Chapter 8

As Freddie and I smile at each other he asks if I would like to rejoin the party. I agree and he takes me by the hand. "It's just been a screwy party! I can't believe Lon and Margo....what nerve! Margo Pierce, why I oughta...." I trail off still furious with her. "She's only doing it because of my parents, plus you know she's jealous of you" Freddie says. I blush "Honestly though what's she got to be jealous of?" I inquire. Freddie stops and gently presses his finger against my lips and says softly "Everything." I smile brightly and grip his hand snugly. "Ok how's about we celebrate this birthday of mine!" I say cheerfully.

"There she is! The birthday girl! Young lady, don't you think it's about time you open your gifts?" Mr. Linder asks with a smile. I nod eagerly and grin. "All right! All right, everybody! Let's gather 'round so Miss Nora here can open up her presents!" Mr. Linder announces. 

Everyone takes a seat around the fire pit in the back yard, and I begin to open up the gifts one at a time. Mr. Linder got me a few of my favorite books. Mary Parker gave me some splendid hair pins, and Charles Abbington gave me a bit of rouge. Alice Jenson and Tommy Wilson both gave me a bit of chocolate and my favorite candies. Momma had given me a book called "The Etiquette of A Young Woman". There was only one gift left to open and everyone had given a gift except Betsie and Freddie (they wanted to give me their gifts later). "Who is this from?" I asked. No one seemed to know so I shrugged and opened the little envelope attached to the gift. 

As I open the envelope and read over the scrap of paper, my eyes grow wide with excitement as I realize who this gift is from!

"It's from Papa!" I exclaim excitedly. Momma looks surprised as well, and everyone tells me to hurry and open it. Wrapped in beautiful paper is a wooden box, and inside I find a shiny ring. Sterling silver surrounds a gorgeous emerald stone, with smaller emerald stones on either side. Engraved inside the ring an inscription reads "Sweet Sixteen" 

I beam and place the ring on my left middle finger, gazing at its' beauty. Betsie leans over and comments on how sparkly it is, and everyone else wants to see the dazzling gift. Everyone, except Momma who looks completely enraged. She stands and comes storming over to me pulling me away from the party. She points at me angrily "What kind of gift is that!? That is not a proper gift for a girl! I'll see your guests off, the party is over!"

I burst into tears and run to the front living room. Betsie and Freddie join me almost immediately. Freddie runs his fingers through his hair and says in a stunned manner "She's lost it, she has! Gee whiz can you believe it!" Betsie places her arm around me and says "Don't listen to that miserable shrew Nora, you know she's not right!" I stand there with my face in my hands trying my best to compose myself.

Freddie leans over and tells Betsie something, but I'm too upset to hear what was said. Betsie takes a seat on the sofa. "C'mon I think it's time I gave you my gift" Freddie says leading me out to the front porch. "Now dry those eyes, darling. I've got something special for you" he continues as he hands me a small gift. A little velvet box, and inside the most beautiful cameo I've ever seen. It's complete with a soft silk ribbon in my favorite color! "I-I'm speechless, Freddie!" I finally say. He grins and takes the necklace from the box and places it on my neck. "Suits you" he tells me.

"Freddie you're amazing!" I shout as I wrap my arms around him lovingly and we share a passionate kiss. "I'm a lucky fellow indeed! Why, you're the amazing one Nora. I hope I can always keep a smile on that beautiful face of yours" he flirts. "You always do, darling!" I reply with a huge smile. "I'll need to be getting home sweetheart. I need to speak to my parents about earlier. I'm going to tell them about the unacceptable behavior of Margo and how it has to stop" he explained. "If he gets mad and chases you, just run. You know he's no match for you with his bad leg and all" I chuckle. Freddie's father had been sent home from the war after a catastrophic knee injury and had been a complete grouch to Freddie ever since. Freddie laughs heartily. Gosh I love his laugh, and such a dazzling smile. He kisses my forehead and is off.

Back inside Betsie gasps and shouts "Oh my goodness! It, it is stunning! And, your favorite color! Gosh!" I eye her carefully, then reply "You knew about it, didn't you?" Betsie giggles "Yea.. I was with him when he picked it out. It is very pretty though." I smile as I gaze at the cameo in the wall mirror. Just then Momma comes tearing through the dining room and into the living room reeking of alcohol. "Give it to me! Give me the ring!" she yells. She grabs the ring, snatching it off my finger forcefully. Betsie looks on in horror but Momma looks sharply at her "This is no concern of yours!" then turns to me "Nora, whatever you did to make your father give you this ring is disgraceful!" she shrieks. "But Momma, I didn't do anything" I explain. 

"Don't you 'but Momma' me! I have had it with your horrid behavior, sass-mouthing and improper attitude! Now the Buchanan's and I have come to an agreement, and thankfully a gentlemen of stature has agree to take you as his wife. You're not to see that pathetic Freddie Warner anymore, you are to be wed to Lon Buchanan come the end of the month. That's that, and there is nothing more to be said, everything has been arranged. She glances at the ring my ring in her hand and makes a tight fist around it. "As for this, I will be keeping it. What a terrible gift for a father to give his daughter. I never receive such gifts from him, how dare you take away the only person I have in this world. Everything was perfect until you came along you wretched girl. We were happy and in love, we traveled, we lived. But, when he saw you I knew he'd never be the same. I knew that his sweet little princess would be his top priority. 

It was clear Momma wasn't dealing with Papa's absence well at all. How could she blame me for such things! I always knew Momma didn't care for me but I never thought she could say such cruel things to her own daughter! I had always tried my best to win her affection but she remained distant, this was the last straw for me. I was completely flabbergasted! "Momma, you're drunk again! How could you say such things! I am your daughter, you're own flesh and blood! I have tried my hardest over the years to do everything you ask of me, with love and kindness. Why do you hate me so! Why! All I ever wanted was for you to love me!" I shout.

Momma brushes off a bit of dust on her sleeve and replies solemnly "I didn't mean it Nora, I am just lost without your father here. I'm sorry I lost my temper with you but concerning the ring and Lon Buchanan my feelings remain the same." I shake my head with tears streaming down my cheeks. "No Momma, no....you can't just take things like that back. I know that is how you really feel about me!" I reply hiccuping from the sobs. Betsie steps over and takes my hand and tells Momma, "Mrs. Bracford, I think Nora should stay at my house for a little while." Momma throws her hands up in the air, pours another martini, and exits the room in anger. Betsie wipes my tears and holds me close "There now Nora, everything is going to be all right. She's sick, don't you listen to her, do you hear? Let's pack up your things, you're coming to stay with me for awhile." I nod and we get to packing my belongings.

On our way out Betsie and I see Momma standing in the doorway of her bedroom, drink in hand, with a sour look upon her face. "Momma I'm sorry I just can't stay here right now, I'm going to stay at Betsie's. I don't know when I will be back, but I think some time apart might help us" I explain. "You'll just leave me here to rot then? And, how will this look to society? she asks sternly. "You did this Momma, you chose for it to be this way. I only offered love and friendship and you treated me like dirt. I'm 16 now and of legal age to live on my own, and marry who I so chose!" I retort. Momma takes a drink and swallows hard, glaring at me.  "Just so you know, that probably isn't helping matters" I mention as I glance at the drink in her hand. "Good-bye Mother, just know that I love you, and only tried to be the daughter you expected me to be" I tell her. With that Betsie and I grab my bags and start down the stairs, as Momma turns and slams her door.