Vermillion
A Short Story
1926
Ruth doesn't know where she is walking. All she knows is that she' walking down some unfamiliar road. The random, abandoned sheds and large open fields are strangers to her as she continues down her path. She is neither lost nor found; just a person trying to find her place in the world. She didn't even know how she came to this road. It's a far cry from city life, from everything she's ever known. There aren't any cars. She begins to wonder if there's really anyone living on this stretch of road or not. She continues walking, even though her feet are two bricks.
The summer heat begins to beat down on Ruth's face. She puts her hand on her cheek -- her face is flushed. Her throat feels drier than ever. Is there a source of water anywhere? She smiles when she notices the well. A well must mean that there is a home nearby. Maybe she can find out from the owner of the home where exactly she is. She runs up to the well, imagining the cool water already running down her throat.
She sees it in the distance after finishing the water. It's a large home, a mansion. There is topiary surrounding it and a fountain in the middle of the courtyard. She looks at her gingham dress and tries her best to make herself look somewhat presentable. She pats her head. It is full of twigs and sweat. She doesn't think it is a good idea after all to approach these people. They might not even answer the door to someone who looks like her.
She inches her way forward, taking small hesitant steps towards the mansion. Ruth wipes the sweat that trickles down her face and to her neck.
This isn't going to be good. Not a good idea at all.
It is only a matter of time when she's standing at the front door, feeling small and insignificant. The door is perhaps three of her and the knocker is larger than her hand.
The door opens and a woman looks at her, with curiosity in her eyes. She half-smiles, a glass of whiskey in her hand. She is wearing a gown that is perhaps worth three times as much as Ruth. The other woman stands there, her eyes almost looking past Ruth.
“H-Hello, ma'am. I'm lost and I just want to know where I am.” She gulps, her breath ragged as she tried to steady it.
“Oh, you're lost.” She takes another sip of whiskey. “Well you're just outside of Jackson, Mississippi.”
Jackson. I haven't been walking far then. I'm just trying to get back to Meridian. I'm not even close.
“I'm on my way back to Meridian, ma'am. I walked from Jackson, actually. I didn't know how far I was.”
“You... walked?”
“I've tried finding transportation but walking is best for me."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE5Hf1WteR
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The other woman nods and shrugs. She narrows her eyes for a moment and says, “Why don't you come in and sit for a spell? George'll get you a nice glass of sweet tea.”600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5hetFaU0c
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"Oh no, ma'am,” she says, shaking her head. “I only needed to know where I was so I could get directions. I need to get back now I'm --”600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5dd0otA9k
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"Oh nonsense.” The woman waves her arm. “Come in. You could use the rest." 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pS2QVv4Si
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Ruth hesitates. She inches forward and is now in the mansion. She cannot help but gasp at the marble floor of the foyer, the grand staircase that seems to cascade for miles. There are statues at every corner. She has never been in a place like this before. Ruth turns to look at the woman, who is now smiling.
But Ruth cannot help but think something is strange about her. She seems nice enough, but something different about her unsettles Ruth.
“Missy?” a voice says from behind Ruth.
“Charles..." The woman sips her whisky. Her eyes turn stone cold. "What do you want? Why aren't you in your room?"600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifdCHXne29
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The man whose name is Charles looked around. Ruth swears he is looking directly at her but finds that there is something wrong with his gaze. It's unfocused. 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RtQwSiYE6
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“I heard voices. A voice I've never heard before. I wanted to know who it was, Missy.”600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxkkz748JY
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Charles walks further ahead, reaching out his hands. He stumbles and almost trips. Instinctively, Ruth tries to reach out for him but he regains his balance as quickly as she breathes her next breath. 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla7VVktCxF
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"There's a stranger in here, Missy." He blinks. "Is there?" He looks around as if searching. 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4ll0L2hil
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"Some person, I 'spose. Looks like a hussy to me." 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxKg7VOAvR
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"Hey!" Ruth shouts, feeling the blood rush to her face. "I ain't no hussy. Don't you be calling me names."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4kwnucPFi
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Ruth's breathing becomes heavier despite multiple attempts to quiet her racing heart. Ruth cannot believe it for the life of her that a woman, a complete stranger like Missy would invite her into her home and call her a horrible name like that. 600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGaUvwIj9u
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"Missy," Charles says, shaking his head. "She sounds alright to me."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ0xMnNALa
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"She doesn't look like a decent girl. I only invited her in because she was thirsty."600Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9nyabPiBF
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"Then give the girl something to drink. If you invited her in, you should be a proper hostess. I can smell the whiskey from here. It's disgusting. Get that stuff outta here."
The other woman sighs, shakes her head and walks away, leaving a trail of wind behind. Charles stumbles again, but this time Ruth watches as he makes his way towards her with his hand reaching out.
"Excuse me," he says. "Please forgive my sister Missy. She's not very nice. Even to me, she's not a kind person. It even surprises me that she invited you in. But I like your voice. I can't see your face, but I like your voice. May I ask for your name?"
Ruth clears her throat. “It's Ruth Henderson, sir. I was only asking for directions. You see, I'm coming up from Jackson and trying to get to my home in Meridian. And I don't really need anything to drink."
I really didn't intend to stay.
"But why are you here in Vermillion? There's nothing here but our house and land for miles and miles. You'll end up dead of boredom before you know it..."
. She thinks about it for a moment longer and says, “You know what, sir? I think I'll have that sweet tea after all.”
I guess resting a while won't hurt.
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