Betty applied deep red lipstick to her sensual lips, then checked herself in the mirror. Her shoulder-length, light brown hair was pulled back and the edges were curled softly. She wore just a dusting of rouge to highlight her cheekbones, and enough eyeshadow to accent her soft green eyes; eyes that reflected the all too familiar sadness she'd become accustomed to. For a moment she considered not going tonight; calling up her girlfriends and making some excuse to stay home. But she figured they wouldn't let her. She'd cancelled so many other plans with them they'd probably come over and drag her out of her apartment. Her lips curled into a tiny smile as she thought about Mary and Barb. They meant well. They really did. They just wanted her to get out of her depression. And they tried to understand. They did. It was just hard for them, never having been married... much less widowed.
It'd been 1½ years since the Japs had attacked Pearl Harbor and her husband, Tommy, had joined-up. And it'd been 8 months since he'd been killed in Europe. The day she'd gotten that letter she'd fallen into the depression her girlfriends were determined to get her out of.
They'd been patient though; understanding when she broke plan after plan with excuses that often bordered on the ridiculous. But now they were tired of it, refusing to accept any excuses and insisting that she make it to the party their entire floor was throwing in the building where they were roommates.
With a sigh of resignation Betty unrolled a pair of nylons up along her legs, their wide elastic cuffs hugging her thighs tightly and holding them in place under her slip. Next she slipped a flowing white blouse on over her bullet bra. After buttoning it up she drew a pearl necklace on over her head and under her blouse's collar so it hung between the full C-cup peaks of her breasts. Then she slipped a dark skirt on over her slip. She checked herself in the full-length mirror. The outfit did a nice job of accentuating her slim waist and gentle curves. Sliding her feet into a pair of low heals she donned a light jacket, grabbed her purse, and headed out the door.
She walked the few blocks to Mary and Barb's, enjoying the warm evening air. At the apartment building she rode the elevator up to the third floor where a wall of sounds; music, laughter, and conversations, greeted her. It wasn't loud, just a solid din of party noise. Making her way to the girls' apartment she was greeted by a handful of people, some of which she recognized from her visits to her friends. All the apartment doors were open and most had radios playing, all tuned to the same station so as she walked down the hall the song would fade then grow between the doors. She found Mary standing in her apartment's doorway talking to a couple of men she didn't recognize.
"Betty! I'm so glad you made it," Mary greeted her with a gentle hug.
"Hey."
"This is Charlie and Ken," Mary introduced the men.
"Gentlemen," Betty greeted them.
"Miss," Charlie nodded.
"Pleased to meet you," Ken said, gently taking her fingers.
He gazed intently into her eyes and Betty felt the color rising to her cheeks, causing her to divert her gaze.
"Let me get you a drink," Mary said, stepping into her apartment to a table holding the fixings. Betty watched her drop a couple ice cubes into a glass followed by two fingers of whiskey and a splash of water. Stepping back to the door she handed the glass to Betty.
"Thank you," she said, taking a deep sip of the drink to try quieting her nerves.
"Here. Let me take your purse and jacket," Mary said. "I'll put them in my room."
"Okay."
"Do you girls work together?" Charlie asked while she handed her friend her things.
"Yes-um," Betty answered, her nerves making her stammer slightly. She thought she saw both men's eyes giving her an appreciative once over now that her jacket was removed.
"Betty's actually part of Barb's team," Mary clarified, before disappearing with the jacket and purse.
"Yes. That's right," Betty agreed, taking another sip of her drink. "Um, do you gentlemen live here?"
"Two floors up," Ken told her. "But we were invited to the party anyway."
This was obviously meant as a small joke and Betty smiled appropriately. Taking another sip of her drink she took a closer assessment of the men. They were both nice looking; at least six inches taller than her, well-groomed and well-built, wearing slacks and open collar shirts. She suddenly had a new thought, one that gave her a tiny tremor of fear; was this some kind of set-up? Were Mary and Barb trying to play matchmaker?
"They're real handy," Mary announced with a smirk, having heard the exchange as she returned.
Both men grinned.
"Oh?" Betty couldn't tell if they were prideful grins, or mischievous ones.
"On top of other things, they fixed our sink drain the other day."
"The building's manager isn't very reliable," Charlie offered.
"That's too bad."
"Well, it gives us the chance to meet great people like Mary and Barb," Ken stated.
"Yes, it does have its advantages," Charlie agreed.
The quartet chatted for a few more minutes. Betty learned that the men had both been found unfit for service due to flat-feet and were foremen in manufacturing plants supporting the war. She couldn't help thinking about Tommy, but avoided bringing him up, not wanting to put a damper on the evening.
After refreshing everyone's drinks Mary suggested she take Betty mingling around, looking for Barb. As they walked away she leaned in and whispered in Betty's ear; "Aren't they good looking?"
"Um-Yes, I guess," Betty remembered her earlier concern and stopped to turn to face her friend. "Mary, please tell me this isn't some kind of set-up. That you and Barb aren't trying to fix me up."
"Heavens no, Betty," Mary assured her. "We know you're not ready for that."
"Good."
"But that doesn't mean you can't appreciate a nice-looking man, does it?"
"Well... I suppose not."
"Exactly. Now let's find Barb. She'll be so happy you made it tonight."
They found their friend in another apartment talking to two other men. Barb let out a little cry of happiness when she saw Betty, throwing her arms around her and hugging her excitedly.
"You made it!" She cried. "Oh, I am so glad."
"I can tell," Betty smiled, finding her friend's enjoyment infectious.
