She sat and played the piano a while
No one seemed at home
Grateful; being lost in the clouds
She didn’t now feel quite so alone.
For Paddy’s rescue had set her quite free
Who would ever have thought?
By herself like this in the city?
The peaceful protection that Paddy had brought!
She went to her room, her roomie not there,
She’d had a very long day,
With all the events that had happened,
Eva felt maybe she’d lost her way.
Silk stockings? For bare legs? Tomorrow she’d see.
What would the new day bring?
How to capsize your boat?
Wouldn’t always be lucky with her criminal fling!
She arose soon enough, perplexion at bay.
Another Woolworths quite near.
To show up for a job without stockings,
Would immediately disqualify for that career!
Eva walked to the new Woolworths, lost in deep thought
She had to get a job!
Hold on to her ten dollars for rent,
She was desperate not to be part of the mob.
Familiar counters! THEN THE ISLAND OF SILKS!
Those LEGS lined up like that.
Stockings of rayon and silk!
They were symbols for ambitions. Achievements for combat! 
Opulent silk forest primeval,
Wooden bins where she could touch,
Her hands caressed and fanned the upheaval!
A pair of stockings! She was just so close!
Her hands froze for a moment.
She smelled them and moved them away.
Back to her face! Oh that soft component!
With hesitation enough, a man stood beside her.
He was stationed in the shadows to watch.
“Dose are quite duh stockin’s,” he said
“Yuh look like yuh be needin’ a butterscotch.”
And there was Paddy, her newly found friend!
Security watch for the store.
Watching the comings and goings
Just happened to be there on the floor.
Eva looked up with a blush of surprise.
Paddy was looking relieved.
Their eyes both met in silence
Paddy was quick, now knowin’ what he’d believed.
He had guessed Eva’s prediction before,
Thought it more than a trip and a fall.
Offered her a butterscotch,
Thought he could help her with kindness, though small.
Paddy knew he had ‘caught’ her at just the right moment. Didn’t ask her if she was buyin’
“I know yer havin’ a time of it.
I wanna’ help and I know yer hard tryin!”
“Oh Paddy!” she cried. “I need ‘em for a job,
Just don’t know I can afford them,
For the Paradise Cabaret!”
Her voice then cracked as she cleared it of phlegm.
He pulled out of his ‘blues’ a couple of dollars.
He smiled with his kindly eyes.
A bit more than five and ten cents.
He pretended not to hear Eva’s soft cries.
“Now be gettin’on home and ready fer work.
I know you’ll be doin’ jus’ fine.
Sometimes we just need some help
A stitch in time, will be savin’ yuh nine.”
Eva walked home, knowing how lucky she was.
Paddy’d saved her from herself.
He must have known exactly!
I owe him for not putting me out on the shelf.
She dolled up as best as she could
Walked right through the door at five
Spoke to the man of the club,
Sized her up and down, offered ‘no jive’!
“You’re just a really cute girl,” he said,
“But you have to look ‘alive’
You’re not full of banter and charm,
You gotta’ stand tall while the guests are in ‘drive!’ “
“It’s very competitive,” he went on to say,
“You have the looks… so let’s see,
Tonight for a trial shift,
Let’s see if you spark some vitality.”
To be continued…
By Flo Lawrence
Zane Tatum
Put on your stockings and travel down to the Unurban Coffee House this Sunday to see what wares we offer.
Always glad to have a variety of guests!!!
3301 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, Ca.
Sundays, every Sunday but the 2nd Sunday of the month. Brad Kay/illustrious piano, noon to 1:30
Brad plays on continuously for the Sunday Songbirds from 1:30-4:30 Accompanied by many other guest musicians to include Mark Fletcher and Tom Marion.
See you there.
Note Well:
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