Chapter 3

Evangeline and Virginia

Evangeline Mitchell or Evie as everyone called her was busy at the kitchen counter making biscuits for dinner, listening to Virginia Blake chatter along endlessly about life.  At just 17 years old Virginia was the youngest member of the church social events planning committee and her desire to help was only out done by her thoughts on how it all should be done. She sat cross legged at the table, every now and again straightening the tablecloth that she ruffled when her conversation became animated.  Evie stood at the counter rolling out the dough for her biscuits. Occasionally she offered up a “oh, yes, ok” to Virginia’s prattling. Evie’s worn tiny hands sprinkled flower over the counter and continued to roll and cut out the biscuits. She wiped her hands were her apron and ran her forearm across her brow as she finished the last biscuit. She placed the tray in the oven and shut the door gently. She turned to face Virginia who was still talking away, and gave a gentle sigh. Evie was simple but pretty. You could see past the lines and often haggard look on her face to see a once very beautiful image. She was just… tired and maybe a little sad. Evie had two wild children who ran the neighborhood ragged. They never hurt anyone they were just everywhere, all at once. They saw and heard everything and reported back to Evie who usually shushed them with a gentle, “we don’t talk about other peoples business.” The boys would giggle to each other and run along to fund something else to get into. Evie motioned to Virginia that the table needed setting. Virginia had shifted from church planning committee items to her new bo, Earl. Earl was something else and Evie felt her eyes roll around in her head as Virginia mentioned him. Virginia was young, beautiful, a bit silly and with no dad at home was somewhat suspectable to a snake oil salesman. Earl wasn’t a salesman but he was a snake and consequently very oily. A Dapper man for sure. Everyone could see it but Virginia, she was head over heels for him and convinced that even though he was 10 years her senior he was the one, the husband she was planning for, the love of her short life. Her conversations fluctuated between church, the latest fashion, movie stars and her potential wedding to Earl. She sprinkled each conversation with a bit of giggling and childish dreaming. Virginia’s mother worked long hours at the local diner and had been doing so since Virginia was 5 years old. Virginia’s father died of Influenza, her mother never remarried but instead poured herself into work and often forgot Virginia was around. Virginia felt forgotten but Evie saw her father in her looks and actions which must have been difficult for her mother.

“Set the table please.” Evie gave a direct command now and motioned to the cabinets near the kitchen entrance while Virginia continued to talk about her desired wedding dress type. She gracefully got up from the table and walked to the far cabinets lining one small portion of the wall. Evie gathered the utensils, inspected them for any foreign Debre before placing them on the counter. Near the back door of the kitchen sat a modest side table. It really wasn’t a piece of kitchen furniture but Evie lived with the idea of reuse in mind. Unless something was completely demolished it could be used and once demolished, well, it might be good for firewood. She found it on the side of the road when Mrs. Miller moved away after her son and husband were killed in the war. She had left in such a grief filled flurry that most of her belongings she couldn’t sell were left on the street. Evie found the small table, patched it back up and took it home. It was just the right size to hold her light blue linen tablecloth and white napkins. The napkins had seen their better days, but she worked hard to wash and iron them before carefully folding and placing them back in the table drawer. Evie opened the drawer and took the tablecloth and napkins out placing them on the table. She unfolded the tablecloth and spread it out just as Virginia walked over to put the plates down.

“Cups are over there.” Evie motioned again and Virginia followed her pointing fingers to another cabinet and gathered the simple green glasses. But mid conversation Virginia stopped talking. It took a moment for Evie to realize the quiet but being a mother she realized quiet usually meant something was going on. “Virginia?” She turned to see the kitchen cabinet open and Virginia staring out the front window, one glass in hand. Evie pushed open the Dutch door and walked to the window. She wiped her hands on her apron before placing her hand on Virginia’s shoulder. “You see that?” Virginia said as she moved one side of the shear curtains out of the way to get a better look. “Someone just went into Tom’s house.”  

“What?” Evie pulled the other side of the curtains back as she and Virginia looked at each other with a bit of concern. They glanced around the front yard and watched as the cab driver pulled out of the driveway. Virginia looked to the right and down a ways where the road curved just enough to see into other people’s drive ways and porches from the front window. Noticing Lilly on the porch with her dad she waved and looked back at tom’s front door. She couldn’t see any movement or even who the person was. A women shutting the front door was all she saw.

“Oh goodness.” Evie said under her breath, putting her hands on her hips and shaking her head. “Those two will be the death of me.” Virginia followed her glare and saw Evie’s two mischievous little boys standing on their bare tipi toes to look in the front window of Tom’s house. Their blonde heads were a mess and at least one of their overhaul buttons was undone on each of them. They smiled and giggled to each other as they tried to get a look at the new stranger. Evie was appalled at their behavior, snooping like that. She walked quickly to the front door. She flung it open and just as she took a deep breath to yell their names something spooked them and they ran off down the street, dodging bushes and tripping over gumballs the whole way.  They crossed the street and ran across Lilly’s front yard. They were out of sight before Evie had a chance to speak one of their names.

“Ohhhh…” she said placing her hands on her hips and stepping back in the house to shut the door. “Never a moments peace for anyone.” Virginia was still staring out the window but now she was weaving back and forth and standing up on her toes then back down, desperately trying to see what was going on inside.

“OH, OH!” she said excitedly shacking her hand at Evie. “Look! I think I see someone.” Evie got within arm’s length and Virginia pulled her in the rest of the way.

“I… I don’t see anything.”

“Right there! Right. There!” Virginia pointed to the corner of the front window. “I see a hand!”

“Oh well, I am relieved to hear she has at least one hand. Would be a pity to not have any”

Virginia frown and broke her stare, cutting her eyes at Evie. “Well, at least we know it’s a woman.” Virginia toyed with the glass in her hand and Virginia could see the daydreaming beginning again. It flashed through her eyes with equal parts glimmer and brick wall. She grabbed the glass before Virginia began to dream out loud “I wonder who she is.” Her eyes were wide as she followed Evie back into the kitchen. “Tom wouldn’t just marry anyone! She must be a princess.” “Oh Virginia.” Evie took over the job of setting the table.

“Could be! You never know anymore. With all the stuff happening over in Europe I’m sure there is a princess out there somewhere that got misplaced.” She sat back down at the table and continued on. “Remember those Czars over in Russia a while back? They disappeared. They might not have died in the revolution; they might be right here! She might be one of them!” Virginia got more animated as she began to believe her own dream.

“Well, until we know more we are just going to assume she is in fact a women AND Tom had something to do with it.” Evie said just as she heard the back door slam and the sound of bare feet slapping on the floor. “Here they come.” Evie whispered to herself.

Just then two small children, muddy faces, sweaty hair and half-dressed tumbled through the door into the kitchen, bumping into each other. They came to a standstill when they saw their mother. Evie didn’t miss a beat. She never fully looked at them just continued with setting the table. “Boys? You have had a full day, and now it’s time to settle down. Go get washed up for dinner. You can take your baths after you eat.” This was not the usual table etiquette their mother required. Usually they came in before dark, took baths and then went to the table, fresh and clean for dinner. But, seeing how baths were the least favorite activities for the boys they would gladly wash and come right back.

Dinner conversation that night was largely led by Virginia who vacillated constantly between the mystery lady and her potential wedding. She prodded the boys to tell her everything they knew and saw, like an older sister trying to get the neighborhood gossip. Evie sat and listened occasionally laughing and nodding along as the boys told the tale from their point of view. She was tired and often looked over to the chair her husband would occupy if he wasn’t off fighting. Her heart ached for him. He was perfect and often they struggled but he was a good man. Evie leaned forward and put her elbow on the table, gently resting her face in her hand. The chattering fading to the background as she tried to hear his voice. The letters became less and less and it had been a month since the last one. She pushed the worries to the back of her mind and forced a sneaky little tear to stop.

“Virginia?” Evie broke the conversation with her sweet voice. “Its getting dark and I think you need to walk home now.” “Mother won’t be home for another hour or more.”

“I know but it’s so nice to come home after a long day and see the lights on at home.” Evie smiled wirily and stood to clean the table off. “I’ll walk you out.” Virginia stood and began to collect her hat and sweater. She had kicked her shoes off under the table and was now searching a long for one the boys had kicked over against the wall. She walked to the door bare footed. Evie followed her and helped place her sweater around her shoulders as they got near the front door. Virginia spun around and with a concerned looked on her face said, “Evie…. Evie, I have so many dreams, and so many ideas in my head and….” Evie placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. Virginia looked down and traced the sole of her shoe with her finger. “I miss papa…. And I know mama misses him even more. He was a good man but mama wanted to go places and see things, and he just wanted to stay here.” Evie could hear a bit of desperation in her voice and reached out to hug her. Virginia, every bit the dramatic actress who deserved top billing on any movie, squeezed Evie tightly and began to cry gently. “I don’t’ want to be like mama and Earl promises to take me out of here and see places!” Evie pattered her on the back and shushed her. She pushed Virginia back and held her at arm’s length, giving a faint smile she whispered. “Dreams are wonderful but eventually you have to wake up and sometimes you are more disappointed because you did dream.”

Virginia looked deflated. She turned and took a few steps down off the porch and into the grass. Evie noticed her bare feet. “Virginia, put your shoes on those gumballs hurt.” Virginia was almost to the sidewalk now. “I’m fine!” she said as she waved her at Evie. Her shoes dangling from her fingertips. Evie turned and just as she shut the door she heard, “Ouch! I’m fine!”