Mail Order Bride: Ramona Read Free Page A

full of soup just
beneath the curl of his black moustache and looked at Ramona.
    “So, Ramona, have you found employment yet?”
    “No, not yet Mr. Dresden.”
    “Where have you looked?”
    “I just haven’t had the heart to really try anywhere yet,
but I will soon. I just need a little time to think about what I should do with
my life now. I always thought I’d be a performer, and now it seems that I’ll
have to take on some other kind of pursuit – at least until I land a role. I really
don’t know where to start.”
    “I see,” he said, exchanging a look with his wife, Agatha.
    “Surely they would let you take your mother’s place at the
hotel, dear?” questioned Agatha, taking a sip of soup.
    “Actually, they’ve already filled that position,” said
Elizabeth, carefully slicing a piece of bread and laying it on her plate. She
cut a portion of butter from the butter dish, and spread it thickly over the
still-warm bread. It melted, running down the edges and onto the plate below.
    Her parents exchanged another look, this time sharing a
frown.
    “Well dear, that was not very sensible – to lose such a
promising lead. You know what they say, a bird in the hand is worth two in the
bush.”
    “Oh dear, yes. You are right. I will try to be more
responsible. Truly I will. I just need a little time to gather my thoughts.”
    “Not too long, I hope,” muttered Mr. Dresden, lowering his
face toward his bowl to slurp up the soup.
    ***
    One day, just before Christmas, Elizabeth came home from
work and called out Ramona’s name. When there was no response Elizabeth entered
the bedroom the two women were sharing and found Ramona curled up on her bed. Her
long dark hair lay in dank and knotted braids on either side of her head, and
her crumpled dress was twisted up beneath her.
    “Come on,” Elizabeth said, pulling Ramona up by the arms.
“You’re going to go and rehearse if I have to drag you down to the park to do
it. This isn’t like you Ramona! You’ve still got plenty to live for…you’ve got
your singing and dancing, and as much as I’ve never understood it, I know how
much it means to you. Besides, I think you ought to at least get out of the
house, and maybe brush your hair.”
    Ramona got to her feet, smoothing out her dress and
feigning a smile. “You’re right,” she said, nodding. “I’ve been feeling sorry
for myself too long. Like you have said time and time again, it’s not the end
of the world, just the end of the life that I knew.” She glanced over at her
ballet shoes and, for the first time in weeks, felt the rock-like heaviness in
the pit of her stomach lighten a little. “I think I’ll go to rehearsal.”
    ***
    Elizabeth was right, Ramona thought, breathless but
happy as she left the park, waving back to the girls still clustered about
under a large oak tree. They waved in response, and set about removing their
dance shoes and donning their coats for the walk home. Ramona pulled her coat
more tightly about her body, and wrapped a knitted purple scarf around her neck
against the winter chill. That’s done me the world of good! Her feet
sailed gracefully over the cobbled road as she made her way back home. Often,
after a rehearsal she would stay and chat with her friends, but this time she
couldn’t wait to get back home to see Elizabeth. It was time she made a
decision about what to do for money and how she could start getting back onto
her own two feet. She wanted to discuss it with Elizabeth before she settled on
anything.
    Ramona had moved in with Elizabeth and her parents almost six
weeks ago, and she knew that it was time she began to pull her weight. They had
been kind enough to provide her with lodging and food, but she didn’t want to
live off their charity forever. Ramona brushed a stray strand of dark hair from
her face, and smiled up at the darkening sky. It was a beautiful evening, full
of possibility, and besides – she was in New York, where anyone could