A Sold Heart, Tammy [reading tree txt] 📗

where this event will be taking place.” He told me pulling out a very detailed envelope and handing it to me. “I had a feeling I might be needing it today.” I took the envelope before thanking him. As soon as he departed I wanted to open the envelope. But instead I took a moment to appreciate the design of it. It was a rosy pink with an intricate rose design and a golden seal. I decided to open it carefully and pulled out a stationary piece of paper which was also beautiful. I read the invite’s elegant script.
You are cordially invited to Mr. and Mrs. Ackart’s ball. We implore you to come wearing your nicest dress clothing.
When: Saturday, July 15th Starting at 6:00
Where: Mr. and Mrs. Ackart’s home in the ball room.
We do you hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Mr. and Mrs. Ackart
I carefully put the invite back into the envelope before speed walking back to the tent. When I arrived back I realized that I had no dress of ball quality to wear. I also certainly didn’t have the money to buy one. Besides that I had no idea what I would tell Jonathan I would be doing. He was bound to ask me. Elle came out of the tent then and reached her hand out.
“You got some eggs?” She asked and I nodded feeling disappointed and then thinking of my supposed good reason to not attend the ball. I handed her the eggs and sat down while she knit her eyebrows. “What’s wrong?” She asked me and I sighed.
“That upper class man invited me to a ball at the Ackart’s house this Saturday.”
“But that’s the people that own the ball room within their home isn’t it?”
“Yes it is and I didn’t think before saying yes. What am I to do? I have nothing to wear and no way to explain my stupidity without losing some dignity.”
“Well then maybe we could just…”
“We are not stealing people’s money. Maybe we could get jobs.”
“Whoa I am not getting a job besides that we couldn’t be hired and paid in less than a week.”
“Maybe I could get Jonathan to buy me one?”
“I doubt it.” She was trying to help me but I knew she didn’t really know what to do. I couldn’t judge though I had gotten myself into the mess and I didn’t know how to get out either.
“I think I could ask anyway.”
“Your call not mine. Anyway so I convinced the butcher to give me some extra meat that wasn’t sold today. So tonight we will be having some nice meat for dinner.”
“That’s good.”
“Stop thinking about your depressing situation it’s rubbing off on me.”
“All right, instead I’ll think about tomorrow and what fate has in store for me.”
“Good could you take my dress to the river and clean it? There is a little blue bar, that’s the soap.” She said and I nodded. “Thanks I’ll have dinner ready by the time you get back.”
“Okay sounds like it will be delicious.”
“It will be.” With that I departed and started on my walk to the river. I got there and sat down with the dress setting on top of the wash board and the soap beside me. I soaked the dress first and then put soap on it. Afterwards I scrubbed it against the board until I thought the dirt was gone and then rinsed it well. I then took it back and hung it on the clothes line. Once I was done Elle had dinner ready.
“What have you prepared for us tonight Chef Elle?” I asked her and she giggled.
“We have steak with seasoning and corn on the side. To drink we have some lovely wine that I stole this morning to celebrate our possibly permanent sleepover.” She said and I smiled.
“Yes that sounds delicious.”
“If it isn’t lie to me. I worked hard on it.” I sat down and ate and it was delicious like I thought.
“Elle this is amazing!”
“Why thank you.”
“Let’s toast.” I said picking up my glass.
“For what?”
“I don’t know life I guess. Our possibly permanent sleepover and to being invited to things we can’t afford.”
“Definitely.” She said picking up her glass as well. “Do you want to say it or should I?”
“I’ll do it. Here is to our possibly permanent sleepover let it be fun and joyous. Here is to being invited to things we can’t afford and life!”
“Cheers.” She said clinking her glass with mine. For the rest of the night we didn’t want our wine to go bad so we drank ourselves drunk. Once we were intoxicated we danced around the fire laughing and singing. I don’t know what time we finally fell asleep but I awoke with head pains.
Chapter 3: Sneaking permission
“Elle, how do I get rid of this headache?” I asked her and she shrugged.
“Just stay quiet and lie down for a while. Stay inside the tent so the bright morning sun doesn’t hurt your eyes.”
“Okay. But how do you not have a headache?”
“I have had more liquor than you have in my life. I’m assuming you only have about one glass at dinner time. When I get the luxury of wine I don’t waste it.” She explained and I nodded.
“Make sure to get me in a few hours. I must go help Jonathan.”
“Okay I will be sure to.” She said as I headed back into the tent. I slept for a while before being shaken awake. I was surprised to find that my head pains were gone. “Wake up sleeping beauty. You have to help Jonathan sell his food.”
“Thank you for reminding me.”
“You’re welcome.” She laughed. “Now come on you really have to.” I got up and dressed brushing my hair with her comb before leaving.
“I’ll try to bring back some of whatever he is selling.”
“Thank you and goodbye.”
“Goodbye.” I said and with that I turned to leave. When I arrived at Jonathan’s stand he looked happy. “Well hello there sir. Can you tell me where I might be able to find a farmer’s boy?” I asked him as I came closer. He looked up and smiled.
“Well right here mam. I’m glad you came I was worried that you wouldn’t after yesterday’s argument.” He greeted me.
“Life is too short to worry about what happens in the past. Each day should begin fresh and not tainted with angry memories.” I told him and he nodded.
“Wise words, today we are selling fruit again.”
“Okay. Jonathan I know I shouldn’t but I have a question for you.”
“All right go ahead and ask. It’s not good to keep anything bottled up whether a question or feeling.”
“Well I was invited to a ball this weekend by Mrs. Ackart and I was wondering if you could buy me a dress. I would get it myself but I don’t have the money for one. Besides that I would go in one of mine but I fear of looking terribly out of place in my commoners dress.” I explained slipping in a lie about who had invited me.
“Please don’t take offense to this but how in the world did you get an invitation from Mrs. Ackart?”
“I don’t know I just know that she said I was a pretty young woman who looked like I need fun the other day when you were getting me some lemonade. Before I knew it I had an invite in my hand. I didn’t tell you because I had wanted it to be a surprise for you to see me in a ball gown but I came across this obstacle.” I lied.
“Oh well in that case I suppose I could tap into my new gun savings for a new dress for you. I have well over enough for the gun I want but I implore you not to tell people where the money came from.”
“I won’t I promise.” I promised him excited about getting a new dress and being able to go to the ball.
“All right now I will give you the money when the dress is finished. You may go and get fitted and what not at the dress shop.” He said dismissing me.
“Thank you so much Jonathan.” I said leaving to go to the only dress shop in town. When I arrived there was the tailor waiting behind the desk.
“Can I help you?” The woman asked and I nodded shy.
“Yes I need a dress for the ball this weekend.” I told her and she nodded scanning me over.
“I have just the dress sweety. Come on over here.” She said directing me into a back room where the dresses were. She pulled out a beautiful blue one. It wasn’t extremely extravagant but beautifully simple. The sleeves were elbow length and had ruffles. It also had a ruffle lining the collar. The top of course was tight as was the style and the bottom large and flowing outward. The bottom was trimmed with ruffles also. The ruffles were a transparent fabric and the dress in general was a powdery blue.
“Wow, how much for this one?” I asked her and she flipped over a little paper attached with a pin to the sleeve.
“Ten dollars but you’ll need to try it on.” She said and I took it behind the changing curtain and tried it on. It fit perfectly, hugging me just right.
“It fits perfect.” I said.
“That’s grand may I see you?” I heard her voice ask.
“Yes you may.” I said and went around coming out to see her smile.
“Would you like me to wrap this up for you?” She asked and I nodded.
“Yes I’ll be back later today with the money to collect it.” I told her and she nodded. Once I had changed and handed her the dress back I went back to the stand. “The dress is ten dollars Jonathan.” I told him and he nodded. He pulled out his wallet and handed me the ten dollar bill and I stared in awe I hadn’t had a ten dollar bill in a very long time.
“Do not lose that.”
“I won’t I promise.” I told him and we went to work. When we were done and cleaned out I went to the dress shop. I came in to see the same woman as before sitting the box with my dress in it on her counter. “I have the money.” I told her and she nodded.
“Okay then ten dollars.” She said holding out her hand.
“Here you are.” I said handing her the bill and she handed me the box.
“Have a grand time at the ball.” She said and handed me a receipt.
“I will and thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I went back to the tent once again happy and with something to show Elle.
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