A New Start

[Betty Bogey]

Magnolia Watson walked the streets with her daughter Lilian's hand in hers. No one would ever know that Lillian was her daughter, not as long as Magnolia could help it. To everyone Lilian was the child of a fictional sister Magnolia created named Evelyn, who had died giving birth to Lilian, and Evelyn's husband, who was just as fictional, named Edwin, who had died while Evelyn was pregnant. Magnolia said that she had taken their daughter in and raised her on her own, no matter how hard that was. No one could ever know that she had a child out of wedlock. She could have been able to use that to her advantage, by bribing the father of the child, and exposing his secrets, but she would never be able to do that to him. She was at fall for being a so gullible.




She often left Lilian with her neighbor, Miss Carter, while she worked. Miss Carter, though very kind, could not watch Lilian without some money. It cost almost a quarter of her weekly paycheck to have Miss Carter look after Lilian. It was hard supporting herself and her child. They lived on a rather tight budget. She worked as a laundress for six days a week, but she had every Sunday off. And on those Sunday's she would take Lilian to the park. She had very little time for her child, and she would spend any free moments she could with her child. She wanted her child to know that her mother loved her.




Lilian was now four, and she had such a simple view of the world. She was very energetic, but also very innocent People thought it was odd when they heard Lilian call Magnolia, "Mamma,' but Magnolia always said that she was practically her daughter and she would raise her as such. Magnolia often feared that someone would find out her secret. She knew she would have to move and most likely have to give up her child. She did not want to think about that possibility.

 

[Soliloquy]

In the early afternoon hours, Augustus drove through the streets in his recently purchased Locomobile, causing many heads to turn and stare at alien technology. He smiled, undoubtedly enjoying the attention he so frequently received. He navigated the streets with ease, his plan to enjoy a day break from his father patronizing him or being buried in his studies. While many would imagine being the son of one of the largest bankers in the state would be a relaxed one, Augustus thoroughly disagreed.


Arriving at the heart of the city, he decided to stroll about while determining how to spend his afternoon and evening hours. He had heard plenty of chatter about a new film that was showing, but also hadn't bothered to see if any of his peers would be interested before venturing out. Pausing at a vendor, he purchased an scoop of ice cream on a waffle cone - a favorite since his childhood- and continued to walk around, considering his options.

 

[Betty Bogey]

Magnolia continued walking down the street, keeping Lilian close. Lilian walked at a faster pace than Magnolia, having seemingly endless energy. Magnolia was often tired due to working long hours. It was hard when she didn't have a child to look after, but it was harder now. She often felt bad that she didn't have the energy to play with her daughter. Now, Magnolia understood how her mother felt. She was very loving, but always working, never having the energy to play with her child.


As Magnolia walked, she froze for a second. She saw a man she hoped never to see again. Augustus. The man who had used her and left her. At least, that's what his family said. She believed them. She never believe Augustus from the beginning, that a man of his status could love a maid. But she had fallen in love with him. It was her fault really. She tried hurrying past him, hoping to go unseen.

 

[Soliloquy]

Savoring the cold sweetness of vanilla, Augustus had found himself venturing into the park. His gaze drifted about, seeing many couples and families who were also out to enjoy the weather. A couple of young children were bent over on the ground, a chalk circle filled with bright marbles the center of their attention. A hard flick sent one of the marbles down the path, stopping just short of his foot. Stooping, he picked up the marble with his free hand, giving the children who watched a grin. "Careful there, iron arms," he joked, handing the marble back to the young boy.


Straightening, his eyes next fell upon a woman ahead of her, small child eagerly pulling at her arm. The sun was casting light on them through the trees, making it hard for him to see details, but in the pit of his stomach, he felt a small jostle. She looked familiar...but it couldn't be possible. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, not wanting to return to the misery his teenage years had been filled with. She wasn't even stopping, so even if it were so, it wouldn't matter.

 

[Betty Bogey]

Magnolia quickened her pace, ignoring how tired she was from her long week of work. She wanted to get past him as quickly as possible. She did not want to converse with him, she did not want to say one word to him. He did not deserve her respect. He might be of a higher status than her, but any man who used a woman as he did was not worth of her respect. Or anyone's, for that matter. She would just try to walk past him, as coldly as she could.


Unfortunately, she was not to avoid him as she had hoped she would. Someone bumped into her and she ended up bumping into Augustus with a grunt. She tightened her grip on Lilian's hand as she did so, as not to lose her child. She felt her stomach drop nervously. What was she to tell this man.


"I apologize, sir," said Magnolia, trying to sound rude, but sounding nervous.

 

[Soliloquy]

Distracted by his own thoughts, the collision caught him off guard. Looking down to see her face, his body stiffened. While it had been years and his family had done their best to remove all traces of her from his life and memory, Magnolia was before him - as radiant and beautiful as when he'd first laid eyes on her. He forced a swallow, fighting to contain mixed emotions of anger, resentment, and a longing pang of missing her.


"It's fine," he muttered, stepping back and looking away from her face and instead spotting the young girl next to her. He should have known it wouldn't have taken long for her to leave him and find another, her lies had come so easily when he was young.

 

[Betty Bogey]

"Good day, sir," Magnolia said as she curtsied, a habit she had since she was a maid, and despite not having been a maid for the past few years, she still held on to that habit. She regretted doing so, as it would be respectful and she did not want to give him her respect. She tried sounding cold again, but she still sounded nervous.


The way he muttered his response and looked away from him just confirmed that he did not care for her. Whether or not he knew she was aware that she knew he had used her, she did not know. Nor did she care. All she knew was she wanted to get away from this man. How was it fair that he got a night of pleasure, and she lost her job and ended up with a child whom she could barely take care of. She pulled on Lilian's arm.


"Come along, dear," said Magnolia, glaring coldly at Augustus.

 

[Soliloquy]

He cleared his throat. "Good day, Magnolia," he replied, eyes still resting on the young child to avoid looking at her again. "Go keep up with your mother," he forced a smile as he spoke to the girl. A sweat had begun as he struggled to maintain a level head, turning away from both suddenly. He was supposed to have an enjoyable afternoon and never could have imagined to see her ever again, let alone this evening. She wanted nothing to do with him, it was clear when she had left without even saying a thing to him, and while a part of him despised her and wanted to hate her, he couldn't deny a small skip his heart still did seeing her.

 

[Betty Bogey]

"She's not my child," said Magnolia. It was painful saying such a lie and it was clear that she didn't want to say it, but it had to be done. It was best for Lilian to think she had parents who loved her, and had her while married, rather than an accident, with a gullible, naive mother, and a cruel father, despite that Magnolia loved her child more than anything. Even if Lilian called Magnolia 'Mamma,' she would still say that she was her niece. "She is my niece."

 

[Soliloquy]

Her words made it to his ears. For some reason, it pleased him more than he would have expected it to. Of course she would take care of a child, had she not done the same for him years ago before.... Looking back over his shoulder at them, he couldn't suppress a grin. "She's beautiful." He immediately regretted saying anything, he should have just let her go and he could have walked on. Why was part of him so focused on maintaining any line of contact with her when she had done the opposite for years?

 

[Betty Bogey]

"Yes, she is," said Magnolia, looking towards her daughter for a moment. Her voice was no longer trying to sound cold, but rather sounded tender, like she normally sounded when talking to or about her daughter. Lilian smiled and blushed upon hearing the compliment, just like Magnolia would have years ago. Magnolia patted her daughter's head affectionately.

 

[Soliloquy]

A cool, wet feeling started on his hand, and he looked down to see what was left of his ice cream was a dripping mess, forming a small puddle on the ground. Wiping his hand clean, he tossed the cone in a bin nearby, turning to look back at the two of them again. Crouching down to the young girls level, he smiled, looking first at her and then up at Magnolia. "What a shame to lose ice cream on a day like this. Shall we get another?"

 

[Betty Bogey]

Lilian giggled as she saw the ice cream dripping down Augustus' hand and as much as she didn't want to, Magnolia couldn't help but smile a little. Magnolia held Lilian's hand just a bit tighter as Augustus crouched down, feeling slightly uneasy about it.


"Can we, Mamma?" Lilian asked, looking up to Magnolia. As much as Magnolia didn't want to, she couldn't help but nod at her daughter's request.

 

[Soliloquy]

Augustus grinned in response, straightening up and dusting off his suit pants. "What'll it be, little one? Vanilla or chocolate? Or maybe even strawberry?" he began to walk back toward the vendor he had previously been at before stopping. Turning Magnolia, he offered his arm to her. Past or not, he would not seem anything but polite or civilized. Years or etiquette from his mother had him very well behaved.


He paused, eyes resting on her face, awaiting a response. She had already rejected him once and this time he was braced for it.

 

[Betty Bogey]

"Chocolate!" said Lilian excitedly.


Magnolia looked offended when he offered his arm. How dare he try to act like nothing had happened? Did he really think that he could win her trust back so easily. Perhaps he thought he could use her one more time. He had no chance of that happening. Still, she took his arm, not wanting to start a scene or have her daughter question her.

 

[Soliloquy]

Augustus' mouth slipped into a silly grin again. "Chocolate? Excellent choice little one," he praised her, leading the way for their odd and unexpected trio to the ice cream vendor. Purchasing a cone with two scoops, he knelt to hand it to the young girl, a grave look on his face. "Now you must be careful. To spill even a drop of such delicious ice cream is a crime. For all I know, the policeman could be around the corner, ready to arrest me," he faked concern, looking around before back at her with a sheepish smile.


He stayed crouched, making sure she was settled but looked up at the vendor. "And please get this wonderful woman whatever she may ask for," he instructed, wrapping a napkin around the cone he was giving to the excited child.

 

[Betty Bogey]

Lilian giggled, looking highly amused, as Augustus told her to be careful with the ice cream and as he looking around for the police. Magnolia was less amused. How dare he? He was trying to get in good with the child he unknowingly gave Magnolia. She would show him this little bit of civility for now, but it would vanish once they parted.


"Thank you, mister," said Lilian as she took the ice cream. Magnolia smiled when she heard Lilian being so polite. Of course, she expected nothing less. But, looked surprised when he said to get her whatever she wanted. That surprised turned to anger, as she could not believe he saw her as a wonderful woman, rather than a conquest. But she said nothing of it.


"I'll have vanilla," said Magnolia, her voice soft.

 

[Soliloquy]

The vendor supplied her with a large cone as well, August requesting a replacement and paying for the sweet treats. Stepping away, he looked to Magnolia before quickly glancing away, unsure suddenly of himself. It was much easier to speak to the innocent child, than the woman he had fierce, mixed emotions about. He cleared his throat.


"Shall we sit and enjoy, or do you have somewhere to be?" He didn't want to seem overeager or cold, and it felt like every move and word had to be carefully calculated to avoid either.

 

[Betty Bogey]

Magnolia nodded in thanks as she took the ice cream. She slipped her hand into Lilian's free hand and held it tightly. How could Augustus be so cruel? She hoped for an excuse to get away. She did not want to stay near him, and she did not want their, no her, daughter near him. If she was simply some sort of pawn for pleasure.


"I apologize, sir," said Magnolia coldly, "but Lilian and I are going to the park."

 

[Soliloquy]

He nodded, his jaw set tight to contain any look of disappointment. It appeared her decision to leave him was still just as strong, years later. Clearing his throat again he forced a smile.


"Well then," he focused on looking at at the innocent child instead of the cold woman, "You'd best run around little Lily. It's the perfect day for the park. Enjoy your ice cream and take care." His eyes shifted to Magnolia's face on the last two words, a pained look now showing in them.

 

[Betty Bogey]

A quick look of hurt flashed across Magnolia's face when he looked at her and said 'take care.' Was he really going to say such things when he didn't care five years ago? Was he trying to make her think he cared now?


"You can come with us," Lilian suggested brightly. She liked this man. Then again, she liked anyone who bought her ice cream.

 

[Soliloquy]

Augustus' smile turned genuine at the child's offer. "Oh but I'm sure your mama's has big plans for you both, I wouldn't want to impose," he replied politely, although he secretly wanted to praise the girl. Maybe she could get through to Magnolia since he wasn't having any luck.

 

[Betty Bogey]

"Mamma doesn't mind," said Lilian. Lilian turned to her mother. "Do you Mamma?"


Magnolia looked nervous. She always had trouble denying her daughter. "I suppose not," Magnolia said quietly.

 

[Soliloquy]

Augustus beamed down on the little girl, pointing to a picnic bench in the distance. It was in the middle of a large grassy knoll but had a tree providing shade. While others were enjoying time out in the sun, it was deserted.


"Shall we sit down while we finish our ice cream before it melts, Lily?" He offered a hand to her.

 

[Betty Bogey]

Lilian nodded happily and took Augustus', while Magnolia looked uncomfortable. She did not want her daughter to become too close to Augustus. Lilian was just as trusting as Magnolia had once been, and it was actually a bit frightening.