The Rose of Washington Square by Pat Wahler

Author:Pat Wahler [Pat Wahler]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Evergreen Tree Press, LLC
Published: 2023-01-16T00:00:00+00:00

twenty-one

1912

A picture window framed scenes on the street in the small Greenwich Village café where Tista and I shared a table. Summer heat had stopped us for lemonade and sandwiches after visiting the suffrage office to volunteer our services for an upcoming parade.

I blotted perspiration from my forehead with a napkin and watched people pass by on the sidewalk. “The Village is so colorful and full of life. Artists, writers, musicians, actors. It reminds me of Capri and Paris. No one is afraid to be who they are or say what they think, whether society likes it or not.”

“It’s an interesting place. I love all the tearooms and studios. Have you noticed most of them are run by women?” Tista smiled.

I nodded and took a sip of lemonade. “Someday I’d like to live here. The energy’s palpable and the residents seem to think the way I do.”

Callista lifted her glass. “I expect you’d be a seamless addition.”

“I wish I had time to hunt for a place before I leave for Europe.”

My sister’s eyes lowered, and she placed her drink back on the table. “Are you sure that you still want to go?”

The newspapers had recently been filled with terrible stories after the Titanic, promoted as unsinkable, hit an iceberg in early April and sank to the bottom of the sea. It was all anyone talked about for months. Tista’s face lost color whenever I mentioned a voyage, but I was determined. Ever since Harry had introduced me to Europe five years ago, I’d longed to go back to visit friends and favorite haunts. And there were many places yet to see. The travel bug had bitten me hard, arguably one of the most valuable remnants of my second marriage.

“Oh, Tista, we’ve been over this a thousand times. Traveling on an ocean liner is perfectly safe. What happened to the Titanic came about through pure human error.”

“But isn’t it the nature of humans to err again?”

“If I’m destined to go down with a ship, so be it. I refuse to miss out on what I love to do. I want to see Europe again, and this time without a husband. I’ll be on my own doing whatever I please.”

“I suppose you’re right, although the ocean is so vast, the idea scares me.”

“You’d best get over how you feel. After you visit with Meemie and Clink and make sure all is well at Bonniebrook, I want you to join me in Europe.”

She looked as though she might topple off her chair. “What?”

“I’m thinking next spring would be a good time for you to sail.” I waited for her response.

My sister’s face lit up. “Europe? I never imagined anything so grand happening to me.”

“Aha! An ocean voyage doesn’t sound quite as scary now, does it?”

“I may go the entire way with my eyes closed, but I’m willing to take the risk.”

“Spoken like a true O’Neill. And after we finish cavorting through my favorite cities, we’ll get you in lessons at either Colarossi’s or at the Académie Julian in Paris.

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