Glistening in the Moonlight

Chapter Seven

June 8. The day of the ever so famous birth of Charlotte Thompson. Everyone in town was talking about the dinner party. It was a tradition for the Thompson family to host a town wide feast on Charlotte's birthday; everyone was invited and no gifts were needed. It was the "one good deed the Thompson family has ever done," Francis remarked. He was still working at the garden, he always was.

Tom nearly broke his mouth from staring wide open. A lace shawl covered the wide open shoulders of her thin strapped floral dress. "You like it dear? I made it myself, though I believe it might be too scandalous."

"Darling, that's just the way I like it," Tom smiled. Ruby was beautiful, and so was their love. It would last forever. Ruby felt the warmth from each other, three years together had made their bond stronger than ever. It was only a matter of time when Tom would propose... 

Chaos filled the Thompson estate. The party was starting in ten minutes and Charlotte was - "Charlotte Edina Thompson get out of the garden right now!" Rose's voice was a hawk barking non stop. 

"Bye Mr. Barton!" Charlotte ran to her mother out of breath. 

"What do you think you are doing? The party starts in less than ten minutes and you are wearing a sundress? What is wrong with your hair, have you not brushed it or put it back?"

"This is the real me, Mother. People should be able to see me for who I am, not just some girl in some floor length sequined dress." This argument did not work, so she was resigned to change into a blue satin chiffon layered ballgown, a dress from the front windows of Paris.

Soon noise filled the room until there were so many people Charlotte could hardly breathe. Not used to being with so many people at once, she seemed so dizzy. The room was spinning and spinning. She ran to the powder room. Her mother wouldn't dare to find her there. "Excuse me," a man her age brushed against her dress with a woman locked to her arm. He seemed familiar, she had a faint memory of seeing him before but couldn't remember when. He was so attractive though, it blew Charlotte's suitors out of the water. The girl around his arm was pretty, but not beautiful. However they looked genuinely happy and Charlotte longed to be them. If only.

Tom recognized Charlotte. She was beautiful, like a goddess. But no one could compare to Ruby's heart. No one could ever compare.