Chapter 6

November 1, 1944

For the past four years I have been neglecting my journal because I've been putting it all in letters to Papa. Momma found out I haven't been keeping my journal up and scolded me. "You'll want to remember these things when you're older" she says. So, here I am starting up my journal again. I suppose the biggest news currently is that my 16th birthday is in a few days and I'm so very excited. Sweet sixteen. They say it's the best of birthdays. 

Bright morning sun shines happily into my room and I awake with a smile. "Betsie will be here soon" I think to myself. We were going into town to try on dresses for my sweet sixteen. I wanted to look my very best on such a special birthday. I wasn't sure if getting a new dress was alright by Momma, but she said that I needed to show everyone what a fine young lady I'd become. "Surely there'll be suitors" she expressed. Momma doesn't see Freddie as a fit beau even though we've been going steady now for almost 2 years. Maybe one day she'll see him for more than just a stock boy at the supply store. 

After dressing and pinning up my hair, I stroll downstairs and have some breakfast with Momma. "Now you'll pick out something presentable and modest, I'm sure. Why your party is the talk of the town, everyone talking about it!" she states. I reply, "Momma I don't even know that many people, I just want a nice party with my closest friends." Momma scoffs "Nonsense, you're a proper young lady now and we need to present you as such." She dabbed her mouth with the corner of her napkin and continued, "There's even talk of Miss Margo Pierce attending as well."

Waving her hand as if to shoo a fly she goes on, "Now, before you start in, let me just say that as a lady we have certain duties to get along respectfully with other ladies of this town. Miss Margo has become one of the top socialites in town and it would do you good to get in with that crowd." My jaw drops to the floor and I blink several times trying to gather my thoughts "M-Momma....how can you let her come?!" I question. "Now young lady I will not have you raise your voice to me. There's nothing to be discussed. You may pick out a suitable dress of your choice for your party, and you will be the well-mannered polite young woman you're expected to be." I gruffly answer with a "Yes Ma'am", and ask to be excused.

"How could she allow this", I think to myself as I take a seat on the living room sofa. Momma was always going back and forth with me about these types of things. It was almost as though she wanted to be close with me but whenever she felt she was getting too emotional she would put up a wall. "She just wants me to be one of those uppity snobs so I can marry well", I think. "I don't care if Freddie works at the supply store, he loves me and I love him!" I sigh heavily in aggravation and decide to read until Betsie arrives.

I hear the bell ring and close my book, jumping to my feet excitedly. "Betsie! Betsie, your here!" I shout gladly. Betsie giggles and says "Ta da! Sorry I'm a bit late...it was Grandfather again." she trails off. Poor Mrs. Linder had taken her leave about three months ago and dear Mr. Linder still had very blue days regarding it. Betsie always knew how to cheer him up though. "How is he now?" I ask. "Oh he's quite alright now" she replied and explained that the neighbor Mr. Whitman had come calling for a visit. "Mr. Whitman will keep him busy with chess games and talk of baseball all day" she laughed. "Well let's go then!" I smile. 

"I just can't wait to see what they have! At school the other day Mary Parker told me there's an especially beautiful dress at Ms. Lorraine's Boutique, and we can always check at Sears. They always have great stuff" Betsie says eagerly. "Oh wow, let's go to Ms. Lorraine's first then, ok?" I suggest. Betsie nods and Momma drops us off at the shop. "Now you two, I'll be back in 3 hrs to pick you up. Got some shopping of my own to do" Momma states. 

The bells hanging on the door to Ms. Lorraine's shop, chime as we enter. "Oh, good morning girls! What's all the buzz about?" Ms. Lorraine greets. "Well, wouldn't you know it Miss Nora here's gonna be 16 come this Friday! We're having a party and we've just got to find us something spiffy to wear. After all a girl only turns 16 once you know" Betsie explains. I smile brightly and Ms Lorraine replies "Oh my! Well of course! I've just the thing, just a moment." She scurries off to the back as Betsie and I begin to browse the shop.

"Ok ladies I've hung up some lovely party dresses for you in the fitting rooms. Help yourself and let me know if you need anything" Ms. Lorraine smiles. Back in the fitting rooms Betsie and I begin to try on dresses. "Tell me when you're ready she calls from behind the curtain. "Ok, I'm ready" I reply back to her. We both open the curtains to reveal our outfits and Betsie bursts out laughing at herself "I don't think this is the one." The dress she had on was really not her style and didn't suit her at all. "Nor mine!" I laugh along, as my outfit too, looked like something an old fuddy-duddy would wear. "Let's try another" she suggests.

"What do ya think?" Betsie asks peeking her head out of the curtain and stepping out into the hall. "Oh Betsie, that's beautiful!" I exclaim. She smiles big and says "Aces! I think I'll get it. Now what to do about you. It's got to be the best dress, this is your night we're talking about." I nod and sigh. "Now, don't flip your wig" she continues, "We'll find you something!" I put my hands on my hips and reply "Easy for you to say! With your figure everything fits. I just..don't have the means to fill the dress out" I groan. Betsie laughs and tells me I'm being silly. "How's about this one?" she holds up a pink colored dress, and I slip into it.

Tilting her head side to side Betsie wonders aloud "I just...don't know." The dress I had on wasn't too bad but it really didn't say birthday girl. "It's a maybe, yea?" I ask. She nods, a little disappointed. "Nora!" Ms. Lorraine calls as she pops around the corner. "Do I have a surprise for you! Mr. Hatsfield just delivered a new shipment in and looky what I found. What do you think?" she says franctically. "Oh my word..." Betsie says breathlessly. My eyes light up as I grab the dress and try it on. Opening the curtain of the fitting room I hear the gasps of Betsie and Ms. Lorraine. "It's swell!" I beam. Ms. Lorraine boxes up our dresses and we pay. "You girls have fun now! Oh, and Happy Birthday to ya Nora dear!" she says. We both grin and thank her before going outside to wait for Momma.

Outside we discuss the party and how Margo Pierce is probably going to show up. "I just can't believe it! She doesn't even like us, why would she want to come?" Betsie asks. "I know, I feel the same way, but Momma said it's just part of being lady-like to others in the community" I reply grimly. Just then a horn honks and Momma pulls up. "You're late" she huffs, "I was waiting at Neilson's Supply for almost 20 minutes." I give Betsie a look of confusion and she shrugs. I don't remember Momma saying for us to meet her there. That's been the trouble with Momma since Papa left, she's a mess and has become bitter over the years. We apologize anyway and climb into the car.