It take hours for me to look like Miss. Lizabeth thinks I should. My corset is pulled so tight, I had to skip dinner to fit in it. I can't breath normal no more. And my hair is coiled 'round my face, extra hard, with them hot curlers. I told Miss. Lizabeth that there was no real sense in doin' that, cause my hair is already curly, but she didn't listen to me. Miss. Lizabeth almos' made me wear a hat too, but took it off, complainin' that it didn't match my dress. The only thing I got to choose was my necklace, somethin' my mother used to wear. I don't wear it real often, but when I do, I feel her by me all day lon'.
The whole thing makes me scared, 'cause daddy must think that marryin' this man is important. And he must think that my personality ain't good enough to win 'em over, which means he's some typical southern man. All he wants me fo' is my body and my ability to have his son. Before I even meet him, I vow to be all cruel and awful.
"Supper's almos' ready," Cecile call, sendin' Miss. Lizabeth into a frenzy.
"Now remember sit up straight, don't eat too much, talk only when directed to do so and don't act like you normally do. Corinne, remember this is important."
I try to sigh, but find I can't due to the corset rappin' tight 'round my body. I glare at Miss. Lizabeth instead, but she ain't lookin' at me.
"Isn't Mary comin' back tonight?"
Miss. Lizabeth doesn't answer, searchin' my room for somethin'. She's murmurin' to herself, runnin' 'round my chamber.
"Whatcha lookin' for?"
She finally straightens, handin' me the jacket that was lyin' across my bed. It matches my dress, a light blue, little designs embedded into it. It real pretty, remindin' me of the sky. But I don't say as much, pretendin' to be annoyed.
"You might go on a walk tonigh', you don't wanna get too cold."
I mumble my thanks, shruggin' it on, tryin' to remember that none of this is Miss. Lizabeth's fault. She jus' doin' what daddy asked.
"Mary's comin' back tonigh', right?"
Miss. Lizabeth tilts her head to one side, lookin' down at me, all sad like. For a second I feel worried that she feel ill and was dyin', but then I realize Miss. Lizabeth would be too sad to even be here.
"Your sister is stayin' with Mr. Smith forever Corinne," she says, "They gettin' married in a week."
I stare at her in shock, for I dunno what to think. Forever is a very lon' time.
The whole thing makes me scared, 'cause daddy must think that marryin' this man is important. And he must think that my personality ain't good enough to win 'em over, which means he's some typical southern man. All he wants me fo' is my body and my ability to have his son. Before I even meet him, I vow to be all cruel and awful.
"Supper's almos' ready," Cecile call, sendin' Miss. Lizabeth into a frenzy.
"Now remember sit up straight, don't eat too much, talk only when directed to do so and don't act like you normally do. Corinne, remember this is important."
I try to sigh, but find I can't due to the corset rappin' tight 'round my body. I glare at Miss. Lizabeth instead, but she ain't lookin' at me.
"Isn't Mary comin' back tonight?"
Miss. Lizabeth doesn't answer, searchin' my room for somethin'. She's murmurin' to herself, runnin' 'round my chamber.
"Whatcha lookin' for?"
She finally straightens, handin' me the jacket that was lyin' across my bed. It matches my dress, a light blue, little designs embedded into it. It real pretty, remindin' me of the sky. But I don't say as much, pretendin' to be annoyed.
"You might go on a walk tonigh', you don't wanna get too cold."
I mumble my thanks, shruggin' it on, tryin' to remember that none of this is Miss. Lizabeth's fault. She jus' doin' what daddy asked.
"Mary's comin' back tonigh', right?"
Miss. Lizabeth tilts her head to one side, lookin' down at me, all sad like. For a second I feel worried that she feel ill and was dyin', but then I realize Miss. Lizabeth would be too sad to even be here.
"Your sister is stayin' with Mr. Smith forever Corinne," she says, "They gettin' married in a week."
I stare at her in shock, for I dunno what to think. Forever is a very lon' time.
