| |
THE FORDYCE BATHHOUSE, the grandest one in town, stood in the center of Bathhouse Row, on the government reservation adjoining the Grand Entrance. Of course this was where Uncle James had booked treatments for his wife. Only the best would do for Aunt Margaret.
Uncle James determined they would walk to the bathhouse before their appointment with the director. Since he'd scheduled a morning appointment, the August heat had not yet reached its peak. So the walk was pleasant enough.
Bethany enjoyed taking in the colorful flowers and the tweeting of birds in the trees while walking behind her aunt and uncle as they discussed what to tell the doctor about her aunt's condition. Tired of hearing about Aunt Margaret's illness and fascinated with the many other things that caught her attention, she tuned them out.
As they passed several other bathhouses, patrons headed inside to take the cure. That seemed to be the phrase on everyone's lips. If only these treatments would cure her aunt, then life would become less difficult for all of them.
They reached the front of the building, where stairs and a concrete ramp for patrons in wheelchairs led to a covered porch lined with chairs. Several patrons made their way indoors as Aunt Margaret came to a complete stop on the sidewalk.
“Dear me,” she said. “I just don't know about this. I'm feeling dizzy.”
“All the more reason to get you inside quickly.” Uncle James grasped her by the arm. “Perhaps the walk was too much exertion for you.”
Bethany wanted to roll her eyes. Their leisurely stroll from the Arlington in the morning air could hardly have been called strenuous. As usual, her aunt's symptoms worsened right before she went in to see the doctor.
Uncle James had never given any indication that he had noticed this phenomenon. He simply carried on as he was now, making sure his wife got in to see the doctor.
Bethany followed them into the lobby on the first floor and looked about. Walls of veined Italian marble rose from the floor covered with beautiful tiles, and staircases of pink marble led up to the second floor and down to the basement. A cherub fountain sat at each end of the lobby, and the stained glass over the transom windows depicted lotus blossoms. The bronze casted words beneath them read, May health and happiness accompany you all the days of your life.
Uncle James removed his hat before giving their names to the red headed woman at the front desk.
“Yes,” she said. “Doctor Frederick is expecting you. I'll let him know you're here.”
“Thank you.” Uncle James nodded, and the woman stepped away from the desk. As the three of them waited in silence, the strains of piano music drifted down the stairs.
The woman returned, accompanied by Doctor Frederick.
“Mr. and Mrs. Robinson.” The doctor held out his hand. “I'm Dr. Frederick. Pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Uncle James said as the two of them shook hands.
“Please step into my office,” the doctor said once they were done. “We'll discuss your wife's treatments.”
The three of them followed him into the room.
“Please take a seat.” He gestured to the chairs across from his desk and then walked behind it to sit.
Once they settled into their seats, he pulled out a piece of paper and laid it on his desk.
“First, I'll tell you about our facility and regimens, and then we'll discuss Mrs. Robinson's treatments.”
“I've read all the pamphlets,” Aunt Margaret said. “I'm anxious to hear more.”
“Very good,” Uncle James said.
“The bathing regimen is this: Twenty minutes in the whirlpool tub bath, with thermal water for drinking, followed by ten minutes in the sitz bath. We don't recommend the vapor cabinet for first time bathers, but you may use it during later treatments. Your attendant will draw fresh water for each bath and scrub your body with a loofah bath mitt. In between treatments, she'll wrap you in a sheet.
“In the pack room, the attendant will wrap you in steaming towels before you rest on your cot. A needle shower comes next, to cool your body after the hot packs. Then you must rest for at least thirty minutes in the cooling room until your body temperature returns to normal. If you're having a massage, you'll go to the massage room instead.
“We are very proud of our hydrotherapeutic room. It is equipped with the latest medical equipment such as sun-ray cabinets for dry heat, frigid cabinets, devices for sprays, douches, Sitz baths, electric baths, and so forth.
“For Mrs. Robinson, I recommend thirty minutes in the sun-ray cabinet, followed by time in the frigid cabinet. We will also start her electric bath treatments within a day or two, once I see how she's progressing.”
“Whatever you believe is best,” Uncle James said. “I just want her to get well.”
“We also have a Chiropody room and an Electro and Mechando therapy room on the second floor. Our gymnasium is on the third floor; it's open to both men and women. Don't be surprised if you run into a prizefighter or baseball player. We have all the latest equipment and treatments, and many athletes come here to train.”
“Our assembly room, the ladies' parlor, and the music room are also on the third floor on the south side of the building. The gentleman's billiard room and parlor are on the north. When you finish with your treatments, you may wish to enjoy the social activities here.”
He walked them out of his office and back to the front desk.
“When you arrive for each treatment, you will register here and the desk clerk will place your valuables inside one of our lock boxes.” He gestured toward the brass boxes behind the desk. “She'll give you a numbered key to keep with you until you return for your things.”
Uncle James nodded.
“At this point, ladies and gentlemen must part,” the doctor continued. “Ladies enter on the south side of the building, while men enter on the north side. I cannot take you any further today, as I have another appointment this morning, so your attendants will take over once you enter the bathhouse.”
“Mr. Robinson, once you enter, you should wrap your sheet around your body like a toga and sit on one of the marble benches by the fountain. You may sip mineral water while you wait.”
He set a standing appointment at one o'clock every day for her aunt, prescribed a series of treatments, and assigned her an attendant.
Bethany hoped the doctor didn't expect her to accompany her aunt each day. She would have nothing to do but sit and read in the music room unless they allowed her to take a treatment, too, and she had nothing wrong with her. Other than, of course, her aunt and uncle refusing to allow her to run around with other girls her age, or heaven forbid, boys. She didn't need any treatments, but her aunt sure did.
Unfortunately, the doctor convinced her uncle that the baths would benefit everyone, including Bethany, and recommended that she have a treatment today, along with her aunt. Then tomorrow, Aunt Margaret would continue the treatments by herself. Uncle James would have a treatment today as well.
They signed in at the desk, locked away their valuables and then Bethany and her aunt entered the south side of the building where a female attendant greeted them.
Bethany had never taken the baths, as everyone called it, so she wasn't sure what to expect. Doctor Frederick had explained everything to Uncle James and Aunt Margaret, but Bethany had been too busy thinking of how to make her plan work to take in the details.
“I am Helga,” the attendant said. “You are Bethany, ya?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Follow me please.”
After disrobing down to her corset, Bethany allowed Helga to unlace her and then continued undressing. She placed her clothing in the storage area and followed Helga to a private room with a bathtub. As she stepped into the deep white tub, the heat of the water overwhelmed her. Helga handed her a cup of water to drink, but the water was also hot. Still, she followed directions and drank all of it. When Helga came in and scrubbed Bethany's back with a loofah, she wasn't sure what to think... but it felt good.
“You have the pink cheeks, ya?” Without waiting for an answer, Helga put down the loofah and held out her hand. “Time to be out.”
“Yes.” Bethany took Helga's hand and stood. Dizziness swept over her. “Oh, goodness.”
“Step down now. I wrap the towel. Then you start cooling down.”
Holding tight to Helga's hand, Bethany stepped on the small stool and then onto the floor. Helga wrapped a sheet around her and led her to a lounge chair in the next room.
Bethany lay back on the lounge, and Helga wrapped hot towels around her body. Then she placed a cold, wet cloth on Bethany's forehead and handed her more water to drink.
“You drink this, ya? This will help to cool you down.”
This time, the water was cooler. Once Bethany finished drinking it, Helga unwrapped her, led her into another small room, and gave her a massage.
Every little bit of tension left Bethany's body. She had never felt so good.
Tonight they were having dinner at the Arlington with a businessman Uncle James knew, a Mr. Rivalde. Yet even the idea of a long, boring evening listening to the two men talk business didn't bother Bethany now. She felt like floating, she was so relaxed.
Afterward, she dressed and waited for her aunt in the music room. She sat listening to a woman play the piano and taking in the sunshine pouring through the stained glass windows overhead that bathed the whole area in a golden glow.
*****
“YOU'LL WANT TO WEAR your best dress tonight, dear.” Aunt Margaret pinched Bethany's cheek. “The pink one should bring out the color in your cheeks.”
Weren't her cheeks already pink enough? She was still flushed from taking her bath.
“I was gonna wear that one on my birthday.”
“Your birthday isn't until Sunday.” Aunt Margaret walked over to where Bethany had laid three of her best dresses across the bed. “Perhaps we can do a little shopping and purchase a new dress for that occasion.”
“That would be nice.” A new dress was bound to have more modern styling. At least a drop waist. Besides, Bethany hadn't had a new dress in well over a year. The seamstress who made their dresses always listened to Aunt Margaret and never to Bethany when it was time to select fabrics and patterns. A modern store-bought dress would be a real treat. How exciting.
She held down her excitement, however, knowing that if she showed too much of it her aunt would likely become suspicious and might even change her mind about the dress. Better to never show too much excitement over anything.
She stepped into the bathroom to brush her teeth and comb out her long hair.
“When you're ready, I'll do your hair.”
“Thank you, Aunt Margaret.”
When Bethany came out freshened and powdered, Aunt Margaret held out Bethany's corset and said, “Turn around.”
Once her aunt fit the corset around her, she turned and waited for Aunt Margaret to lace her up and then tighten the corset. Aunt Margaret tightened it, and then tightened it some more, until Bethany reached for the wall with a rising sense of panic. She was even more lightheaded than she had been at the bathhouse.
“Goodness, Aunt Margaret.” She could hardly breathe. Aunt Margaret had never tied it so tight before.
Aunt Margaret yanked on the laces again and tightened the corset even more. “Uncle James wants us to look our best tonight.”
So lightheaded she could barely stand, Bethany rested her head against the wall.
“There.” Aunt Margaret stood in front of her, pulled her upright, and then looked her over. “Perfect.”
“You've tied it too tight.”
Aunt Margaret sucked in a hiss.
Oh, no. What have I done? Daring to criticize Aunt Margaret is always a mistake.
“Small breaths. Small portions.” Aunt Margaret narrowed her eyes. “If you wouldn't eat so much, you wouldn't have this problem.” She turned away from Bethany and walked across the room. “I'm not raising a little fatty.”
Bethany closed her eyes, and her stomach churned. Aunt Margaret hadn't called her the nickname she hated most in a long time. She suddenly lost her appetite.
Still in a lightheaded daze, Bethany let her aunt help her into her dress, then sat on a chair while Aunt Margaret pinned up her waist length blonde hair. The pins scratched her scalp, but she barely noticed as her aunt pinned and twisted and pinned and twisted. The weight of all that hair piled upon her head, the force with which her aunt worked, and the August heat hovering in the room caused her head to ache. The headache grew worse as the heat and weight descended upon her.
When her aunt was done, Bethany remained seated. She was so hot and lightheaded, she wasn't sure she could move.
“Get up,” Aunt Margaret said. “You mustn't make us late.”
Bethany stood, feeling as if she were walking in a fog.
“This is a significant dinner.” Aunt Margaret gave her a sharp tap on the shoulder with one finger. “I want you on your best behavior.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
By the way her aunt and uncle referred to it, Bethany decided the merger must be very important to Uncle James. She would do everything she could to help. Right now, however, she stood in silence. Taking a deep breath hurt. She had no idea how she would eat.
Her aunt left her alone and went to finish getting ready. Bethany stood by the window, hoping for a breeze so she could get more air. The room was warm, and a lingering lightheadedness drew her to the fresh air. Soon it was time to go, and they headed downstairs.
Uncle James placed her hand on his arm in the elevator when she swayed as it started to move. “Time for you to eat something, young lady. I can't have my best girl wasting away.”
Bethany sent him a smile she didn't feel and said nothing.
“Why, yes,” Aunt Margaret said. “We can't have that.”
Bethany wanted to roll her eyes but didn't. If her uncle only knew. When it came to her aunt, he only saw what he wanted to see.
The elevator opened, and they stepped out and headed for the dining room.
A well-dressed, heavyset man with brown hair and a mustache waited by the dining room door. He appeared to be near Uncle James' age. His eyes lit upon them, and he smiled.
Uncle James went up to him, urging Bethany along with him, with Aunt Margaret on the other side.
“May I introduce my wife Margaret?”
The other man took Margaret's hand.
“Margaret, this is Mr. Richard Rivalde.”
“Yes.” Mr. Rivalde kissed the back of Aunt Margaret's hand. “Delighted to meet you.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you at last. I've heard so much about you.”
“All good, I hope.”
“More than good.” Aunt Margaret gave him her most charming smile.
“And this is my niece Bethany Robinson,” Uncle James said.
Mr. Rivalde turned to Bethany, and his eyes widened. “Charming. My dear, you are breathtaking.”
His appraising blue gaze made her stomach flip, and a wave of dizziness swept over her as he reached for her hand. Yet her manners kicked in, and she gave him a smile.
“Pleased to meet you, sir.”
“The pleasure is mine.” He grasped her fingertips, raised her hand to his lips, and kissed the back of it, his eyes on her face all the while. The motion seemed to take forever, and the room was much too hot.
He finally released her, but not before she noted the clamminess of his fingers. She wanted nothing more than to visit the powder room so that she could wash her hands, splash water on her neck and cheeks, and loosen her tight corset. Unfortunately, the headwaiter walked over and ushered them to their table before she could excuse herself.
The table reserved for them stood in the far corner of the dining room where they would have more privacy. Once the headwaiter seated the ladies, the men took their seats.
A pianist in the corner played classical music accented by the tinkle of glasses and silverware and the muted voices of the other diners.
Bethany was dizzy, and her head felt hot and heavy. She wanted nothing more than to go upstairs, undress, and climb into her bed so everyone would leave her alone. Yet she accepted the menu the white-gloved waiter handed her and forced herself to focus on the listings.
“This is nice,” Aunt Margaret said. “Mr. Rivalde, do you enjoy classical music?”
“Very much so.”
“Bethany has done beautifully with her piano lessons. I do enjoy listening to her play Chopin.”
“How charming.” Mr. Rivalde laid his menu on the table and focused his attention on Bethany. “I would love to hear you play.”
Bethany frowned. She didn't like being the center of attention. All she wanted was to find something on the menu that wouldn't make her nervous stomach even more topsy turvey.
“Bethany, Mr. Rivalde is addressing you,” Aunt Margaret said in a chiding tone.
Bethany forced her frown away. “Excuse me. I was absorbed in the menu.”
“What type of music is your favorite?” Mr. Rivalde again turned his strong blue gaze upon her.
She met his eyes. “My favorite type of music is jazz.”
“Bethany, jazz is the devil's music. How scandalous of you. I will not have it in the house.” Aunt Margaret placed her hand on her chest. “Mr. Rivalde, I assure you, she isn't serious. I don't know where she's even heard such music.”
“Bethany, remember your aunt's condition,” Uncle James said. “Teasing her with talk like that isn't kind.”
“We didn't give you piano lessons for you to throw it all away on jazz.” Aunt Margaret said the word as if it left a bad taste in her mouth.
Mr. Rivalde turned to Bethany. “Do you play jazz?”
“No, sir.” Bethany's face heated, and she figured it had to be the color of a tomato. “I don't.”
“Well,” he said with a chuckle. “I can see that you like to tease your aunt. And please, there's no need for you to call me sir. We're all friends here, I hope.” He glanced at Uncle James. “And soon to be partners.”
“Yes indeed, Richard.” Uncle James beamed. “We can do away with the formalities now, I believe.”
“Excellent, James.”
The waiter arrived to take their order just as another waiter delivered a bottle of champagne to the next table.
“James,” Aunt Margaret said. “Did you see that?”
“Yes, dear. Hot Springs is different from other parts of the country. The police turn a blind eye to drinking here.”
“If you're celebrating a special occasion,” the waiter said, “we can make allowances.”
“Heavens, no.” Shock covered Aunt Margaret's face.
“She's right. It's a bit early for our celebration,” Mr. Rivalde said. “Should we change our minds, we'll let you know.”
The waiter nodded and filled their water glasses.
“Prohibition is the best thing that happened in this country. The drunkenness that goes on even now, when those who drink can be arrested... you have no idea. They should all be thrown in jail.” Aunt Margaret pursed her lips for a moment, and then continued, “Some of them even show up on Sunday for church after carousing all night.”
“Isn't church the best place for sinners, Aunt Margaret?” Bethany couldn't help but speak up. “Doesn't the Bible say—”
“I'm fully behind the eighteenth amendment,” Uncle James said, cutting her off. “Richard, I assure you, you won't find a drop of whiskey in my house.” He harrumphed as if that were his final word.
“Good,” Mr. Rivalde said. “I'm glad that Bethany hasn't been corrupted by liquor passing through her lips like so many young women her age have been.”
“Bethany has always been a well behaved girl.” Aunt Margaret nodded, exchanging glances with Mr. Rivalde. “A proper lady. She will make someone a fine wife. She simply needs firm direction.”
“Bethany is a lovely young woman,” Mr. Rivalde said. “Any man would be honored to have her by his side.”
Bethany frowned. Why must they talk about me as if I'm not here? And why is Aunt Margaret trying to play matchmaker? This is not good.
“The young woman is right here, however, and able to speak for herself,” Mr. Rivalde continued. “Bethany, perhaps you would like to order first.”
“Oh, I—” Surprised he'd taken up for her, Bethany hesitated. She smiled at him. “Yes. Thank you, Richard. I would like the consommé, followed by the spring salad. And for the main course, I'll have the roasted chicken with a side of asparagus.”
“Thank you, Miss. And for you, madam?” The waiter moved on to Aunt Margaret.
Bethany folded her hands in her lap and waited while the others ordered. For once, she would have more than half a chicken breast. If I can stand to eat it while wearing this wretched corset. Maybe they'll let me take what's left of the chicken to the room to have later.
Mr. Richard Rivalde was a nice man. At least he was interested in what she had to say. She sent him thoughts of thankfulness along with another smile.
He sent back a strong, confident smile of his own. He seemed capable enough to take on anyone, even Aunt Margaret. He might prove to be a good friend.
When dinner finally ended and they all stood in the foyer once again, Mr. Rivalde turned to Bethany.
“Would you like to attend a showing of The Sheikh with me? It opens here Friday night.”
“Yes, I'd love to,” she said. “I've been wanting to see it.”
“Excellent. With your uncle's permission, of course.”
“Of course you have my blessing,” Uncle James said, beaming. “Richard, I'd like to discuss the merger with you tomorrow. What time is good for you?”
“A breakfast meeting suits me. I have other business to attend to later in the day.”
“Very well. Breakfast it is, then.”
Bethany was glad to help bring about the merger Uncle James wanted so much. If going to a movie with Mr. Rivalde would help that along, all the better. Aunt Margaret hadn't raised a word against Bethany seeing the movie or going out with Mr. Rivalde. Probably because she was trying to play matchmaker.
This was working out well. Uncle James would see his merger go through. Aunt Margaret was being more pleasant than she'd been in a long time, and Bethany would get to see the movie she'd longed to see.
Hot Springs was a lovely town. Perhaps taking the baths had already improved Aunt Margaret's health, if she was being so pleasant.
With three more days until Bethany would go to the movie with Mr. Rivalde, she still had plenty of time to carry out her plan. By then, her birthday would only be a couple of days away.