Featuring the Finest
In Sleepwear.
Elegance Is Our Motto.
Broad Street
Elizabeth
19
Christina
Christina was at the store, helping her mother and sister get ready for Valentine’s Day. They would soon be hosting a special evening for gentlemen only to choose gifts for their wives, even their girlfriends. Nia wasn’t crazy about the idea but Athena convinced her to give it a try. “Stop worrying, Mama. The merchandise can only be returned for store credit, so we can’t lose. But it won’t be returned, because a wife would never insult her husband, who went to all this trouble to please her. Believe me, she’ll wear it even if it’s something she wouldn’t normally be caught dead in.”
“Unless she dies of embarrassment,” Nia said. “Then she’d be caught dead in it.”
“Are you making a joke, Mama?” Athena asked.
“Of course she’s making a joke,” Christina said. “Isn’t that right, Mama?”
Nia just shook her head at her daughters.
Athena was counting on the gentlemen’s desire to see their wives in black negligees. The younger ones, especially, but also the ones whose old-world wives wore black every day, though never at bedtime.
“Black,” Nia screamed, pretending to faint, as Athena unpacked lacy black nightgowns. “Who would sleep in something black?” She blamed Athena’s bad judgment on the pregnancy.
On the day that Athena brought in a window dresser to prepare the store for Valentine’s Day, Mrs. Osner came into the shop for the first time.
Athena asked if she could help her.
“I need something to lift my spirits,” Mrs. Osner said.
“How about something red?” Athena asked.
“I almost never wear red. But maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m in a red mood.” She selected a lacy red nightgown and a matching peignoir to go over it. “I’m a small,” Mrs. Osner told Athena. “Do you have these in a small?”
“I’m sure we do,” Athena said. Then she called, “Christina…” in her best voice. “Can you find these in a small?”
Christina stepped out from behind the curtain separating the dressing rooms and the stock from the front shop. “Oh, my goodness, Christina,” Mrs. Osner said, surprised. “What are you doing here?”
“This is my mother’s store,” Christina explained. “My mother’s and my sister’s. Athena, this is Mrs. Osner, Dr. Osner’s wife.”
“I’m so glad to meet you,” Athena said.
Mrs. Osner smiled. “And I’m so glad you’re carrying these elegant underpinnings. Saves me a trip to East Orange.”
“Would you like to put something aside in case Dr. Osner comes in to shop for Valentine’s Day?” Athena asked. “We’re hosting a special night, for gentlemen only.”
“I doubt Dr. Osner will be coming in to shop for Valentine’s Day.”
“I could drop a hint,” Christina said.
“Yes, do that.” Mrs. Osner flipped through the nightgowns and held up a silky white one, cut on the bias. And while she was at it she chose half a dozen pairs of underpants, two bras, two half-slips, two full and six pairs of stockings. By the time she was done she’d spent a fortune, more than a hundred dollars.
“When are you due?” she asked as Athena wrapped everything in tissue paper.
“Mid May,” Athena told her.
“Lovely—a spring baby. My daughter Natalie was born in spring. Is this your first?”
“No, I have a little boy. He’s two. He’s home with my grandmother this morning.”
“Well, Athena, you’ll be seeing more of me. In fact, how about something for my daughter? She’s almost fifteen. Something with hearts for Valentine’s Day.”
Athena showed her pajamas. White with tiny red hearts.
“Perfect,” Mrs. Osner said. “Can you gift-wrap it?”
“Of course,” Athena said, trying not to show how thrilled she was by a new customer spending so much money all at once.
“I’d better stop at Bob & Betty, too,” Mrs. Osner said, “and pick up something for Fern. She’s too young for your shop. Maybe slippers with pom-poms.”