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d it or not. They would come around. She would see to it. They would be made to like her.
"Girls, our new madam, Madam Eugenia," Dawn said, gesturing with one hand, then covering her mouth suddenly with a white handkerchief, coughing violently.
Eugenia could see out of the corner of her eye how the girls were reacting to Madam Dawn's illness. When their looks had switched to Dawn, only a soft, unhappy uneasiness was present on each of their faces. They knew, as Eugenia now did, that Dawn was more than likely dying. If only Eugenia could talk Dawn into letting a doctor see her. But Dawn had told her that her stepfather had introduced her to the Christian Science faith, which had taught her to never seek out the services of a doctor, even if it meant death. She had even seemed to reconcile herself to the fact that if it was time for her to die no man could help her from it.
Once the coughing bout was silenced, the sounds from the street filtered in through the windows, another reminder to Eugenia of which street she was now living on—Myers Avenue, not Bennett Avenue. Even so early in the morning she could hear the loudness of the talk and music coming from the dance halls and saloons that lined each side of the street, and the usual sound of horses neighing as one would pass by. The street sounds were still muffled by the snow, but not enough so, as far as Eugenia was concerned. She would see to it that as soon as she was settled in and accepted as the madam, she would have music played in this parlour day and night. Soft music. Soft, romantic music to enhance the atmosphere. She would make this like a fairy tale atmosphere, not a place of sordidness, as most women from Bennett Avenue would most surely think of this particular establishment.
"Eugenia, I would like to introduce each girl to you now," Dawn said, growing silent for a moment when a maid entered, carrying a tray of small square cakes, and sweet rolls. When a second maid entered, carrying a tray of teacups and a teapot, Dawn continued speaking, nodding a thanks as she was handed a cup of tea.
"I believe you know Alison already," Dawn said, laughing softly.
"Yes, I know Alison," Eugenia said, smiling weakly in Alison's direction, seeing nothing but contempt in her eyes. Eugenia could even remember that first day she had seen her, when Alison had made her grand entry into the bathroom and had plopped herself on the pot so boldly as Eugenia sat bathing. Even then Eugenia had seen the hardness around Alison's eyes. And such a sullen mouth! Yes, Eugenia could see what Dawn had meant about Alison's undesirable outer appearance. It could even chase men away from the establishment, not draw them to it. She had to wonder why Dawn had let her remain. But then she could only think of one answer to that. Dawn's desires for another woman. More than likely Alison had been the one, and this was why Alison had thought she would follow in Dawn's footsteps. Eugenia hated to think about the future, how she would have to deal with Alison if Dawn did pass away. But she would deal with it when the time came.
"And, Eugenia, my two Japanese twins," Dawn said, gesturing toward the two Oriental girls who were attired in brightly colored kimonos. Their hair was sleek black and was cut short and shaped around their lightly colored skin. Eugenia looked from one to the other and couldn't find one thing that was different about their faces. They had to be identical twins. Something that she had never seen. And their eyes were so beautiful, as Eugenia's good confidant Key's eyes were. But they were not as friendly. These two sets of eyes were penetrating, making Eugenia wonder what was behind their stares of silence. But, then, suddenly, they were smiling broadly back at Eugenia, but they didn't utter a sound.
"We call them Aimee and Denise. They speak very little English. The main word that they use is the word 'yes,' " Dawn added. "They're here for special services. I'll explain later."
Thinking further about the Japanese twins, Eugenia had to wonder what Key would think about them being in such a place and the type of work they were doing, remembering what he had said about his sister dying here.
"And the girl sitting next to Aimee is Pearl," Dawn continued.
Eugenia's gaze met Pearl's. She could see the green of her eyes—almost the same as her own—but the color of her hair was much different. It had most noticeably been dyed a shining silver, possibly to draw more attention to herself, to make herself different in appearance from the other girls. And her skin was pale. Except for the light application of face powder, it would even make one think she was also ill. No, Eugenia didn't like the silver of the hair. She would have to tell this girl that it did make her different in appearance, but it also made her look much older than she really was.
"And my sweet Nell," Dawn continued, laughing. "Always smiling and never sitting still. She's a marvel to be around."
Eugenia smiled, noticing exactly what Dawn was speaking of. Nell's fingers were fidgeting with the skirt of her pale blue dress, and her thick, dark lashes were fluttering like butterfly's wings, as she smiled warmly back at Eugenia. Eugenia could tell with one glance that Nell's hair was not dyed. It was a natural color of gold, resembling the color of Papa's wheat field in early autumn. Her eyes settled on the fluttering lashes once again. They were Nell's own, but covered too heavily with mascara. That was something she would suggest to Nell; to not go so heavily on the mascara. Just a touch to those beautiful lashes, and she would be a raving beauty.
"And then there's Lola," Dawn said, turning her head from the girls to cough once again. The room grew silent with each seizure. It was quite noticeable when each girl breathed more easily as Dawn's coughing ceased. "She's been known to draw men clear from Denver, just to see her. Alone. She's quite an asset to our house. Aren't you, Lola?"
Lola smiled and took a sip of her tea, watching Eugenia in silence. The dark black hair hanging loosely around her narrow face drew attention to the slant of her eyes, making her appear to be a bit Oriental and also to possibly be the most wicked of the women. But Eugenia didn't know quite how to define the word "wicked" when it came to the ways of The Old Homestead Parlour. She would surely find out. And soon.
"And the last," Dawn said, "Laura. One of our newest girls. From Colorado Springs. She's only fifteen, but she looks twenty. Don't you think so, Eugenia?"
Something grabbed at Eugenia's heart. Only fifteen? And living such a life? Now that didn't seem right. The girl's life had really just begun at that age. And to be spending it in such a way was horrible. She was so beautiful. An innocent beauty. Innocent because of her youthfulness. Eugenia could tell that Laura had taken special efforts to look pretty for this tea. She had put her makeup on to perfection, and lightly, not the least bit gaudy, as most of the other girls more than likely wore theirs when they entertained in the afternoons and evenings. Eugenia loved the way Laura had mingled pigtails through deep, long golden curls. It seemed to Eugenia that Laura had managed somehow to have created a new hair style. And Eugenia highly approved. But so young? But then, Eugenia had to only remember her own age. Was she truly only sixteen? Somehow she felt so much older.
"There you are. My girls," Dawn said, relaxing now against the back of the red velveteen chair. "What do you think?"
"Each one is beautiful in a different way," Eugenia said, moving her gaze from one girl to the other, seeing a reaction of approval from them as a result of the compliment paid them.
"Girls, as you know, I've been ill for sometime now," Dawn said, setting her teacup down on a table beside her, then clasping her hands together on her lap, with the white handkerchief sticking out from the top. "I met Eugenia some time ago and know you will all grow to love and respect her. I don't wish to hurt any of your feelings for not having chosen a madam from among you. I only know that Eugenia will be the fairest of madams and can only be of help to all of us. That's what is important, isn't it?"
The girls shook their heads in agreement, some looking more closely at Eugenia, some smiling, and some not. Eugenia didn't know…
"I only hope that you'll decide to accept this decision that I've made and make it easy for Eugenia," Dawn continued. "I need her support. Only remember that, and I'm sure it'll be easier for you to accept what I've done."
The next hour became more relaxed and the room slowly began to be filled with chatter, the tinkling of teacups against saucers, an occasional bout of laughter, and the never-ending coughing of Dawn.
"And now, Eugenia," Dawn said, rising. "I'd like to show you around. Let you see how we run our establishment. The girls must get to their baths and get ready to resume their activities for this afternoon."
Eugenia watched as each girl rose and left. Then the room was empty except for she and Dawn.
"Truly. How do you like my girls?" Dawn asked, clasping on to one of Eugenia's hands. "I want you to be honest with me. Tell me exactly what you think. That's the only way we can work together. By being honest. Right down the line."
"I saw a few things I'd change in their appearances," Eugenia said. "But maybe these things are different once they get prepared to begin their day's work. Let me see them in the night. Then I'll let you know what I think."
"Fair enough," Dawn said, covering her mouth with her free hand and coughing. "Come. Let's show it all to you. I'm anxious for you to see a couple of things that will surprise you, and I hope won't offend you."
"Oh?" Eugenia said, rising. She followed close behind Dawn as she led her up the staircase. At this point in her life, she knew that nothing would surprise her. She was prepared to see most anything that Dawn had to show her.
