The Victoria Era

Talking to Henrietta

When I arrived I saw Raven and Caleb talking passionately outside the shop. "I assume you are here for the very reason I am!" I panted.
"Yes. Will you try to convince her to come tonight?" Raven said.
"That is my mission! Where is she?" I said looking in the window of the shop.
"No luck, Miss Raven?" James said catching up to me.
"No luck." She said sadly.
"I thought that would happen..." James said.
"I must get her immediately! Raven, I shall handle this. Prepare yourself for an evening of joy! Go home and get ready!" I said excited.
"Good luck, Miss Grace!" James said. I nodded and burst into the shop.
"Miss Clarissa!" Henrietta said her head snapping to attention. "What a pleasant surprise. Is anything the matter?"
"Henrietta!" I yelled seeing her. "Oh, everything! You must away with me immediately! We must talk in the utmost private and now! Make haste! Let's go!"
"Come, let us talk upstairs in the dormitory. All the other girls are working." She led me away and sat me on a bed. She pulled up a chair. "What's got you all worked up, Miss?" She said worriedly.
"Madam, I now know your story and I understand the fear you hold for parties but I have come to tell you your fears are petty and irrational. Come to the ball, history will not repeat itself and to move on you must face your fears head on. The ball is just a ball but what it represents to you is so much more. You should not come for us you should come for yourself. I know deep down this will only end well for you." I said so fast I needed to take a few breathes to not suffocate.
She paled with anger. "Who told you? Who told you of me?! Was it James?!?!" She yelled.
"Henrietta!" I held her by the shoulders. "Does it really matter? The point is I know the pain you felt and the only aid will come from this ball. You will regret it if you don't go."
She pushed away. "I know of regrets, Miss Clarissa! Do NOT speak to me of regrets! Every day that I am living is a regret! I've felt more pain in the past year of my life than anyone should feel. And I swear to God that if I step foot into that bloody ball I will die! And if The Lord decides to not take pity on me and to not take my life right then and there, then I shall do it myself! You are my very dearest friend, Miss Clarissa, but you may not go behind my back, you may not tell of my past, and you will not tell me how to live my life! Have I made myself clear?!"
"Henrietta," I said so calm it was eerie. "you know I would never do anything like what you have just described to you or anyone. The reason I ask, not demand, you to consider going is that you have spoken the truth. You are living a life if regrets but does that not grow tiresome to you? Isn't time you thought about breaking free from the past and letting the future guide you. At this point, I do not think words from my mouth would bring you there so I will go and I will leave you to your work. Know though if you do not come my heart will ache for you because that means you are not ready to move from the past. I do not want a friend who cannot see the beauty around her. Good day, Miss Henriette, I do hope to see you but if I do not I will not be surprised." With a delicate turn I left the room. I came out to the expectant faces of James, Raven, and Caleb. " I do not know of her answer we will just have to see what she does and what happening take place." I said trying to remain my cool.
"Yes. Miss Grace, how did she seem? She worries me so..." James said nervously.
"Worrisome. C'est la vie. We must move forward; if she comes, she comes but if not we still will have a wonderful evening. Let us pray she comes but let us not weep if her past restrains her." I said firmly.
"Oh, Miss Grace, what will I do? Nothing makes sense to her. All we can do now is get ready and pray. What have I done?" James moaned burying his face in his cap.
"Oh, woe!" Raven sighed.
I hugged James. "You have seen nothing; your sister is just unready and scared."
"I'm sorry it turned out this way. But I must be going. I appreciate all that you've done! Hopefully, I'll see you all tonight... and perhaps in a much more spirited way. Good evening!" He tipped his hat and ran off.
"Good boy…" I said watching him go. I started home with Caleb comforting me softly.