1855, August 9

“Morning mommy,” Bette said as she walked down her stairs wearing one of her most beautiful gowns. With lavishly trimmed frills and bows everywhere, beautiful lace and braids. It was really a site to see.

Maxine looked up from drinking her tea at the kitchen table and saw her beautiful daughter walking down the stairs, “Elizabeth! Happy birthday my dear, how does it feel to be 19 years old?”

“It feels wonderful mother, where is daddy?” Bette said, now in the kitchen with her mother, looking around to see if she could spot her father,

“Oh, you know your father; he is out doing business,”

“At 6 in the morning?” Bette asked curious and slightly annoyed.

“Elizabeth, darling, your father is a very busy man, you can not be mad at him for working, he will be home later on and we will go out for dinner,” Maxine said, Bette was still upset about her father, but at least they were going out to dinner together,

“Your father left you 10 dollars to go into town with Emery,” Maxine knew this would make Bette smile, even though they had money, Melvin was strict about what is spent on.

“Oh! Thank you mother! If daddy comes home before I get back tell him I said thank you!” Bette grabbed the money from her mother and went to get her best friend Emery so they could go into town,

“Elizabeth, hold on a second,” Bette stopped right before she reached the door; Maxine got up and walked leisurely over to Bette to stand in front of her.

“Elizabeth, there is a nice boy who would like to meet you tomorrow. His name is Alexander Winded, he is the son of one of your father’s best friends, and he is a sweet boy. He will be coming to dinner tomorrow,” Bette inwardly cringed at this, but on the outside seemed excited

 “Oh dear mother! I hope he is a sweet boy like you say. It is so hard to find sweet boys,” She smiled sweetly and excitedly.

“He is, just giving you a warning. Now go have fun, and remember look graceful, you never know who’s watching,” Maxine smiled, kissed Bette on the cheek and walked back to her tea, Bette however turned around with a gross look on her face and went to get her best friend Emery.
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