They were all aware that their nights out wouldn’t last forever. They couldn’t. And last week had proven that. When Father had requested her presence in his office, it had been to inform her that she would be marrying James Bauer before the end of the year, which was only five months away.
Her sisters knew about that meeting and despised the idea of being married to a man of Father’s choosing.
They also knew they couldn’t defy him. None of them could. Especially her. She had to set a good example.
She climbed out of bed, and dressed, checking her reflection in the tall mirror carefully to make sure there were no traces of mascara or lipstick on her face from last night.
Then, wearing the somber, controlled expression that she’d mastered years before, she left her room. She’d mastered her decorum as a child, having discovered her place, her role, as the oldest to be a serious, studious one. That had been her role all through school and beyond, having graduated five years ago, and it would continue to be. Even though she loved her nights out with her sisters, she knew that was only playacting, like she used to do when she was a child, pretending Patsy and Jane were her children instead of her sisters. Someday it would all come to an end. She would miss it, but she would accept it. That was life.
It was baking day, which meant they were all in the kitchen, along with Mother for the majority of the day. Staying busy helped, but her mind kept drifting off, to last night, the dance-off, and...to him.
Despite her best efforts, her determination of not going to the Rooster’s Nest again tonight dwindled. She couldn’t help but think about seeing him again. Find out more about him. When Patsy secretly announced that would be their destination, Betty didn’t disagree.
Instead, as soon as the baking was completed, and the kitchen was in order, she slipped upstairs to press the dress she’d wear tonight. A royal blue one, trimmed with white piping. She also plumped the white floppy-brimmed hat, fluffed out the white feather boa, and shined her white shoes.
She would find out more about him, simply because that would make not seeing him again easier. Just like she’d found out more information about the speakeasies, and alcohol. Knowing more about him, she’d have a reason as to why the Rooster’s Nest should be taken off the list of places they could visit.
Supper was as somber as ever. That was how Father liked it. Silent. No one spoke unless spoken to. Not even Mother. She was a beautiful and kind woman, and a dutiful wife. She not only followed every rule Father set down, she reinforced them.
Betty had once asked her mother about that, about being a dutiful wife. Mother claimed that Father had provided her with far more than she’d ever dreamed of having and that she couldn’t possibly be happier.
Once the meal was complete, she and her sisters cleaned the dining room and kitchen, and as soon as the last dish was done they bade their parents good-night. Adults or not, they were expected to be in their upstairs bedrooms by seven thirty every night.
Father and Mother were in their bedroom by eight. Downstairs. Which played into her and her sisters being able to sneak out at night. As did the large fan Father used to keep his bedroom cool throughout the night.
As soon as they were upstairs, she and her sisters entered their bedrooms, to change their clothes, apply makeup, and prepare to sneak out by eight thirty.
Betty found herself more excited than usual. Her heart was thudding and she had to keep taking deep breaths to settle her trembling hands enough to apply mascara and lipstick.
She finally dropped the lipstick in her pocket and took a long look at herself in the mirror as she draped the white feather boa around her shoulders and flipped one end around her neck. The blue dress was one of her favorites. Blue, all shades, was her favorite color. That may be part of the reason she’d never forgotten the bandit’s blue eyes.
Concluding tonight would be the last night she’d ever have to think about those eyes, she clicked off the light and quietly opened her door.
Patsy was already in the bathroom, and Jane entered the hallway a second after Betty had shut her bedroom door.
Betty gave Patsy a nod as soon as they were all three in the bathroom, with the door locked. Her youngest sister silently stepped up on the stool, slipped out the window and disappeared.
Jane went next, just as quietly, and then Betty. She slipped out the window and quickly climbed down the ivy-covered trellis that went from the second floor to the ground.
As always, she gave both of her sisters a quick once-over, to make sure that they were dressed appropriately, including that their blond hair was completely hidden beneath their stylish hats, before giving a nod of approval. Then, excitedly, they all three scurried across the backyard, and through the line of trees that grew alongside the road. Patsy and Jane chatted quietly as they walked down the hill to the abandoned house.
Betty listened, and nodded now and again, but for the most part, she kept an eye out for headlights, so she could instruct all of them to jump into the trees.
There was no traffic tonight, and soon they were crossing through the yard of the boarded-up house that had once been owned by a mob boss, but had been confiscated in a raid and was now owned by the government. Father had tried to buy the house several times, even protested against it being abandoned at city hall meetings, which had gained him more enemies.
The red line of the city’s electric streetcar system stopped at the corner across the street from the lot the house sat upon. She and her sisters arrived just as the trolley
