Idlewild's Debutantes
- Marissa McQueen
- Feb 25
- 4 min read
Woman Vs. Words Day 2
The strains from the twelve-piece orchestra floated out of the ballroom and into the hallway where Miss Eddy Mae Johnson waited, impatiently. It had taken hours to get ready for the moment. She’d had her hair freshly pressed and curled. Her makeup had taken two tries to get painstakingly right. At first, her mother had made Eddy’s cheeks too red and they had to wash it all off and start over. In the end though, after putting on her black crepe and sequined dress, Eddy was a vision.
“What if I trip out there?” Glodine, the debutant standing closest to Eddy, fanned herself.
“You aren’t going to slip or fall. We’ve practiced enough. Just remember to move slowly.” Eddy pat Glodine on the arm.
“At least you have your brother to be there for you. Henry is mad at me and might leave me to stand there alone.”
At first, Eddy felt bad about being the only debutante without a beau, but the more she thought about it, the better she felt. She would always have the pictures of her and her brother, permanently marking the memory. There was a chance Glodine and Henry would break up and she’d always think of him when she recounted her debut. Eddy wouldn’t have that problem.
Mrs. Harrison swept through, interrupting the conversation, making all the girls line up. The six girls, including Eddy and Glodine were about to be presented as debutantes, to the colored IDLEWILD social club. The social club members waited in the ballroom for the six women, who’d been chosen for their impeccable character and social family ties. Eddy’s parents had been members of the club for twenty years and had been over the moon when their daughter was finally eligible to be presented as a debutante.
The music began, a light melody, and the tallest girl entered the dark, but sparkling ballroom. Eddy, the shortest, watched as the five women before her were announced to the appreciative crowd. When it was finally her turn, she stood in the doorway of the ballroom and walked a few feet to her brother, Elgin. Elgin held his elbow out for her to receive and escorted her to the stage, where her list of accomplishments was read.
“You look beautiful tonight. I’m going to have to fight the gentlemen off with a stick,” Elgin whispered as their picture was being taken.
“Oh Elgin, you have to tell me that.”
“No I don’t. None of the girls look as good as you.”
Elgin helped Eddy down from the stage and they took their place on the dance floor. The stringy sounds of the waltz started, and they moved as required, stiffly, yet in formation. The girls preened as their dates whirled them around the room. The music stopped and Elgin gave her a bow.
“If you don’t mind, sis, I’d like to go find a drink. Have I represented you well?” he asked.
“You’ve been the best date. I’d choose you a hundred times over,” Eddy answered.
Elgin walked away, leaving her to look for her parents, when a tall, handsome stranger appeared at her side. He had dark skin and a smile so welcoming, she wasn’t sure if he was akin to the devil himself.
“Congratulations, Miss Johnson. Welcome to society. If I may introduce myself, I’m Jack, from the Lattimer family undertakers.” Jack bowed, then took her hand and kissed it. Eddy smiled, happy to have his attention.
“If you don’t mind, may I have the next dance?” He held his hand out as the music started again, this time a slow number.
Eddy agreed, allowing the man to lead her out into the crowd.
“Undertaking is such a strange business. How do you manage to not cry everytime you see a dead body?” Eddy looked over her shoulder to find her mother, Rose, smiling. Rose had her sights set on finding Eddy a beau, but from the look on her face, she was pleased at the match Eddy made for herself.
“Someone has to be there to take care of our deceased. If not me and my family, then who? Everyone would be left to their own devices.”
“I certainly don’t think I could do it. Teaching suits me just fine.”
“I’m sure you’re a wonderful teacher.” Jack spun Eddy delicately, making the hem of her dress glide. The grip of his hand tightened around her waist and he pulled her closer.
For a few minutes, they were the only two on the dance floor. Jack was polite and nimble on his feet, asking questions and listening. When the music stopped, he bowed and kissed Eddy on the hand.
“Thank you. You’re lovely,” he said, then disappeared into the crowd. Eddy’s knees felt like jelly, but she didn’t fall. Walking to find her mother, she wondered if she’d dreamed up Jack Lattimer or if he’d truly been real.
The evening passed in a blur, one conversation after another. Eddy danced and had a few sips of wine. She smiled for pictures and hugged almost everyone in the ballroom. Everyone except Jack. It wasn’t until she was leaving the building and standing out in the fresh air did she get the opportunity to see him again.
This short story was written as a part of my woman versus words 100 day challenge. Find more about it on my Youtube Channel here.
The photo was found at: https://flashbackdallas.com/2015/09/14/idle-wild-social-club-1937/
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