“I got to make a living,” she said. “There’s no work for me here in Bluestone. Making the shine is all we have.”

“You two would be wise to pack up your belongings and leave Bluestone. What you did to poor Mrs. Carter was damn foolish, and you have made an enemy of her husband.”

“I didn’t mean any of it.”

“You never mean harm,” her mother said. “Never mean to hurt anyone.”

“But you did,” he said. “Troublemakers like you end up on the wrong side of the law and find themselves at the Lynchburg hospital. You don’t want that, do you?” His pointed look was intended to trigger Sadie’s memory of the girl who had begged for help as she had been hauled away into the gray, dark building filled with screams.

“No, sir,” she whispered.

The sheriff nodded. “Seeing as Sadie can’t stay out of trouble, it’s best you two leave town.”

“Where are we going to go?” Sadie demanded. “This is our home. Johnny and Danny won’t know where to find us if we leave.”

Her mother drew in a breath and rose. “Sheriff, I appreciate your words, but I’ll have to ask you to leave now. I won’t have my boys coming back to town with no home to welcome them. I’ll see to it that Sadie doesn’t get into trouble.”

Sadie curled her fingers into tight fists, digging her nails into her palms. She should never have taught Miss Olivia to drive. No matter how much she had begged, she should have just done as told by Dr. Carter.

The sheriff rose, lifting his wide-brimmed hat. “Sadie, don’t mess this up for your mother. It wouldn’t be right for you to get sent away and leave her here alone.”

“I’ll never leave my mama,” she said.

“That’s up to you.” He settled his hat on his head. “Mrs. Thompson, don’t make me come back here for Sadie.”

 

Sadie closed her bedroom door and put a chair in front of the handle before she slipped on the green dress that Miss Olivia had given her weeks ago. It was softer than anything Sadie had worn in her whole life. It reminded her a different life was possible. She did not know how she would make her way, but she would.

She carefully skimmed her calloused palms over the material, feeling a little like Vivien Leigh or Carole Lombard. Of course, they wore these kinds of clothes all the time. It was just another day for them. But for Sadie, it was the best thing she could remember in a long time.

She slid on her old coat over her dress and wrapped a scarf around her neck before she slipped out of her bedroom. Her mother was sitting by the radio in her rocker, holding one of Johnny’s socks while Jack Benny played on the radio. Her mother had slipped into a deep sleep.

“Mama, I’m going out for a bit.” She did not speak too loudly but was testing.

Her mother’s eyes remained closed as Jack Benny’s voice mingled with laughter.

She twisted open the front door and closed it softly behind her. She climbed in the truck, released the parking brake, and let the car roll down the hill to the road before she pulled out the choke and pressed the starter. The car engine sputtered to life. She shifted quickly into first gear and was gone.

Ruth had teased her about the party. She had made Sadie feel as if she was not good enough. Her taunts had festered for the last week, and maybe before the accident she would not have gone to the party, fearing what the Carters would say. But now with no job, Sadie did not see the harm in having a little fun.

She drove down into town and parked by the Elks club. There were dozens of cars parked out front, and the inside was lit up and filled with music and laughter. She felt her spirits rise as she climbed out of the truck. Shrugging off her jacket, she left it in the truck and smoothed the folds of her dress.

As Sadie walked toward the door, her nerves jangled with fear and excitement. As she passed a parked car, she could see there was a couple in the back seat. She couldn’t make out who was who, but she could see through the steamed glass that they were kissing.

The very thought of a man kissing her made her heart race a little faster. Maybe tonight she would find herself a boy and kiss him right on the lips. Just like in the magazines.

According to Ruth, the band playing tonight had come all the way from Charlottesville and was playing swing music.

She did not know what swing was exactly but dared not ask. Ruth would only roll her eyes as she liked to do and remind Sadie that she just did not know that much.

The girl in the back seat wiggled closer to the boy and slid her hand over his thigh like she had done it many times before. Sadie glanced at her own fingers, trying to imagine doing the same. Color warmed her cheeks, and she tore her gaze from the couple. She imagined it was the dress that was making her feel different. Tomorrow she would be back to her old self, dressed in overalls and a long-sleeve shirt. She imagined then all these crazy thoughts would leave her.

But the idea of going back to who she was made her depressed. She had only just slipped into this new role as Miss Olivia’s driver, which had allowed her to dream of a better future. Now that was gone, and all she had left was the magazine and this dress.

Laughing couples were walking inside to a festive interior, and she wished she was not alone. It would have been nice to have a friend.

Ruth and a boy Sadie did not recognize approached the party entrance. Both were laughing, and neither seemed to notice her.

“Hello, Ruth,” Sadie said.

Ruth turned and studied Sadie a beat, as if she did not recognize her. “Sadie. Look at you. You’re looking mighty spiffy tonight.”

Even the way she gave a compliment made Sadie feel lesser. “Thank you.”

“Who are you here with?” Ruth tucked her hand into the crook of her gentleman’s arm.

“I’m alone.” She tried to say it like it did not matter and was her choice.

“That’s very bold of you,” she said. “Do be careful in the party.”

“It’s just music and dancing. What’s there to be afraid of?”

Ruth shrugged, smiling like a barn cat that had cornered a mouse. “Nothing, I suppose.”

The couple hurried past her, and as Ruth shimmied her shoulders, she said, “Ooh, can you hear the music? It makes me crazy.”

Bright lights bathed the dance floor filled with couples moving in a quick style that was hard for Sadie to keep up with. This had to be the swing that everyone was talking about.

In the far corner, a four-piece band gave their all to the tune. There was a fella on banjo, another on trumpet, and two on guitar. She tapped her foot, anxious to figure out the dance.

A couple brushed past her, hand in hand, as they hurried to get started. She tapped her foot and lost herself in the music. “My word, this is just about the most thrilling time of my life,” she whispered.

“Can I get you some punch, Miss Sadie?”

Sadie turned at the sound of the deep masculine voice. She recognized him right away. It was Malcolm Carter. His dark hair was slicked back, and he wore a dark suit, a collared shirt, and a tie wound into a crisp knot. The tips of his shirt collar were held in place by a fancy gold pin.

“Mr. Carter, what are you doing here?” Sadie asked.

He extended his hand, smiling. “I came to visit my cousin and his wife, but both are not their regular sort these days. Very understandable, but I needed some air.”