Sacrifices of the Soul, Chapter 25
 

Eve was sitting outside, and Julian had just visited her. She looked down at the newspaper, and saw the announcement about the Annual Dance for TC's Alma Mater. It took her back in time.
 

[FLASHBACK]
 

Eve looked at the calendar. Her date with TC was less than a week away. Eve didn't know why this date meant so much to her, but, she hadn't been excited about anything non-school related in a long time.

But, she had to get the right dress for the occasion. TC had said that the event was black tie. She had some formal gowns, but, most of those were bought with Julian in mind. They usually only dressed up when he took her down to the resorts in the Bahamas and Bermuda. And, even then, Julian preferred her in 'sexier' dress than she believed was warranted for this occasion.

Eve knew that the only way to remedy this was a trip to Jordan Marsh. Julian had gotten her an account there, in her own name. Otherwise, she usually had to use the credit card that said 'Crane Industries' on it, and she didn't like doing that, unless it was absolutely necessary.

Eve didn't have any classes that day, nor any volunteer work at the clinic, so, it was the perfect time to go shopping. Once she got into the store, Eve went to the high-end section of the store. As usual, the White salesladies ignored her, so after a few minutes, Eve went over to them.

" Is Carol in?"

The woman looked at Eve as if she were some sort of disease.  " No. Carol will be in late today. About an hour."

Eve left the store, and went window shopping in the neighborhood, returning in about an hour and a half. Once she returned to the department, she went straight to Carol.

" Hi Carol."

" Well, Miss Wharton. Nice to see you again." Carol was the first and only Black saleswoman in that department. Once the Civil Rights movement happened, businesses had looked around and seen that their lily-White departments just weren't going to make it, and that they had better get with the political times. Carol had been working in Jordan Marsh for years, but, usually in lower - level departments. Blacks hadn't been allowed in high-end departments like this women's shop, and cosmetics until recently. But, she was 'their' saleslady- the newly empowered Blacks and other Minorities, and usually recently monied Whites, who were treated by the other staff like 'White trash'.

Carol had met Eve during the first few months on the job in this department. Eve had been reluctant to go shopping, all those years ago, until Julian asked her why she seemed to have the same clothes everytime he saw her.

" Because, I haven't gone shopping."

" Why not?", Julian asked.

" The card says 'Crane Industries.' "

" Doesn't matter what the card says, you are authorized to use it."

" I don't feel comfortable, Julian."

" Well, we'll change that."

Julian grabbed Eve's hand and they went into the limo. When they got to Jordan Marsh, he took her to the best department in the store. Eve got more and more panicked with every step. Julian was about to go up to one of the White saleswomen when Eve had spotted Carol.

" Her, Julian!", Eve said pointing to Carol.

Julian didn't know what the big deal was, but, he went over to Carol. " Excuse me. Do you work in this department?"

" Yes, Sir."

" Good. I'm Julian Crane. " Julian points to Eve. " My friend here, needs a new wardrobe. You can help her, can't you?"

" Absolutely, Mr. Crane. You need not worry. Your 'friend' will be in good hands with me. I'm Carol."

" Well, Carol, thank you. She has everything you'll need for payment."

Julian brought Eve over to Carol. " Carol here, says that you're in good hands. Now, do what women do, and I'll see you later." Julian kissed her on the cheek and left.

Eve stood around, uncomfortable, until Carol took her hands. " So, what's your name?"

" Eve.", she mumbles.

" Eve what?"

" Eve Wharton."

" Well, Miss Wharton, what do you need?"

" Need?"

" What do you already have in your wardrobe?"

" I don't exactly have a wardrobe."

" So, you'll need everything. That's ok, I know this store, up and down. I'll make you that you have everything you need by the time you leave. What do you do?"

" Do?"

" With your time."

" I'm a student."

Carol didn't know if she was lying or not, but, decided to believe her. " A student? Well, that means for the most part, you'll need clothes that are comfortable, and won't need that much cleaning."

" I guess so….but, I'll need 'other things'."

" For your 'friend'. I understand, Eve. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

And that she did. By the time Eve left the store, she had everything from underwear to shoes, and anything in between. Carol made sure that to every department Eve went, she went to a friend of Carol's, who treated Eve just fine. Eve had never shopped like that in her life, and she had to admit that she loved looking at a full closet, which was an entirely new experience for her.

Julian was happy with the lingerie that Carol's friend had helped her select, so the other bills didn't bother him in the least. With all that Eve had gotten, it still didn't amount to 25% of what Ivy spent on clothes, and it was only money.

Since then, Eve had nearly exclusively shopped at Jordan Marsh and with Carol as her specific saleswoman.

Carol enjoyed seeing Eve come in. Not only was she an excellent commission, but, Carol was pleased to see the way that Eve was developing. It took the third trip to Carol by Eve, for her really to believe that she was indeed a student. Once she did believe Eve, Carol was very encouraging towards Eve. She knew what the Crane Industries credit card meant, and she thought that Eve had played it very wisely. She knew other girls that came in with similar cards, and the other saleswomen always steered them towards the most expensive things in the store. Carol thought mid-range but tasteful was the way to go, but, always got Eve to update her lingerie collection and made sure that Eve walked out that couldn't be described as anything but 'sexy' in her packages. She helped Eve select a nice wardrobe for a trip to South America that was a college graduation present from Julian.

Carol brought some of her sexier outfits to Eve, but, Eve shook her head no.

In confidence, she stepped up to Carol. " This isn't for my 'friend'. This is for a dinner dance with another gentleman. It's black tie."

Carol wanted to scream Hallelujah upon hearing Eve's news. She thought that Eve had been smart where her education was concerned, but, was still was nervous for her, because Eve didn't seem willing to 'step out' and find someone 'permanent.'. Even though Eve had made a good run of things, she knew that Julian Crane could wake up tomorrow and decide that the party was over for Eve, and where would she be? That Eve was finally looking at alternative males to her situation made Carol very happy indeed.

" A dinner dance? Black tie?"

" I want something appropriate, but, also something…well, you know.."

" Sexy and alluring."

Eve blushed. " I suppose you could say that."

" Well, then, let's get to it."

Eve and Carol spent all afternoon going through possible outfits, and Eve had chosen three. She would make the final selection later. They had gotten the appropriate jewelry and shoes for each outfit, and then Eve brought it all home. She had no idea what she would wear, and had also bought several magazines to give her possible ideas.

The rest of the week went by so fast, with classes and her clinic work. Saturday came, and Eve decided on a look that she had seen in Harper's Bazaar magazine with model Marisa Berenson. She thought that it would look good on her. She got up that morning, and went down to see Carol's friend at the Fashion Fair counter in the cosmetics department. Showing her Berenson and describing her outfit, the friend sold her the makeup that she thought would be appropriate. Eve went and got her hair done, and then returned home. She got dressed and went downstairs. As soon as she stepped out of the door at her apartment building, she saw a Lincoln Town Car drive up, and TC got out, with some roses for her.

" TC, what is this?"

" Well, this is sort of a tradition. We used to come down to Boston every year, my family did, when my Dad would come to the Ball. He always thought it was a treat for us to ride 'in style' to the dinner, and I thought, why stop the tradition?" TC motioned for Eve to get into the Town Car. She smelled the flowers that he had bought her, and they talked about the dinner.

" I hope you don't get too bored. I don't think that this year's guest speaker will be bad. He's a politician, so I think he knows how to give good speeches. I'll warn you, ahead of time that I'll be going around a lot. I'm on the national Young Alumni Board, and I've got to make the rounds."

" I'm sure everything will be ok."

They got to the hotel, and TC offered his hand to Eve as she stepped out of the car. Eve had never been to the Four Seasons, and it reeked elegance from the doorman, to the Lobby. They walked down the hall to the event, and TC guided her to the coatcheck room.

Eve was a vision. Tall, statuesque, she was wearing a black cashmere hooded coat with fur trim and collars, complete with a complimentary fur muff. Ordinarily, this would have been inappropriate considering the time of year, but, it was one of the coldest springs in history for Boston, and it was just cold enough for her coat not to raise eyebrows. She lowered the hood off her head, and handed the coat and muff to the coatcheck woman, revealing the outfit that she had chosen for the evening.

Eve didn't notice the commotion that she had begun. But, the whispering began…who was that striking young woman, with her hair in a dramatic chignon, in the black  halter top Halston dress, with the dazzling gold jewelry on her upper arm and wrists, a la a 'jungle' influence, right out of the pages of a fashion magazine.

Eve noticed TC looking at her.

" Is something wrong, TC?"

" Wrong? No. You look absolutely dazzling."

" That's nice of you to say."

" Nothing nice about stating the facts. You're the most beautiful woman here."

Eve laughed. " TC, we haven't even been in the room."

" Doesn't matter. No one can hold a candle to you." TC held out his arm. " Shall we, Miss Wharton."

Eve took his arm, and they entered the ballroom, stopping at the Registration Table. TC got their table assignment, and they went further into the ballroom.

Eve had never seen anything like it. There were at least a thousand people there, Eve thought; the newspaper tomorrow would report nearly thirteen hundred at the event. One thousand, three hundred people, filling the room.

What stunned Eve is that they were all Black. Well, nearly all Black. She had never been in a room where everyone was so well dressed. Elegant, refined women, in fine jewelry and clothes that looked straight out of the best boutiques in Boston. The gentlemen, all dressed in tuxedos. There were a handful of White guests, but, this was a Black Affair. Eve looked at the banner over the Dais:

Morehouse College Northeast Annual Alumni Ball

" Morehouse?"

TC laughed. "I can't believe that I didn't tell you about my college years. Yes, Morehouse. It's in Atlanta. All male."

" All male?"

" Yep. Come on, let's find our table."

They found their table and were introduced to the other people at the table:
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the College, who informed Eve that he had known TC since he was a small boy, considering that he had known TC's father.

Then there was a professor of English from Morehouse, from the Boston area, who had flown in for the event.

A lawyer who lived in Brookline that Eve had seen occasionally in the papers, because he took on major Civil Rights' cases in the Boston area.

And finally, an elderly couple, the man whose face Eve didn't recognize, but, his name, she definitely recognized as one of the leading Black Teaching Doctors in the country. She knew from the research that she had done on the Tuskegee Veterans Administration Hospital as an assignment for one of the two Black professors at Harvard. He had given the assignment only  to the Black students in his classes - he wanted them to know those who had paved the way for them.

All of the gentlemen had beautiful, elegant wives, and she realized soon that they all had the same Alma Mater, Spelman College, which TC explained was the Sister School to Morehouse across the road from them.

They were very inquisitive towards Eve. Eve was surprised by how many people knew TC for him to be a young man. They had people constantly coming over to him, making their acquaintance. Over and over she heard,
 

" Oh, TC, your father and I.."

" Oh, TC, your mother and I.."

" I've known your parents since.."

" How is your mother?"

" Will you been joining us this summer?"

" You don't know me, but, I'm 'soingso's' (your classmate) father, and he told me to tell you hi."
 

When the program began, the Chairman of the board took his place on the dais, and they went through the night's festivities. There were welcomes, acknowledgements, awards for the Best Alumni Boosters, of which TC was one. One of the White Gentlemen was Chairman of the Ford Foundation, which had given Morehouse a very generous donation during the past year. They took a break after dinner, and Eve went with a couple of the women to the restroom for a 'powder break'.

As Eve waited for the other women in the outer powder room, she decided to do some 'touching up' with her makeup. She listened in as a group of sexily attired young women came to do the same.

" So, do you think this has been worth it?"

" Shit, it BETTER be worth it. Do you know how hard it is to save $ 150.00 on a secretary's salary?"

" Tell me about it. But, if I get myself 10 numbers from tonight, it will be worth it."

" I know. You KNOW what I'm looking for."

" Of course…an M&M man."

The women laughed, and one gave the other a high five. " I hear you…… Morehouse Medical, here I come."

" I dunno…I don't think a Morehouse Dentist would be so bad."

" Uh-uh. That dentist stuff is hit and miss. If they have a good, PAYING clientle, then they will do well. If not, you might as well be married to a bus driver ."

" Mmmm-mmm. But, a doctor is a Doctor. And, that's nothing but green. "

" And, what’s with all the silverware. So much. We’re just eating food."

" I don’t eat until I watch what the rest of them are doing."

Eve had to admit to herself that the silverware wasn’t something that she worried about anymore. Julian had taught her long ago, and she had had plenty of practices in the resorts that they visited.

One of them looks over to Eve, " So, you looking for one too?"

Eve shakes her head no. " I came with someone."

" Oh. Already got you a Morehouse Man. More power to you, Sister."

Eve was becoming uncomfortable with the talk in the Ladies Room, so she left, and would wait outside for the others from her table. She was looking through her purse when she heard,

" Well, Eve Wharton. Imagine seeing you here."

Eve looked up and came face to face with Preston Jameson, III.

" Preston."

" Well, you look exceptionally beautiful tonight, Eve. Are you here, by yourself, or accompanied?"

She knew what Preston meant, and replied. " I came with an alumnus."

" Oh really? Who? Maybe I know him."

" I doubt it, Preston. If you'll excuse me, I'll be getting back to my table."

" Surely. I'll be seeing you, Eve."

Preston followed Eve's form in that dress as she walked away. He had to admit that he was surprised to see her there. Since the first week of Medical School, he had wanted to date Eve, but, she had shut him down at every turn. He had watched to see if she was dating anyone else, but, from what he observed, she dated no one. No one Black, that is. Then, he thought that possibly she only dated White boys, but, saw that she wasn't dating anyone. Until tonight, Preston had thought that she 'played for the other team', which nearly broke his heart.

Preston Jameson, III, was every inch his father and grandfather's son. Like his namesakes, he had attended Morehouse College and Harvard Medical school. Like his father, he had prepped at Phillips Andover. His mother and grandmother, of course were Spelman Women, and were women of notable distinction as their male partners. His mother had commented to Preston how he was still unattached, and hadn't brought home any 'decent' women. But, he knew what his mother meant. She just couldn't be ANY woman, she had to not only be well educated, but, possess the poise and elegance to fit into their social circle. Preston had thought that Eve could be that woman. Not only was she the 'right color', but, her fine, patrician features were also a plus. That she's at the top of her class, along with Preston, and she would look wonderful on his arm. Preston believed he knew her 'game'. She wasn't going to let the 'wrong man' slow her down, but, now that her goals were within sight, she was obviously looking for a 'proper' partner. Since he knew she liked Black, what woman would turn HIM down? Whoever the guy is, he won't compare to me, Preston thought. I have much to offer a woman.

Preston saw the group of women that were chatting in the Ladies Room. Preston chuckled to himself. He knew what they were, and that they would return to their specific tables, alone. They came here hunting. Oh, they had scraped together the money for the ticket, but, there were a million details that went along with the ticket, and one by one, he could pick up where one of them had failed: cheap dress, low rent shoes, jewelry that was either a bit too gawdy, looked too fake, or a little too large. You can only go so far before, as his mother was often heard saying, " The breeding shows itself."

And, that's something those women would never understand. Preston saw the rest of the guests filing back into the room for the guest speaker, and went back to his table.

Eve approached her table, and TC came over to her,

" Eve, where are the others?"

" TC…It was a semi-madhouse, so, I decided to come back."

" OK. Are you enjoying yourself?"

" There's so much to digest. It's like one long history lesson."

TC laughed. " I know, I didn't know who would be at our table, but, they're not that bad."

" No. I've had a wonderful time. In fact, I can honestly say I've never had a night like tonight."

" Well, good. And, it will only get better. I promise."

Eve didn't know why she didn't tell TC about running into Preston. That's not true. She didn't want to think about Preston. She doubted that they would run in the same circles. Preston was such a self-important asshole, he made Eve uncomfortable. Eve always thought he was 'assessing' her, like she had to pass some test before being deemed 'worthy' by him. They had been in a study group the first semester of Medical School, and Eve found it to be an unpleasant experience. Brilliant he was, but, he never let anyone else forget it. Since then, she had stayed as far away from him as possible.

Everyone quieted down as the rest of the program was continued. The guest speaker and main honoree for that evening was Maynard Jackson, Morehouse Alumnus and the first Black Mayor of Atlanta. Not to be confused with TC's roommate Maynard, who was also there with his longtime girlfriend, a medical student at Howard University, who had, of course, gone to Spelman. The speeches were nice, and once the program was formally completed, the rest of the evening was for dancing and socializing. The featured entertainment that evening was a popular group, made of Historically Black College Alumni, called the Commodores. They were a favorite of Mayor Jackson's, which is why they were chosen.

" May I have this dance?", TC asks.

She joined TC out on the dance floor, as they began to play.
 

Eve couldn’t believe how it felt to be in his arms. It was like floating.
 
 

The music was a mix. Though this was the late 1970’s, outside of the Commodores playing live, very little music was an homage to the period. There was some 60’s music, but most of it was from the 40’s and 50’s. The classic Masters: Nat King Cole, Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Duke Ellington.

The very thought of you, and I forget to do
The little ordinary things that everyone ought to do
 

It was quite an image. Eve had read about parties like this in the newspaper repeatedly, but, to actually be at one, and where everyone was Black, no less. When she went expensive places with Julian, it really wasn’t for socializing with others. She would be dressed up, of course, but, the fact is, they never got to know anyone on their trips, and if Eve were to be honest with herself, she always felt like people ‘knew’. That there was a neon sign that labeled her Julian’s mistress, which never allowed her to fully relax in these places.
 

I'm living in a kind of daydream
I'm happy as can be
And foolish thought it may seem
To me, that's everything
 

Not like now. She had never experienced anything like it, standing there, in TC’s arms, looking at him with a smile on his face. Like it was the most natural thing in the world, for her to be there, dancing with him. They were cheek to cheek, and Eve couldn’t hear the music. All she could do was feel the moment. She was floating on air, and was nearly out of breath, as she got lost in the moment.
 

The mere idear of you
The longing here for you
You'll never know how slow the moments go
Til I'm near to you
 

As one song ended, and the next one began, Eve didn’t notice. She paid no attention to anything. Time just glided by, as she truly enjoyed herself. After many dances, TC pleaded with Eve for a break, and she agreed. They found Maynard and his girlfriend, and sat and talked, with Eve meeting more of TC’s former classmates. They all were ‘doing something’, and ‘going somewhere’. Eve felt inadequate around them, yet, never let on. She just sat and listened.
 

I see your face in every flower
Your eyes in stars above
 

They danced until the DJ informed them that his time was up. Eve looked at her watch, and noticed that it was nearly 2 a.m. To her, it seemed like she had just gotten there. TC went to get her coat, and Eve checked her purse. She took out the stack of business cards that she had gotten that evening, and didn’t believe how many people that she was able to meet in one night.
 

It's just the thought of you
The very thought of you
My love
 
 

" Going to put those in your Rolodex?"

Eve laughed. " Sure."

" Don’t throw them away. I’m going to put them in mine."

" You have a Rolodex?"

" Of course. If you’re a good fundraiser of any kind, you have to have contacts. These type of functions are excellent for that."
 
 

There mere idea of you
The longing here for you
You'll never know how slow the moments go
Til I'm near to you
 

TC helped Eve with her cape, and they walked down the hall towards the Lobby, with Eve holding onto TC’s arm, and her head on his shoulder. The Town Car was waiting for them when they arrived at the entrance. After they got in, Eve resumed her snuggling of TC.

" Did you have a good time?"

" A GOOD time? Try wonderful."

" Really?"

" I can honestly say that tonight is something that I will never forget."

" I’m happy you said that. I usually have a good time at these things, but, tonight was special for me too, Eve. Because, you were here. "

Eve got off TC’s arm, and looked him straight in the eye.

" You mean that, TC?"

" Yes. More than anything."

Eve leaned in for a kiss. There was the usual sweetness from TC, and on her part, she was more forceful, but, it was more desperation than passion on her part. It was his eyes that Eve had realized told the truth about TC. They gave him away, no matter the mood. They were his truth barometer. And right then, they told her that TC wanted to be with her. He wasn’t ashamed of her. He wanted to be seen with her. There was a gentleness in them...something she had rarely seen in her harsh life. Eve wanted to believe in the world that TC saw through those eyes. She needed to believe ‘in something’. She was tired of just ‘existing’.
 

I see your face in every flower
Your eyes in stars above

It's just the thought of you
The very thought of you
My love
 

-The Very Though of You
Nat King Cole
 
 

Before she knew it, the car had arrived outside of her apartment building. TC held his hand for her to use to  get out.

" TC..."

" I know. I understand, Eve. You’re old-fashioned, and are uncomfortable with me being in your home alone with you."

Eve felt guilty, but, repressed the feeling. " Um....that’s right."

" That’s OK, Eve. I wouldn’t want to do anything that would upset you and your principles. Besides, it’s late, and I need to get home too. But, I’ll call you tomor....well, later on today."

" I can’t wait."

TC took Eve’s hand and kissed it. " I mean it, Eve. You make my life special, not just this evening."

Eve was stunned. " TC.."

" I believe in being honest, Eve. It’s OK if you don’t feel the same way right now. I’m a patient guy...when it’s something that I want. So, you don’t have to respond at all. We’ll go it on your timetable. Goodnight."

TC kissed Eve on the cheek, handed her the roses, which had been put into a crystal vase, by the driver, that TC had bought for Eve. Eve stood there and watched the car pull away. When it had turned the corner, she entered her apartment building. She got onto the elevator, her nose in the roses, and a smile on her face. She didn't even remember pushing the button for her floor, but, got off when the door opened. Eve opened her door, and went into the apartment, stopping at the kitchen to get some more water for the roses, and took the vase into her bedroom, placing it on her nightstand. She undressed slowly, and got into a gown. She smelled the gown as she placed it back into her closet, to see if she could still smell TC's cologne on it. She took her hair out of the chignon, and sat at the vanity to brush it, stopping to run her fingers over the program from the evening. After she was through with her hair, she got in bed. She took one of the roses from the vase, and sniffed it, and held it to her nose as she fell into a deep sleep.
 

  [END OF FLASHBACK]
 

Eve had a smile on her face remembering that magical night. It was the first of many that she had with TC over the years. No matter if he hated her now, she knew that what they had shared was real. It was more real than anything had ever been in her life. TC had taught her that it was possible that dreams could come true- a more precious gift than he could possibly imagine.