Page 11

Chicago

By the time the last daffodil had unfurled its cheerful yellow trumpet and the last of the cherry blossoms had been scattered like confetti among the city’s streets and park benches, Annie and John were married.

The hourglass that had once turned as a measure of Annie’s love for another man was packed away as she began a new life with her husband, and time turned in a different direction, and ever faster, it seemed.

Emily worried that it was all too rushed, but she soon learned that saying so wasn’t going to make any difference.

Nell sent a long letter to offer Annie her congratulations along with an apology for missing the wedding because of another baby due any day.

I hope you love him madly, dearest , she’d written.

I had no idea how hard marriage was. Men cleverly hide their worst habits until they get a ring on your finger.

No doubt John will snore like an elephant and leave his underwear on the floor and expel wind at surprising volume, but try to enjoy the marital obligations nevertheless.

If it helps, sing “Molly Malone” in your head.

It’s usually all over before I reach the final verse.

I wish you both all the best and many happy years together.

I will try to visit as soon as I can, or perhaps you could come to California.

The children would love to meet you, and the weather is better here for a start.

I miss you, and sweet Emmie. Send my love to her.

John made no secret of the fact that he was keen to produce an heir to his business empire, and that he wasn’t prepared to risk anyone else staking a claim to Annie’s affections.

It was clear that he adored her, although his way of expressing it was as cold and calculating as one of his business negotiations.

Even his wedding speech had felt like an opportunity to brag.

“A smart businessman always knows when to close the deal. Marrying Annie is my best investment yet.”

For her part, Annie was easily seduced by John’s charismatic charm and the comfortable life he could offer her.

She insisted she loved him, but Emily had seen Annie in love, and this was not the same.

What Emily saw between Annie and John was merely a consolation prize to the bigger gift that had eluded her.

But despite her reservations about Annie’s true affections, and her lingering distrust of John’s ruthless approach to business, Emily put on her brightest smile and offered Annie nothing but her unwavering support.

She longed for her sister to be happy and reassured herself that the love Annie had found with Leonardo would come with John, in time.

“How are things at work?” Annie asked as they met for their favorite lunch of Mrs.Hering’s chicken pot pie in Field’s Walnut Room restaurant. “Miss Kielty still as awful as ever?”

“Nothing ever changes at Field’s, Annie. You know that. You could ask me the same question in ten years and I would give you the same answer.” Emily reached for Annie’s hand across the table. “I miss you, though. You were the only thing that made it half bearable.”

John considered shop work too demeaning for his wife and had insisted Annie leave her role. She’d said she was tired of dressing windows anyway, but Emily knew she wasn’t.

Annie offered a sad smile. “I miss you, too. You weren’t the tidiest roommate, but at least you didn’t snore! How’s the new girl?”

“Hardly ever see her, apart from the feathers and sequins she leaves around the place. It’s no fun since you left. It’s quiet.”

Apart from missing Annie at work, Emily’s domestic arrangements had also been altered by Annie’s marriage.

She now shared the Kildare Street boardinghouse room with Kate Westbury, a young showgirl, recently arrived from Galway.

Emily didn’t see her much, their schedules rarely intersecting since Emily was usually asleep while Kate was at work, and vice versa. The arrangement suited them both.

“The offer still stands,” Annie added. “You’re more than welcome to stay with John and me until you get a better offer.” She paused for a moment. “How is dear Henry? Still making his plans to roll out west and chase the herd?”

Emily chose to ignore Annie’s sarcasm, letting her attention settle instead on the squeeze of her heart at the mention of Henry’s name.

“Henry is a delight, and yes, he is still planning to become a farmer. Thank you for the offer, but I’ll stick things out at Kildare Street for now.

Kate’s a nice girl—and besides, what would Mrs.Feeney do without me to shout at?

” Secretly, she couldn’t think of anything worse than playing gooseberry to Annie and John in their honeymoon period.

She imagined John Gale was as loud and self-congratulatory in the bedroom as he was in the boardroom.

“How is married life anyway?” she asked. “Exhausted already?”

Annie blushed and took a sip of water. “There’s no need to be quite so crass. It’s not all about that . I’m not a broodmare.”

“What is it about, then? What do you do all day?”

“Oh, lots. There’s always something to organize. A charitable luncheon to write invitations for, or a business event to attend. I’m redecorating at the moment—the first Mrs.Gale had dubious taste—so I’m drowning in curtain fabrics and wallpaper samples.”

Emily couldn’t suppress a burst of laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Annie looked at her, half smiling, half offended.

“It’s just so strange to hear you talking about curtains and luncheons. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh.”

Emily’s laughter concealed her discomfort.

Her conversations with Annie were increasingly forced and awkward, as if they were both reaching for something that had fallen beyond their grasp.

It broke her heart to feel the strain of something that had always been so natural.

She hated how much things were changing between them.

Annie was mostly oblivious, distracted by the demands of her new life, but Emily missed the secrets and closeness they’d shared as little girls, the easy companionship and friendship they’d shared as independent young women navigating a new world.

She missed the Annie she knew and loved, grieved for her and the wild adventures they’d once planned together.

With their parents dead and buried, Nell happily married in California, and Annie now Mrs.John Gale, Emily felt abandoned and alone.

Despite the surprising joy of Henry in her life, it was hard to let go of the close family bonds that had been her safe haven for so long.

Even the excitement and adventure she desperately craved felt suddenly terrifying when confronted with it becoming a reality.

A childish part of her wanted to cling stubbornly to the familiar and safe, and yet the thrill of something new and unknown still called to her.

“I could come over if you like,” she said as she let go of Annie’s hand. “Help you choose the fabric.”

“Would you? Really?”

“Of course! Why wouldn’t I?”

“I thought you weren’t interested in such things.”

“I’m not, Annie. But I am interested in you. If I have to look at fabric swatches to spend time with my sister, then that’s what I’ll do.”

Annie smiled. “Thank you. I really don’t deserve you.”

Emily knocked her feet against Annie’s beneath the table.

“No. You don’t.” She finished her last delicious mouthful of chicken pie and leaned back in her chair.

“By the way, I see the circus is coming back next month. I saw the posters being pasted up earlier.” She was being deliberately provocative.

Testing. Challenging. “Shall we go? For old times’ sake? ”

Annie stalled and fussed with her napkin. “Aren’t we a little old for the circus? You and Henry go. You can tell me all about it after.” She picked up the menu. “Now, the important question is, do we have room for dessert?”

More deflection and distraction. Annie never had room for dessert.

—

The seasons passed and fall painted the city’s trees in shades of rust and flame.

Emily loved the rich jeweled tones of the season, the way the trees of the city’s parks glowed amber and garnet and ruby beneath a generous golden sun.

But the turning of the seasons also reinforced the widening void between Emily and Annie, the bright colors of the decaying leaves an echo of their diminishing closeness.

Emily had only seen her sister a handful of times since the wedding, their lives spinning in opposite directions, like markers on a weather vane—east and west, north and south.

But Annie’s marriage wasn’t entirely to blame.

Emily’s time and thoughts were consumed by Henry.

Even when she was at work, or alone in the boardinghouse, just the thought of him sent her stomach tumbling.

She’d always thought the phrase “weak at the knees” was for silly girls who didn’t know their own minds, and yet a simple glance or touch from Henry had her melting.

Yet there was nothing of weakness about her feelings for him.

It was the strength of it, the power and certainty, that scared and excited her beyond measure.

“Did you and Annie have a nice time today?” Henry asked when they met that evening to celebrate Emily’s birthday. He’d booked their favorite table in their favorite Italian restaurant. The soft candlelight and busy hum of the diners cocooned them in a warm glow.

“She canceled again. Isn’t feeling well. A head cold, or something. She left a message for me at work.”

Henry reached for her hand. “I’m sorry, Em. I know it upsets you not to see Annie as often. Why not drop by tomorrow? Surprise her. She’s your sister, after all. You shouldn’t have to wait for a formal invitation.”

As always, Henry was a rock of good sense. “You’re right. I’ll take her some books and flowers to cheer her up.”