20. Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty
Jane had not realized how small and contained her life had been until that day. Again, Eddie drove, this time taking his place behind the wheel of a Packard. It was smaller than the Rolls-Royce, but still sleek and elegant. Had she not been impersonating Jacquelyn, she would have stopped to inspect the silver hood ornament depicting a winged boy. Alas, she had to pretend that all of this luxury was something she’d encountered many times before. She feigned indifference and followed Eddie’s lead, stepping up on the running board and getting into the back seat while he held the door for her.
Eddie started up the engine. “Downtown Milwaukee, here we come!”
From the front passenger seat, David turned to look at her. “I assume you want to go to Boston Store? That’s your favorite. ”
Before Jane could answer, Eddie chimed in. “We already talked about this and decided Gimbels would have a better selection for gifts.”
“That’s right,” Jane said quietly. She wasn’t familiar with either store, but she trusted Eddie’s opinion.
Gimbels turned out to be the perfect choice. It had everything the girls had dreamt of, all in one place. She hadn’t known a store could be this big or this elegant. Beautifully clad salesgirls stood behind glass cases filled with jewelry and cosmetics, waiting for customers who needed help. The Christmas decorations went beyond anything she could have imagined. Silver Christmas trees had an abundance of shiny ornaments. Twinkling lights were strung along the counters. On every wall was a differently decorated wreath, each one as large as a wagon wheel. In the background, Christmas music played as if the store was filled with hidden radios all set to the same station.
If not for Eddie and David, Jane wouldn’t have known what to do. Eddie steered them toward the toy and novelty department. Before they could even begin, a helpful young salesclerk had offered her services. If Jane had been by herself, she would have declined, but David said, “Yes, we do need some help. We’ll be buying dozens of gifts that will have to be delivered to Whitefish Bay immediately after we purchase them.”
“That won’t be a problem at all, Mr. Sheridan,” she said.
They know who he is? Jane felt like she was traveling with royalty or movie stars. Surely this was the kind of treatment John Barrymore and Charlie Chaplin received when they were out in public .
David had a list of the girls’ names and ages, not that Jane would have needed them, but still it was helpful, since he checked them off as she found gifts for each one. The salesclerk, who introduced herself as Rose, followed in their tracks, taking note of all her choices. Jane felt such joy imagining how each child would feel upon getting her gift. She chose dolls for most of the little girls and toiletry sets for some of the older ones. Each toiletry set came in a leather case and included a comb and brush, items for a manicure, and a hand mirror with an enameled back and handle. All of it was so beautiful she could have cried. “It’s not too expensive?” she asked David, who broke into a grin.
“Not at all,” he said.
When she saw a toy resembling a Model T, she knew it would be perfect for Ruth, who always commented on automobiles on their walks to school.
“You sure?” David asked.
“Yes,” Jane said. “It’s just right.”
For Dorothy, an aspiring writer, she picked a leather-bound notebook that came with a fancy pen. Oh, she hoped she would be there when Dorothy opened her gift! For Lilian, who had a talent with a sewing needle, she chose a sewing kit. And for Florence, a cross necklace just like the one she talked about her grandma wearing. Jane knew that having it would bring Florence comfort and make her feel closer to her departed grandmother.
Each girl was sure to be delighted with her gift .
Jane’s heart expanded with every choice. She didn’t think she could be any happier until Eddie said, “What about the two young ladies who work there? I think their names are Jane and Mary?” He cocked his head to one side as if trying to recall.
“Yes,” David said, consulting the list. “Jane Shaw and Mary Howard. Both of them grew up in the girls’ home and are now employed there, caring for the younger ones.”
Jane would have said no to her own gift, but she desperately wanted to get something for Mary. Cautiously, she said, “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“I myself think it’s an excellent idea.” Eddie gave her that impish grin she found completely endearing.
They wound up at the glove counter in another part of the store. She tried on pair after pair, all of them made with the softest leather. She finally settled on a black pair that had tiny pearl buttons at each wrist. David made sure to tell the clerk they wanted two pairs, one for her and one for Mary.
When they were finished shopping, David took care of the payment and delivery arrangements while she and Eddie waited off to the side. “Will all of the presents fit in the car?” she asked him.
Eddie said, “If not, we can always take two vehicles.”
“You would drive two cars so far from home?”
“Of course. Unless you have another idea?” He took a step closer and studied her face.
“No, I think that’s fine. It just seems like a lot of trouble and expense for gasoline. ”
He laughed. “You don’t need to worry about that. The Sheridans can well afford it.”
What a world the Sheridans lived in! No matter the problem, it could be easily solved. Jane knew money didn’t buy happiness, but having access to it sure made life easier.
As they walked out to the car, Eddie said, “What about a stop at the candy shop? We can pick up a few boxes of assorted chocolates as a treat for the girls.”
David studied Jane’s reaction carefully. “What do you say?”
“I think that’s a fine idea.” Secretly, she thought it was more than fine. Eddie seemed to instinctively know what would make this the best Christmas ever for a group of girls he didn’t even know. After today, she’d probably never see him again, which was a shame, since she was getting awfully fond of having him around.