Dawn of Eve - MJ Howson (read full novel .txt) 📗

Thirteen

A New Voice

The Spire’s express elevator’s digital display quickly flashed through the floors being bypassed on its way to the penthouse level. Dawn watched the digits escalate as the car hummed and rocked during its buttery smooth ascent. The Zuni store owner had been kind enough to give Dawn a small tattered red polyester blanket to carry Eve home in. Cradling Eve in her arms felt natural to Dawn, despite the musty scent coming from the blanket.

The elevator doors opened and Dawn rushed through the mirrored foyer and over to the front door. The door unlocked just prior to her arrival. She stepped inside and announced, “Evelyn, play some jazz and start the fireplace.”

The gas fireplace sparked to life, sending a warm glow throughout its glass crystals. Tia Fuller’s Save Your Love for Me began to waft down from the overhead speakers.

“Let me show you your new home,” Dawn said to Eve. She walked through her expansive first floor, stopping to show the doll the kitchen, dining, and living rooms. Dawn then took Eve to the door of her art studio. She placed her hand on the handle. “I . . . I haven’t been in here since . . . .”

Dawn pushed the door open several inches but didn’t step inside. She studied the polished concrete floor and multiple easels spread throughout the room. Dawn closed the door, looked at Eve, and said, “Maybe you’ll inspire me.”

Dawn brought Eve to the couch, gently unwrapped the doll from the worn blanket, and tossed the coverlet to the side. She spent a bit of time twisting the doll’s legs and feet into position so that Eve sat upright facing the fireplace. Dawn thought back to her text exchange with Jacob on her way home from Zuni. She looked at Eve and suddenly didn’t care that Jacob wasn’t able to come by. Dawn smiled, ran her fingers through Eve’s copper hair, and said, “We don’t need him, do we?”

Dawn swooped Eve into her arms and swayed back and forth, the doll’s eyes occasionally snapping open and closed. Dawn found the pressure of the doll’s head against her chest somewhat comforting. She slipped her hand around the doll’s neck until her fingertips caught the gold chain. She retrieved the locket and stared at the engraved W on the front.

“We’re two of a kind.” Dawn pulled Jacob’s sapphire pendant from around her neck and held it beside Eve’s locket. “See?” Dawn held the locket closer to inspect the intricate detailing. For the first time, she noticed flashes of red beneath the engravings. She pulled the locket even closer to her face and asked, “Are those holes? What’s inside?” Dawn sighed and tucked the locket beneath Eve’s dress. “My little mystery. I bet you’re full of surprises.” Dawn turned and looked at the spiral staircase. “Speaking of surprises, I have something to show you.”

Dawn walked to the staircase, rocking Eve gently in her arms. She went to the second floor and stopped outside the nursery’s door. Dawn closed her eyes as she recalled how many times she’d stepped inside and mourned the loss of her baby. She opened her eyes and smiled at the sight of Eve’s sapphire blue eyes looking back at her. Dawn took a deep breath, turned the crystal handle, and entered the nursery. The lavender-scented gel beads barely filled the air, and the closed drapes made the room eerily dark.

“Evelyn, open the nursery curtains,” Dawn said.

The drapes parted, allowing the sun’s rays to spill into the room, bathing the white furniture in sunlight. Dawn brought Eve to the crib in the center of the room and tilted the doll’s head into the cradle. Eve’s eyes clicked closed.

“This is your new bedroom, Eve.” Dawn held the doll upright, causing the eyes to snap open. She spent a few minutes parading Eve around the room, stopping to show it the changing table and some of the baby item’s she’d stored in the drawers. “I hope you like it.” Dawn ran her finger across the top of the rocking chair. She frowned when she noticed the dust. “This won’t do.”

Dawn spent the next two hours cleaning and organizing the nursery. When done, Dawn brought Eve back downstairs and made herself a light dinner of leftovers–white wine and some linguine in olive oil and garlic. Afterward, she poured herself a bit more wine and sat with Eve on the loveseat facing the windows. Dawn never heard from Jacob, nor did she bother to try and contact him. She felt quite content with Eve by her side.

“Janet thinks we’re meant to be together,” Dawn said as she twisted one of Eve’s hands back and forth. “I’m a firm believer in fate. Did I tell you I planned to name my baby Eve? After my mother. Well, actually, it was Evelyn. She preferred the full name.”

“I’m sorry, can you repeat that?” the voice assistant asked.

“Cancel,” Dawn said. She chuckled and shook her head. “I think you’ll like Jacob. And I think he’ll like you. If he sees how well I care for you, well, then . . . .” Dawn pulled Eve close and hugged the doll. “Then he’ll want to try again.”

With the curtains fully open, and the sun about to set, Dawn’s apartment became bathed in a blood-orange hue. Dawn brought Eve over to the sliding door and stepped outside onto the terrace. The cool September air felt crisp as it tickled her nose.

“Would you believe I hate heights?” Dawn chuckled as she took a few cautious steps toward the middle of the patio. “But I couldn’t say no to the best view in town.” New Jersey was backlit with ribbons of red and orange as the sun slowly dropped beneath the horizon.

Dawn stood in the middle of her terrace with her arms around Eve. The doll faced outward so they could both enjoy the gorgeous light show