Chapter 8 Cynthia
Cynthia
“Is that what you’re going to wear?” Pauline asked, looking her up and down as Cynthia joined her on the porch. “I want you to make a good impression on Glenn, if he’s arrived in town yet.”
Cynthia smoothed her hands down along the front of her beach cover-up, noticing her nails could do with a manicure. “Aren’t we just going swimming? How much more dressed up do I need to be?”
Pauline put her hands on her hips and tipped her head to one side.
“I suppose if you just add a little bit of lipstick, you’ll do.
You’re pretty enough not to need to worry too much about what you wear.
” She opened a drawer in her dressing table and pulled out a swivel tube.
“Here, try this one on. It’ll go great with your coloring.
” Pauline winked at her and held out the lipstick.
Even though it seemed silly to put on makeup before going for a swim, Cynthia took the tube from Pauline’s outstretched hands and rolled up the color.
It was a bit more daring than her usual shade of pale pink, but she supposed that Pauline knew more about what was acceptable in her crowd than she did.
Besides, it was the perfect time to try something new.
After all, she was out from under the watchful eye of both her mother and the college matron who scowled at girls wearing skirts that were too short or too much makeup.
The matron even complained if a girl wore more than three pieces of jewelry at once, including a wristwatch.
Pauline pulled a compact from her bag and opened it.
Cynthia leaned towards the mirror and touched the tip of the lipstick to her slightly parted lips.
Pauline had been right, of course. The berry-colored hue went surprisingly well with her complexion.
She had gotten a bit of sun since the weather had warmed, and a smattering of freckles had begun to show across the bridge of her nose.
She thought of her mother once again, who did not hold with such things. Not the lipstick, nor the freckles.
“Tell me more about Glenn. Why are you so eager for the two of us to meet?” Cynthia asked.
Pauline held up one of her slim hands, her nails perfectly manicured.
She raised her index finger. “One, his mother is hell-bent on marrying him off. She’s at least as determined as my own.
Two, he’s quite decent looking.” Pauline held up a third finger.
“Three, his family is richer than mine. And that’s saying something. ”
“If he’s such a catch, why aren’t you interested in him?” Cynthia asked. It was a good question. Pauline had mentioned Glenn off and on in the two years they’d been roommates, but never in a romantic way. Cynthia hoped there was nothing worrisome about him.
“I think it’s because my mother has always hoped the two of us would end up together.
Not that Mother is a bad sort, but it’s not my intention to let her make every decision about my life.
Besides, I have my eye on Kenneth Harrington.
” Pauline took back the lipstick and placed it in her vanity drawer.
“Let’s be off, then, shall we? We’ve got a husband to find for you. ”