Page 64 of The High Tide Club
Varina hesitated, then took the cup.
“Just a sip at first,” Ruth suggested.
Varina took a cautious drink. “It tickles,” she reported, giggling.
“Exactly,” Ruth said. “That’s the whole point of champagne. It’s tickly and bubbly, and it makes you feel giddy.”
“Even when you shouldn’t,” Millie added.
Varina smiled and took another sip, and then a few more. “Oooh,” she said, looking up at the sky. “I’m dizzy!” She flopped backward onto the blanket. “Why you gotta marry that man?” she asked, poking Millie in the arm. “He hurt you bad, didn’t he?”
Millie sighed. “You wouldn’t understand, Varina. You have a father and three brothers to help take care of you. My father is dead, and Mother and I don’t have any money. We have to depend on my grandmother to support us, and she’s so mean about it.”
Varina looked at Josephine and Ruth. “Your friends have money. Maybe they can share so you don’t have to get married.”
“She’s right,” Ruth said. “I bet if I told my father how awful Russell is, he’d help you.”
“My papa would give you money too. Russell Strickland is not the only man in the world,” Josephine declared.
“He’s the only man in my world,” Millie replied. She held out her left hand and waggled the finger upon which perched a perfect five-carat diamond solitaire. “My family is broke, girls, and that’s no joke.” She giggled at her rhyme.
“My mother says your granny is richer than God,” Ruth scoffed.
“Ain’t nobody richer than God,” Varina said solemnly.
“We really are broke,” Millie insisted. “Grandmama has been living on the interest of the money Granddad left her, but now that’s gone, and she’sdipping into capital to keep the house going. You girls know Mama sold our house last year and moved in with Grandmama. I just can’t ask her to support me too.”
“You could get a job,” Josephine pointed out. “You’re a smart girl, Millie. You always made the best grades in school.”
“Doing what?” Millie scoffed. “I’ve never had a job in my life. I don’t know how to type. I don’t even have a college degree. Russell says there’s no need for me to finish school, since we’re getting married. And he’d never let me take a job, even if I could find one.”
“You’re not going to marry him,” Ruth said fiercely. “We won’t let you.”
“Ruth is right. I don’t care what we have to do, you are not going to marry Russell Strickland,” Josephine said.
Millie picked up the champagne bottle and took another drink before handing the bottle to Ruth. “Let’s not talk about it anymore. It’s too depressing.” She paused, then unfastened her bra and stepped out of her panties.
In the moonlight, the women could see the bruises on her thighs, hips, upper arms, and collarbone.
“Come on, girls. Eat, drink, and be merry, for next month I’ll be married. This could be the last meeting of the High Tide Club!” She whooped loudly, then raced for the shore. Josephine shrugged and gestured at Varina.
“Come on, Varina. We can’t let her swim all by herself.”
Varina giggled and stood unsteadily. “Ooh. My daddy will tan my hide if he finds out I went swimming naked.” She hesitated, then took off her shoes and unfastened the strap of her overalls.
“Come on in, girls,” Millie called, splashing in the waves. “And bring the champagne!”
***
Two hours later, dressed again, the four young women lolled on the blanket, gazing up at the stars.
Varina held up the empty champagne bottle and sighed heavily. “Too bad. I sure do like the taste of that stuff.”
Ruth propped herself up on an elbow and yawned. “Wonder what time it is?”
“I don’t know, but I’m hungry.” Varina sat up and began rummaging through the picnic hamper. She held up a sandwich and greedily wolfed it down.
“Do you think we should be getting back?” Millie asked. “It has to be after midnight.”
