Chapter 12

Monday November 13th, 1944
Betsie had explained to Mr. Linder about the situation with me and Momma, and thankfully he had agreed to let me live with them. So, when Betsie and I returned from wedding shopping I was glad I had my own room to put everything. Best part is, I don't have to worry about Momma disturbing it. Mr. Linder tells me that Freddie called while we were out. "Said something about a date tonight. He'll be here to pick you up at 7 o'clock unless you phone him and tell him otherwise" Mr. Linder smiles. "Thank you for letting me know. Gosh! I only have an hour before he arrives, better get changed" I reply. 

It seems like no time before Freddie is ringing the doorbell to pick me up, and I rush downstairs to meet him. "You look beautiful, Sunflower. Ready to go?" he asks when I open the door. "I am indeed" I grin, and we go out to the car. "Thank you darling. Where are we off to?" I ask him, once we're seated in the car. "I know it's a bit odd for a date on a Monday, but I didn't have to work and well I thought we'd get a little dinner, is that alright with you?" he replies. "Yea that sounds great! I am starving after shopping all day with Betsie" I tell him. "Great! I know just the place" he smiles, and we take off. 

We pull up to Winston's Diner and I throw Freddie a grin. "You in the mood for a burger?" he asks, already knowing the answer. "Don't forget the milkshakes!" I say playfully. "Just thought we could do with some fun. I hear they even have a jukebox!" he says excitedly. "Why Freddie Warner! Do you think we should?" I question. "That's all applesauce Nora, we're respectable adults now. I think it's only fair that we cut loose every now and then" he laughs. I blush lightly and softly say, "I have always wanted to try out that swing dancing. Momma never let me before, said only hussies danced like that." Freddie winks and opens my car door "You're no hussy Nora, but let's have some fun!" I agree and hop out of the car. 

Once we're seated, and order our food we discuss wedding details and chose a date to be wed. The following year on the first of December, I would be Mrs. Freddie Warner. The waitress brings our food and I barely hear her ask if I would like a refill as I snap out of my daydreaming. "Oh, yes please" I tell her, and we enjoy our meal. 

The juke box blares a lively tune and Freddie jumps up asking me if I'd like to dance. "Sounds swell!" I tell him. On the dance floor he teaches me the Lindy Hop and I laugh as I try to get the moves down. I catch on quickly though and before you know it we're whirring around the dance floor. Freddie grins and says, "These squares got nothin' on you sunflower!" "You're clowning!" I chuckle. "Yea? Well, how come I ain't laughin'!?" he flirts. I shake my head and blush, as the song comes to an end. "My goodness I'm tired! You gotta be a live wire to dance like that all night!" I exclaim. "It's great fun though, isn't it?" Freddie asks with a large grin on his face. "And, how!" I reply. 

"C'mon sugar, let's get some fresh air" he suggests. Stepping outside he suggests that we could watch some tv at his folks house, I agree that sounds like a great idea. 

As we arrive at Freddie's house, I notice there are no lights on. He must've noticed my wondering as he piped up, "My folks are on a business trip for a few days. If you aren't comfortable being over here without them here I understand." I blush deeply and reply, "I don't mind at all." 

Inside the house Freddie starts a fire and we snuggle up on the sofa to watch some tv. "Sure gets chilly early nowadays, seems like November shouldn't be so cold yet" he mentions. I nod and softly kiss his cheek. He looks into my eyes and leans in slowly to kiss me. His lips hug mine in a passionate kiss and I wrap my arms around him tenderly. 

He takes me in his arms as we continue kissing, my heart begins to race as I feel his arms enclosing me lovingly. As our passion increases he stops kissing me and leans back so that we're looking into each others eyes. "We should slow down a bit" he says softly. I shake my head and whisper, "Only if you want to." 

He smirks a bit bashfully, then kisses my cheek. He tells me that he'll be right back and I scurry off to unpin my hair. I let my hair down and run my fingers through it, pinch my cheeks for some color, and take a look in the mirror. Looking down I see that my hands are slightly shaky, I clasp them together and half smile. "Don't be silly, it's Freddie, your fiancé. In about a year he will be your husband" I think to myself. I take a deep breath and exit the powder room.

Arriving in back in the living room I see Freddie has lit some candles and spread out a large comfy blanket on the floor next to the fire. "Is this...alright?" he asks nervously. I smile sheepishly and reply, "Yes." We both have a seat on the blanket and stare into the fire. I feel Freddie's hand brush over mine gently as he softly caresses my forearm, and I lean in to kiss him.

He slowly lays me down as we kiss and I feel my heart begin to race. Stopping he takes his shirt off and leans over me kissing along my neck, and I feel him begin to undo my dress. My heart is beating so fast, I'm afraid it will pound right out of my chest. I'm sure he can tell, because he smiles at me and asks if I'm alright. I timidly tell him yes, as I slip out of my dress, as he disrobes and pulls the blanket around us. 

I really have no words to describe the next part of our evening. My heart was beating faster and faster, our breathing heavy, and then my mind was clear and my body light. Light, as though I were flying through the clouds. Free, serene, and perfect. As we lay together, my head resting on his chest, all is quiet and still. The only sound I hear is the faint sounds of Freddie breathing as his chest rises and falls, and the crackling of the fireplace. 

Freddie looks into my eyes and smiles at me happily. "That, was amazing...I love you so much darling" he says sweetly. "Yes, it was. I love you too Freddie" I reply contently. "You're welcome to stay, or if you like I can take you home" he offers. I politely tell him that while tonight has been incredible, I think it would be best if I went home. Less questions, and I didn't want Mr. Linder and Betsie to worry. "Good idea, let's get you home" he says.

Freddie drops me off, kisses me goodnight and heads on back to his place. As I try to creep in the front door a light flicks on, and I cover my eyes, blinded by the sudden change from dark to light. "Nora!" a voice whispers, and I uncover my eyes to see Betsie standing there looking slightly shocked. I give her a guilty smile and she grins. "Ooo...where have you been young lady? It's nearly 1am...and your hair is all unpinned!" she says in a hushed but excited voice. I press my fingers to my lips and point upstairs. 

Upstairs in my room Betsie pries jokingly "So...you had a good evening then?" she asks. I laugh and spin around the room in a circle with my arms out to the side. "Oh Betsie it was indescribable" I tell her. "Betsie you have to make the mother of all promises not to say anything" I continue. Betsie smiles and shakes her head, "I'm only teasing! By the state your hair is in, I have a pretty good idea of what might have happened. You know I won't tell a soul." I blush deeply and we smile at each before busting out laughing. "Well, in other news, we set a date for the wedding. Freddie took me dancing....swing dancing!" I tell Betsie. She gasps jokingly "My, my you've been gettin' in all kinds of trouble tonight haven't you?" She laughs. She asks eagerly about the date of the wedding and I tell her the date we have chosen. 

"Nora, I'm so happy for you two! I can't think of a more perfect and loving couple! Say, are you going to finish school?" she asks. I tell her that Freddie is going to speak with his parents first, but that our plan is to live with his parents that first year, and have a private tutor to finish our last year of school. "It would just be too strange to be married and still go to school" I explain. "Well I'll sure miss you being there, but I know we'll still see each other" she mentions." "Why Betsie of course! You know Freddie and I love you!" I tell her. I hug her tightly and smile thinking about how wonderful the future is shaping up to be.