Hell's Belles Read online

  “Where's Calista going?”

  This girl was incredibly pretty but not even close to the same level as Calista. More girl-next-door, as opposed to make-supermodels-jealous. I was relieved.

  “Your cousin decided to be an ass at my dinner table to her new family. She was dismissed. As will anyone else who decides to be less than hospitable to Emma.”

  “Well, you know I'm not like Calista, Virginia,” the girl bounded over to me and stuck out her hand. “I'm Josephine Berkshire. Calista's cousin. I promise, I don't bite. Like, ever. I'm the nice one.”

  I took her hand and she immediately pulled me in for an embrace. She whispered in my hair. “Sorry about Calista. Give her time and she won't seem so goddamn awful.”

  We pulled away from one another and I felt relieved that at least there was one somewhat sane girl in this house.

  “Now, Emma, I insist you sit down and continue your first experience of Chantelle's biscuits,” Virginia encouraged. “It's something you'll think about in your later years. Chantelle has a divine culinary gift.”

  We all ate silently. Chantelle brought out plates filled with grits and the largest shrimp I had ever seen.

  “Have you ever had shrimp and grits, Miss Emma?” asked Chantelle.

  “A couple of times, when I visited my grandma. It's definitely a favorite.”

  As soon as the first spoonful hit my mouth I was a changed woman. I had never tasted anything so delicious in my life. The grits were creamy and just slightly gritty, buttery but not overpowering. The shrimp and sausage in the meal were divine and the roux sauce she had covered it in? Heaven. I could have died and felt completely happy with my last meal. I wanted to eat like this, every day forever.

  “Oh my God,” I said between bites. “This is incredible. Jesus.”

  We all continued to eat without speaking. None of us wanted to pause for even a moment. The food was hypnotic. Virginia was right. Chantelle had a gift.

  Once we were all sufficiently full, Virginia finally focused her attention on me.

  “So, Emma,” she asked. “What do you think? I know you've just been here a few hours, but what are your first impressions? Better than staying with your great-aunt?”

  I sat back, hands resting on my incredibly full stomach. “It's better than staying at the St Regis. Or anywhere. This is amazing. How did it happen? What do you do?”

  I noticed Josephine staring at me intently with a puzzled look on her face.

  Chantelle came in with a snifter of something for Virginia and left Josephine and I with coffees. Virginia took her time before answering.

  “It's not so much what I do,” she says. “It's what others have done for me. Most of my money and investments were inherited. But the Embers have dabbled in all kinds of business for over two hundred years. I've been fortunate to have been born to ambitious and hardworking people. I give much of it back to try to help others who were not born as lucky as I was. And that's really all there is to it, I'm afraid. I am also certainly not the most well off, not in this city. You will find, Emma, that there are many people around this small area who are incredibly privileged. Charleston is rich in history and old money. Most of the richest people are the quietest about it, so you might not even realize sometimes that the man walking his dog around the Battery is a multi-multi-millionaire. But I'm also not completely naïve, I know that all of this is incredibly abnormal for most of the people that are alive today and I have to admit sometimes I'm ashamed of that. Usually when that shame hits me, a foundation gets a check. I think about how my family's money was made, on the backs of others who worked for very little, or in some cases for nothing, and it actually brings me great shame. That's an entirely different topic, too incredibly heavy for this dinner and for this level of sobriety. But the short answer is, I didn't do anything. As for what I do? I try to help people. Like how I am helping you, Emma. I am hoping that this move will bring you opportunities that you can really take advantage of. I know that your grandma wanted so much for you and Merritt, and I spent many a night discussing with her the dreams she had for you girls.”

  I glanced at Josephine to see her reaction. She was still staring at me, intently. Like she was trying to see through me but couldn't. It was unnerving.

  “How did you know my grandma? I mean you speak of her with obvious reverence which I appreciate. But I knew my grandma pretty well, even living so far from her. And I never heard about you. She talked about a lot of her missionary circle friends. Grandma loved to gossip and I would pretend to care about the politics of her friendships, but I always listened. And I don't remember her mentioning her rich friend from Charleston. There's no way she would have left you out of any conversation. Grandma would die if she saw this place. I would have heard about it the rest of my life.” I looked at Virginia with questioning eyes.

  Virginia again seemed completely unaffected. She nodded and sipped her drink, her eyes not leaving mine.

  I continued. “As happy as I am to be in this beautiful house and to have this meal, I just can't get past this. I mean, you must have known her, you were at my parents' funeral. I guess I just wish I knew why she didn't tell me about you. Or why my dad never mentioned you.”

  “I met your father when he was very young,” Virginia says, placing her drink down on the table. “I also met your grandfather. A wonderful man. Emma, I want to be completely honest with you. I do. But there's so much to explain and I haven't a clue where to start. Or how much you could handle after the week you've had. I don't know why your grandmother never mentioned me. I am as curious as you are. But unfortunately, she isn't here to tell us herself. So we can speculate about something that doesn’t pertain to us anymore, or we can enjoy what we've been given. I know none of this can possibly replace what you've lost. But you must begin to heal and move on. The history of your grandma and your family will come out in time. Right now, that's all I can give you.”

  It was the vaguest answer possible. Virginia had a way of making you feel she had answered your question without really actually explaining anything. I was now more unclear than ever on who she was and why I was here.

  Chantelle suddenly appeared to collect our cups. Josephine, who had finally stopped staring at me, stood up and stretched her arms.

  “Well, I don't know about y'all,” she said. “But I am full as a tick. I think I'm going to see what Calista is up to and then I'm off to bed. Nice to meet you, Emma. I'm sure we'll see one another tomorrow sometime.”

  I nodded as she twirled away, a half skip in her step.

  “Well, Josephine seems harmless enough,” I laughed. “But Calista sure seems to hate my guts. Or is she like that with everyone?”

  Virginia smiled. “Calista is not the warmest person. She also doesn't love change of any kind. I hope you don't take it too personally. Calista is perplexing at times, but I know, eventually, you’ll be friends.”

  With that, Virginia walked away. Over her shoulder she said. “Can you find your way back? Feel free to roam around a bit if you want. I'm a little tired from the drive, so I’m heading up. If you need anything, Fiona put my number in the cell she left you.”

  “Yeah, I should be good. Thanks, goodnight, Virginia.”

  After she left, I stood there for a moment, my head swirling that this house was so big that calling her on a cell would be easier than finding her in her room.

  As tempting as it was to explore the house, it was dark now and almost nine o'clock. The day was hitting me and all I longed for was sleep. As I climbed the grand staircase I started fantasizing about how high the thread count was on my sheets in my new bed.

  I kicked off my sandals as I reached my room. With shoes in hand I opened the door and immediately screamed.

  Chapter 7

  “Who are you?” he asked.

  Inside my room, sitting on my bed, was an incredibly tall, bulky teenage boy. Actually, not so much sitting as laying in it like he was waiting for someone to join him.

  “Who a
m I? Who are you? How and why are you here?” I backed out of my door, not sure where to go. He stood and put his hand out.

  “Look, I'm Palmer. I was waiting for Josephine. I thought you were her and I-”

  Before he could continue, Josephine came out of her room and joined us.

  “Oh! Palmer!” she jumped into his arms and they shared an incredibly passionate kiss.

  Yeah, this guy definitely hadn’t been waiting for me.

  I waited a couple of beats before it really began to feel awkward. “Guys. I don't know what's going on but I really just want to go into my room and go to bed.”

  Josephine pulled away from Palmer and laughed. “Sorry, Emma! This is Palmer Martin, my secret boyfriend. He usually sneaks in to see me from your room. My windows aren't very accessible and they're also in plain view of Virginia's room downstairs. I'm so sorry, Palmer, I forgot to tell you about Emma. She's a new Belle!”

  He looked at me with sudden understanding, but I was as lost as ever. Per usual.

  “I'm a new what? And why does he have to be a secret? And please tell me you haven't been using my room as some kind of love nest, because I would like to pretend I am the only one to ever sleep in that bed.”

  Josephine and Palmer looked at one another. “Well, Emma, Virginia calls all of her girls her Belles. It's just a nickname given to us by the bitches at school. ‘Hell’s Belles.’ So clever, right? Ugh. Anyway, Virginia says we should just embrace it. And as far as Palmer goes? That's complicated. But I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention this to Virginia. There's nothing to be alarmed about, Palmer is great. Like I said, it's just not easily explained.” She moved toward me, touching my arm. “You keep my secret and I’ll owe you. And I never forget someone I can trust.”

  They both looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed. “As long as Palmer here finds a new way to meet up with you besides my room, I'm fine with it. Or if he does need to use my room, at least give me a warning. Put a tie on the doorknob or something.”

  Josephine clapped her hands while jumping up and down, “Thanks, Emma! I knew I would like you! And I promise, we won't be a bother. We're star-crossed lovers. All we want is to be together. I won't forget this!” And with that she took her “lover” by the hand and they disappeared behind her bedroom door.

  The day had been so weird.

  Once I was behind the comfort of my door and alone, it hit me how exhausted I was. Earlier, I had been certain I would take a long bath tonight, but now, in the dim lighting of my room, I found myself too tired to do much more than put my pajamas on. Although I had about ten sets of silk and flannel pajamas to choose from in my closet, I chose one of my own oversized t-shirts and some running shorts. It kept me in my memory. I was homesick for a home I didn't have anymore. I didn't want to forget it or who I was.

  As I crawled into bed I couldn't help but moan with relief. The sheets were, indeed, everything I had hoped they would be. I immediately fell asleep.

  That night I dreamt of my mother. We were at Red Rock Canyon outside of Las Vegas. I couldn't remember how I got there, but I was near the end of our favorite trail, Ice Box Canyon. Night was closing in and I was suddenly scared that we would get lost in the dark.

  “Mom!” I called up to her as she climbed an enormous boulder. “Mom, it’s getting dark! We need to get out of here so we can find our way back to the car.”

  She turned to me, and right as she did, she slipped and fell over the other side of the big rock. I screamed and immediately started scrambling up the rocks, desperate and praying that she was okay, that there was no steep drop behind that boulder.

  As I reached the rock she had been climbing, I looked over it to see nothing but space. As in the galaxy, millions of starts dotting the sky, except I was looking down into it. She was nowhere to be found, but I heard someone behind me.

  “She's not here. You won't find her. You need to stop looking.”

  I turned and saw Calista.

  “How would you even know?” I said angrily.

  “I just know. She was never there to begin with.”

  I lurched forward to hit her, to hurt her. As soon as I did, she was gone. I was alone in Ice Box Canyon and it was finally dark.

  I woke up with my heart pounding. Light poured in from the stained glass window, leaving chromatic shadows all over the room. For a moment I forgot where I was, wanting desperately to be back with my mother, even if it was a nightmare.

  I glanced at the digital clock on my nightstand. It was already eight. I could hear movement in the house, which I assumed was Calista and Josephine getting ready for whatever it was they did all day. I hadn't discussed it with Virginia but I knew next week I would probably be joining them. It wasn't something I was looking forward to. I technically still had 2 months of my senior year left to finish.

  Still shaken from my dream, I padded my way to the bathroom. As I was brushing my teeth, I heard something buzzing. I looked into my room and noticed the iPhone on my desk. I ran over to see “Fiona” on the screen. Taking the phone, I ran back to the sink, spit out my toothpaste, and answered.

  “Good morning, sweetheart! How was your night? Did you sleep okay?” Fiona was clearly a morning person. I could feel the energy even through the cell.

  “I did okay,” I said, staring at my face in the mirror. I was sweaty.

  “Great! Well, Virginia wanted to know if you'd like to come with her to Bronwyn Hall today to get you signed up for school. She was thinking you could start on Monday.”

  “Bronwyn Hall?” I asked.

  “Sorry, yes. It's a private school here in Charleston that Calista and Josephine attend. It's all girls, great reputation. A couple of First Ladies went there. If you're into that sort of thing, which I am! You'll just love it, there are so many great extracurriculars and-”

  “Fiona,” I interrupted her. “Do I really need to do that today? I'm just... I just got here. I kind of was hoping I could sort of veg out today. Do nothing.”

  “Veg out,” Fiona repeated back, like I'd just said something in a language she didn't understand. “Well, I can see what Ms. Embers says. She'll probably come and talk to you. Do you want me to bring you some breakfast? Chantelle is off on Friday mornings, but I know we have some bagels and cereal and whatever else you might want.”

  “Actually, a bagel with cream cheese would be nice. With orange juice,” I felt completely spoiled ordering breakfast from my room. “And maybe a coffee?”

  “You've got it! I'll be up in a bit.”

  As I hung up the phone the last flash of my mother going over the rock hit me and I became dizzy. I went to my closet and sat down on the cushioned bench in the middle of it. I tried to focus on the clothes and shoes and forget about the dream. It was clearly me torturing myself. Any amateur psychology enthusiast could have told me that.

  The last thing I wanted to do today was go anywhere.

  Fiona knocked on my door a few minutes later. She brought a tray with two bagels, cream cheese, juice, coffee, and a poached egg.

  “Thought you might want some protein,” she explained, setting it on the divan.

  “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  I sat crisscross style on the floor as I ate. Fiona sat on my bed and we were quiet for a moment.

  “Ms. Embers said that's fine about today. She'll take you in on Monday morning. That'll give you a couple days to settle in a bit.”

  I nodded as I chewed.

  “Calista and Josephine have music lessons after school, so Virginia will pick them up later,” Fiona said this as if she knew I would be relieved. She was right.

  “Yeah, I don't think Calista likes me much,” I said, after swallowing one of the best sesame seed bagels I'd ever eaten. “Frankly, she was a complete bitch to me.”

  “Ah, well, that's Calista,” Fiona sat down next to me on the rug. “She's difficult. When I first started working here she was absolutely terrible to me. I can't even tell you how many fool's errands she sent me on. I almos
t quit a dozen times.”

  “That's terrible!” I exclaimed, “Who the hell does she think she is? That's bullshit that she treats people that way.”

  “She's Calista Embers. The most beautiful girl in Charleston. She doesn't really have to be nice, so she usually isn't. But I promise there's more to her than what you think. Give it time and you'll see.”

  I shrugged, “I don't know. Once people show me who they are? I believe them. I don't wait around for them to keep beating me down.”

  Chapter 8

  After breakfast Fiona left with my tray and I suddenly had the entire day and house to myself. Virginia apparently had to run errands on some place called Sullivan's Island, so I was told that I could do whatever I wanted. Fiona said she'd be glad to drive me anywhere, but I told her this house alone would keep me busy enough. I planned on going exploring.

  The first discovery I made was the backyard. I wanted to check out the lush gardens I had glimpsed yesterday afternoon and I wasn't disappointed. I had never seen such manicured bushes. A small fountain sat under beautiful live oaks, and beyond that? A swimming pool.

  Jackpot.

  It was rectangular, with four lounge chairs (with lavish cushions, of course) and a spa tub on the side opposite the chairs. There was a small pool house but the door to it was locked, with all the blinds drawn. Probably just filled with cleaning equipment I thought to myself.

  I decided after I was done exploring to come back out here and lay on one of the chairs with a book.

  There were a couple of different doors on the back of the house. The one I went through led straight to the kitchen. It was an enormous, restaurant-style galley with multiple ovens and stoves and the biggest refrigerator I had ever seen. All of the appliances were stainless steel and spotlessly clean. I grabbed an orange and continued on.

  I walked through the dining room from last night and into a study. Books were a common theme in almost every room and this one was no exception. There was also a solid wood desk and a Mac laptop closed on top of it. A large globe sat in the corner near a window seat and there was more stained glass.