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Lenore’s hands danced along the keys, a melody playing, filling the air.
“Mm,” Annabel mumbled, “You are an unusually talented musician, you know.” She opened her eyes, leaving the reverie caused by Lenore’s music.
“Musician?” Lenore turned a bit to glance at Annabel as she flipped the sheet of paper, “Hardly. An accompanist at best.”
“Now why would you say that?” Annabel questioned.
“Well, because it’s true,” Lenore answered, “I only learned so I could accompany Theo. He was a real musician.”
Lenore smiled, remembering the memories of her brother, “No one could make a violin sing like Theo could.”
“He would bring it with him wherever he traveled, and before long he was rather sought-after as a houseguest. Politicians, tycoons..” Lenore continued, “old money and new money alike, all clamoring at a chance to hear him play. “
“Or maybe just a chance to- say- they had.” Lenore’s smile faded.
“What do you mean?” Annabel asked.
“Nothing.” Lenore looked away, “I suspect no one speaks of those things anymore. Only of tragedy.
“Though in here, his songs persist.” Lenore lifted the book off of the stand, staring at the sheet music, “This is one of Theo’s compositions.”
Annabel turned into her seat to glance at it, whilst Lenore continued to scan the page.
“You may find it lacking without the melody of the violin, but I can still hear it.” Lenore traced a finger along the side of the book.
“Well, I think you make a lovely soloist.” Annabel said, causing Lenore to turn her attention back towards her.
“You do?”
“I do.” Annabel said, opening her fan and slightly fanning herself, “Although, well…”
“What is it?” Lenore closed the book completely.
“Would you do something for me?” Annabel asked, slightly covering her face with the fan.
“Anything.”
“Could you write me a song, Lenore?” Annabel giggled, her fan now covering the lower half of her face.
“Oh no. You’ve misunderstood.” Lenore found herself taken aback by Annabel’s request, “I told you, I’m not a-”
“Please?” Annabel leaned forward, close enough where Lenore could feel the slight exhale as she finished her question.
Lenore looked at the cover of the book, contemplating the thought-
“No,” she said, lowering her gaze, “I’m sorry. I can’t.”
“That is a pity.” Annabel said as she closed her fan.
“Madam,” the butler said, slightly bowing, “Your carriage has arrived.”
“Thank you, I shall be off then.” Annabel rose from her spot on her seat, “I’ve dearly enjoyed our time together for these past six months. Goodbye.”
“Why goodbye?” Lenore asked, “Won’t you return tomorrow?”
“I’m afraid not, pet.” Annabel responded, putting her gloves back on, “Tomorrow I’ll be traveling to the city with my father, for the social season.” Annabel finished as she adjusted her hat.
“But, when will you be back?” Lenore got up, walking over closer to where Annabel stood.
“Please, don’t stand on my behalf,” Annabel turned around to face Lenore, “I know your hip hurts you.”
“Annabel, you can’t do this!” Lenore’s voice wavered, “You can’t come into my life so abruptly only to leave again.”
“What will I do without you? Return to the attic!” Lenore asked.
“You’re upset, shall I call for a maid?” Annabel broke their eye contact, looking for any maids in sight.
“No!” Lenore stepped forward, before promptly stumbling, and falling face-first into Annabel’s breasts.
Annabel supported the weight Lenore wasn't already holding with her legs on the floor.
“No, I want to remember this, please.” Lenore gripped onto Annabel’s arms, “They’ll only bring ether. I’m fine.”
“When will you return to the Finger Lakes?” Lenore asked, slightly turning her head to rest it on Annabel’s arm instead, and to be able to see, rather than to be blinded by cloth.
“Never, I suspect,” Annabel answered.
Lenore’s eyes widened, as she gazed upward to look back at Annabel, who was looming over her like an angel.
“I’m sorry, Lenore,” Annabel apologized, “This is to be our final meeting.”
Annabel helped Lenore back on her feet, allowing her to rest against the piano.
“But why?” Lenore said, “Surely after your trip—”
“This is to be my third social season, Lenore.” Annabel looked downwards briefly.
Realization struck Lenore.
“By the end of it, I’m sure to be engaged.” Annabel let go of Lenore, “I’ll first need to attend the wedding preparations, and afterwards, I’ll have a household to look after!
“Engaged to whom, Annabel?” Lenore waved a hand towards her face, feeling flushed. “This is all so sudden!”
“Sudden?” Annabel snickered, “I’ve put it off for as long as I can!”
“Can I tell you how?” Annabel fanned Lenore as she led her over to the window, “It’s a funny story, I think you’ll like it.”
Lenore simply looked at her, as Annabel continued,
“You see, from the day of my debut, I have vowed to marry any gentleman who can best me in a game of chess.”
“So you haven’t the faintest choice in who your husband will be!?” Lenore brought a hand to her own forehead, feeling hot, “That’s terrible! What if you lose to someone you despise?”
Annabel struggled with the window for a moment before answering, managing to open and raise it over their heads.
“If that happens, I suppose I’ll be bound to my promise.” she gazed out the window.
“Annabel Lee!” Lenore kept her eyes on Annabel, “Doesn’t that prospect bother you?”
“Not at all,” Annabel looked away from the view, “It was my idea!”
Annabel winked, “I’m very good at chess, pet.”
Lenore looked at her, confused.
“Countless suitors have been sent from my father’s house, dejected. That’s why we’ve come to New York. I seem to have thwarted the most eligible bachelors in London.” She smiled.
“Father finds the whole charade rather novel, he brings me from parlor room to parlor room like some sort of show pony.” As she finished her sentence, her smile faded.
“But my fun is nearly over.”
Annabel leaned forward to rest her elbows on the windowsill, “ He would be scandalized if I ended up a spinster. No offense intended. So, my father has chosen a man to promise to me at the end of the season, should the others fail. I’ve defeated the poor fellow a dozen times now, but he is terribly persistent.”
Lenore gazed at the size, hardly being able to stare at the woman in front of her. She felt so- angry- so tired- so many things all at once that half the things she felt she could barely name.
“We were playmates in my youth. He shall be as good a husband as any. Steady, if a little dull.” Annabel continued, “Are you feeling better? I saw you swooning before. Has the fresh air helped?”
“I…” Lenore started, emotions starting to overflow her before she shoved them back down, “Yes, it has. Thank you.”
“Good. With that sorted, it’s time I take my leave.” Annabel said as she turned around to leave.
Lenore grabbed her arm, stopping Annabel in her tracks.
“Wait!” Lenore said, looking at Annabel, bringing herself closer to touch a lock of hair around Annabel’s face, “Is this.. Is all of this real?”
“What do you mean?”
“...Is it what you want?”
“That hardly matters, Lenore.”
“Of course it matters! I know what you’ve been hiding from me!” Lenore’s grasp on Annabel’s arm wasn’t firm- however Annabel did not seek release from it.
“Please, pet.”
“I know!” Lenore pulled back her hair to reveal her scalp, freshly polished and cleaned- “I know you’re bald too!”
“Is this-” Lenore twirled her finger around the curl laying over Annabel’s shoulder, knowing Annabel couldn’t feel her touch, “Is this what you want?”
“Nnh..” Annabel groaned, as Lenore pulled her closer with both her hands this time.
Annabel shut her eyes, as an attempt to shut out the thoughts and repress the emotions she felt growing- then she erupted.
“Of course not!” she pulled back her own hair to reveal her own bald scalp, cleaned but not polished- “How could I ever want this!?” she held the wig tightly in her hands, trying not to damage it despite her anger.
“Finding hair around the house all day??”
“Braiding hair-”
“Washing it-”
“Having it cut-”
“Wigs-”
“Brushing it-”
“Curling hair-”
“Having to sleep in it!”
“Wigs,” Annabel’s face grew in terror,
“Shampoo,”
“Tying it back to pretend it isn’t there-”
“Wigs—” Her voice trembled, “Wigs. Wigs. Always the goddamned wigs!”
Annabel grasped Lenore this time, holding her shoulders, “It’s death, pet!”
Lenore softened her gaze, looking at the bald woman before her.
Annabel remained angry, before she seemed to notice herself- and quickly calmed her own feelings and went back to a smile, as she put her wig back on, brushing the few strands that fell out of place back.
“But it is inevitable.” Annabel walked off, heading down the stairs quickly as she checked herself to make sure her hair was in place.
“I’ve prolonged my adventuresome years for as long as I can, but this is my lot and now I must face it.” Annabel waved, “C’est la vie.”
Lenore stepped forward, slightly stumbling as she did, holding onto the railing above where Annabel stood.
“Visit me again Annabel!” Lenore shouted, “I don’t care how long it takes!!”
Lenore leaned forward, lowering her voice as she did, “Please. You’re my only friend, the only other bald person I know.”
“Lenore, is it bald things you’d like to see?” Annabel put on her coat.
“I don’t see the point anymore.” Annabel tied the ribbon on her coat, “Our game of pretend has come to a close, but if its niceties you want–”
“What game? What are you talking about?” Lenore asked.
“This entire arrangement, of course!” Annabel answered, “I’ve gotten what I needed from it. My father is friendly with your father now. In fact, he’s introducing us to New York society. He’s already in Manhattan!’
“And what has my father received in turn?” Lenore squinted.
“Oh please, you already know.” Annabel looked up at Lenore, “Will you make me say it?”
Lenore looked at Annabel, angered and clearly with a face- asking her to say it.
“He sought good influence for his poor, hysterical, bald daughter. A companion, to show her what it is, to be a bald lady. Someone who would keep the secret of her disgraceful existence, after the fact. And I obliged.”
Lenore tightened her grip on the railing, as if she gripped any tighter the wood would crush and splinter her.
“You’ve benefited too though! They’ve let you out of the attic, haven’t they? Maybe they’ll think you reformed, if you stay on your best behavior.” Annabel smiled.
“So what?” Lenore said, raising her head but looking down, “You’re saying this was all just an act then?”
“Everything in life is an act, pet.” Annabel lowered her head in turn, but kept looking up.
“That's not true-” Lenore turned her head, as an effort to keep the sun from beating down on her bald head.
“Rest your hip, will you?” Annabel turned around, no longer looking at Lenore, “Farewell.”
“It’s not true Annabel!” Lenore leaned over the railing, “I know you’re bald! I know you think of me the same way. You’re a dratted liar for saying you don’t!”
“This was real!” Lenore ran a hand over her smooth, bald head, “I know it was real! How dare you say otherwise?”
“We…” Lenore mumbled, raising up from the railing, “We are…”
“We were…” Lenore turned, remembering the hair Annabel now had covered herself in, “Bald…”
Lenore walked over to the table, now leaning on it, holding her hip with one hand and supporting herself with the other, feeling tears stream down her face, dripping onto the table.
Lenore looked on the table, seeing her wig lying on the table. It was disheveled, the braid falling out and tangled.
My wig… Lenore thought,
Insipid,
Tangled,
Devious,
Pointless,
Delicate,
Disgusting,
Beautiful
HAIR!
Lenore swept it off the table, before stepping on it and rubbing her shoe into it, further ruining the carefully designed wig.
“My lady, please stop!” A maid behind her said, “What are you thinking?”
“You’re going to hurt yourself. Return to your chair at once, the doctors don’t want you on your feet!” Another maid said, as Lenore found herself being pushed down by many hands into her chair.
“Try to calm down,” the blonde maid said, opening a bottle of ether, “This will help.”
Lenore continued to cry, as the maid behind her held her face, and the one in front brought the bottle closer, and though Lenore tried to push it away- keeping herself from breathing it in, she found her efforts in vain as she inhaled the ether, closing her eyes and thus forgetting the moments before.