THE BIRTHDAY GIRL
MY SWEET GIRL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE STOP TODAY I WISH YOU ALL THE HAPPINESS IN THE WORLD, FOREVERMORE, WITH ALL THE LOVE I HAVE IN MY HEART STOP WHILE YOU MAKE YOUR BIRTHDAY WISH, KNOW I AM ALSO MAKING A WISH THAT YOU ARE SMILING AND ARE SURROUNDED BY THE LOVE OF YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS STOP I AM THERE WITH YOU IN YOUR HEART, AS YOU ARE IN MINE STOP I'LL SEE YOU SOON MY LOVE BUT NOT SOON ENOUGH STOP
YOURS FOREVER
ZAC
Catherine had never been more proud of her daughter. She'd been handling Zac's absence lately with much more maturity and grace than she had in the beginning. She decided that her daughter was finally coming into her own as a woman and the notion brought tears to her eyes.
Bessie looked elegant in her nineteen years. She had selected a brand new dress for this brand new party and she was simply a vision. It was the color of creamy coffee, solid in design, and falling down straight to her ankles. Her arms remained bare as light ruffles draped over her shoulders and the neckline scooped ever so slightly just above her collarbone. Her hair was pinned in curls off of her slender neck and she carried herself with much more poise and grace than Catherine had at her age. She couldn't keep her eyes off of her daughter, tears springing to her eyes every five minutes, it seemed. She was finally a woman now and no longer her baby girl.
The preparations for this impromptu party change had been a nightmare, but the turnout had been better than expected. The bakery had done a wonderful job on the cake on such short notice and, even at nineteen, Catherine had to keep a close, watchful eye on her daughter so that she didn't mess up the frosting with her fingers. It was a double-layer vanilla cake with vanilla frosting and had been brightly colored in pastel pinks and yellows. There were some issues with the caterers, so some of the food had to be made by Catherine's own hands in her own kitchen. Light jazz played on the old Victrola, and party guests--many more than she had anticipated on such short notice--milled around various parts of the house with beer in their cups.
Yes, beer.
It had been quite a week, both in the Harlow household and for the city of Tulsa. On the very day that Bessie had been called to the police station for questioning, there was a statewide vote to legalize "weak" beer. They voted to legalize beer on an alcohol level of 3.2, which Catherine knew was more than enough to get a few inexperienced drinkers tipsy after having a couple, but she was thrilled because the vote couldn't have come at a better time. The day after the vote, there was a stampede in the streets as the beer was delivered into town--the first legal beer their part of the state had ever seen. Despite the triple-digit temperatures, both Catherine and Jim had allowed themselves to get caught up in the excitement and dragged Bessie into town to get their hands on as much of it as they could to stow away for her party. It went fast that day and sales were through the roof. But having friends in high places, they were able to get everything they needed and then some.
Catherine's smile was a mile wide as she watched the successful get-together take place under her roof, her heart warming at the way Bessie's genuine smile brightened the room as she spoke animatedly with the party guests who approached her with their birthday wishes.
The tension filled the room, however, with the arrival of the Connors family. Catherine knew they were coming, as Margaret was her dearest friend and had helped plan the party, but there were some questions about the men of the household. Catherine felt bad for Margaret for being in the position she was in, being caught in the middle of a feud that hadn't quite erupted yet, but could do so at any second.
As Catherine approached the trio, she was pleasantly surprised as her husband approached them as well, obviously able to keep it cordial with Stanley and Stanley keeping cordial in return. Before the small talk was over with, the two men were laughing and Jim was inviting Stanley for a cigar.
Catherine turned and smiled at Margaret. "I'm so happy they're getting along."
"So am I," Margaret agreed. "Even our children seem to have found a bit of middle ground...mostly."
"Oh, Margie. Bessie meant no malice, I assure you. She's a very honest person, all she did was repeat what was told to her--"
"I'm aware," Margaret nodded solemnly. "There are no hard feelings, don't you worry."
"I do feel that I must inform you, though--Joey Martin is here today. He's Bessie's very close friend--"
"We had this discussion in the car on the way over. This is Bessie's day and the boys have given me their word that there would be no disruptions." Margaret stood up straighter and straightened her collar before peeling off her white gloves. "Now, then. If you could kindly point me in the direction of the beer, we can get this party started."
Relieved, Catherine laughed and led Margaret back toward the kitchen, starting a discussion over what in the world men might do without the women in their lives. Filling their glasses with the frothy goodness, the two women continued to laugh and sip as they made their way back into the general living area. Stopping short, both women looked on, wide-eyed, as the party was apparently crashing down around them with one small, heartfelt gesture.
As soon as Catherine saw the wildflowers, she had braced herself. Unfortunately, she had no time to inform anyone or stop the interaction and she had no choice but to helplessly watch it unfold.
"Hey, Bessie," Billy Connors approached her, removing the handpicked bouquet from behind his back. "Happy Birthday. I'm, um, I'm sorry I didn't have time to buy you a gift, but I wanted to bring you something. I hope you like them."
Bessie's eyes landed on the ribbon-tied bouquet in horror. Stepping backward, she looked up into Billy's face before glancing back at the bouquet that remained offered to her. "How dare you?" She whispered.
Billy's face fell, his eyes filled with confusion. "I'm--I'm sorry if you don't like them, I only--"
"I love them," she breathed, her chest heaving. "But not from you."
"Um, I'm--okay..."
The tears filled her eyes and the heat rose to her cheeks, turning her face a light shade of crimson. "Why would you do that? How could you--? How could--?"
"Bessie--"
She balled her fists up at her sides and looked up at him accusingly. "Only Zac gives me wildflowers. Only Zac! Wildflowers are personal, only between he and I, how dare you? How could you?"
And then she burst into tears and flew out of the front door.
Billy's jaw dropped and his hand, still holding tightly to the fresh bouquet, fell at his side. He looked around, visibly humiliated and puzzled and, for a moment, Catherine's heart went out to the boy. The poor dear had meant well, she knew.
The party, which had grown deafeningly quiet during the moment, had lightly begun to murmur again as Catherine approached Billy. "Billy," she said softly. "I'm so sorry, dear. Please don't take it personally. She's done a great job keeping a straight face today, but...well, I suppose at some point it had to happen. I'm just so sorry it happened like this."
He swallowed as he searched her eyes for a moment. The truth was, Billy Connors was startlingly handsome, with his dark hair and his dark eyes and his tall, athletic frame. It was just a shame he had the reputation that he had. It was also a shame that he'd started a feud with the wrong man. "Mrs. Harlow, I didn't know. I had no idea--"
"I know," she assured him. "And I'm sure that when Bessie calms down and thinks it through, she'll realize that you didn't know, either. It was a sweet gesture, Billy, it really was. But don't you worry about a gift. Just being here to wish her a happy birthday is gift enough. Okay?"
"I'm sorry I upset her on her birthday."
"Think nothing of it. She'll be fine. Here, let me go find a vase to put those in. After all, you did go to the trouble to pick them."
As Catherine took the tainted bouquet to the kitchen to find a vase, she detected Billy in the room behind her. Glancing over her shoulder as she ran the faucet into the vase, she spied him filling up two cups of beer and she had an inkling where the second cup was going. She wasn't sure how she felt about that. Bessie was hopelessly devoted to Zac Hanson and he and Billy were, for lack of a better term, sworn enemies. And now he had a feud going with Bessie's good friend, Joey. Bessie considered herself taken and Billy was developing the most horrible of reputations lately, yet...yet Catherine had to wonder if a friendship between Bessie and Billy could actually happen. And if it did, would it be a good thing or a bad thing? Would it hurt her relationship with her beau and her friend or would it make things easier?
Catherine wished she had all the answers. But the truth was, Bessie was nineteen now. And now was the time where Catherine didn't have any answers anymore. Now all the answers were left solely to Bessie.
________________________________________
The way Billy felt was seemingly foreign to him. For awhile, the idea of wooing Bessie was nothing more than that--just a prize at the end of the race. But now that he'd visibly hurt her feelings, well...he just plain didn't like the way that felt. He didn't like that he felt remorse for that. He wasn't supposed to care whether he hurt her or not. He was just supposed to make sure he didn't. Nothing more. But it was the girl's birthday and now she was having a horrible time at her own party--and it was his fault.
If the boys could read what he was thinking right now, they'd think he was off his rocker.
Bessie looked awfully pretty today--which was something he hadn't given thought to at all since the night he picked her up for the town social. The truth was, she really was a pretty girl, despite whatever trousers she decided to wear or the fact that her body wasn't terribly curvy the way he liked. But she was still pretty and he still noticed it--and he decided he didn't like the way that made him feel, either.
Since it was ultimately his fault that the party was deteriorating fast, he felt that it was only right that he go attempt to coax the birthday girl back inside. Carrying two cups of beer through the house, he sipped his own, grateful for the good ol' state government, who had also apparently been craving a good beer just like the rest of the citizens were. Because right now, he wasn't sure what he'd be doing without the assistance of a little liquid reassurance.
As he swung the screen door open, he was met on the porch by a courier and he scowled at him for halting his mission. The courier, short and stocky with sandy curls that peeked from below his wool cap, was much too delighted to be there, apparently, as he smiled and said, "Is the birthday girl in there?"
"No," Billy replied bluntly. "But I'm headed out to see her now. You got something for her?"
As luck would have it, to Billy's surprise, the postman trotted up the walk from the road. "Hey. Package for the birthday girl!"
Billy eyed the two men suspiciously as he took another swig from his beer cup. "Are we supposed to stand here and wait for the paper boy and the milk man or something? Got a florist on the way to deliver flowers? Because, trust me, wildflowers ain't the way to go."
The two delivery men laughed nervously as they glanced at each other. "No, sir," the courier replied. "Just coincidence. But while we're here, would you mind retrieving--?"
"No," Billy said again. "Like I said, I'm heading to see her now. Whatever you got, I'll take it to her."
Reluctantly, he collected the telegram and the brown, flimsy package, glanced at the Philadelphia return address, and rolled his eyes and shook his head. "There's beer inside," Billy murmured to them. "Help yourselves."
With that, he stepped off the side of his porch, his hands and arms full.
At this point, he didn't even know what the hell his purpose was anymore. He never thought he'd see the day that he'd be hand-delivering gifts sent from the person he hated the most. His usual nature was to ditch the gifts. He could have hid them, thrown them away, buried them, anything. But he was apparently in rare form that day and he knew Bessie needed the cheering up. Delivering the packages was completely the opposite of the mission he was apparently on, but today he'd decided to take the day off. Besides, after that little bout in the police station, some saving face might actually do him some good.
Rounding the corner of the house, Billy had no idea where he was going, he just knew Bessie couldn't have gotten far--could she? He stopped for a moment, surveying the seemingly miles of green land in front of him, his eyes grazing over the edge of the woods and the two barns off in the distance, before they finally fell on the small figure on the ground in the middle of it all. Thankful that he didn't have to go far, he made his way across the grass, regretting his decision under the sweltering sun that still blazed in the current six o'clock hour.
Silently, he approached the slender girl as she sat in the grass, her legs tucked gracefully underneath her as she picked listlessly at the blades of grass around her. The tears had seemingly subsided, thankfully, and he crossed his ankles and sat himself on the ground beside her. She barely acknowledged his presence, hardly a glance in his direction, but he made himself comfortable anyway, dropping the packages onto the ground beside him, releasing them from under his arm.
Offering the extra cup to her, he said, "Brought you some beer. Thought you could use it."
She glanced at the beer in his hand before going back to her precious blades of grass. "I've heard of that stuff described as piss water. And, to me, that's exactly what it tastes like."
Sighing, exasperated, Billy sat the cups securely down in the grass and removed his light brown leisure jacket, rolling his shirt sleeves up against the heat. Finally, he raised his knees and rested his elbows on them, retrieving his own beer as he stared out across the acreage. "Okay, then. What else can I do to repulse you today? I am completely at your service."
Remorsefully, she looked over at him and she shrugged a shoulder. "I realize it's the thought that counts. And I appreciate the thought, but...I thought I could get through this day without a hiccup. I suppose I was wrong."
He gestured toward the grass with his cup. "That piss water, there, will knock some of that edge off. Just letting you know."
"The flavor isn't worth it."
"I beg to differ. It's an acquired taste. And it's legal now. I'd take advantage if I were you."
The pair sat in silence for a moment while Bessie stared down at her cup in thought. Keeping an eye out, he observed Bessie as she hesitantly retrieved her cup--and then even more hesitantly brought it to her lips. Smirking, he sipped his own and looked back out over the land. "Look, I'm sorry I upset you," he finally said. "I didn't know about the flowers."
"I know. I apologize for my behavior, I'm--I'm so embarrassed. Is the party over?"
"Nope. Still going strong as a matter of fact. There's even a couple of new guests in there, I think."
"I just miss him so much," she said quietly. "He said he would be here. He said he wouldn't miss my birthday for the world, that he'd be right by my side. And then...and then that tour happened..."
Billy let out a breath, snarling down at the parcels that lay on the grass on the other side of him. Finally, he sat his cup down beside him and retrieved them off the ground. "So, uh, on the way out to check on you, some delivery guys showed up. Um, I'm sure these'll cheer you up."
She looked at him with surprise as he offered the telegram and the package to her and an audible gasp escaped her throat as her eyes widened. Sitting down her own cup, she accepted the items and she tore through the telegram as if her life depended on it.
It wasn't a long one, from what he could see, but it was enough to make her cry. Billy was uncomfortable. He didn't like it when dames cried and he never knew what to do when it happened. And so he sat there quietly, sipping his beer, waiting for her to dry it up.
"It's a birthday wish," she finally whispered, wiping her eyes. "Not that I thought he might forget, but--oh, it's simply the best birthday gift I've ever received."
"That's not all, apparently," he murmured. He hadn't meant for the jealousy in his tone to be so apparent, but she obviously hadn't noticed.
She gasped once more as she tore into the package and he couldn't help himself as he glanced over at the flimsy book and rolled his eyes. She was eating it up, though, flipping through it and turning it over in her hands. "Oh, Billy," she said in awe. "It's a book of wildflowers. Do you see what he did? He sent me flowers for my birthday! Oh, how I love him so much! I wonder how he managed to get it to arrive exactly today..."
Well, Billy had to hand it to the scoundrel. It was a clever gift. Billy would have rather gotten a girl a piece of jewelry or for her birthday or whatever occasion, personally, but...well, if this was the type of thing Zac's girl loved then he'd certainly hit the nail on the head. Billy hated to even be thinking of it, but he decided that maybe he'd keep such a gesture in mind the next time he had a girl he wanted to impress.
Finally, when she was able to tear her eyes away from her gifts, she looked over at Billy. "I made a fool of myself today, didn't I?"
"Not really sure I can make that judgment call," he replied honestly. "I mean, from a guy looking at a girl, sure, that was a bit on the dramatic side. But on the other hand, I can't say I can relate to what you're going through, either. So I can't really say you've made a fool of yourself because I don't really know."
"Well, I at least embarrassed the both of us, didn't I?"
"That, I can say you did."
A sheepish smile crossed her lips as she bit her lip and shrugged a shoulder. "Well...thank you for coming out here to check on me. And for bringing me these things and for...the piss water."
Billy couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up in his throat. "Well. Glad I could be at least somewhat responsible for your cheering up. Seeing as it's my fault you're having such a horrible time."
"I'm not having a horrible time," she assured him, shaking her head. "I had a moment, but that was my own fault. Nobody else's."
He looked over at her, strands of her hair that had escaped the pins now blowing in the rare, light breeze. Her hazel eyes were lovely against the light brown color of her dress--a dress that fit her perfectly, at that. Now would have been the time. It would have been the perfect time to kiss her. The perfect romantic moment, probably one of those perfect moments that had resulted in whatever promises she'd made to her beau. But he glanced down at the book in her lap, still clutched in one of her hands, and he couldn't do it. Couldn't even attempt to entertain the idea. What was his problem today? Why wasn't he taking prime advantage of her current vulnerability?
Swirling what was left of the beer in his cup, he let out a breath and said, "Well, it looks like I'm in need of a refill. You ready to go back inside?"
"Oh, yes," she agreed. "It's awfully hot out here, I don't know what I was thinking. Next time I'll run away to the barn."
He chuckled with her at her attempt to make light of her situation. Looked like the only thing he was getting out of anything tonight was the way she'd linked her arm in his for support as she fought her dress through the yard. When they went inside, she would gush over her gifts from Zac and she would blow out her birthday candles while making a wish that had nothing to do with Billy.
Oh, well. At least there would be more beer.
____________________________________
"Zac. I think you've officially hit rock bottom."
Zac glared at Isaac as he carried the small parcel across the trailer and into their tiny kitchen. He didn't know why he thought he might get anything past his brothers. All he'd wanted was some time to himself today. Time alone, simple privacy, away from his brothers and any and all chiding that might accompany them. Zac prayed today would never come, but once it was here, he couldn't ignore it. So he did the only thing he knew to do that might ease the pain--he celebrated.
Today was Bessie's birthday. He'd remembered the day he found out the date like it was yesterday. They'd been under their tree...he was holding her...and he promised to be her date for her party. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," he'd said. And now look where he was--fifteen hundred miles away on Coney Island, breaking his promise to her.
"I'd really hoped to be left alone for this," Zac murmured, unboxing the small cake.
"Not until I get a photograph of that thing," Taylor said, clamoring to get to the kitchenette where Zac was.
On his way from the Western Union office, it crossed his mind to stop in a bakery. If he couldn't be there with Bessie, Zac decided that he could at least celebrate in spirit. A slice of cake wouldn't hurt anything, especially since it would be in her honor. However, the bakery wasn't offering cake slices that day and that was how he ended up with a personal-sized double layer chocolate cake. He'd even had them write "Happy Birthday Bessie" on it in tiny letters. After all, the bakers didn't have to know that Bessie wasn't actually getting the cake and that Zac was nothing more than a miserable romantic. But his brothers did--and that was bad enough.
"Could you guys please?" Zac said. "Please. Just...just find somewhere to go. Just give me this time. Please? That's all I'm asking, just a little time."
After Taylor had snapped what he was going to snap, he nodded. "Come on, Ike. It's her big day. Let's let Zac have some time to himself. Okay?"
Zac was grateful for Taylor as his older brothers left him alone in the trailer. These past few days since their fight outside the general store, Taylor seemed to be his old, sunny self again. Zac wasn't exactly sure what caused it, but whatever it was, he was grateful for it. He'd missed his brother and life on tour sure was easier now that he wasn't constantly brooding.
Speaking of brooding, Zac now sat at the tiny table, staring down at the tiny cake. He hadn't even gathered utensils to eat it with. He simply stared at it. The aroma of the sweet, sugary chocolate that radiated from it was mouth-watering. But, surprisingly, Zac didn't have the desire--or the appetite--to even taste a bit of the frosting. He didn't know why, but he just wasn't interested in eating it. He was sure it was because he was eaten up with the pain and the guilt of missing Bessie's birthday. What kind of boyfriend was he to her, anyway, making promises he obviously couldn't keep? What kind of man missed his best girl's biggest day? It wasn't like he was in the military or out in the middle of the ocean like those dock workers at Boston Harbor were. No. He was doing hokey magic tricks in a bankrupt amusement park. That was what he was missing her birthday for. Since the moment they'd driven out of Tulsa, he had never wanted to be back home as badly as he wanted to be right now.
He tried to imagine her today. She had said her mother wanted a masquerade ball for her. Had they stuck with that after all, even after Bessie confessed to Zac that she didn't want one? If so, what was she wearing? Who was her escort? Likely Joey Martin, which was fine with Zac. Her cake was probably the largest anyone had ever seen and was probably glowing with candles. Her family and friends would sing Happy Birthday to her while she smiled gleefully at all of them--he could only imagine that beautiful, angelic smile of hers, glowing against the candlelight. Then she would blow out her candles and she would make a wish--and he could only pray that that wish involved him somehow.
He wiped away the tears before they fell as he sniffed them back. His throat hurt as he suppressed the lump that formed, and his entire face heated up with sadness. "I love you, Bessie," he found himself whispering quietly into the air. "I love you so much, baby."
He didn't have a candle for the cake, but he made his own silent wish anyway. He wished that time would fly. He wished for the day that he and his brothers would start their journey home. Because he just couldn't do this anymore. He couldn't be without her. And when he finally came home, they would have much to discuss. Because now he wasn't so sure how this whole going-to-school-in-Oklahoma City thing was going to work. As much as he wanted Bessie to go to school and follow her dreams, being apart like this again was suddenly no longer in Zac's future plans for the two of them.
_____________________________________
Bessie decided that it didn't matter how old she got--having Millie and Judith stay over for a sleepover would never get old. When she and Zac got married and began lives of their own, he would just have to get over it. Sometimes nobody understood you like your best girlfriends, not even your husband--or your future husband, at that.
Tonight's hot topic was Billy Connors. Bessie hadn't wanted to discuss him, but Judith and Millie were insistent. As the three of them enjoyed the breeze that blew in the open window from the night sky, they sat on her bed in their nightgowns, indulging in leftover birthday cake and beer. Billy hadn't been joshing when he'd said the beer was an acquired taste--Bessie had had enough of it that day to make her head pleasantly swim.
"Judith!" Millie scolded suddenly, momentarily veering off topic. "Don't waste good cake like that by feeding it to the dog!"
Scout lay loyally at the foot of Bessie's bed, a perfectly-behaved gentleman. There had been a world of improvement in the old mutt since Mr. Anderson had taught her to be his boss. Zac would be so proud of their dog-child's progress when he came home. Bessie couldn't wait to show him!
"But he likes it!" Judith argued.
"He likes everything," Bessie smiled with the shake of her head. "But he's had dinner, I can assure you he isn't hungry--no matter what those sad doggy eyes of his tell you."
"Anyway," Millie said, flipping her raven hair off of her shoulder. "As I was saying, today went surprisingly well, considering the circumstances. I think Billy Connors might actually be growing up a little bit."
Judith shook her head regretfully. "Of course it's easy for it to look like that. He was only on his best behavior because Zac wasn't around."
"I'm sure if Zac was here, Billy wouldn't have even shown his face," Bessie pointed out.
"I'm not sure," Judith objected, sliding her fork from between her cherry red lips. "Billy seems to be the kind of person that might show up because Zac would be here."
Bessie blinked at her friend in confusion. "Yeah, but...but why would he have hand-delivered Zac's telegram and package to me? That doesn't sound like someone who's looking for a fight..."
"What else could he do?" Judith asked. "He was stuck between a rock and a hard place."
"He could have destroyed them...never brought them to me..."
"Well, I'm the last person in this room who wants to take Billy's side on anything, considering the trouble he's apparently caused my boyfriend, as of late," Millie interjected, more than happy to refer to Joey as her beau. "But they made eye contact several times today and Billy never lifted a finger or even looked at him wrong. I don't know if it was the beer or if he actually got a little scared after his visit to the police station, but I was impressed. And Joey didn't cower, either. Poor Joey. So uncertain most times. But he's taking great strides with his self-confidence, I'm so proud of him!"
"It was definitely a side of Billy we've never seen before," Judith agreed.
Bessie's face screwed up with shame and she ducked her head as she glanced at her cousin and her friend. "I've seen that side of Billy before...a little bit. That day that he took me to lunch. As much as I hate to admit it, I don't think he's really that bad of a person, deep, deep down. I just think he keeps crummy company and he doesn't make very wise decisions."
"Let's not mention that crooked creep of a father he was raised by," Millie muttered with an eye roll.
Bessie curled her nose up with disgust. "I do have to admit, in the years I've known Mr. Connors, I've never really liked him very much. But Margaret is a wonderful lady. Maybe that's where Billy gets it. I bet he's grown up so confused with a set of parents like them."
Their psychoanalysis of Billy Connors came to an abrupt halt with the light knocking on Bessie's door. "Bess?" Her father asked from the other side. "Do you have a quick moment?"
Her eyes darted around at the girls and the three of them clamored for their robes. "Just a moment!"
When they were sufficiently decent and tucked under the covers, Bessie gave the okay for her father to enter the room. Upon sight of the scene before him, he smiled and shook his head. "Beer will give you a belly," he chuckled. "You should probably be aware of that."
"So does cake, but nobody's warning us about that," Millie retorted.
"Well, you're absolutely right," he agreed. "Just don't go becoming a trio of lushes just because you can."
"Yes, sir," Judith replied nervously.
Carefully, the tall judge took a seat on the edge of the bed beside Bessie. "I just wanted to come up and wish you one more happy birthday before bed," he said. "And to let you know that perhaps the birthday festivities may not be quite over."
Shamelessly, Bessie's eyes lit up and she straightened up against the headboard. "But, Daddy, the radio you and Mother gave me was so much already--!"
"Well, maybe it's not from us," he winked. "I just hung up the telephone with your grandparents in Oklahoma City. It appears they want to see you for your birthday. And I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to schedule a tour of the university so you may be a little familiar with it before you go. How does that sound?"
How did that sound? Bessie's heart pounded against her chest. To be honest, she wasn't sure how that sounded. Ever since Zac had left town, she had been thinking long and hard about her decision to go to college. She needed to go to college. That, she knew. But now she was wondering what her options really were, and if going to Oklahoma City was even necessary at all. Truth be told, she couldn't bear to be away from Zac another moment. And she hated the idea of having to do this all over again a mere month or so after he came back home. This time without him had been absolutely miserable. An entire semester without him would likely kill her.
Looking up into her father's smiling eyes, however, she couldn't bear to object to the suggestion. And she didn't want to disappoint her grandparents, either. So she plastered a smile across her face and replied, "Why that sounds just lovely!"
"Wonderful!" He grinned. "I just knew you'd love the idea. And Millie and Judith can come along, as well, I'm sure they've missed campus."
"Oh, thank you, but I can't come along," Judith shook her head. "I have, um...obligations...at home..."
Millie, on the other hand, was much too excited at the notion. Beaming at her cousin and her uncle, she replied, "When do we leave?"
Bessie thought she might vomit.
MY SWEET GIRL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE STOP TODAY I WISH YOU ALL THE HAPPINESS IN THE WORLD, FOREVERMORE, WITH ALL THE LOVE I HAVE IN MY HEART STOP WHILE YOU MAKE YOUR BIRTHDAY WISH, KNOW I AM ALSO MAKING A WISH THAT YOU ARE SMILING AND ARE SURROUNDED BY THE LOVE OF YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS STOP I AM THERE WITH YOU IN YOUR HEART, AS YOU ARE IN MINE STOP I'LL SEE YOU SOON MY LOVE BUT NOT SOON ENOUGH STOP
YOURS FOREVER
ZAC
Catherine had never been more proud of her daughter. She'd been handling Zac's absence lately with much more maturity and grace than she had in the beginning. She decided that her daughter was finally coming into her own as a woman and the notion brought tears to her eyes.
Bessie looked elegant in her nineteen years. She had selected a brand new dress for this brand new party and she was simply a vision. It was the color of creamy coffee, solid in design, and falling down straight to her ankles. Her arms remained bare as light ruffles draped over her shoulders and the neckline scooped ever so slightly just above her collarbone. Her hair was pinned in curls off of her slender neck and she carried herself with much more poise and grace than Catherine had at her age. She couldn't keep her eyes off of her daughter, tears springing to her eyes every five minutes, it seemed. She was finally a woman now and no longer her baby girl.
The preparations for this impromptu party change had been a nightmare, but the turnout had been better than expected. The bakery had done a wonderful job on the cake on such short notice and, even at nineteen, Catherine had to keep a close, watchful eye on her daughter so that she didn't mess up the frosting with her fingers. It was a double-layer vanilla cake with vanilla frosting and had been brightly colored in pastel pinks and yellows. There were some issues with the caterers, so some of the food had to be made by Catherine's own hands in her own kitchen. Light jazz played on the old Victrola, and party guests--many more than she had anticipated on such short notice--milled around various parts of the house with beer in their cups.
Yes, beer.
It had been quite a week, both in the Harlow household and for the city of Tulsa. On the very day that Bessie had been called to the police station for questioning, there was a statewide vote to legalize "weak" beer. They voted to legalize beer on an alcohol level of 3.2, which Catherine knew was more than enough to get a few inexperienced drinkers tipsy after having a couple, but she was thrilled because the vote couldn't have come at a better time. The day after the vote, there was a stampede in the streets as the beer was delivered into town--the first legal beer their part of the state had ever seen. Despite the triple-digit temperatures, both Catherine and Jim had allowed themselves to get caught up in the excitement and dragged Bessie into town to get their hands on as much of it as they could to stow away for her party. It went fast that day and sales were through the roof. But having friends in high places, they were able to get everything they needed and then some.
Catherine's smile was a mile wide as she watched the successful get-together take place under her roof, her heart warming at the way Bessie's genuine smile brightened the room as she spoke animatedly with the party guests who approached her with their birthday wishes.
The tension filled the room, however, with the arrival of the Connors family. Catherine knew they were coming, as Margaret was her dearest friend and had helped plan the party, but there were some questions about the men of the household. Catherine felt bad for Margaret for being in the position she was in, being caught in the middle of a feud that hadn't quite erupted yet, but could do so at any second.
As Catherine approached the trio, she was pleasantly surprised as her husband approached them as well, obviously able to keep it cordial with Stanley and Stanley keeping cordial in return. Before the small talk was over with, the two men were laughing and Jim was inviting Stanley for a cigar.
Catherine turned and smiled at Margaret. "I'm so happy they're getting along."
"So am I," Margaret agreed. "Even our children seem to have found a bit of middle ground...mostly."
"Oh, Margie. Bessie meant no malice, I assure you. She's a very honest person, all she did was repeat what was told to her--"
"I'm aware," Margaret nodded solemnly. "There are no hard feelings, don't you worry."
"I do feel that I must inform you, though--Joey Martin is here today. He's Bessie's very close friend--"
"We had this discussion in the car on the way over. This is Bessie's day and the boys have given me their word that there would be no disruptions." Margaret stood up straighter and straightened her collar before peeling off her white gloves. "Now, then. If you could kindly point me in the direction of the beer, we can get this party started."
Relieved, Catherine laughed and led Margaret back toward the kitchen, starting a discussion over what in the world men might do without the women in their lives. Filling their glasses with the frothy goodness, the two women continued to laugh and sip as they made their way back into the general living area. Stopping short, both women looked on, wide-eyed, as the party was apparently crashing down around them with one small, heartfelt gesture.
As soon as Catherine saw the wildflowers, she had braced herself. Unfortunately, she had no time to inform anyone or stop the interaction and she had no choice but to helplessly watch it unfold.
"Hey, Bessie," Billy Connors approached her, removing the handpicked bouquet from behind his back. "Happy Birthday. I'm, um, I'm sorry I didn't have time to buy you a gift, but I wanted to bring you something. I hope you like them."
Bessie's eyes landed on the ribbon-tied bouquet in horror. Stepping backward, she looked up into Billy's face before glancing back at the bouquet that remained offered to her. "How dare you?" She whispered.
Billy's face fell, his eyes filled with confusion. "I'm--I'm sorry if you don't like them, I only--"
"I love them," she breathed, her chest heaving. "But not from you."
"Um, I'm--okay..."
The tears filled her eyes and the heat rose to her cheeks, turning her face a light shade of crimson. "Why would you do that? How could you--? How could--?"
"Bessie--"
She balled her fists up at her sides and looked up at him accusingly. "Only Zac gives me wildflowers. Only Zac! Wildflowers are personal, only between he and I, how dare you? How could you?"
And then she burst into tears and flew out of the front door.
Billy's jaw dropped and his hand, still holding tightly to the fresh bouquet, fell at his side. He looked around, visibly humiliated and puzzled and, for a moment, Catherine's heart went out to the boy. The poor dear had meant well, she knew.
The party, which had grown deafeningly quiet during the moment, had lightly begun to murmur again as Catherine approached Billy. "Billy," she said softly. "I'm so sorry, dear. Please don't take it personally. She's done a great job keeping a straight face today, but...well, I suppose at some point it had to happen. I'm just so sorry it happened like this."
He swallowed as he searched her eyes for a moment. The truth was, Billy Connors was startlingly handsome, with his dark hair and his dark eyes and his tall, athletic frame. It was just a shame he had the reputation that he had. It was also a shame that he'd started a feud with the wrong man. "Mrs. Harlow, I didn't know. I had no idea--"
"I know," she assured him. "And I'm sure that when Bessie calms down and thinks it through, she'll realize that you didn't know, either. It was a sweet gesture, Billy, it really was. But don't you worry about a gift. Just being here to wish her a happy birthday is gift enough. Okay?"
"I'm sorry I upset her on her birthday."
"Think nothing of it. She'll be fine. Here, let me go find a vase to put those in. After all, you did go to the trouble to pick them."
As Catherine took the tainted bouquet to the kitchen to find a vase, she detected Billy in the room behind her. Glancing over her shoulder as she ran the faucet into the vase, she spied him filling up two cups of beer and she had an inkling where the second cup was going. She wasn't sure how she felt about that. Bessie was hopelessly devoted to Zac Hanson and he and Billy were, for lack of a better term, sworn enemies. And now he had a feud going with Bessie's good friend, Joey. Bessie considered herself taken and Billy was developing the most horrible of reputations lately, yet...yet Catherine had to wonder if a friendship between Bessie and Billy could actually happen. And if it did, would it be a good thing or a bad thing? Would it hurt her relationship with her beau and her friend or would it make things easier?
Catherine wished she had all the answers. But the truth was, Bessie was nineteen now. And now was the time where Catherine didn't have any answers anymore. Now all the answers were left solely to Bessie.
________________________________________
The way Billy felt was seemingly foreign to him. For awhile, the idea of wooing Bessie was nothing more than that--just a prize at the end of the race. But now that he'd visibly hurt her feelings, well...he just plain didn't like the way that felt. He didn't like that he felt remorse for that. He wasn't supposed to care whether he hurt her or not. He was just supposed to make sure he didn't. Nothing more. But it was the girl's birthday and now she was having a horrible time at her own party--and it was his fault.
If the boys could read what he was thinking right now, they'd think he was off his rocker.
Bessie looked awfully pretty today--which was something he hadn't given thought to at all since the night he picked her up for the town social. The truth was, she really was a pretty girl, despite whatever trousers she decided to wear or the fact that her body wasn't terribly curvy the way he liked. But she was still pretty and he still noticed it--and he decided he didn't like the way that made him feel, either.
Since it was ultimately his fault that the party was deteriorating fast, he felt that it was only right that he go attempt to coax the birthday girl back inside. Carrying two cups of beer through the house, he sipped his own, grateful for the good ol' state government, who had also apparently been craving a good beer just like the rest of the citizens were. Because right now, he wasn't sure what he'd be doing without the assistance of a little liquid reassurance.
As he swung the screen door open, he was met on the porch by a courier and he scowled at him for halting his mission. The courier, short and stocky with sandy curls that peeked from below his wool cap, was much too delighted to be there, apparently, as he smiled and said, "Is the birthday girl in there?"
"No," Billy replied bluntly. "But I'm headed out to see her now. You got something for her?"
As luck would have it, to Billy's surprise, the postman trotted up the walk from the road. "Hey. Package for the birthday girl!"
Billy eyed the two men suspiciously as he took another swig from his beer cup. "Are we supposed to stand here and wait for the paper boy and the milk man or something? Got a florist on the way to deliver flowers? Because, trust me, wildflowers ain't the way to go."
The two delivery men laughed nervously as they glanced at each other. "No, sir," the courier replied. "Just coincidence. But while we're here, would you mind retrieving--?"
"No," Billy said again. "Like I said, I'm heading to see her now. Whatever you got, I'll take it to her."
Reluctantly, he collected the telegram and the brown, flimsy package, glanced at the Philadelphia return address, and rolled his eyes and shook his head. "There's beer inside," Billy murmured to them. "Help yourselves."
With that, he stepped off the side of his porch, his hands and arms full.
At this point, he didn't even know what the hell his purpose was anymore. He never thought he'd see the day that he'd be hand-delivering gifts sent from the person he hated the most. His usual nature was to ditch the gifts. He could have hid them, thrown them away, buried them, anything. But he was apparently in rare form that day and he knew Bessie needed the cheering up. Delivering the packages was completely the opposite of the mission he was apparently on, but today he'd decided to take the day off. Besides, after that little bout in the police station, some saving face might actually do him some good.
Rounding the corner of the house, Billy had no idea where he was going, he just knew Bessie couldn't have gotten far--could she? He stopped for a moment, surveying the seemingly miles of green land in front of him, his eyes grazing over the edge of the woods and the two barns off in the distance, before they finally fell on the small figure on the ground in the middle of it all. Thankful that he didn't have to go far, he made his way across the grass, regretting his decision under the sweltering sun that still blazed in the current six o'clock hour.
Silently, he approached the slender girl as she sat in the grass, her legs tucked gracefully underneath her as she picked listlessly at the blades of grass around her. The tears had seemingly subsided, thankfully, and he crossed his ankles and sat himself on the ground beside her. She barely acknowledged his presence, hardly a glance in his direction, but he made himself comfortable anyway, dropping the packages onto the ground beside him, releasing them from under his arm.
Offering the extra cup to her, he said, "Brought you some beer. Thought you could use it."
She glanced at the beer in his hand before going back to her precious blades of grass. "I've heard of that stuff described as piss water. And, to me, that's exactly what it tastes like."
Sighing, exasperated, Billy sat the cups securely down in the grass and removed his light brown leisure jacket, rolling his shirt sleeves up against the heat. Finally, he raised his knees and rested his elbows on them, retrieving his own beer as he stared out across the acreage. "Okay, then. What else can I do to repulse you today? I am completely at your service."
Remorsefully, she looked over at him and she shrugged a shoulder. "I realize it's the thought that counts. And I appreciate the thought, but...I thought I could get through this day without a hiccup. I suppose I was wrong."
He gestured toward the grass with his cup. "That piss water, there, will knock some of that edge off. Just letting you know."
"The flavor isn't worth it."
"I beg to differ. It's an acquired taste. And it's legal now. I'd take advantage if I were you."
The pair sat in silence for a moment while Bessie stared down at her cup in thought. Keeping an eye out, he observed Bessie as she hesitantly retrieved her cup--and then even more hesitantly brought it to her lips. Smirking, he sipped his own and looked back out over the land. "Look, I'm sorry I upset you," he finally said. "I didn't know about the flowers."
"I know. I apologize for my behavior, I'm--I'm so embarrassed. Is the party over?"
"Nope. Still going strong as a matter of fact. There's even a couple of new guests in there, I think."
"I just miss him so much," she said quietly. "He said he would be here. He said he wouldn't miss my birthday for the world, that he'd be right by my side. And then...and then that tour happened..."
Billy let out a breath, snarling down at the parcels that lay on the grass on the other side of him. Finally, he sat his cup down beside him and retrieved them off the ground. "So, uh, on the way out to check on you, some delivery guys showed up. Um, I'm sure these'll cheer you up."
She looked at him with surprise as he offered the telegram and the package to her and an audible gasp escaped her throat as her eyes widened. Sitting down her own cup, she accepted the items and she tore through the telegram as if her life depended on it.
It wasn't a long one, from what he could see, but it was enough to make her cry. Billy was uncomfortable. He didn't like it when dames cried and he never knew what to do when it happened. And so he sat there quietly, sipping his beer, waiting for her to dry it up.
"It's a birthday wish," she finally whispered, wiping her eyes. "Not that I thought he might forget, but--oh, it's simply the best birthday gift I've ever received."
"That's not all, apparently," he murmured. He hadn't meant for the jealousy in his tone to be so apparent, but she obviously hadn't noticed.
She gasped once more as she tore into the package and he couldn't help himself as he glanced over at the flimsy book and rolled his eyes. She was eating it up, though, flipping through it and turning it over in her hands. "Oh, Billy," she said in awe. "It's a book of wildflowers. Do you see what he did? He sent me flowers for my birthday! Oh, how I love him so much! I wonder how he managed to get it to arrive exactly today..."
Well, Billy had to hand it to the scoundrel. It was a clever gift. Billy would have rather gotten a girl a piece of jewelry or for her birthday or whatever occasion, personally, but...well, if this was the type of thing Zac's girl loved then he'd certainly hit the nail on the head. Billy hated to even be thinking of it, but he decided that maybe he'd keep such a gesture in mind the next time he had a girl he wanted to impress.
Finally, when she was able to tear her eyes away from her gifts, she looked over at Billy. "I made a fool of myself today, didn't I?"
"Not really sure I can make that judgment call," he replied honestly. "I mean, from a guy looking at a girl, sure, that was a bit on the dramatic side. But on the other hand, I can't say I can relate to what you're going through, either. So I can't really say you've made a fool of yourself because I don't really know."
"Well, I at least embarrassed the both of us, didn't I?"
"That, I can say you did."
A sheepish smile crossed her lips as she bit her lip and shrugged a shoulder. "Well...thank you for coming out here to check on me. And for bringing me these things and for...the piss water."
Billy couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up in his throat. "Well. Glad I could be at least somewhat responsible for your cheering up. Seeing as it's my fault you're having such a horrible time."
"I'm not having a horrible time," she assured him, shaking her head. "I had a moment, but that was my own fault. Nobody else's."
He looked over at her, strands of her hair that had escaped the pins now blowing in the rare, light breeze. Her hazel eyes were lovely against the light brown color of her dress--a dress that fit her perfectly, at that. Now would have been the time. It would have been the perfect time to kiss her. The perfect romantic moment, probably one of those perfect moments that had resulted in whatever promises she'd made to her beau. But he glanced down at the book in her lap, still clutched in one of her hands, and he couldn't do it. Couldn't even attempt to entertain the idea. What was his problem today? Why wasn't he taking prime advantage of her current vulnerability?
Swirling what was left of the beer in his cup, he let out a breath and said, "Well, it looks like I'm in need of a refill. You ready to go back inside?"
"Oh, yes," she agreed. "It's awfully hot out here, I don't know what I was thinking. Next time I'll run away to the barn."
He chuckled with her at her attempt to make light of her situation. Looked like the only thing he was getting out of anything tonight was the way she'd linked her arm in his for support as she fought her dress through the yard. When they went inside, she would gush over her gifts from Zac and she would blow out her birthday candles while making a wish that had nothing to do with Billy.
Oh, well. At least there would be more beer.
____________________________________
"Zac. I think you've officially hit rock bottom."
Zac glared at Isaac as he carried the small parcel across the trailer and into their tiny kitchen. He didn't know why he thought he might get anything past his brothers. All he'd wanted was some time to himself today. Time alone, simple privacy, away from his brothers and any and all chiding that might accompany them. Zac prayed today would never come, but once it was here, he couldn't ignore it. So he did the only thing he knew to do that might ease the pain--he celebrated.
Today was Bessie's birthday. He'd remembered the day he found out the date like it was yesterday. They'd been under their tree...he was holding her...and he promised to be her date for her party. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," he'd said. And now look where he was--fifteen hundred miles away on Coney Island, breaking his promise to her.
"I'd really hoped to be left alone for this," Zac murmured, unboxing the small cake.
"Not until I get a photograph of that thing," Taylor said, clamoring to get to the kitchenette where Zac was.
On his way from the Western Union office, it crossed his mind to stop in a bakery. If he couldn't be there with Bessie, Zac decided that he could at least celebrate in spirit. A slice of cake wouldn't hurt anything, especially since it would be in her honor. However, the bakery wasn't offering cake slices that day and that was how he ended up with a personal-sized double layer chocolate cake. He'd even had them write "Happy Birthday Bessie" on it in tiny letters. After all, the bakers didn't have to know that Bessie wasn't actually getting the cake and that Zac was nothing more than a miserable romantic. But his brothers did--and that was bad enough.
"Could you guys please?" Zac said. "Please. Just...just find somewhere to go. Just give me this time. Please? That's all I'm asking, just a little time."
After Taylor had snapped what he was going to snap, he nodded. "Come on, Ike. It's her big day. Let's let Zac have some time to himself. Okay?"
Zac was grateful for Taylor as his older brothers left him alone in the trailer. These past few days since their fight outside the general store, Taylor seemed to be his old, sunny self again. Zac wasn't exactly sure what caused it, but whatever it was, he was grateful for it. He'd missed his brother and life on tour sure was easier now that he wasn't constantly brooding.
Speaking of brooding, Zac now sat at the tiny table, staring down at the tiny cake. He hadn't even gathered utensils to eat it with. He simply stared at it. The aroma of the sweet, sugary chocolate that radiated from it was mouth-watering. But, surprisingly, Zac didn't have the desire--or the appetite--to even taste a bit of the frosting. He didn't know why, but he just wasn't interested in eating it. He was sure it was because he was eaten up with the pain and the guilt of missing Bessie's birthday. What kind of boyfriend was he to her, anyway, making promises he obviously couldn't keep? What kind of man missed his best girl's biggest day? It wasn't like he was in the military or out in the middle of the ocean like those dock workers at Boston Harbor were. No. He was doing hokey magic tricks in a bankrupt amusement park. That was what he was missing her birthday for. Since the moment they'd driven out of Tulsa, he had never wanted to be back home as badly as he wanted to be right now.
He tried to imagine her today. She had said her mother wanted a masquerade ball for her. Had they stuck with that after all, even after Bessie confessed to Zac that she didn't want one? If so, what was she wearing? Who was her escort? Likely Joey Martin, which was fine with Zac. Her cake was probably the largest anyone had ever seen and was probably glowing with candles. Her family and friends would sing Happy Birthday to her while she smiled gleefully at all of them--he could only imagine that beautiful, angelic smile of hers, glowing against the candlelight. Then she would blow out her candles and she would make a wish--and he could only pray that that wish involved him somehow.
He wiped away the tears before they fell as he sniffed them back. His throat hurt as he suppressed the lump that formed, and his entire face heated up with sadness. "I love you, Bessie," he found himself whispering quietly into the air. "I love you so much, baby."
He didn't have a candle for the cake, but he made his own silent wish anyway. He wished that time would fly. He wished for the day that he and his brothers would start their journey home. Because he just couldn't do this anymore. He couldn't be without her. And when he finally came home, they would have much to discuss. Because now he wasn't so sure how this whole going-to-school-in-Oklahoma City thing was going to work. As much as he wanted Bessie to go to school and follow her dreams, being apart like this again was suddenly no longer in Zac's future plans for the two of them.
_____________________________________
Bessie decided that it didn't matter how old she got--having Millie and Judith stay over for a sleepover would never get old. When she and Zac got married and began lives of their own, he would just have to get over it. Sometimes nobody understood you like your best girlfriends, not even your husband--or your future husband, at that.
Tonight's hot topic was Billy Connors. Bessie hadn't wanted to discuss him, but Judith and Millie were insistent. As the three of them enjoyed the breeze that blew in the open window from the night sky, they sat on her bed in their nightgowns, indulging in leftover birthday cake and beer. Billy hadn't been joshing when he'd said the beer was an acquired taste--Bessie had had enough of it that day to make her head pleasantly swim.
"Judith!" Millie scolded suddenly, momentarily veering off topic. "Don't waste good cake like that by feeding it to the dog!"
Scout lay loyally at the foot of Bessie's bed, a perfectly-behaved gentleman. There had been a world of improvement in the old mutt since Mr. Anderson had taught her to be his boss. Zac would be so proud of their dog-child's progress when he came home. Bessie couldn't wait to show him!
"But he likes it!" Judith argued.
"He likes everything," Bessie smiled with the shake of her head. "But he's had dinner, I can assure you he isn't hungry--no matter what those sad doggy eyes of his tell you."
"Anyway," Millie said, flipping her raven hair off of her shoulder. "As I was saying, today went surprisingly well, considering the circumstances. I think Billy Connors might actually be growing up a little bit."
Judith shook her head regretfully. "Of course it's easy for it to look like that. He was only on his best behavior because Zac wasn't around."
"I'm sure if Zac was here, Billy wouldn't have even shown his face," Bessie pointed out.
"I'm not sure," Judith objected, sliding her fork from between her cherry red lips. "Billy seems to be the kind of person that might show up because Zac would be here."
Bessie blinked at her friend in confusion. "Yeah, but...but why would he have hand-delivered Zac's telegram and package to me? That doesn't sound like someone who's looking for a fight..."
"What else could he do?" Judith asked. "He was stuck between a rock and a hard place."
"He could have destroyed them...never brought them to me..."
"Well, I'm the last person in this room who wants to take Billy's side on anything, considering the trouble he's apparently caused my boyfriend, as of late," Millie interjected, more than happy to refer to Joey as her beau. "But they made eye contact several times today and Billy never lifted a finger or even looked at him wrong. I don't know if it was the beer or if he actually got a little scared after his visit to the police station, but I was impressed. And Joey didn't cower, either. Poor Joey. So uncertain most times. But he's taking great strides with his self-confidence, I'm so proud of him!"
"It was definitely a side of Billy we've never seen before," Judith agreed.
Bessie's face screwed up with shame and she ducked her head as she glanced at her cousin and her friend. "I've seen that side of Billy before...a little bit. That day that he took me to lunch. As much as I hate to admit it, I don't think he's really that bad of a person, deep, deep down. I just think he keeps crummy company and he doesn't make very wise decisions."
"Let's not mention that crooked creep of a father he was raised by," Millie muttered with an eye roll.
Bessie curled her nose up with disgust. "I do have to admit, in the years I've known Mr. Connors, I've never really liked him very much. But Margaret is a wonderful lady. Maybe that's where Billy gets it. I bet he's grown up so confused with a set of parents like them."
Their psychoanalysis of Billy Connors came to an abrupt halt with the light knocking on Bessie's door. "Bess?" Her father asked from the other side. "Do you have a quick moment?"
Her eyes darted around at the girls and the three of them clamored for their robes. "Just a moment!"
When they were sufficiently decent and tucked under the covers, Bessie gave the okay for her father to enter the room. Upon sight of the scene before him, he smiled and shook his head. "Beer will give you a belly," he chuckled. "You should probably be aware of that."
"So does cake, but nobody's warning us about that," Millie retorted.
"Well, you're absolutely right," he agreed. "Just don't go becoming a trio of lushes just because you can."
"Yes, sir," Judith replied nervously.
Carefully, the tall judge took a seat on the edge of the bed beside Bessie. "I just wanted to come up and wish you one more happy birthday before bed," he said. "And to let you know that perhaps the birthday festivities may not be quite over."
Shamelessly, Bessie's eyes lit up and she straightened up against the headboard. "But, Daddy, the radio you and Mother gave me was so much already--!"
"Well, maybe it's not from us," he winked. "I just hung up the telephone with your grandparents in Oklahoma City. It appears they want to see you for your birthday. And I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to schedule a tour of the university so you may be a little familiar with it before you go. How does that sound?"
How did that sound? Bessie's heart pounded against her chest. To be honest, she wasn't sure how that sounded. Ever since Zac had left town, she had been thinking long and hard about her decision to go to college. She needed to go to college. That, she knew. But now she was wondering what her options really were, and if going to Oklahoma City was even necessary at all. Truth be told, she couldn't bear to be away from Zac another moment. And she hated the idea of having to do this all over again a mere month or so after he came back home. This time without him had been absolutely miserable. An entire semester without him would likely kill her.
Looking up into her father's smiling eyes, however, she couldn't bear to object to the suggestion. And she didn't want to disappoint her grandparents, either. So she plastered a smile across her face and replied, "Why that sounds just lovely!"
"Wonderful!" He grinned. "I just knew you'd love the idea. And Millie and Judith can come along, as well, I'm sure they've missed campus."
"Oh, thank you, but I can't come along," Judith shook her head. "I have, um...obligations...at home..."
Millie, on the other hand, was much too excited at the notion. Beaming at her cousin and her uncle, she replied, "When do we leave?"
Bessie thought she might vomit.