Chapter 4

"Well I never! Just you wait until your mother hear's about this!" Mrs Pierce snarls storming off. "You'll be sorry, and I still want my ring back!" demands Margo. She grins wickedly at me, thrusts her nose into the air with a "hmph!" and walks away.

My eyes fill with tears as I think how upset Momma will be. Momma knows Margo and I have been rivals since we were young, and that I didn't want her to come to the party in the first place. I do my best to behave but it seems that Momma always thinks I'm up to something. I'm sure when Mrs. Pierce tells her about this, it won't be in my favor. "Nora, just look at Miss Margo, now that's a girl that has her priorities straight. She's always well dressed and proper, none of this playing the dirt with some rascal like Freddie Warner. It's time to grow up and start acting like a young lady" she often tells me. If acting like Margo Pierce is being a proper young lady, then I don't want to grow up. Papa understands, he tells me to enjoy my youth while it lasts, and that there's plenty of time to be grown up later.

I see Freddie out of the corner of my watery eyes and try not too look upset. "Now then, what's that matter" he asks gently wiping away a tear from my cheek. I explain to him what has happened and how Momma is going to be very upset. "She's going to think I've ruined the party!" I stammer. "Aw, there now, no she won't" he says soothingly. Betsie peeks her head around the corner. "Here now! I just heard what you two have been discussing and I think I will go talk to Mrs. Bracford. Maybe I can talk some sense into her!" she says in a frustrated manner. She turns, and marches off to find Momma.

"I know what you need, a dance!" smiles Freddie. I give him a half smile and look down at the ground. "Aw, c'mon now", he continues "It will take your mind off of things. Besides last time I checked this is a party isn't it?" He tilts his head as Nick Lucas' 'Go Fly A Kite' starts playing on the radio. Freddie grabs me by the hand and smiles as he spins me around the room. I smile and laugh as we dance. As the song ends he dips me and I see his eyes sparkling as he looks into mine. I blush and glance away, smiling shyly. 

"Nora.." Freddie whispers, bringing his hand to his neck somewhat nervously. I lean down and look upward trying to catch his eye. "Yes..." I reply. He looks up and smiles his normal flashy smile and says "Do you wanna take a little walk with me?" "Sure" I agree and smile taking his arm, "Lead the way". Good ole Freddie, I'm sure he was taking me for a walk to get away from the drama of earlier. I smile to myself, what a sweet guy he is. Stepping outside I notice it's still pretty warm for the fall and I'm glad not to be chilled. "Nice night" Freddie points out. I nod in agreement wondering why he is being so formal. I look out over the land at the tall tree's and up at the moon shining so brightly above us. The stars sprinkle the sky in a magical way and I think how beautiful a night it truly is. 

When we reach the pond near the garden I lean down to pick a flower. Just as I stand up Freddie is standing there in front of me looking anxious. "Freddie.. everything alright?" I question. He looks at me, hesitates for a moment then blurts out "Nora, I hope it's ok, it's just that I've wanted to do this for a long time." He barely finishes his sentence before he leans and softly kisses me on the lips. As we kiss my heart flutters and races so fast that I feel it might just flutter right up into the starry sky. He slowly leans away and looks into my eyes. "I hope that was ok.." he says softly. I am lost for words and can only manage to nod at him. "Say, we should probably get back to the party" he smiles and takes me by the hand. 

Walking back to the house I think how amazing it was to share my first kiss with Freddie Warner, of all people. What a beautiful, perfect night. My thoughts of Margo and the lost ring were well behind me. Nothing could ruin this wonderful night. Back at the house it was clear the Pierce's were definitely trying their best to do just that, ruin our party. Clearly Betsie had spoken with Momma before Mrs. Pierce had because the scene we walked into was dreadful. I have never seen Momma so angry. 

Fortunately most of the party is going well, but off in the corner near the dining room, I see Momma and Mrs. Pierce in a heated argument. As I get closer I can hear their conversation. Mrs. Pierce throws her hands up and screeches, "I don't care what that little nincompoop told you! I know my Margo wouldn't hurt a fly! I'm tired of your Nora upsetting my little sweetheart with her jealousy, and now theft!!" Momma forcefully points her finger at Mrs. Pierce and responds, "Don't you DARE accuse my daughter of such things, when you have no proof whatsoever! Now we have been nothing but nice and polite to your family all of these years. But, my patience has been tried with these harsh accusations. We tried to be neighborly by inviting you but I will not have my family disrespected in such a way. You are welcome to leave if you aren't here to wish Herrice safe journey." 

Edith Pierce shoves her nose into the air, then turns and opens her mouth to retort, when Margo motioned for her mother over to where she was. Margo mumbled something to Mrs. Pierce then spoke loudly "Yes, see mother I found it in here!" She was holding my clutch and pointing at it. As Margo drew her ring out of my bag I shouted "I didn't take it, I promise!" Momma turned and gave me a fierce look. "Hah!" Mrs. Pierce said wrinkling her pointy nose at Momma. "I think we'll take our leave now, don't want to be associated with thieves" she threw me a nasty look and turned for the door with Margo. 

I run after Margo and Mrs. Pierce and catch them at the door to question Margo. "Mother, don't forget to leave your drink" she tells Mrs. Pierce. Taking the wine glass from her mother's hand she turns around just as I approach her. She sneers and gently tips the glass spilling wine down the front of my dress. She gasps, "Oops, slip!" She giggles to herself, then frowns. "You better watch it" she threatens pointing at me. With that she whips around and departs.

I clean myself up, enter the living room, and over hear Mrs. Linder talking to Momma. "Marion I know it's not my place to get involved in the affairs of others, but I just had to share with you." Momma raises an eyebrow and replies "Why, Agnes what is going on?" Mrs. Linder sighs and explains, "Well, it's just that when I was in the powder room I saw that ring laying there and thought I should just leave it be, that the owner would be looking for it where they left it. I should have asked if someone had lost it." Momma looks confused and asks "What do you mean, what difference would that have made?" Mrs. Linder shakes her head "You see, on my way to the kitchen to refill my glass I saw that little Margo Pierce hide that ring in your Nora's clutch. Only, I didn't know it was Nora's at the time. Then of course Margo blamed Nora for the attempted theft." Momma gasps "Good heavens! I shouldn't have doubted Nora..." 

Momma turns and see's me standing nearby. "Nora dear, I'm very sorry I doubted you. Do you think we can salvage this party and send your father off in good spirits?" I smile and give her a nod. "There's a good girl" she says. We rejoin the party that surprisingly is still going well and people are still dancing and enjoying themselves. Papa extends his hand and we dance around the living room happily. "I love you Princess" he says. "I love you too Papa" I respond with a giant grin. The song changes and Betsie grabs my hand and we both spin around giggling. Betsie hugs me tight and asks if I'm alright. I tell her yes and thank her for talking to Momma. "You bet!" she says happily "You're my best friend Nora, you know I'd do anything for you!" I smile at her reply "You're the best Betsie, I'm so glad to have such a great friend like you." Freddie makes a gagging sound and chuckles "Ok you two enough with the sappy best pals stuff. This is a party! Now let's start acting like it!" I nod my head in agreement, "Now we finally can!" But as soon as I say the words I realize Papa is leaving tomorrow and I mutter softly to myself, "Papa...."