July 21st had been the hottest day of that Summer. Few people were on the early evening streets, and an air of uncertainty permeated the city. Sarah Marchmont had awakened and been gripped with this same feeling. She was just 26 years old, a petite 5 feet 3 inches tall, with an oval fair-skinned face inset with hazel eyes and framed in strawberry blond ringlets that fell to her shoulders. Her entire form was balanced and pleasing to any eye. Sarah was two years returned from finishing school in Charleston.
Inside the house, all seemed consumed with the same detachment from reality. Conversations were short, but typically Southern genteel, and the day languished as if held back by the stifling heat. . As the light eventually began to fade Sarah took herself to her quarters, bathed, and prepared herself for the evening's rest. Of late she had been donning a simple linen nightdress, but this evening, as she stood naked before her closet, her hand brushed against the full length white chiffon nightgown she had received as part of a trousseau on her recent graduation. She caressed the soft, silky fabric and found her spirits lifting. Removing the garment from the satin wrapped hanger she lifted it over her head and let it cascade over her body. Sarah turned and mixed a Mimosa, carried it with her through the French doors and, a wry smile on her lips, sat upon the chaise lounge on the second floor veranda.
A slight breeze had arisen, and the air carried the scent of the last lingering magnolias to Sarah's nostrils. There was something else in the air that night also, a heavier less pleasant scent that came from farther off, though seemed to be approaching. She sipped on her Mimosa and thought back to the days before her Charleston education. To days when she and her fine, young blond headed beau would walk the Atlanta lanes and talk of tomorrows to come.