CHAPTER 28 - THE DRESS
Raven glanced up and caught a glimpse of Rosalinda peering at them through the greenery. "Relax," she smiled. "It's only the little nanny. The one we ran into at the market." The other women turned and waved to Rosalinda, who ducked back, shyly, behind the plants.
Rosalinda had been waiting in the lobby for the Culpeppers to come down. They'd have to pass where she was standing on their way to the taxi and this would give her one last chance to say goodbye to the children. And, while she waited, she couldn't help peeking into the lounge.
Jacob and Goldie had been kind to Jose's daughter and had given her the run of the hotel, except for the lounge. She couldn't help smiling when she thought of her friend, Jacob. Some of her fondest memories were when they took lunch together in the garden, but Jacob had been adamant about one of her tender years not visiting the lounge. Gazing wistfully, she could only imagine what it would be like to be inside.
The sound of Alice's prattling made Rosalinda look up as the Culpepper children descended the staircase to the lobby. Rosalinda smiled. How nice they look, she thought, all of them blonde, with rosy cheeks, and smartly outfitted in what Emily referred to as their travel togs.
Mr. Culpepper and the bellboy carried the luggage, while Mrs. Culpepper clutched a large dress box in her arms. Alice caught sight of Rosalinda half-hidden among the plants and dashed ahead to hug her. Her tiny shoes pounded across the lobby, curls flying. Emily and Philip followed Alice's lead, dashing toward Rosalinda to bid a final farewell.
Little Alice dropped her doll to the ground and wrapped her arms against Rosalinda's bare knees, exclaiming in a quavering voice, "Oh, my dear Rosalinda! How I shall miss you!"
Mr. Culpepper turned the family luggage over to the taxi driver, then crossed the lobby. He held out his hand and Rosalinda took it shyly.
"Rosalinda," he said, "the wife and I spoke after you dropped the children off. You did an outstanding job of caring for them."
Rosalinda smiled wistfully. "They were very good children, sir. I am sad to see them leave Cristo." He pressed some bills into her hand, murmuring, "For you, Rosalinda. Your services were worth much more than we agreed to pay." Rosalinda blushed, stammering her thanks.
"No need for that," Mr. Culpepper said. "Now put it away, deep in your pocket, before you lose it." He turned to the children. "Come along! We don't want to miss the plane." The children bid Rosalinda a tearful goodbye and their father herded them to the waiting taxi.
Mrs. Culpepper remained behind until the others had left. She held out the parcel to Rosalinda. "For you, dear." Rosalinda stepped forward to take the package. "For me?"
"Yes," Mrs. Culpepper laughed, "and you're going to love it." She opened a corner of the box so Rosalinda could peek at the contents. Peering into the opening, Rosalinda saw a dazzling-white, cotton dress, and let out a happy cry of surprise. The child poked her forefinger inside and touched the garment. To her delight, it was trimmed with bands of lace and miniature, rolled-silk roses with trailing, slender ribbons.
"It's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen!"
"Yes, isn't it lovely," Mrs. Culpepper agreed wistfully, "my most favorite. It's from France, dear. Cost me a fortune." The woman patted the box lovingly. "But I've gained a bit of weight since this was made," she murmured regretfully, gesturing to her hips. "And now, it's too small for me. And certainly too large for Emily."
Rosalinda was too busy stroking the dress to respond, her eyes dancing with delight.
"Perhaps your mother can alter it for you, dear," Mrs. Culpepper suggested, "and you shall look truly elegant in it."
Rosalinda didn't understand what the lady was saying, but it didn't matter. She loved her new dress and planned to wear it no matter how it might fit.
Mr. Culpepper called to his wife from the veranda. "We'll be missing our flight!" Mrs. Culpepper leaned forward and kissed the girl's cheek. She hugged Rosalinda warmly and then hurried out to the taxi. She paused just long enough to call back over her shoulder. "And there's a matching parasol inside the box!"
The taxi moved away up the road, leaving Rosalinda standing behind the plants, hugging the precious package to her chest.