Two Sides of a Coin

Originally Written 2/9/2019

Life as a single, spinster woman in New York could be difficult. The Great Fire of 1835 had nearly destroyed the city and ruined the economy. The bright star on the horizon was that the years following saw an urban revitalization of the city. This made for profitable investment opportunities for someone like Lucy, who had intelligence and money to spare.

She was a beautiful, proper lady, who had been raised with every advantage. She excelled at everything she touched and, had she been a man, she would have thrived. Being a woman meant that without a husband or a father, she had to use her inheritance and mind to get ahead. Which is what she intended to do as she made her way through the busy, dusty city streets. 

Her long dress brushed against the half cobblestone road that was filled with children who played with marbles and horse-drawn carriages that carried only the wealthiest of the city’s citizens. Lucy was far too frugal for such things, she had a mind for business and savings. She passed countless metal and wood shanties before the houses turned to elegant brownstones that led to her destination. She smiled politely at any passersby and made her way into the bank.

She adjusted her tiny, blue hat and veil perched atop black, cascading curls as she walked into the dimly lit, red-brick building. The wooden door swung open and hit a bell that announced her presence with a chime.

“Hello,” she says approaching the counter, the polite smile she’d worn on the street painted on her porcelain-like features. She focused her gentle, green eyes on the man behind the counter. “I’m here to see Mr. Gorish.” She said in a melodious voice that she was known for. 

Mr. Gorish sat before her and nodded with a smile “Ms. Lucy? I’ve been expecting you.” He chortled. He was a large man with an overgrown mustache and a cheery disposition. He wore a well-tailored, dark suit and tie. “Please come to my office.”

“Yes, lead the way.” She said as she gestured with her hand toward the door leading to the back. 

She followed him with a soft clap of heeled shoes on hardwood flooring. He lead her to his office, tucked well and away from the main part of the business. When he sat down at his large desk, Lucy took a seat across from him and folded her hands neatly in her lap. Trying to ignore the smell of wood polish and cheap cologne. She didn’t waste time and the moment their rears hit the sturdy wood of the chairs she started talking.

“I wish to discuss my investment and ownership in the Blacksmith. I want to sell it.” She stated plainly in her sweet-toned voice.

Mr. Gorish paused and stared at her in shock. His overly large mouth going slack for a moment “That’s certainly possible. I can get the paperwork together in short order.” He said slowly after a long pause. He adjusted his tie and clears his throat before croaking out in a solemn way “What about Mr. Vonavich? Don’t you think-”

“Let me worry about Lou Vonavich.” She cut him off before he could speak any more about that man. Her ruby lips formed a line across her pale features. She sits with her back as stiff as a tree trunk. “Get the paperwork.” She commanded in the kindest, most finalizing way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Their love was fiery, passionate, but ultimately poison. The acrid, deceitful smell of their lies hung in the air behind the forefront of the moaning, panting sounds of their lust. They both knew it and yet only one of them understood it could no longer continue.

“Lou,” Lucy whispers hotly in his ear. Her slight form pushed by his similarly small frame against hers. His lips on her neck and her hurried whisper in his ear “Lou, stop.” Her words carried a note of finality to it. She pushed her manicured hands against his shoulders and pushed him off. Adjusting her corset, petticoat, and hat.

Lou was a fair-skinned, small man and though his personality was often exerted to a frighting extent, he knew better than to push Lucy too far. He stepped away and took a seat on the bed. Spreading his arms out wide “Well if you didn’t invite me here for that, then why am I here?” he asked with a cheeky smile, his dark hair ruffled.

Lucy righted herself and gained control of her panting breath. She calmly walked over to the vanity and sat down. She looked at Lou’s narrow features in the mirror. She felt a pang for a moment as she stared at him, but she knew this was the best solution for her troubled mind. 

“I’m selling the blacksmith and I can’t see you anymore.” She said it all as clear as she could, focusing on her own face in the mirror. Though when she looked all she saw was him.

“Why? You can’t leave me.” Lou said in his feminine voice “I won’t let you.” He had a growl like a wild animal to his tone, a sound meant to intimidate. Lucy didn’t back down though. Sitting in her rigid way. He stared at her in the mirror “No. No! You can’t do this to me.” he demanded to her. Yet she didn’t flinch. She was over his pleas, over his threats, and over the secrets that hung between them. “Don’t you love me?” He switched tactics on her. She remained stoic.

She shook her head and finally spoke. “Lou… I do love you. I love you more than anything. But,” She sighed deeply. “I lose who I am around you. I disappear. I can’t and won’t accept it. It’s over.” Her voice was strong. She closed her eyes tight and when she opened them he was gone. She didn’t hear a door close or a footstep. She blinked and he was gone.

She smiled to herself, so long she had lived in his shadow and she was now free. Soon the whole town was abuzz with the news that Lou Vonavich had disappeared. No one had seen the small-framed, feminine, soft-featured blacksmith who made horseshoes for them for weeks or ever again. Though Lucy did in town sometimes, and when that happened she turned away. Content that she had made the right decision in banishing him from her mind and life.