Her hair was worn below the shoulders, falling in soft curls around her face, with straight bangs across her forehead, providing a piquant, juvenile look.Her hair was worn below the shoulders, falling in soft curls around her face, with straight bangs across her forehead, providing a piquant, juvenile look. Missy was examining her perfect makeup, which she herself had put on earlier that day, when the voice of her aunt came through the door again. "Missy, I said come into the living room, and I meant it." Aunt Mary's voice was more urgent and Missy realized she had delayed too long before the mirror. She twirled on her heels, her skirt swirling about her legs, and in the sweet feminine walk which she had been learned over the past summer, Missy minced to the door and opened it to join her aunt and the guests for tea. As she entered the room Missy only saw her Aunt Mary clearly. The guests were seated in two wingback chairs facing the sofa from which Aunt Mary had just risen. "Missy, when I call to you I expect you to respond promptly, do you understand, young lady?" Missy halted abruptly, concerned that lingering in the foyer had made her aunt angry. "Yes ma'am, I'm very sorry. It won't happen again," Missy answered demurely, hoping to appease her aunt's temper. "Well don't just stand there child," continued Aunt Mary, "We have guests." Missy took her cue and once again began to walk towards her aunt and the two wingback chairs. She swished around the chairs to join Aunt Mary, turning towards the guests. Missy's Stepmother and stepsister rose from the chairs in unison to greet her, each wearing a smile that would light up the darkest night. Missy's blood raced and she could feel a warm flush spreading over her cheeks as her Stepmother moved forward to greet her. "Missy, you look so pretty today. Are you glad to see us?" she asked. The young girl curtsied reflexively and responded in the affirmative. Her hands now clasped together behind her back, Missy bent forward slightly at her tightly corsetted waist, so as to give her Stepmother a peck on the cheek. "Yes Mother, its very nice of you to come visit me," she softly replied. Missy's stepsister, Amanda, a year younger than Missy at fifteen, yet appearing several years older at the moment, chimed in. "What about me, little sister, don't I get a kiss too?" Missy blushed further at this invitation, and slowly walked forward to lean towards Amanda and kiss her cheek. |