My One And Only

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“Behave nicely. Body straight, chin up.”

My mother said, as usual, the moment we entered the fundraising event.

Dad was joined by the men in suites right away and mom asked me to stay by her side as we marched inside.

There were so many people here, all wearing fancy dresses. I was glad that I was wearing my best gown and followed my mother’s instruction, walking with chin up.

“Marshelly is that your daughter??”

One of the ladies asked my mother, walking out from a crowd of all fancy married ladies group. My mother joined them and I followed behind.

“Yes, Roberta. This is Tinsley. ”

My mother introduced me to them. I had no idea why I was trying to blend in with these women, who were already married and had kids my age.

I should have been left at home to study or attend the high school winter dance but my parents declared it to be a wastage of time.

I did not see how coming here along with was benefiting me in any way. But they just want me to blend in with these old ladies and try to act like an heiress already.

“Isn’t she is engaged to the Herrington heir??”

One of them asked and I groaned internally. Could not there be one place where people would not relate to me with Josh??

“Engaged?? At such a young age??”

All the ladies turned around to look at the woman who said that out loud, including me, curious to see who was this person with brains.

“That’s Pauline Anderson, the second wife of Mr Anderson. Her opinions are just out of this world. Ignore her, Marshally.”

Roberta whispered near my mother’s ears and I heard it all. She did look young to be Mr Anderson’s wife.

That man was in his early fifties and married again. Pauline worked as his secretary and this time around, they say Mr Daniel Anderson was truly in love with his new second wife.

“Shouldn’t she be planning to go to college?? There’s so much life has it for her before she even steps in for marriage. ”

Pauline let out, walking closer to us. She strokes my hair, smiling and I did not know how to react to that.

“You are new to our society, Pauline. You should keep your middle-class views to yourself.”

Roberta mocked, with a sass. The other ladies nodded to her, with support. Surprisingly, my mother did not say a word.

“Our young Tinsley, here, did not grow up struggling for things like you did. She is an heiress and needs no colleges to climb the social ladder like you. ”

Ursula Winters, commented, flipping her furry shawl with attitude.

“College is not for climbing the social ladder. It’s for the right education so that Tinsley would not need a shadow of a man like you all to look after her.”

Pauline remarked, holding her stand proudly. I could not help but agree. She was like the breath of fresh air in the middle of this snobby rich upper-class woman.

“But you did end up spreading legs for my ex?? Didn’t you, Pauline? ”

In came, ex Mrs Anderson, now the most richest woman of the county. Mr Anderson had to split half of his wealth with her in the divorce.

“It’s called falling in love, Cynthia. Daniel was never happy with you.”

Pauline defended herself. I could not help but admire her strong spirit, standing as one against all so many.

“If colleges teach to be a slut then young Tinsley is better off of it, Marshally. ”

Cynthia cruelly laughed and the others joined her. Pauline looked hurt but she did not back down. I felt bad for her being bullied by these bullies.

“Enough with your utter nonsense, Cynthia. Speak to my wife with respect unlike you all, she has a brain. ”

Mr Daniel Anderson came in for his wife’s rescue and led Pauline out of there. The other women just continued to stare at their retreating figures.

“Did I not tell you all she is a witch?? She did witchcraft on Daniel. ”

Cynthia allegedly accused Pauline and the other ladies supported her with full agreement only because she belonged from an old name family with lots of money.

“Keep your Tinsley away from her reach, Marshally. She is the bad news of feminity thinking she could do it all… if Daniel did not marry her, she would be still dirt poor.”

Roberta warned my mother to which she just smiled, nodding her head. I felt suffocated having to stand near them the entire evening.

When I excused my mother and the ladies for a washroom break, on my way, I happen to see Pauline, watching the stary night sky, standing on the balcony.

I found myself walking towards her. She sensed my presence and spun around to face me.

“I came to apologise on behalf of those women.”

I made up a sorry excuse to just talk with her. I did not know what else to say. Her eyes were soaked. She had been crying.

“Are you crying??”

I questioned, feeling bad for her. It must be really hard to try and fit in a society that did not want you to even step near them.

“It just hurts so much. ”

She said, pressing her hands on her belly. I did not understand. Did she mean about the scene back there and it hurt her??

“Honey, I bought you this ice tea and we will leave in ten minutes. ”

Mr. Anderson stepped in, handing his wife a cup of tea. He nodded in my direction like an ideal gent.

“I did tell aunty to not wear that tight dress. It must be really stifling. ”

A young male voice, with a faint British accent, joined too. He was a new face to me. His blue eyes fell upon me and I could not shake them away.

“I’m fine, boys. It’s just the time of the month.”

Pauline smiled, looking at the boys, trying to calm them down.

“Tinsley will know about it too. It’s just nothing we ladies can’t handle. Don’t you young, Ms Rutherford??”

What Pauline asked me, I had no clue about it so I resumed with my no idea face.

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