The Rise of the Beldam

January 1866

A week after New Year's, Eunice took Judy and Florence to deliver all the scarves, hats, gloves and sweaters they have made so far. On the way back to the pink palace, Florence thought about how much she wanted to make a sweater, so she decided to ask her mother. "Florence, you must practice your sewing before you can start advanced sewing, you are not ready yet." "Will I be ready soon Mother?" "Perhaps." Once they got back home, Florence asked Judy if she could help her make another sweater. "How about another pair of gloves? You can pick the pattern." Judy responded. Florence smiled, and picked three different shades of blue with white for winter colors. "Excellent choice dear Flo." Judy gave Florence the book and told her to read the instructions to her. Florence knew that Judy was teaching her how to make gloves by doing this. Of course, Florence asked to borrow the book. "You know, Mother is right, you should wait until you have improved on your current skills." "Okay Judy."

At around 2 PM, John came in from shoveling the snow. "Eunice, girls, I have some people I would like you to meet." Eunice and the girls went to the front door where three young men stood in the door. "These are the Wilson brothers, Henry, Phillip and Leonard." "Nice to meet you." Judy said, kindly. "And you as well Miss." Phillip responded. Florence was still a little shy, but Judy nudged her shoulder, telling her to say hello. "Hello." "You must be Florence." Henry added. Florence nodded, so Henry and Phillip smiled at her. "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you too Miss." Florence noticed that Leonard didn't say anything to either of the girls. "Please forgive our brother Ma'am." Henry said to Eunice. "It is cold out here." "Yes, but you know your manners!" Florence feared Leonard a little bit, because he didn't talk much or seem to care that he was offered employment. "Well boys, we will start tomorrow. Your days off are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If I need you, I will come by and you will make more than $18 an hour each, does that sound good?" "Yes sir, thank you." Henry said. He left the property with his brothers right behind him.

Judy and Florence were sewing when there was another knock on the door. Eunice answered, and it was the boy Judy met at church recently. "Good day Ma'am, is Judy home?" "Yes, she is. Judy? William is here!" Judy went to the door and let him in. He tipped his hat once he saw Judy. "Good day my lady. You look extra beautiful." William took Judy's hand and kissed it. Florence was watching from the hallway looking shy. "Hello Miss, how are you?" "Good." Florence answered quietly. "Is your family well?" Eunice asked. "Yes Ma'am, thank you." Florence noticed how charmed Judy is by William. His family is new in town and their first time attending church was this past Sunday. William is just as well mannered and poised as Judy. Florence was still not sure about William. Florence kept thinking that Judy spends time protecting her, Florence wanted to return the favor. The right person for her sister is kind, loyal, protective and does not treat his wife like property. Though she had noticed the kindness and he seems loyal, he hadn't done anything to prove that he was protective. Judy and William went in the living room and talked while Florence went upstairs to give her sister some privacy. Florence didn't come downstairs until she heard William getting ready to leave. "Have a great evening William." John said. "Thank you Sir." "Be careful out there, it is slippery." "I will Ma'am." "Oh please, call us Mr. and Mrs. Coleman." "My mother always told me it is the kindest to call other adults 'Sir' and 'Ma'am'." Eunice and John smiled. "I guess I will see you around Miss. And you," William said, turning to Judy. "I'll see you later Mademoiselle." He tipped his hat one more time and left. "You love him Judy?" "I feel like it is possible." "Are you going to get married?" Judy didn't answer. "It is not time for that yet Flo. Over time, we will see where this goes."

"Judy, if you have found true love, do you believe that I can too?" "Of course Flo, but you are still too young to be thinking about love right now." "When can I think about it? When I am your age?" "In the next year or two I suppose. I was twelve when I first thought of finding love." Florence wasn't surprised, Judy often told Florence about how she wants to raise her own children in the pink palace. Florence asked if they could live together and raise their kids in one home. Judy never gave Florence a clear answer. "Is it another 'wait and see' answer Judy?" "Only time will tell Flo, time will tell." Florence didn't want to wait until she was seventeen, but she knew she had no other option.