The Cinder Bullies (5)

"Thankfully, Cindy has her freedom now," thought Rosa, as she worked away, cutting and sewing an outfit that would fit Cindy properly. From her own personal experience, she knew that life was not easy for young women in that era. In fact, there were very few who ever did anything other than try to become social butterflies with the hope of finding wealthy husbands who would support them and their elegant lifestyles. There were many young women like Cindy inadvertently assigned to menial, household tasks and they seldom if ever, managed to break free of that role.

"Cindy was one of the lucky ones," Rosa told Millie, a young seamstress who she had been mentoring for a number of years. "Fortunately, I was able to help her to find a better place to live where she can support herself with dignity and learn social graces, too."

"It is almost impossible to get young women to change their lives," said Millie,  "I was very young when you found me. Now I am so grateful that you were able to rescue me from my old life, when you did."

"Your early life was not unlike Cindy's."

"And you became my god mother."

"Yes, like I will be for Cindy."

Rosa held up the outfit that she had just finished altering. "Would you be so kind as to take this to Cindy and make certain it is comfortable?"

"Yes, I would be happy to do that for you, Rosa. It is so beautiful. Cindy will love it!"

"Right now, Cindy feels like she is all alone."

"I know what that is like."

Rosa was determined to help Cindy in every way that she possibly could, just as she had been helped when she was that age.

"As women, we always have a moral and ethical obligation to help each other," Rosa said, solemnly. "In turn, each one who receives help can pay it forward by helping another young woman. It is simply an act of love and kindness."

"I will help Cindy however I can," replied Millie. "I owe you that much."

"But you don't owe me anything," replied Rosa, with a smile. "If you still feel like you do, consider it all paid in full."

"Thank you, Rosa. Do you think Cindy would like this long, white ribbon for her hair?"

"She will be thrilled. Better still, let's give her a pocket full of colored ribbons."

Cindy had no idea what to expect when Millie showed up in the rose garden, an hour later. The last thing she ever expected to receive was a collection of colored ribbons to wear with the outfit that Rosa had adjusted for her. It fit her perfectly.

"Here is a brand new, sun bonnet I made for you, too."

"Really? Millie, I don't know how to thank you and Rosa for everything."

"Rosa does not want to be thanked and neither do I, but I know that you will find a way," replied Millie, with a smile. She was totally delighted at Cindy's response.

Cindy felt almost overwhelmed by Rosa's and Millie's kindness.

"I have never owned a beautiful outfit like that, much less a ribbon, or a sun bonnet," she said, wiping the tears of joy from her face.

Just then, the cook came outside with a pair of home made, leather, garden boots for Cindy.

"You are welcome to visit Cindy any time," the cook said to Millie. "Would you like to stay for dinner tonight?"

Millie welcomed the invitation as her own social life was relatively limited.

"I certainly would! I will help Cindy finish up in the rose garden first, and then, after we get washed up for dinner, I will show her how to wear a ribbon in her hair."

That was the beginning a long, loving and caring friendship between Millie and Cindy, much to Rosa's delight. The cook could see immediately that they were bonding well and knew it was going to be good for everyone.