Page 7 of Beauty and the Baker
“Just a friend,” Georgina replied nonchalantly, holding the letter in her hand. She looked at her address emblazoned in bold script on the envelope and lovingly traced her fingers over the ink.
“Well, you can put that letter away and read it later,” her mother said, moving her hands in a shooing motion towards the letter. “I don’t want you reading it at the table.”
“Yes, Mama.” Georgina slipped the letter into her pocket and gave it a little pat before grabbing her brother’s hand for the blessing.
“George. We are ready,” her mother said bowing her head. Georgina followed suit and her father’s rich voice carried over the table asking the Lord to bless what was in front of them, ending with a resoundingamen.
Georgina picked up her father’s plate and served him from the platter of meat. She scooped a few potatoes and covered them with gravy before passing it back to her father. She repeated the motions for her mother and brother before setting her own filled plate on the table.
“Did anything exciting happen at the hospital today?” her father asked.
Georgina took a bite of the succulent meat and chewed while nodding her head. She put down her fork and sipped her water before responding. “Nurse Watts is leaving. She is getting married and moving to Kansas City or somewhere.”
“Isn’t that dangerous?” her mother asked. “I heard that it is heathen country west of the Mississippi.”
“Now, Lorraine, don’t go putting nonsense in these children’s heads. There is nothing dangerous west of the Mississippi. Why the country is expanding every day.”
“You really think so, Poppa?” Thomas asked. “Teacher at school said that it was filled with Indians and cowboys.”
Georgina laughed. “Imagine how exciting it would be to go out there and explore.”
“Well it is a good thing you won’t have to. No daughter of mine would be heading out west.”
“But Poppa,” Georgina cried, “You just said there is nothing dangerous west of the Mississippi.” She grabbed her father’s hand. “I would love to go to San Francisco. They had pictures of it in one of the journals at work.”
“And whatever would you do out in San Francisco, Georgina?” Her father patted her hand before moving his arm.
Georgina shrugged. “I don’t know. I suppose I could work in the hospital out there.”
“I really don’t like the idea of you working at all, daughter,” her father said between bites of supper. “I only indulge you, because I know you have no suitors and you might end up an old maid. You’ll need a way to support yourself.”
“Father!” Georgina cried.
“George!” Lorraine said at the same time.
“What?” her father said looking confused. “You indulge her too much, Lorraine,” he said jabbing the air with his fork.
“And you indulge her too little,” she countered back. Lorraine patted her daughter’s hand. “Ignore him, my dear. You just haven’t bloomed yet.”
“Mama! I’m nineteen years old. Many of my friends are courting or are already married.”
“You just haven’t found the right person, yet.”
Georgina threw her napkin down on the table and shoved her hand in her pocket. She could feel the letter beneath her fingertips. She couldn’t wait to read the words Lawrence had written her. “I don’t think I’ll ever find the right person here. I’m going to have to move to ever find a chance at love.”
“Are you leaving us, Georgie?” Thomas asked softly from across the table.
Georgina looked at her brother and remorse instantly came over her. “Of… of course not, pet,” Georgina said. “I was just saying … well I can’t see me getting married to anyone in town.”
“Promise you’ll never leave?” her brother asked.
Georgina gave him a little smile. She brushed a finger over Lawrence’s letter again. “I promise.”
That seemed to placate Thomas who went back to munching on his boiled potato.
“Are you?” Lorraine asked softly.
“Am I what?” Georgina asked, leaning closer so she could hear her mother without straining.
