It was the morning of April 9, 1842, as Paula yawned and stretched, rising sleepily out of bed. The cool breeze coming from the open window, reminded her that it wasn’t quite summer. The sun peaked through the lace curtains, causing shadows to dance on the walls. Yes, it was a beautiful morning, she thought. Paula said her morning prayers, then slipped on her simple blue dress, and pulled her straight brown hair into a tight bun. She sighed. Simple it was, and so was her life, but she enjoyed it. She had faith in God, a wonderful family, and a good job taking care of the elderly Mrs. Richards at the nearby Richards estate.
The rooster crowed causing the rest of her family to wake up. When they entered the kitchen, fresh biscuits lay spread out on the small, wooden table, with jam and butter ready for spreading.
"Smells delicious." her mother, Mrs. Victoria Weston, exclaimed. With only slightly graying black hair, beautiful green eyes and smooth skin, Mrs. Weston defied her age, but not her health. She was pale and weak, so Paula took over the role as mother. Mrs. Weston sat down in the creaky, wood chair and waited for her husband to say the blessing. Her brothers, Brandon, 16, and Tom, 12, sat down, ready to dig in. They helped out on the farm when they could, but were busy concentrating on their schoolwork. Their father took care of their small farm while the boys were in school. He would then go into town to sell the eggs. To help with family finances, Paula was able to get the job caring for the elderly Mrs. Richards. Young and energetic, the job was easy and enjoyable for more reasons than money.
Paula and her two brothers soon headed out into the cool, crisp spring air. The sun shone brightly as they took their separate ways, them to school, her to her job. She waved to her neighbors, who were already out doing their chores, then hurried over to the estate.
It was a beautiful brick mansion, with white pillars and a large porch, set on hundreds of acres of land. Horses grazed nearby, and gardeners took care of the beautiful flowers ready to bloom all over the estate. Opening the heavy oak door to the front of the house, Paula stepped into luxury, yet at the same time felt at home. The Richards never made her feel any less because she was a servant. It was how they treated everyone. The believed no matter who you are, you were all made in the image of Christ, and that made you equal. Saying hello to a few of the other servants, Paula made her way up the large, spiral staircase and into Mrs. Richards's room.
"Good morning, Mrs. Richards." Paula said cheerily as she opened up the curtains. The sun blinded the woman and she squinted her blue eyes.
"Oh, that sun!" she exclaimed, her white hand covering her face.
"Would you like me to close them?" Paula laughed.
"Good Heavens, yes child!"
She closed the curtains then sat on the edge of the bed.
"I was thinking we should take a walk and get you out into the fresh air." she put her hand on the woman's face, "I'm sure the air will bring some color to those cheeks."
"You think so? I don’t think red paint could bring color to these old cheeks." She smiled.
"For someone who just turned 65, I’d say you look pretty well. I also think the walk will help strengthen your legs. You've been cooped up in here too long." Paula looked around the room. Although it was always kept neat and clean and the room had beautiful furnishings, she could tell being cooped up all day was becoming a drudgery to the sixty-five year old woman.
"Well, I don't know what the doctor would say." she protested.
"They are doctor’s orders. Said it would be good for you." Her big, brown eyes twinkled as she showed her white teeth.
"Oh, all right." she smiled. Both knew Mrs. Richards could never refuse Paula's sweet face. They both turned when they heard a knock on the door.
“Come in.” Mrs. Richards said.
Paula couldn't believe her eyes. There stood one of the most handsome men she had ever seen. Who he was, she didn’t know.
“Mother, you look wonderful.” The man said. He looked richly dressed in a black double breasted suit, which fit his tall, well-built frame very nicely.
“Aren’t you a rotten liar!” his mother said with a twinkle in her eye as her son came to kiss her on the cheek..
No one had told Paula they had a son. Well, she did know they had children that were married and lived far away, but who was this?
Paula later found out that he had gone to Boston on a business trip with his father, and Mrs. Richards had missed him so much that she just didn't like to talk about it.
"Oh, Phillip, it's so good to see you!" she hugged him, then pushed him back at arm's length, "Is it possible, that in only four months, you could seem taller or even more handsome? You certainly have your father's good looks."
"Of course, and he sends his love.... and who might this be?" he turned to Paula who looked on uncomfortably. He was so good-looking, she had to keep from staring. His wavy dark brown hair fell nicely across his forehead, and his blue eyes sparkled just below. When he smiled, it lit up his face.
"This is my personal servant, Paula Weston. Paula, this is my son, Phillip."
Paula smiled, but did not take his hand that he held out for her. She was afraid she wouldn't let go and then make a fool of herself.
"I'm going to get your breakfast, please excuse me." she left the room, hearing Mrs. Richards chatter all the way down the hall. When she returned, she found Phillip sitting in a chair on the side that she had to put the tray down. Knowing she had no other choice, she walked over to them, and Phillip moved his feet that were sticking out.
“Can I help?” He offered.
“No!” Paula said, a little too quickly, “I mean, thank you, I’m quite all right, but if you wouldn’t mind me interrupting, I have to give your mother her breakfast. Doctor's orders."
"Certainly." Phillip stood up and let Paula pass through.
"Mother, if you're up to it, I have a surprise for you later."
"Oh, I love surprises." she clapped her hands together.
"Wonderful. Paula, please put mother in one of her best dresses and have her in the parlor in two hours."
"Yes, sir."
"Well, then, I'll see you later." he gave his mother another kiss on the cheek, then left the room. Paula breathed a sigh of relief.
*******
"Okay, close your eyes, mother." Phillip told her. She was seated comfortably in the parlor, Paula by her side.
Paula watched as Phillip ushered in one of the most elegant, refined woman Paula had encountered. She had blonde hair, blue eyes, and was wearing the most exquisite gown Paula had ever laid eyes on. It was cut from, what looked to be a pale yellow silk fabric. It hugged a tiny waist, flaring out to a full skirt. Beautiful lace edging decorated the collar and sleeves. Her matching, feathered hat sat atop her blonde curls. Her smile, of perfect white teeth, made dimples in her smooth porcelain skin.
Mrs. Richards opened her eyes.
"Mother, I'd like you to meet Miss Juliette Banks."
"How lovely to meet you." she smiled.
"Phillip has told me so much about you, I feel as if I know you."
Juliette replied placing a kiss on the wrinkled cheek.
Paula, feeling awkward and forgetting her manners, got up and started to leave the room.
"Paula, where are you going?" Mrs. Richards called out.
"I would like to see if they needed me in the kitchen, if you don’t mind."
"I need you, now sit down."
Paula obeyed. She listened to their conversation, stealing quick glances in Phillip's direction, finding him staring at her too.
"If you'll excuse me, I'll clean up." Paula said, picking up the delicate china pieces and placing them on the silver tray. She kept praying that God would stop her hands from shaking. When she was out of the room, she heard Phillip tell his mother, "I'll be right back."
"Paula, I'd like to talk to you." A deep voice stopped her. Her stomach did flip flops at the sight of him. So afraid he was going to say something about her staring, she began to shake again, making the tray shake in her arms.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes." she squeaked, then cleared her throat, "I'm fine." she put the tray against her chest and it helped a little, but her fingers began to sweat, that when Phillip turned around to leave, she almost dropped the tray.
"I was wondering, well, tomorrow I'll be gone for the day and my mother will be having her social tea. If you could kindly keep Juliette company, I would be in your debt. You're both around the same age and I'm sure she'd be grateful for someone to talk to."
"I...sure, I'd be happy to." she tried not to sound nervous.
"Thank you, I'll go tell her now." when he left the room, Paula suddenly stopped shaking. What was it about him that made her so nervous? she thought.
Was it the fact that she was just a servant? It couldn’t be, as she never felt this way with his mother. Well, he was a desperately handsome man, a big difference from the aging Mrs. Richards. Putting her thoughts aside, she went into the kitchen. Not able to go back into the room, she remained seated at the kitchen table for a while. All she could think about was what she had just gotten herself into. Juliette was so elegant and refined. She was so plain and boring. ‘Oh, Lord’, she prayed, ‘give me strength.’
"Paula,” said Mrs. Richards, “I've noticed you seemed very different today. Is something wrong?"
"No, not at all." She tried to put on a happy smile, and didn’t realize it looked a little lopsided.
"Alright, if you say so."
It was later on in the day, and Paula decided to take Mrs. Richards for a walk, leaving Phillip and his guest alone.
Thankful she got off the subject, Paula put her mind on something else.
“Aren’t the flowers lovely this time of year? The pinks and yellows, blues and oranges. What a display of color God combines. Such exquisite artistry. Like the earth is a big easel and God’s hand a paintbrush.”
“What a way of putting it.” Mrs. Richards chuckled, “You haven’t asked about Juliette. You two will get along splendid tomorrow. She’s quite a charming young lady. Reminds me a lot of you.”
"Why, thank you....So, how was your time with Juliette?"
"Splendid. I like her."
"That's nice. Any wedding bells in the future?" Why was she so suddenly interested in Phillip's affairs?
"I'm not sure. They seem to be in love, but who knows. Phillip did mention something to me about marriage. It's too bad his father couldn't be here to meet her. He'd certainly approve."
"When is he returning from his trip?"
"In a few weeks."
"Well, maybe he'll be able to meet her then, and by that time, they'll be engaged." Paula suggested. Did she want them to be engaged? Was it any of her business?
"Yes, I suppose. What about you, my dear Paula. Do you have someone special in your life?" she stopped walking and turned to face Paula, who quickly looked down at the ground.
"I don’t suppose it's love, but every time he walks into the room, my stomach gets this funny feeling, and my heart pounds inside my chest. I sometimes feel unable to breath, for fear the wrong words would escape." when she realized she had a dreamy look on her face and her hand on her chest, she quickly composed herself, thankful Mrs. Richards hadn't noticed.
"That's certainly sounds like love. When I met my husband, I knew the moment I saw him, he was the one I would marry. How long have you known this fellow?"
She quickly cleared her throat, "Not long, really.”
"Are you courting him?"
"Oh, no. I don't even know if he likes me."
"Who is he?" Mrs. Richards had always been a romantic.
"Who is he?" she suddenly stopped short.
"Yes, is there something wrong? Why, you look as if you've seen a ghost." she followed Paula's gaze and saw that Phillip was coming towards them.
Paula's mind quickly recovered, "I'm going to get your shawl, it's getting chilly out here." she walked away, but was stopped by Juliette.
"Paula, I look forward to tomorrow." she smiled sweetly, her arm linked with Phillip's.
"Oh, me too." she said, then ran towards the house.
"Where did Paula run off to this time?" Phillip asked.
"Oh, she just went to go get my shawl. What brings you out here?"
"I wanted to show Juliette around. She wants to see the horses."
"You like to ride?" Mrs. Richards asked.
"Oh, yes, I do it almost every day."
"Sounds like me at your age."
Phillip cut in, "You should hear some of her stories. My mother was a wild, rebellious one."
"Really? You seem so kind, quiet and reserved." Juliette stated.
"Oh, no, I was always doing something mischievous." they laughed. "Where is that girl? It doesn't take that long to get a shawl." Mrs. Richards looked towards the house, not knowing there were two eyes peeking down from the bedroom.
"Are you cold, mother?"
"A little."
"Here, take my coat then." he took his own coat off and wrapped it around his mother's shoulders.
"Thank you, dear."
"Paula, I waited quite some time for my shawl. What were you doing?" Mrs. Richards said as she entered the front door, spotting Paula putting her coat on.
"I'm sorry, one of the maids needed my help." she thought quickly. Her movements were stalled when she saw Phillip and Juliette enter right behind Mrs. Richards.
"Oh...are you leaving?"
"Yes..." she quickly concentrated on buttoning her coat, "It's six o'clock. I must return home and prepare dinner."
"Of course. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes, tomorrow." another day to meet Phillip and make a fool of myself, she thought. As she walked out the door, she quickly remember Phillip wouldn't be there and she would be the one to entertain Juliette. How was she going to do that?
"Goodnight, Paula." A deep voice said.
"Goodnight, Phillip." she replied, "Juliette."
"See you tomorrow." Juliette's sweet voice piped in.
Yes, tomorrow.
