I don't know if I like Denver or not. I haven't really seen it. It's big, I know that. I've been here a month, though, and have scarcely been out of the house. Aunt Isobel has groceries and everything else sent in. I think she must have a lot more money than we thought. I don't even remember what Uncle William did before he died so young. Some sort of engineer.
And the house! It's big, it's huge. It's enough for ten. There are five bedrooms, for Heaven's sake. And two baths, and a dining room, and a basement, and an attic, and an enormous kitchen and a garage and even servant's quarters, out back, although no one lives there. She says we… we!… have eight acres. It's mostly trees.
Oh, and the other things!
I came out of the tub one night to find my robe gone, although I was sure I'd hung it right there on the wall. Sort of scared, I came out sneakily.
There in my bedroom sat Aunt Isobel! My robe was in her hands, and on her lap lay my brassieres… both of them! I squeaked, covered myself with my hands, and ducked back into the bathroom.
"What I thought," she said. "You're a large-bosomed girl, and probably injuring your health wearing those terrible old cotton bras."
Each of the last two words was said with great vehemence, and I heard ripping sounds. Later I discovered why: she had torn each bra, right through the cups, while she was talking.
"And this robe is a disgrace. And your panties. And this ancient gown! You must understand, Victoria… ridiculous name!… that I cannot have a ragamuffin living with me! Not one of those nasty little no-bra girls in the miniskirts, either, but not a ragamuffin! Now I am leaving this room. I am leaving behind one of my gowns, and you are to sleep in it tonight."
"But…" I started, peeping around the doorjamb.
She stared. Eyes like ice. Hair like midnight. Voice like a sword, cuts right through you. "BUT? But WHAT, Miss?"
I looked at the floor. "But… tomorrow… my underclothes…"
"Worry about tomorrow, Victoria, when tomorrow comes! Now go to bed and don't stir out of this room before eleven A.M.."
"Elev… b…" Oh no, I thought, I won't say "but" again! "Uh, breakfast, Aunt Isobel?"
"You really must try to stop questioning me, Vic… you know I really dislike that name? I shall have to call you something else. What's your other name?"
"Marie."
"Victoria Marie?"
"Yes, ma'am."
She shook her head. "Ignorant, ignorant. The name of a terrible English dictatrix, coupled with a French name, for mercy sake! Well. What have you always wanted to be called?"
"Umm… most everyone at school called me Vicky…"
"That is NOT what I asked," she snapped, and her gaze pierced me until I was sure she could see right through the wall and the towel I held before me. It was damp, and I was nervous about the wall. It was papered.
"I… ummm…" All I could think of was "Justine", for some ridiculous and perverse reason, but I was not about to say that!
"All right al right, I haven't all night. Step out here. Step out here in the open, I say! There. Um-hm. Now drop that ridiculous towel. Victoria Marie Oldenkamp! Drop that damned towel, do you think I am Satan's agent or something? I am not interested in your childish body, merely in trying to size up its measurements. Good Heavens, that someone with a past like mine could be taken to be interested in girls… Well. DROP it."
Trembling, feeling very humiliated and embarrassed and ashamed, I dropped the towel. I was close onto tears. Dreadful woman!
"Good… Heavens," she said, staring. "Good Heavens." She jerked her head up as though she'd been asleep. "Turn around." I did, and I felt as though my backside were going goose-pimply all over. I heard her little intake of breath. "Now present me with your profile."
I did so, staring straight ahead and blushing from the roots of my hair to my toenails.
"Heavens," she said, in a low voice. "You are just beautifully structured, girl! Unbelievable, I swear. Certainly that is the finest rump I have ever seen and you must be the biggest-titted girl in Colorado!"
I gasped, and stood there trembling, and finally I had had quite enough. Summoning all my strength and courage, I spun to face her.
She was gone.
I dived into bed and wept. I slept naked.
It felt glorious.