Sophie

When Anne Montague died, she took half of her husband's heart with her, but she left him with four daughters. Cliff Montague was an excellent father, but he could not be a good mother, and consequently the girls grew up without complete knowledge of how to be women. Paige considered this to be no hardship. She despised makeup and hair and all things girly anyway, but Sophie always felt that she was lacking something in this regard. Anne had always done Sophie's hair in pigtails with ribbons to match her outfit. After Anne died, Sophie had tried to do her own pigtails, but she could never get the part strait or get all the hair in the rubber band or manage to get the hair smooth, so she eventually gave up, and for the past ten years, Sophie was never quite sure if her hair looked right or if her outfit matched. Of course, her sisters didn't care about such things, so asking them never helped and her father always said that she was his beautiful little girl no matter what.

Sophie sat on her bed and stared into her closet feeling depressed. The Capulet girls would be coming in an hour and Sophie didn't know what to wear. In observing the Capulet girls at church on Sunday, Sophie knew that all of them had a great sense of fashion and would know exactly where Sophie was lacking. Sophie was sure that whatever she wore would be the wrong thing because all of the clothes in her closet totally sucked. When Sophie went shopping for clothes, she would wander hopelessly around the mall feeling completely lost, wishing she knew which clothes to buy. Eventually she would realize that she had to buy something or else come home empty handed, so she would find some jeans and t-shirts that looked just like her old ones and come home. She was always sure that she had gotten the wrong thing and of course, she never felt any cuter in her new clothes than in her old.

As Sophie stared into her closet, she eventually came to the conclusion that it didn't matter what she wore because she was going to look bad anyway. It was time to just put something on. Shorts. She would wear shorts because it was summer. On went some tan cargo shorts. A shirt. This blue t-shirt.

Sophie turned and stared at her reflection in the mirror. She saw a tall, skinny girl with no curves to speak of. Good for playing basketball, but no good for getting dates. Basketball. It seemed like that was all she was good for, but she was sick of basketball. Boys weren't impressed by basketball. Boys were impressed by girls. Sophie wanted to be a girl. Of course, she could never admit this to Paige or Jordan or she would have no peace the rest of her life.
Her eyes went to her hair. It was blond and cut almost as short as a boy's. She had kept it that short ever since she had given up on trying to do her own pigtails.

She looked at her face. Pale skin. Blue eyes. She sat down at her vanity and picked up the bag of merchandise that had arrived earlier and began pulling out its contents. Small boxes with items inside. Her first makeup. She had ordered it from the Avon magazine. Sophie had wanted makeup for a long time, but had only just gotten some because she had been so embarrassed that she wanted any. She knew that Paige and Jordan would mock her if she told them she wanted to wear makeup. They would mock her for wearing it today, but she would have to deal with that. It was more important to impress the Capulet girls right now.

Procuring the makeup had been quite an ordeal. How does one go about buying makeup? How do you choose what colors to put on your face? She knew that in department stores you cold go and have someone just put makeup on you, but each time she made up her mind to approach such a counter, her she felt so out of place in her ugly clothes that she just couldn't do it. When the Avon magazine had shown up on the porch, she had taken it to her room and pored over it. She examined every shade of lipstick, eyeshadow, and blush, but she still didn't know what to order. One day while she was perusing the magazine, Erica had come into her room and innocently asked her what she was reading. Sophie knew there was no escape, so she showed her the magazine. Sophie feared the worst, but instead of being disgusted, Erica asked if she had decided on anything. When she said that she hadn't, she sat down on the bed and looked over the magazine herself. Then she made recommendations and Sophie ordered what she suggested.

Sophie began applying the makeup. First came the foundation. She squirted it onto her finger and rubbed it around. She examined her face. It looked funny. Browner. Oranger. "I'm just not used to makeup," she thought. Next came the blush. She put it all over her cheeks. It took a long time to put on the eyeliner. Her eye kept twitching and getting the line strait was impossible. Next came the eyeshadow. That wasn't too bad. The mascara was the worst. Her eyes revolted against the idea of something coming that close and would shut tight involuntarily. In the end it looked like globs of black ink on her eyelashes. At least the lip gloss was easy to put on. Sophie looked in the mirror one last time and considered washing everything off. "No," she thought, "the Capulet girls wear makeup. It's what you're supposed to do when you're a girl. It's what you've got to do if you want boys to like you," and she marched out of her room.

Cleopatra

While walking home from church, Cleopatra thought that she hadn’t had so much fun in a long time. Roberta had made a point of telling her girls to look their best so as to make a good impression in their new ward, but she needn’t have bothered. They made a point of looking their best just in case there were any cute boys in the ward. Cleopatra was not disappointed. The moment she sat down, she looked up at the sacrament table and saw a very cute priest looking down at her. She gave him her best smile and after that he couldn’t take his eyes off her. In Sunday school all the boys in the class had vied for her attention. Life didn’t get much better than that. She was excited to go to her new school. She heard they had a really good dance team and she was determined to make it on. She also knew that she would make new friends in a heartbeat. She always did.

She entered the house and was immediately reminded that there were some drawbacks to her present situation. The house was much too small for nine people to be living there. The main floor consisted of a living room, kitchen, and small dining area, master bedroom, and bathroom. Upstairs there were two bedrooms and a bathroom. Cleopatra shared the larger bedroom with Alexis, Amy, Kate, and Rosalind and the triplets, shared the smaller bedroom. It was so hard to find space to get ready in the morning. The triplets always used their mom’s bathroom downstairs, but the five older girls were always vying for space in front of the mirror. Cleopatra wished they could live in a big house again where she had only to share a room with Kate during the summers and with no one when Kate was off at college. But then, she would take the small house over living with her dad.

Cleopatra got a drink of water and went and sat down on the couch. Alexis and Amy joined her.

“So, any cute boys?” Alexis asked.

“A few. Especially one named Dustin”

“That does sound promising. What about you, Amy?”

“Not really, but I think I’ve got myself a stalker.”

“Amy, are you ever going to like anyone?”

“I don’t know. Most boys just aren’t very interesting.”

“Well maybe they’d be interesting if you got to know them.”

“I doubt that. In this case anyway. Why can’t some prince charming just come sweep me off my feet?”

“Maybe he will, but first you have to be sweep able.”

“Well, I don’t care. So what if I end an old maid. I’ve got my violin and my books. The lack of a man won’t take that away from me.”

“You just don’t know what you’re missing, darling.”

“Yes I know. I don’t know what it’s like to be dating the oh-so-charming Brian Peterson.”

“Well, whatever. You just read those books, Amy.”

“I will. Any book is better company than Isaac Stewart.”

“Oh is that his name? What else do you know about him?”

“He goes to UVU and he’s majoring in computer science.”

“Not bad.”

“He was wearing white socks and his pants were too short.”

“Oh.”

Kate burst into the room wearing an apron. “I am so sick of you three bums sitting around while mom and I make dinner all by ourselves. Get your buts in here and help.”

“I love you too, Kate. Is something wrong? Amy asked as she got up and made her way to the kitchen.

“Yeah, I just told you. Mom and I are in here slaving away while you three sit on the couch.”

“Uh, right. We’ll talk about it later.”

Cleopatra got up and followed Amy into the kitchen. Kate shot Alexis a dirty look for shooting a quick text to Brian before following Cleopatra into the kitchen.

“How was church, Kate,” Alexis asked.

“Fine.”

“See any cute boys?”

“No. I hate boys, remember?”

“Right.”

Cleopatra wasn’t sure what had gotten into Kate, but she could guess. Kate was mad because Mom seemed to be interested in Brother Montague. Cleopatra couldn’t blame Kate for being angry at their father. After all, she had always been the closest to him, so naturally she felt the most betrayed. But Cleopatra felt it was a little harsh of Kate to translate that into hatred of all men. She wished Kate wasn’t always so cranky right now, but even more than that, she wished there was something she could do to help. Out of all her sisters, Cleopatra had always been the closest to Kate. Kate had always been a little feisty, but Cleopatra usually knew what to say to her. Now it was different. It seemed like Kate had locked herself up inside a wooden chest that Cleopatra could not open.

Cleopatra peeled potatoes. Rosalind entered the kitchen. “What did you say to Brother Montague after church, Mom?”

“Oh, he invited us over for a barbecue Friday night so our families can get to know each other.”

“Likely story.”

“What do you mean, dear?”

“Mom, he doesn’t care if we become friends with his daughters. He just wants to get to know you.”

“Oh, Rosalind. Ever my little romantic match maker.”

“When have I ever been wrong, Mom? Just tell me that.”

“Well you did say that Amy would date Keith Harper.”

“Oh, come on. Keith was head over heels for Amy, but she wouldn’t so much as look at him.”

“Maybe I would have if he hadn’t been so dumb.”

“He was not dumb. You just didn’t give him a chance. But anyway, that’s beside the point. The point is, Mom has an eligible widower interested in her who is probably very nice and even well to do, given the fact that he lives in this neighborhood, but not in our house. I think you should go for it, Mom.”

“I don’t know, sweetheart. I’m not as young and beautiful as I once was.”

“Look, Mom. Dad running off with that chick had nothing to do with your lack of beauty. It had to do with him being a pervert.”

“Um…right, dear.”

Roberta hurried out of the kitchen and into her bedroom, closing the door behind her.

Rosalind got a fork, scooped out the corner of the cake, and stuck it in her mouth. “Umm,” she said, as Cleopatra, Kate, Alexis, and Amy looked at her.

“What? It’s not like you never do this,” she said.

“That’s where you’re wrong,” said Kate. “We never do.”

Paige, part 2

Paige didn’t pay attention to much of anything during sacrament meeting. She was glad when the sacrament was over and the priests went and sat with their families, Dustin going to sit by his mother on the back row. At least she didn’t have to watch Dustin ogle Cleopatra Capulet anymore. She tried to listen to the speakers a couple times, but she couldn’t concentrate knowing that sitting right across from her were women who could potentially try to steal her father and her best friend.

When sacrament meeting was over, Paige started to head off to Sunday school when her dad said, “Wait a minute, Paige. I want you to meet the Capulet family. I helped them move in yesterday and they are delightful people.” Before Paige or her sisters could protest, Cliff had walked over to Roberta Capulet and held out his hand. “Good morning, sister Capulet, I’d like to introduce you to my daughters.”

Roberta shook his hand warmly. “Oh, yes. I’ve been looking forward to meeting them.”

“This is Sophie, Paige, Jordan, and my baby Erica.”

Roberta smiled. “Delighted.”

“How would you and your family like to come over for a barbecue so our girls can get to know each other?”

“That would be lovely. My girls always enjoy making new friends… As do I,” she added with a smile.

“How about this Saturday?”

“Wonderful.”

“Five o’clock, then?”

“Five o’clock.”

When Paige finally headed off to Sunday school, she was absolutely seething. What was dad thinking inviting all those stupid girls over? Did he actually think she was going to make friends with those girls? Please. Paige didn’t make friends with girls, but especially not girls who had enough estrogen to fumigate a room.

She reached Sunday school wanting nothing more than to commiserate with Dustin about her unfortunate social obligation. She found Dustin sitting with his chair leaned back against the wall and his hands behind his head. She pulled up a chair next to him and leaned against the wall as well.

“You will never believe what my dad just did. I could kill him.”

“Go on.”

“He arranged for us to have a barbecue with the Capulets so that we can ‘get to know each other.’”

“Lucky.”

“What do you mean, ‘lucky’? I have to spend an entire evening with eight stupid, prissy girls. I’ll be lucky if I can keep from pulling my hair out.”

“Come on, Paige. They’re a little different from you, but you’re tough enough to handle it. Any chance I could just happen to show up at the time of said barbecue?”

“Please do. If you’re there I’ll have a fighting chance of maintaining my sanity. It’s Saturday at five o’clock.”

“I’ll be there.”

“You’d better.”

Sister Peterson came to the door and handed Brother Jones the roll. But she wasn’t alone. “This is Cleopatra,” she said. “She’ll be joining your class.”

Cleopatra walked in with her bracelets jingling and her hair flowing behind her. She pulled up a chair on the other side of Dustin and sat down. Dustin took his hands out from behind his head and leaned forward so the front legs of his chair touched the ground again. He turned to Cleopatra.

“Wassup?”

“Hey,” Cleopatra smiled.

“I’m Dustin. What’s your name?”

“Cleopatra.”

“Who would like to give the opening prayer?” Brother Jones asked.

If this had been a normal Sunday from Paige’s perfect life, she would be whispering to Dustin through the entire lesson and saying, “search, ponder, and pray” whenever necessary. But from the moment Cleopatra walked in, Dustin had stopped paying attention to Paige. Cleopatra smiled and batted her eyelashes. All the boys in the class were looking at her. Paige found herself hating Cleopatra more and more every minute. Was she going to steal all her friends? It certainly seemed like it and she knew she didn’t deserve them.

If Sunday school had been bad, young women’s was even worse. Paige had to sit while Cleopatra, Kate, Rosalind, Gloria, Grace, and Gwenevere told how they liked to dance, sing, sew, and do crafts. Glances at Sophie, Jordan, and Erica told Paige that they were just as disgusted as she was. Everyone else seemed un-phased.

When church was finally over, Paige walked home before any of her family and immediately changed into shorts. Then she went to the kitchen and started eating cheese and crackers. It wasn’t long before Sophie, Jordan, and Erica joined her and they all talked about their various encounters with the Capulet girls. Paige was jealous of Sophie and Jordan when she found that neither of them had a Capulet in their Sunday school class. Erica had all three of the youngest, since they were triplets, which made Paige feel bad for her, but Erica claimed they weren’t as bad as the rest. Dad wouldn’t be home for a while since he was the executive secretary and had to stay at church till all the bishop’s meetings were done, but Paige knew she would have a bone to pick with him when he got back.

Paige, part 1

As Paige Montague sat in the chapel one Sunday morning in late July waiting for church to start, everything in her world seemed perfect. She had an adoring, doting father and three sisters who were lots of fun. At school she was “one of the guys” and no one questioned her toughness. She was the only sophomore on the varsity softball team. She had just turned sixteen and gotten her driver’s license and her dad was letting her drive his old car to school now. Yep. Everything was just about perfect.

Paige looked over at the door where ward members were coming in and taking their seats. In came Brother and Sister Stevens with their five children. In came the newly married Rob and Karen Grant, followed by Sister Thomas with her walker. Then a family came in that Paige did not recognize. It was a family of all girls and they just kept streaming in. The mother came in first and Paige counted eight daughters. Eight disgustingly frilly daughters. Paige looked at her sister Jordan and pretended to gag. In return, Sophie put her hand to her chest, tossed her head to the side, and opened her mouth. They both rolled their eyes.

It was as if a huge pink puffball had just entered the room. The new girls’ faces were painted to look like porcelain dolls, and they all looked like they had spent way too much time curling or straightening their hair. All their nails were painted or manicured. They wore dresses or skirts and blouses of every shade of pink, purple, yellow, and blue. All but the three youngest were wearing high heels. Paige thought she was going to be sick. There was now enough estrogen for the whole world in this one room. “Please let them be visitors,” Paige thought.

Paige had never owned a pair of high heels in her life and she was proud of it. She had never worn makeup either and she was proud of that too. Her wardrobe consisted of jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, tennis shoes, and shorts. Why she had to wear a skirt on Sunday, she did not know, but she only had one and she never wore it for longer than absolutely necessary. It was knee length and black. It went with all her shirts, so all she had to do to get ready on a Sunday was grab her skirt and any random shirt out of her closet, put them on, put her hair in a pony tail, and she was good to go. She missed her old skirt, though. It had been long and denim with slits up the sides. When she had worn that skirt she had also worn flip flops to church. Then President Hinkley had told everyone that they were no longer supposed to wear denim and flip flops to church, so that was the end of that. Sophie had helped her pick out a plain black skirt and some black flats. At least she didn’t have to wear poofy pink clothes, but she still missed her denim skirt and flip flops.

“Oh my gosh! I’ll bet they don’t do anything so they won’t break their nails,” Jordan whispered to Paige.

Paige snickered. Then she began thinking of all the pranks she could do on them at girls camp. She looked over to where the prissy girls sat in the pew next to theirs. The girl on the end was wearing bright red lipstick. She would get a hold of that lipstick and smear it all over that stupid girl’s face. Yeah. That would look good. She started to chuckle, but Erica punched her in the ribs. “Look at Dad,” she whispered. Cliff Montague was staring at the mother of the prissy girls with a goofy smile on his face. The mother was writing something down in a small notebook, but then she looked up, gave Cliff a quick smile, and looked away.

“Oh, no,” Paige breathed. Even though his wife had been dead eight years, Cliff had never been interested in another woman. Sure, he would go on dates from time to time with single women from work or with women he met online, but his daughters could tell that he didn’t like any of them. Not really. When they asked him why he even went out with them, his response was always the same: “For neither is the man without the woman nor the woman without the man in the Lord.” Reminding him that he already had a woman that he was sealed to for eternity never evoked any response. But that didn’t matter. Sophie, Paige, Jordan, and Erica figured that for all his high words, there would never be a woman who could replace their mother in their dad’s heart. And while that remained the case, they would be unequivocally his girls. He would still take them to movies and to games and buy them all the treats they wanted while they were there. But the look on their dad’s face right now had the Montague girls a little worried. He looked like he had just taken a blow to the head.

Paige looked up at the sacrament table where her best friend Dustin sat. She tried to catch his eye so they could laugh at those prissy girls together, but Dustin was not looking her way. Instead, his gaze was fixed on one of the new girls who had darker skin than the rest and had black hair down to her waist.

Dustin too? Five minutes and these girls were already ruining her life. She folded her arms and scowled in utter disgust while Dustin continued to stare at the dark-haired girl. She scowled deeper as the meeting started and Bishop Baldwin said, “We have some new members in our ward. Would the following please stand as their names are read? Roberta Capulet, Alexis Capulet, Amy Capulet, Cleopatra Capulet, Kate Capulet, Rosalind Capulet, Gloria Capulet, Grace Capulet, and Guinevere Capulet. Would all those who can welcome the Capulet family into the ward so manifest by raising the right hand?”

“Fitting,” Paige thought as she raised her hand, not because she really wanted to welcome them into the ward, but because she did not want to risk any awkward questions later. “The Capulets and the Montagues.” Her dad was grinning broader than ever.