Somewhere to Call Home

Several of the boarders were in the front parlor, including Lila. She didn’t look the least bit happy, and Violet wondered if it was only her Lila wasn’t happy to see.

“We were getting a bit worried about the three of you, Mrs. Heaton,” Lila said. “It isn’t like you to miss Sunday night supper.”

“I know, Lila. I’m sorry to have caused you concern, but Michael convinced me that Maida was perfectly capable of taking care of you all.”

“Oh? And where is Michael?”

“He’s gone back to the livery. He’ll be along shortly,” Mrs. Heaton answered. “We had a treat this evening. Michael took us to Delmonico’s for dinner.”

“Oh, my, Delmonico’s?” Julia said. “What’s it like? Who all did you see there?”

Violet found an empty chair and let Mrs. Heaton describe their outing. “Well, it is very dim in there so I can’t be sure, but I think I saw Mr. and Mrs. William Waldorf Astor along with the Carnegies.” She named several other people that Violet had never heard of, but the others in the room seemed to know exactly whom she was talking about.

More and more questions were asked, and Mrs. Heaton glowed recounting the people she thought she’d seen and the meals they’d ordered. Michael slipped into the room and listened to his mother’s account of dining and grinned. Catching Violet’s eye, he gave her smile. It was obvious that he was pleased his mother enjoyed herself so much. He was a good son.

Mrs. Heaton held everyone’s attention from the beginning to the end of her report. “I hope you all get a chance to go there at least once. The interior was so elegant, and the food was truly delicious. I’m sure I’ll not forget this day anytime soon.”

“From your wonderful description, Mrs. Heaton, I feel I’ve just been there. I’m so glad you enjoyed yourself,” Elizabeth said.

“Thank you, dear. I wish you all could have been there. It certainly wasn’t something we planned.”

“No, it was not,” Michael said. “But if I’d known you would like it this much, I’d have taken you long before now.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Mrs. Heaton,” Lila said. But the look she shot Violet seemed to say that she wasn’t happy that Violet had been there with her.

Julia came to sit beside Violet. “I’m so glad you had a great day. How did you like Central Park?”

“It was wonderful. It’s so beautiful and peaceful. I look forward to spending more time there soon. I hope you had a good time with your family.”

“Oh, I did, thank you. I told Mama about you and she said you must come with me next time.” She glanced over at Lila, who had made her way over to Michael and was talking to him. “I think Lila would rather have been with the Heatons and had you go with me.”

Violet looked at the couple. Lila was leaning toward Michael and talking to him in earnest. Maybe there was more between them than she’d first thought. “Oh? Are they courting? I mean—”

“Not that I know of.” Julia chuckled. “Lila might wish for that, but as far as I know Michael has never given her any reason to think that he might want to court her. He is very conscious of the fact that his mother runs this boardinghouse, and he behaves with the utmost propriety toward all of us.”

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