Chapter Four

No New Dress

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and Arabella had plans with Felicity and some girls from school to go check out some new fabric arrivals at Mrs Weldington’s store. “You be sure that you are good company for those spoiled school girls,” Lucille told her daughter with a smirk. There weren’t many rich people on the Island. Most of the families owned farms but some of the girls at school had fathers that worked for the railroad construction going on in the center of the Island and they were said to be rich or at least they lived like it as Lucille would put it. Arabella walked down broad creek road until she came to the Davenport home. Felicity’s mother was giving the girls a ride to town. Arabella and Felicity met up with Ruth and Megan outside of the store that sold fabrics. The girls walked around the store for awhile. Arabella and Felicity only looked but Ruth and Megan bought most of everything they saw and before Arabella knew it, jealousy rose up inside her. She knew it was wrong but she couldn’t help herself. How come they get to buy all they want and my friend and myself can’t buy a single piece of fabric. That is exactly what went through Arabella’s mind. She got home that night and hardly spoke a word to her parents. She laid in bed awake until she had made up her mind. “Tomorrow I will get a job so that I will have money to buy whatever I want,” Arabella said to herself. Arabella woke up in the early morning with determination for the day. She made it to school on time as she always did. After school was over she did something women never did on this island, she went searching for work so she could earn her own money. Arabella sent near an hour walking into every store in town but it was no use. Most of them didn’t see it fit for a girl to be working, much less a girl of her age. Arabella was home by five and she couldn’t believe the conversation her mother and father were having in the kitchen. They were talking about hiring a young man to help on the farm. That determination rose up once more with Arabella. “Father, excuse me for interrupting but you may not need to hire a boy,” Arabella said stepping into the kitchen. “What do you mean dear?” Her father asked for he was very curious where this conversation might be headed. “Well…I…I thought maybe I could work our farm and earn some money,” Arabella said taking a breath. “My goodness child! You know that kind of work isn’t for a lady,” her mother said surprised at what her daughter had said. “Your mother is right. Women around here make homes for their families, not work. And as for you, all you need on your mind is school,” John explained to his daughter. “I know but all the other girls have their family’s money to spend on new dresses and I have nothing,” Arabella said as she realized it was no use arguing. “I think we have a lot more than nothing,” her father said as he walked into the dining room. Arabella walked up to her room with all her parents had said on her mind. “Oh God, why won’t you help me get a job. Don’t you want me to be happy?” Arabella felt as if her determination was for nothing. She quickly headed back down the stairs for Felicity would be waiting for her on the porch. They were going off to pick some flowers in the fields. “I am sorry I left you waiting,” Arabella said as she closed the door behind her. “Oh it’s fine. I was just sitting here thinking,” Felicity said as she was obviously still thinking of something. “What are you thinking of?” Arabella asked taking a seat beside her. “Mostly my future. I don’t know what I want in life. Just thinking how we will be off to college in three years. There is a lot to figure out,” Felicity said taking a breath. “Oh Felicity. Like you said, you have three years to figure that out. Let’s enjoy where we are at today,” Arabella said as she took her friend’s hand and walked with her through the flowering fields. On the way back to the house after picking flowers, the girls noticed a buggy leaving blue breeze farm. Arabella sprinted down the hill. “Wait for me!” Felicity shouted. Both girls ran up the porch and into the house out of breath. “Who was that leaving the farm mother?” Arabella asked in a hurry. “Settle down child. It was just Ms Ashford. She was here talking about getting Cedric a job….here on the farm,” Lucille said turning towards the stove to prepare dinner. “But mom! I asked you and father if I could work the farm,” Arabella said in shock. “Yes and we told you no. And that’s that,” Lucille said as she continued to prepare dinner. Arabella stood in shock before walking out onto the porch. “Bella, you never told me you were trying to get a job. Why on earth?” Felicity said sitting down beside her dearest friend. “I just want to have things. I want to be able to buy a dress when I want. Now everyone thinks I’m crazy because I asked to work on my farm,” Arabella explained resting her head on her knees. “I’ve known you as one to never back down after setting your to do something. But you can’t blame your parents. I mean, how many girls your age do you see getting a job?” Felicity asked knowing that it just didn’t happen that way around here. “I know,” Arabella said lifting her head to smile at her truest friend. Suddenly the girls noticed someone coming. There came Cedric on his beautiful black mare. “What are you two doing out here, it’s a little cold,” Cedric said sliding off his horse. “The question is what are you doing here?” Arabella asked standing up and crossing her arms. “What have I done?” Cedric asked hesitating to walk up thew stairs to the porch. “You haven’t done anything Cedric. Bella is just mad because she asked to work on the farm and her parents said no and then hired you. “Well gosh, girls your age can’t work the land. Besides, one day you’ll marry and your job will be taking care of a house and kids and such things,” Cedric explained as he stood confidently. “So you think that’s all a girl is good for? Well I have my own dreams that are worth chasing far more than chasing any boy to marry,” Arabella said firmly as she turned around, walked inside and shut the door behind her.