Chapter 7

Friday November 3rd, 1944
The morning of my party was very busy indeed. Betsie had stayed over and helped get some things ready. The florists were arriving early and Momma wanted the house cleaned from top to bottom. Betsie and I had stayed up late into the night giggling about all the festivities to come and we weren't ready to wake up when we heard the doorbell buzzing. "Are the florists here already?" I groaned as I smacked Betsie with a pillow. "This is your wake up call" I said. 

With a quiet knock on the door, Momma poked her head into my bedroom. "Alright you two, it's time to get up. There are things to be done! I've seen the florist in, and they are getting the preparations ready for this evening" she states as she sits a bucket of water and mop down and walks out of the room. Betsie rolls her eyes and whispers "What ever is the matter with her, it's your birthday!" I nod and look down at my hands. "Now you just stop it, you here? Don't let her take away from your happy day!" Betsie tells me. 

Momma suffered greatly from postpartum depression when I was born, and had convinced herself that Papa no longer cared about her as much as before, now that his little daughter was here. She had always resented me, but until Papa left it was never too bad, of course now that he's been gone every thing between us has just gone downhill. "You don't even deserve a party, but how would that look you know? I do my best to raise a presentable daughter. You're just bound and determined to ruin my good name with that Freddie Warner!" Momma had shouted at me in one of our arguments. Betsie hugs me tight and says "Don't you worry about a thing now. I'm gonna do most of that cleaning for you!" 

Finally the chores were done after almost all day of working at it. Sweet Betsie ended up doing most of it, she wouldn't let me do much of anything, kept telling me today is my day.  After we both got cleaned up we realized it was time to get ready for the party. "Gosh is it already 5pm!?" I exclaim, "We had better start getting dressed!" Betsie gets ready and helps me with my make up. "You're gonna knock the socks off Freddie with this outfit Nora!" she smiles. "I'm gonna get downstairs and make sure everything is ready and I'll come tell you when it's time to come down, ok?" she explains.

I could hear the chatter of party guests in the back yard and was tempted to peek out the window, but I didn't want to ruin the surprise. Betsie bursts into my room all smiles. "Wow! There are lots of people here, and Freddie has been dying to see you! Ready to go to your sweet sixteen?" she asks. Smiling big I reply "You betcha!", and we go downstairs. Betsie opens the back door and shouts "Alright now everyone, the lady of the hour, the birthday girl herself, Miss Nora Bracford!" I hear everyone cheering and clapping but the only thing I notice is Freddie standing at the bottom of the stairs, looking amazed. I grin and feel my cheeks go red. 

Freddie reaches his hand out and I place mine into his. "Well my word, aren't you the most beautiful creature I've ever laid eyes on" he says in a soft voice. "Oh, Freddie..." I reply trailing off glancing shyly at my feet. He gently takes my chin in his fingers and tilts my head up to look at him. "Let's get you something to drink, there's some soda over by the food" he suggests. "That sounds good" I reply. 

Sipping my drink I turn to look at the party. Twinkling strands of lights surround the party area and tables of food and drink are over flowing with tasty treats. Flowers are placed here and there, and the band is playing a fast jive. The party is a huge turn out, and a lot of people I know have showed up. Alice Jenson, Mary Parker, Charles Abbington...and almost everyone from our class at school was here. A lot of the neighbors, and Momma's friends are here as well. The best part is, no Margo Pierce. 

I whisper to Freddie maybe she decided not to come after all." Freddie nods and replies "Let's hope so, meanwhile I think I hear the jitterbug!" I laugh and we trot to the middle of the floor to dance. 

I feel someone grab my arm and I stop dancing. Turning I see Betsie, who is looking very irritated indeed. "I'll give you one guess who is here..." she states and gives her head a nod toward the tables. Betsie leans over to me and says in a hushed voice "..and she's all done up like she's the Queen a' England."

Margo Evelyn Pierce was standing there in my back yard, at my sweet sixteen, slathered in jewels and a very risque outfit, with her group of socialites close behind. Everyone at the party seemed to notice her arrival and worked their way over to speak with her.

Mr. Linder approached us requesting to borrow Freddie for a few minutes. "Sorry Nora dear but I need some help with these lights that have fallen down. I'll have him back in a jiffy" he explained and the two took off. I started toward Margo, but Betsie stopped me. "Don't worry, I'll speak to her" Betsie huffed and walked over to where Margo was. 

I didn't get to see what happened because the moment I was alone a boy from school named Lon Buchanan took my hand and kissed it. "Thought I never get a moment to talk with you" he said. Oh brother, Lon Buchanan...while a very handsome boy he was seriously lacking in the intelligence department. Maybe he should pay more attention in school instead of sports! "Say, I think they're needing some glasses over at the tables. I could help you get some more" he offers. I agree and we go into the kitchen.

"I'm really happy to see everyone, it's been a great party" I say making chit chat as I sit some glasses out onto the counter. "Yea, you're not so bad yourself baby" Lon says as he grabs my arm and forces a kiss on me. I try pull away from him and turn my head away , but he puts his arms around me and continues to try and kiss me. "Aw, what's the matter doll don't you want a real man" he says slyly. "Didn't your mother tell you? Our parents have arranged for us to be together. You're mine!" he grins with a twisted smile still grabbing my arm. "Stop it, Lon! I'll never be your doll!" I shout as I get an arm free and slap him across the cheek. "You little brat! You'll pay for that!" he says angrily as he raises a hand to strike me. 

Freddie appears out of nowhere and seizes Lon by the forearm twisting it firmly. "You lay one hand on her and I'll see that your hands are permanently detached from your arms you greaseball. Now scram!" Freddie growls. Lon snatches his hand away from Freddie's grip. "Yea?" Lon taunts and takes a swing at Freddie. Just in time Freddie ducks then lands a punch right on Lon's nose. Lon grabs his bleeding nose and yells "You're gonna get it Warner!" as he storms out of the house to his car. "Are you ok darlin'?" Freddie asks soothingly, "Did he hurt you?" I shake my head no and reply "I'm alright." He gently wraps his arms around me and I lean against him and try not to cry.

After I calm down a bit we rejoin the party. I tell Freddie that I'm going to find Betsie and tell her what happened. "Alright, I have something I need to take care of anyhow" he replies and wanders off. "That dirty scoundrel!" Betsie gasps after I tell her what happened. "Do you think it's true what he said about our parents arranging us to be together?" I ask. "Gee I certainly hope not" Betsie says in an unsettled manner. "I'm still a little shaken up" I tell her. She gives me a concerned look and hugs me. "Maybe you oughta find Freddie. I want you to be able to have a good party still" she says calmly. I tell her that's a good idea and I'll be back when I find Freddie.

I ask around to see if anyone has seen Freddie. Tommy Wilson mentions that he saw him over by the side of the house. I thank him and take off that way. As I approach the corner of the house I hear Freddie's voice and...Margo Pierce's voice too!? "Freddie baby you know she's never gonna be anybody special. Why just look at me, I've made tons of money modeling. I could make you a respectable man, like your mother wants. No more supply store measly paychecks" she tells him seductively. I see Freddie try to back away from Margo, but has trapped himself between the house and Margo. She seizes the opportunity pressing against him and kissing him intensely. 

Freddie lightly pushes her away from him and sternly says, "Margo I've told you no a hundred times! Now leave it! I told your mother it's not going to happen, my heart belongs to Nora. Now I came over here to talk to you, to tell you that what ever this is you feel for me has got to stop. I'll not have it. I'm with Nora, understand?" Margo rolls her eyes "Fine, be that way! I can't believe you would rather have that bug-eyed betty than this town's top socialite! You're making a big mistake! No one rejects Margo E. Pierce!" she squawks. She shoves him with both hands and struts off.

I walk over to Freddie who is looking quite upset. "Sorry you had to see that. She's been pestering me for a bit now. I didn't think she'd try an' kiss me though, that was the last straw. My parents seem to think she's our ticket to more stable finances and have been pushing her to win my affections" he explains shaking his head in frustration. "I love you sunflower, I want you to know that. She can try all she likes but my heart belongs to you." he says affectionately. I know that darling and I love you as well. I just can't believe her!" I shout bursting into tears. "This is the worst birthday ever. Sweet Sixteen, what baloney!" 

Freddie gives a small chuckle and holds me close and jokes "Hell of a party, eh?" I begin to laugh at all the nonsense of the evening and am just glad I have Freddie and Betsie here. "Well, it's sure one we won't be forgetting!" I giggle. "What do ya say we get in there and try to have some fun? There's still plenty of party left. Besides you haven't even opened your birthday presents yet" he says. I smile and tell him "You always know how to lift my spirits." Freddie kisses me sweetly and we go back to my bash to try to enjoy the rest of the evening.