Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash: A Novel by Tammy Pasterick

Author:Tammy Pasterick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: She Writes Press
Published: 2021-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

Thirty

SOFIE

BEAVER CREEK, SEPTEMBER 29, 1917

Sofie felt ridiculous as she approached the school wearing Marie’s gauzy lilac dress. It was several inches too short and far more suitable for a summer wedding than an autumn dance. The fabric was flimsy, and the color not suited to the season. October was only two days away, and Sofie looked like a bridesmaid on her way to a garden reception. She pulled at the dress yet again, hoping to get the hem to fall a little lower than mid-calf. Despite Marie’s assurances, she still worried she would be sent home from the dance for showing too much leg.

“It’s not too late to turn around. Why don’t we go to the nickelodeon instead?” A dark theatre seemed like the only place Sofie might feel comfortable wearing such a dress.

“Don’t be silly. I spent almost an hour on my hair,” Marie said, patting the dark mound of curls on the top of her head. “Besides, I have to show off this dress. I saved months for it.”

Sofie couldn’t deny that Marie looked lovely in her new burgundy dress. With her petite frame and her doe-like eyes, she was bound to turn heads that afternoon. Sofie wondered how many broken hearts her friend would leave in her wake. She had a reputation for being fickle, often chasing after boys only to drop them soon after she’d gained their affections. Some thought Marie’s behavior cruel, but Sofie knew her friend never meant any harm. It was her gregarious nature and short attention span that were to blame for her reckless ways.

“Now, Sofie,” Marie said, clutching her friend’s arm. “Promise you won’t be a wallflower today. We didn’t get dolled up for nothing.”

Sofie rolled her eyes.

“Come on. You used to be a fine dancer.”

“When?” Sofie looked at her friend sideways.

“When we were little. Don’t you remember dancing at all those neighborhood weddings in Riverton?” Marie shook her head. “I haven’t seen you dance since …”

Sofie studied her friend’s face. It was twisted in concentration, her brows furrowed. “Why does it matter? Why are you and my aunt—and even my editor—trying to force me to have fun?” Sofie crossed her arms, her irritation growing. Just the previous afternoon, her editor at the newspaper had ordered her to stop tidying up the office. “Shouldn’t you be out shopping with your girlfriends?” he’d asked condescendingly. Sofie did not understand the growing concern about how she spent her time.

Marie suddenly gasped, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk. “Jenny’s wedding.”

“What?”

“Jenny’s wedding,” she repeated. “That was the last time you danced.”

Sofie clutched her chest as an image so happy—yet so heartbreaking—flashed before her eyes. She was filled with both joy and regret.

Pole.

Marie nodded, a sad expression on her face.

“Did I say that aloud?” Sofie turned away, hoping to hide her crimson face.

“Do you think it’s a coincidence that the last time you danced was with Pole?” Marie laid a hand on Sofie’s shoulder. “The minute he disappeared from your life, so did the joy.”

Sofie spun around and glared at her friend.

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