The Slipper by Jennifer Wilde Read Free Book Online Page A

braces on my teeth until I was fourteen,” she confessed, “and before the nose job I frightened small children on the street. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I blossomed into the ravishing creature you see before you now.”
    â€œYou’re as pretty as can be,” Carol told her.
    â€œSo’s Lassie. At least she has her own TV series.”
    Carol laughed, and Nora cheered up a bit as the waitress came shyly over to their table. Only a few inches taller than Nora, she had a fragile build and soft silver-brown hair worn long and enormous violet-blue eyes, light and clear. Her features were delicate and quite pretty in a childlike way, but her complexion was poor, pasty-looking, pitted with acne. Couldn’t be a day over fourteen, Nora thought. Looked weak as a kitten. What kind of child labor laws did they have around here? A kid like this carrying heavy trays and lifting stacks of dishes. The girl smiled. There was something luminous and arresting about her, a curious presence despite the shy demeanor and bad complexion.
    â€œHello, Carol,” the child said.
    â€œJulie! I didn’t know you worked here.”
    â€œI’ve been working here since the semester started. I was in the kitchen before, washing dishes. They promoted me to waitress last week. How are you doing?”
    â€œJust fine. I didn’t see you in class this afternoon.”
    â€œI—Doug wasn’t feeling well and I—I thought I’d best stay home with him. How did the reading go? Did you do Portia’s speech?”
    Carol nodded. “Compton didn’t make any comment. Jim Burke gave a terrific rendition of Hamlet’s soliloquy. I was looking forward to hearing your Ophelia.”
    â€œIt—it probably wouldn’t have been very good.” The child lowered her eyes. “I would have been terrified. May I take your orders?”
    â€œLet me introduce you to my friend Nora Levin first. Nora, this is Julie Hammond. Julie’s in advanced drama with me. Nora’s my roommate,” she told Julie. “Today’s her birthday.”
    â€œYou bitch,” Nora said. “No one was supposed to know. Hello, Julie. I’m delighted to meet you.”
    Julie smiled again, as shyly as before. Her lashes were long and curling, her brows fine, delicately arched. What was it about her? You didn’t pay any attention to the wretched complexion. You just looked at those incredibly lovely violet-blue eyes that were so innocent yet full of secrets. Your heart went out to her.
    â€œWe haven’t had a chance to look at the menus yet,” Carol said. “What do you recommend, Julie?”
    â€œThe shrimp basket’s good. It comes with cole slaw and fries. I could bring some hot rolls, too.”
    â€œSounds fine to me,” Nora said.
    â€œTwo shrimp baskets, then,” Carol said.
    â€œWhat will you have to drink?” Julie asked.
    â€œA double vodka martini for me,” Nora told her. “A twist of lemon and go easy on the vermouth.”
    â€œTwo Cokes, Julie,” Carol said.
    Julie took pad and pencil out of the pocket of her uniform, jotted down the order and left the table with another shy smile.
    â€œThey’re taking infants at Claymore now?” Nora asked.
    â€œShe’s our age,” Carol replied. “She’s just taking the one course—I believe Compton made some kind of special arrangement. She’s married, working to help her husband get through law school. She’s a sweet girl—really talented, too.”
    â€œMarried? She looks like a child!”
    â€œShe’s been married for over two years.”
    â€œJesus!” Nora exclaimed.
    Julie brought their order a short while later, deftly balancing the heavy tray on her palm. She put the shrimp baskets and Cokes in front of them, smiled that poignant smile of hers and left. Nora watched as the girl greeted a couple who had just come