Within a few days, Florence and her mother's argument faded to a distant memory as Ruth neared her first birthday. Florence's parents decided that they wanted to throw a big party for the occasion as it had been a while since they'd seen their friends and family, many of which Florence didn't truly know beyond her Aunt Thelma. The family even went shopping together and updated their wardrobes to ensure they looked trendy. Florence thought her mother's clothes we’re still bit prudish, although she would never say allowed. Thomas, the family cat was even given a special breakfast for the occasion that he promptly devoured and then wandered off to go hunting outside to avoid the incoming guests.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49970970063_76068201a6_c.jpgHer mother also gave her and Clifford permission to invite at least one guest of their own. For Florence the decision was an easy one, she'd, of course, invite Edward. They'd been secretly seeing one another for some time and wanted to make their relationship officially public at the party.
The family changed into their party clothes and soon the guests started to arrive.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49961063142_12dbd8472c_c.jpgTwenty minutes after the party began Florence introduced her parents to Edward. Their response was silence at first until her mother broke it.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Jones. How long have you and my daughter been seeing each other?" Her mother asked.
"A few weeks Mrs. Nolan, but I promise you I'm a gentleman and nothing untoward has happened between me and your daughter," Edward said.
It was a lie, they had already kissed several times, but there were far worse things than a kiss between a guy and his gal. She also appreciated how smoothly he told the lie and hoped it was enough to fool her mother.
"I suppose that's fine then, just be sure to keep it that way until the two of you our on your way to a church," her mother said.
Florence immediately blushed, "Mother, we've only been dating a couple of weeks there is no need to talk about marriage yet," Florence said.
Her mother just hmphed and Florence's hackles began to rise, what she did or did not do with her beau was no one's business but her own.
Before their conflict could escalate any further her step-father drew everyone's attention elsewhere. " I just bought a brand a brand new device called a radio and it would be a shame for it to go to waste at this party," he said and walked over to the machine.
At that point, her mother moved Ruth to her nursery so she was out of the way and everyone else grabbed a partner and began to dance. Edward asked Florence to dance and she obliged, while her brother Clifford found a girl his age to dance with as well. A few moments later her mother returned and her step-father grabbed her hand and delicately pulled her out of the dance floor as if she were a princess or something. It was enough to make her mother to forget about her and Florence's disagreement and the teen had to admit her parents really were quite cute together even if they annoyed her sometimes.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49960283333_b0ec37d6e6_c.jpgEventually, dinner was served and the guests slowly began to file out of the house towards their automobiles, Clifford went to bed and her mother disappeared into the nursery to lay Ruth down for the night with her own bedtime sure to follow.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49960779651_4d5aab8557_c.jpgAs a result, Edward and Florence were left alone on the dance floor to have one more private dance, the moon, and stars fading as the late-night crept upon them.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49960779411_06a54c606b_c.jpg"Doll, you look like a choice bit of calico tonight," Edward said, his voice low and seductive.
"Thank you," Florence said.
"One of these nights I want to take you out somewhere truly spectacular, especially now that our relationship is out in the open," Edward said.
"What kind of spectacular place?" she asked
"There's this great hotel I know where we could truly express our love, and maybe even get married," Edward said.
"That sounds wonderful. You can take me there anytime you like, we could even go tonight," Florence said.
Edward chuckled, "I wish we could, but it's an expensive place," he said. Before Florence could respond he continued, "I was thinking about maybe joining the juice runners. I wouldn't get to see you as often, but I could save up for a night at that hotel or even an engagement ring."
"Oh Edward, both of those things would simply be the Bee's knees," she leaned into to kiss him only to hear her mother fake a cough behind her before their lips could touch.
She was already in her pajamas, a frown filling her entire face. "It is getting quite late, I believe it is time for your beau to go."
Florence sighed and settled for a long embrace instead and walked Edward to the door. He left and she started towards her room to change, but her mother stopped her with her voice.
"Florence May Nolan did I really just hear that boy say he wanted to sell alcohol?! That business is illegal and the people involved in it are bad news. If your beau gets involved in that I don't think I want you to see him anymore."
Florence took a deep breath before she spoke to stop herself from yelling. "Mother, Juice runners , and nectar makers shouldn't even be considered criminals, Prohibition is pointless since everybody whose anybody still drinks. Only Bluenoses like you and Abraham are against it."
"Abraham is your father, have some respect, and call him as such."
"No, he's my stepfather and was my uncle, in case you've forgotten that." Florence knowing it would hurt her mother and sure enough hurt filled her face. However, it did end the argument which allowed Florence to go to bed without even a small remark from her mother.
