Cruella De'Vil

Sweet Anita

Cruella was my only friend until I met Rodger. She was far nicer back then….I recall once at a sleepover we had, she cried all night because the dress I made didn’t fit her. She thought I did that to be cruel to her. I wouldn’t do such a thing to her, my only friend, she didn’t talk to me for a month after that. That was when we were 11 years old. I do have many fond memories of her before… I.. won’t go there for now.
On a chilly morning in November I got up early to go and meet some of the staff. The sun room is nice and all , but I have a wandering mind. I met a lady, whom became my maid later on, cleaning the small side room next to the one I was in. She cleaned with such care and a warm heart into everything. Whenever Cruella gave me the cold shoulder, I would talk to her , or the other staff. I wonder if Cruella knew any of her staff as well as I do. She never talks about them, good or bad, I just want to know why she doesn’t. I never judged her for it and I still won’t, even if she did think of them as less than. I know she doesn’t think of me that way. Cruella came down the grand stair case in a gown a made a week ago.
She looked wonderful and I try to tell her that as much as I can. We had wanted to go out that day to the mall. It was nice t was nice to not have any work to do. The cool air felt peaceful to walk in. We both found a place to grab tea on the way and bickered about what one we wanted to go to. I miss that a lot after she changed…Anyways, once we got to the mall, her eyes lit up like Christmas morning. She scurried off to one of the shops and walking behind her. I tried to go as fast as I can, but I can not do that.
My eyes glanced at a small heart necklaces that came in pairs. She saw what I was looking at and I told her she didn’t have to get me anything. She did anyways as an early birthday gift. It was one of the few times I can remember her being truly kind to me. I couldn’t thank her enough for that. Her and I wore those til we were 25. I still have mine in a locked box to keep all those memories in. After that, we went to Marla’s, a clothing store she loves a whole lot. She want this and that, and we tried on a lot of things from dresses to modern fashion at that time. I found a nice swim outfit I liked and at that time swim wear was new for women.
She seemed so full of energy that day and not a care in the world could stop her. We were giggling and laughing from shop to shop. I don’t know how much was spent, but that doesn’t matter now.. does it. Towards the end of November, we have a larger than life feast. It happens every year that I was there for. This is one of the few times that her Papa is home for the evening.
I sheepishly say hello and good evening to him. I thought I met all the staff, there is always someone new to talk to. Her Papa was talking to the other important guests that night. I took a small glass of champagne to raise a toast with everyone else. I feel a little out of place when everyone from the other mansions are here. I never told Cruella about that. I think it’s for the best I don’t tell her that. Last I heard from her was when she was in Hell Hall. I think it was for the best she is kept where she is now.
To think that this was the only time I felt happy to see all the staff. They do the best they can for us. After the toast, we sat down to eat the food given to us. I was next to Cruella as her best friend. She was not all there that night and I did not want to push her into not talking to me for the week. Her hair was all fizzled and ruffled by the time the men came over to talk to her. It was in her Mothers best interest she start talking to people in the social group. I walked off to get some fruit punch. When I came back, I saw she was actually talking to other people.
I watched from afar to see if she’ll make a new friend to have with her. I would’ve enjoyed a friend other than Cruella. I do care about Cruella… but… I can’t be the only person she has anymore. I knew from the way she talked to me in her room that night that she didn’t like any of them for long. In a way I understand why she did not care for them. Rich liars is all they are to her and they don’t know her like I do. I sat there and watched as she went from sad to angry back and forth for what felt like hours. It felt like she was mad at me in a way.
I stayed the night and sent a small letter to Rodger as I did after we met. She can see I was blushing while I was writing the letter to him. He lived so far away that after a while I didn’t remember what her looked like. Many nights around Cruella made me think about her more often than I would like to. Seaming and hemming all her outfits made me far to tired to do much else. I did a lot to keep her happy. One day she asked to learn how to do what I do. I didn’t know if I should or not at that time.
I went home for the first time in a while. A small home in comparison to Cruella. It was a cozy little home and I mostly stayed away from the world. In a book reading or drawing new designs. My papa came home late that night. All I heard from him was one word and off to bed her went. He is not much of a talker, but he is rather sweet to a lot of people. In the morning, he told us he talked to the school counsel and they want me to go to that school with Cruella. I will become someones governess when I leave that school.
When I brought up the news to her she thought that meant I wouldn’t be by her side anymore. I truly felt terrible to say that to her. It feels weird to know she does care a lot about me, even if she doesn’t talk to me like she does. Her Mother found out through the grapevine that I was attending the same school as Cruella. I don’t understand that woman. She was lady of mansion but now she sleeps most of the day. I choose not to visit her. I don’t speak much to anyone anymore. I prefer to just sit with my dog in the park and read a book or two. I spent a lot of time around Cruella that I didn’t give time to myself. Her Papa enjoyed my company and gave me gifts from time to time. He was quite the loving father just like mine. One of the gifts he gave me was a small thin bracelet that fit quite well on my frail wrist. Cruella mocked me a lot for being so thin but eat so much to compensate.