The Shocking Transformation
Did you really think I was that proper, elegant bride you had in mind? One minute I’m the perfect debutante, and the next I’m suddenly a flapper, and it won’t help my reputation at all. The European aristocracy is far more old-fashioned than we are, they’ll say. Naturally they’ll cancel the engagement, won’t they? Then the most urgent problem is solved.
It was… insane. No, it was an extreme solution. Which made it all the more persuasive.
Mabel blinked slowly, her eyes hazy with shock, and asked in a voice edged with unease, “I… can I really become a flapper too?”
Louise narrowed her eyes and swept her cousin from head to toe in one long, assessing look.
“It won’t be easy,” she said, then flashed a brilliant smile that revealed every tooth. “But you have a ‘Flapper of the Year’ all ready and waiting, don’t you? I’ll make you and me indistinguishable. You’ll love it!”
***
“I’ll be off, then.”
“Take care. Don’t be late.”
“Yes, Aunt Mildred.”
Mabel left the Darlington residence with Helen the moment she finished lunch. Mildred had already booked facial massages and hair appointments for the evening reception, so the two of them simply used the brand-new beauty salon on Fifth Avenue that had opened whenever the Piper dinner was held.
Mabel steered Helen back to the corner on Fifty-ninth Street after they had walked only two blocks.
“Helen, I can manage the rest on my own. It’s only a short walk. You’ll be so busy with the dinner tonight.”
Helen could not hide her delight.
She had a mountain of errands ahead of her on the evening Mildred had assigned her the role of sharp-eyed aide, and now even more because of this.”
“Are you sure, Miss Mabel?”
“Yes. When I get home later I won’t need anyone to fetch me. It’s only seven blocks. Tell Aunt Mildred I said so.”
Helen hesitated, then nodded.
“Very well, Miss Mabel.”
Mabel felt a pang of conscience, but the fate of her own life left her no choice.
She watched Helen stride away, then slipped around the corner and waved down a passing taxi.
The taxi with its bright yellow paint had pulled up instantly.
She had never taken a taxi alone before, yet her heart still raced with nervous anticipation.
Mabel stepped back into the shadowed backseat, heart pounding.
“Where to, miss?”
The driver looked over politely.
“One-ninety Riverside Drive.”
The driver yanked the lever on the meter and the dashboard flashed thirty cents.
“Let’s go.”
Mabel stepped out at Riverside Drive and looked around. Louise lived in the new high-rise apartment building that had risen right on the riverbank. Fifth Avenue had been tearing down grand old estates and replacing them with these sleek, modern towers. Walter and Mildred complained bitterly that the upstarts were taking over their world.
Mabel, however, had long dreamed of living in one.
These apartments came with a full staff for cleaning and laundry, no need for extra servants. There were restaurants and private club rooms for entertaining. Most of all, hot water ran year-round. Her married friends all preferred the convenience of an apartment over the expensive upkeep of a townhouse.
Mabel told the doorman she was visiting Miss Piper and stepped into the elevator.
She had always been afraid of elevators. The cage would lurch upward on a single lever. The unfamiliar motion made her stomach twist.
Sitting on the corner bench, gripping the handle until her knuckles ached, she thanked the attendant profusely the instant the doors opened and nearly ran out.
At the far end of the hallway a door opened and Louise peered out, head bobbing like a curious bird.
“In here, Mabel!”
Louise’s apartment was all modern lines and geometric patterns. From the living-room window the Hudson River and the New Jersey skyline lay spread out like a painting.
“This place is gorgeous, Louise!”
“Thank you. Mother begged Daddy for my dowry money and he bought it for me. He always settles guilt with cash. I’m a free-love advocate, though.”
Louise linked her arm through Mabel’s and steered her toward the bedroom. Mabel hesitated.
“Louise, first I should say hello to your mother—”
“Mother moved into her new lover’s place last week. She said she would accept no less than a proposal this time, so we’ll see what happens.”
“Oh…”
Mabel fell silent, not knowing what else to say.
The moment Louise opened the door Mabel’s breath caught. The room was a riot of bright dresses and glittering jewelry scattered everywhere. Mildred would have fainted dead away at the sight.
“The room’s a bit messy, isn’t it? The housekeeper came earlier, and she left it like this.”
Louise laughed sheepishly and carried the pile of dresses from the sofa to the bed.
“Sit down. Would you like tea or soda?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“Just a moment. I’ll transform you from head to toe.”
Louise returned from the adjoining walk-in closet carrying a single dress.
“Ta-da! I bought it because it didn’t suit me and never wore it once.”
The neckline plunged in a daring V, and the hem stopped just short of the knees. Tiny beads embroidered with a black Chantilly-lace pattern caught the light.
Mabel’s courage wilted at once.
“You can’t be serious—this is too short.”
“Of course not. Your height is a little less than mine, so the hem will just cover your knees.”
“So it’s short.”
“If I wear a black dress I’ll look like I’m going to a funeral…”
Black was the Darlington maids’ uniform color.
“Haven’t you heard? Black is the hottest color in Paris right now. Even the famous designer Mademoiselle Coco copied the latest pattern and sold it at Bonwit Teller.”
Mabel murmured uncomfortably.
“The lace will be so sheer…”
“That’s why it comes with a matching silk slip!”
Louise held up a flesh-colored slip. She set the dress on the table, hands on her hips.
“Listen, Mabel. If you want the man to be shocked enough to cancel the engagement, you have to go all the way. Half-measures won’t do.”
Mabel bit her lip, then sighed in resignation.
“You’re right.”
Louise gave her a stern look.
“So from now on you do exactly what I say. No arguments.”
“Yes, I’ll follow you.”
Mabel nodded with firm resolve.
Louise’s red lips curved into a mischievous smile.
“Good. First, take off that old-maid corset of yours, Mabel Darlington.”
Some time later Mabel emerged from the dressing room, face pale, and stood before Louise.
“Holy smoke!”
“…Is something wrong? I thought this might be too much.”
Louise grabbed her cousin’s arm in alarm.
“Too much? It’s perfect. You’re The Bee’s Knees!”
“The Bee’s Knees?”
Louise nodded vigorously.
“It’s the latest slang. Means the height of fashion.”
“Oh…”
“Not a joke. What if the baron sees you like this, falls head over heels, and proposes on the spot?”
At the ridiculous image Mabel let out a soft laugh.
“That’s impossible.”
Her shoulders, which had been rigid with tension, finally relaxed.
“Louise, after taking off the corset I feel… light. As if I could walk around without any clothes.”
Mabel took a deep breath and turned in a slow circle.
Louise giggled.
“See? You can’t wear a corset again after you take it off. Now it’s time for makeup.”
With practiced ease Louise dusted white powder on Mabel’s face, loaded mascara onto her lashes, blushed her cheeks with rouge, and finally drew tiny, rosy lips far smaller than her own.
“There! All done.”
Mabel studied the mirror and tilted her head.
“Um… is it fashionable to draw the lips like this these days?”
“Of course. Like the lips you offer when you want a kiss—sexy.”
Louise puckered her lips and blew a kiss.
“…Really?”
Mabel looked at her reflection, then mimicked the pout. It looked absurd, but since it was the latest trend she decided she would get used to it.
“One last gate remains—the most important step of becoming a flapper.”
Louise gave Mabel a solemn stare.
“What is it…?”
“Oh!”
Mabel’s face drained of all color.