Chapter 11

Sunday November 12th, 1944
I awake the next morning to find a note from Freddie stating that he had to go run some errands, but he will be returning shortly. My head is reeling with the events of last night. That dreadful Lon, thank goodness he's been put away! 

Just then the phone rings and I answer it, only to find that it's Momma on the other end. "Alright Nora, enough of your foolishness! It amazes me that you could further destroy our chances for a decent life. Lon is one of the most well sot after gentlemen of our town and you somehow managed to land him in jail!?" she shrieks. I take a deep breath and sigh before responding. "Mother, I am still very upset at the things you said to me before, and now you are accusing me of things you know nothing about. If you were there you might have seen for yourself how Lon violated me!" I bellow into the receiver.

Momma scoffs and replies, "Now then Nora, don't make a fuss. He is your betrothed, that type of thing is bound to happen sooner or later. You don't realize the importance of this marriage. I unfortunately was ill or I would have attended the Buchanan's party, you know." Angrily I reveal that I don't care how important she thinks it is, and that I am marrying Freddie. "You selfish girl! You'll put us in the poorhouse! We're penniless, can't you understand that!? Without Lon we have nothing" she shouts back. "What are you talking about Momma, what about Papa's earnings? Doesn't that count for anything?" I question. "We won't be receiving those funds any longer Nora. Your father must have sent your birthday gift just in time, because a man came to our house a few weeks before your birthday and informed me that your father died in battle."

All the feeling leaves my body as I drop the receiver and fall to my knee's. "NOOO!" I scream, "PAPA, PLEASE!" I can hear Momma's voice yelling from the receiver "Nora! Nora!", she calls. Unable to stand I weakly pick up the receiver and bitterly ask "When is the funeral?" Responding in a cold tone she replies "Why, that was weeks ago." She explained that  she didn't see fit to tell others because it wasn't their business. She continued to tell me that it was family only, and being that we were his only living kin, she and the reverend laid him to rest a few weeks prior. Apparently she had told the reverend I was ill and couldn't make it to the funeral. "I never want to speak to you again, you formidable woman!" I bawl into the phone, and slam it down forcefully, before I bury my face in my hands weeping violently. My hero, my wonderful, amazing Papa was now gone, and we didn't even get to say our final goodbye's. "Papa..." I whisper, "Come back to me Papa..."

Betsie enters the room with a bushel of flowers from the garden, but drops them and rushes to my side. "Nora! Nora, what is it?!" she gasps. Through hiccuping sobs I tell her about the phone call with Momma, and she wraps her arms around me tightly. Leaning back I raise my head to meet her eyes, which are practically flaming. "That woman is demented Nora, don't you worry about her" she clenches her jaw and tells me that she will be back shortly. "I have to take care of something quickly. Will you be alright alone for a bit?" she asks. I nod and tell her I'm going to lay down for a little while. She scoops up the flowers and sits them on an end table, and tells me goodbye before she takes off. 

When I awake for the second time that day I hear commotion downstairs, and go down to see what's going on. Betsie, Freddie and Mr. Linder are all sitting in the living room. Betsie looking a bit disheveled, Mr. Linder a bit uncomfortable (with good reason), and Freddie with a busted lip. "What on earth..?" I ask as I enter the room. "You all look like you have seen better days", I continue. Mr. Linder chuckles a bit, then winces slightly before he replies "Never better dear." I thank him from the bottom of my heart for rescuing me and he waves his hand telling me it was nothing. 

Betsie grins and holds out her hand in a fist "I think this belongs to you", she states. I hold out my palm as she drops something into my hand. "Speaking of rescues...I paid your Mommy-dearest a little visit today. Told her to keep away from you or we would phone the authorities.

I also retrieved this." I open my hand to reveal my birthday ring from Papa! I tightly close my hand and embrace Betsie as warm tears slide down my cheeks. "Oh, Betsie! I couldn't ask for a better friend. How can I ever repay you?" I ask astounded. Betsie kisses my cheek and replies "You already have, by being like a sister to me."

"Supposing it's my turn", Freddie interjects. I whip around to see him smiling at me brightly. "Yes, darling what is it?" I wonder. "Well seeing how today is the day for visiting people, I thought I would pop in to see how old Lon was enjoying his new residence", Freddie jokes. I gasp with worry but Freddie continues, "While I was waiting to speak to him, I overheard him talking to Margo Pierce. 

She said that someone was going to pay for putting him in there and that she would take care of things. Then she kissed him, and next thing you know she was baling him out. I saw her sneak out, like she didn't want to be seen there."

"I decided to wait for Lon outside, you know, to talk and when he came out we had a little tousle. I socked him in the jaw and he busted my lip pretty good, then jumped into the car his parents left at the jail and drove off. I followed in my car but I was pretty far behind. 

I did, however see him try to round dead man's curve doing about 45. I also saw his car spin out and slam into a tree. Nora, Lon's dead." My hands fly to my mouth in shock "Oh my!" I shout, as Mr. Linder and Betsie gasp. "Didn't necessarily mean for that to happen, I just wanted to rough him up a bit for messin' with my girl", Freddie shrugs. Freddie goes on to tell us that he got the police, told them everything that happened, and that he was in no way responsible for the death of Lon. 

I sit staring, looking at these wonderful people that I have in my life. But, truly dumbfounded by everything that has happened these past few weeks. "How did things get such a mess" I ask everyone. "I can't believe Papa is gone, and that Momma didn't even bother to tell me" I sniff as my lip quivers slightly. "Is there anything we can do to help?" Betsie asks with concern in her voice. "Yes, please let us know dear" Mr. Linder chimes in. 

As he stands Mr. Linder moans in discomfort. "Anything I can help with, just let me know. For now I think I'll take a nice long nap" Mr. Linder smiles and gives a little wink before letting Betsie help him to his room. "I don't even want to think about all of this sadness. I just, I just want to be happy" I reply. Freddie takes my hand in his and softly says "If memory serves me right we are going to be getting married. Maybe keeping busy with happy things will help you through the sadness of your Papa." I manage a little grin and tell Freddie, "You always know how to make me smile." 

Freddie takes me in his arms and kisses me tenderly. "You know sunflower, I think the future is going to be very different. I can't wait to share our lives together" he smirks slightly blushing. "Why Freddie Warner are you blushing?" I giggle. "I just might be!" he titters. We sneak off to the guest room for a little privacy and quietly close the door.

As we passionately kiss Freddie gently runs his fingers through my hair and I feel all of my worry, fear and sadness evaporating. "Darling, I love you" he whispers between kisses as he moves down to my neck lightly. "Oh Freddie I love you too" I return in a hushed voice, my eyes still closed in blissful pleasure. 

I open my eyes, and he stops to look back at me. "What are you thinkin' Sunflower?" he inquires. "Just how happy you make me. How through the chaos of the world and the madness of everything, there you are" I blush in reply. He smiles somewhat bashfully and takes my chin in his hand and gently says "Nora, you are my everything."

Just as he leans in to kiss me again, Betsie knocks on the door as she opens it. She blurts out, "Um, excuse me! I need to steal this beautiful girl away. If there's ever to be a wedding-" "I know..." I interrupt and jokingly mock "...we've got some shopping to do!" Betsie grins and exclaims "Let's get this wedding planned!"