad recipe can wait until morning.” He rose slowly from his chair and stretched. He closed the recipe book and motioned for me to go upstairs.

  ●●●

  The next day was warm for May. Sunlight streamed in the tall windows and woke the house early. Ivy, suddenly alert and full of instructions, sat across from me at the breakfast table. She quickly forked eggs into her mouth, muffling her constant directions.

  “Breathe, Ivy. Please slow down. We will get everything accomplished before William arrives,”
Mama said, a lilt of amusement in her voice. Her eyes found Papa’s over his steaming cup of coffee, and she gave him a wistful smile. He grinned, a bit foolishly, back at her. After all these years, I could see love in their eyes, even over shirred eggs at a formal breakfast table.

  At eighteen, my mother had married my father, twelve years her senior. When they met, he was new in town, but he worked hard to make a new life for himself in Philadelphia. Desperately trying to shake his German accent and prove his loyalty to his new homeland, he was happy when a gentle American girl showed interest in his serious demeanor, and he made her his bride. It had taken him nearly twenty years, but now he had provided his family with their own business and home.

  Ivy shoved her plate back and pushed her chair away from the table, announcing, “William’s trolley arrives at ten forty-five, and his letter said he would walk right here. It is nearly eight thirty. I should be getting ready.”

  Attempting to delay her retreat, Mama quickly instructed, “Please remain at the table while everyone is still eating. And then, after that, you can help me with the morning dishes. We certainly cannot have dirty dishes lying around when William arrives.”

  “Yes, Mama,” Ivy sighed.

  I continued to eat my eggs and griddle cakes, thinking about my own plans for the day.

  Mama turned to me and asked, “How was the dance last night, Tish?”

  “It was lovely, Mama. The music was very nice, and Virginia has a lot of friends to whom she introduced me.”

  “What was the park like?” Ivy asked. “I can’t wait to take William there. First, we’ll ride the rides, then we’ll stroll through the gardens…” She droned on and I tuned out. I would be happy to have Ivy out of the house. Once William arrived, this flurry of activity would calm down and then, perhaps if it were warm enough, I might be able to find a spot outside to set up my easel. The forsythia blooms were beginning to wither and I wanted to capture their sunny stalks before it was too late. I had some Cadmium yellow left that could be mixed with Titanium white…