Laurey held a blue dress up to herself and eyed the effect in the mirror. Satisfied, she put it in her suitcase, secure in the knowledge that this year's party would be different. That now she would be the girl that boys noticed. Sure, boys still teased her, but there was a new edge to it, a hint of flirtation in every interaction she had, whether it was with a neighboring farmer or with a cowman just dropping in for a glass of water. But best of all, they seemed safe. They didn't constantly try to pin her against a fence post and kiss her until her lips were sore, didn't throw her to the ground every chance they got and touch her all over. And she knew that was what she should want. Knew that there was more to love than kissing and touching.

"Where you goin'?"

She whirled around at the sound of Jud's voice as he stood in the doorway, eyeing her suitcase.

"Just Claremore. Goin' to a party." she tried to seem nonchalant, hoping he wouldn't ask any more questions.

"I could come with you. Take a day off."

Forgetting herself, she laughed at the thought of bringing Jud Fry to a party in Claremore. At least here, everyone knew him, knew that he was unusual, but in Claremore, his dirty hands and perpetually filthy shirts would probably get him–and her–kicked out of any party they tried to go to. And the thought of him trying to chat with people about the weather and local gossip… "Can't bring you with me, Jud, you're the hired hand" she blurted.

"Sayin' I ain't good enough for you?"

"'Course not." she backpedaled. "Just sayin' it'd look suspicious if I didn't go; if I keep spendin' all my time with you."

"Gonna dance with boys there?"

"Maybe. But that's none of your business."

He grabbed her shoulders and turned her around to face him. "Goddamn it, Laurey, why do you have to–"

"Everythin' alright in there?" Aunt Eller peeked into the room.

"Oh, sure, Laurey just lost her footin' is all" Jud replied, his hands still firmly on her shoulders.

"You finished packin', Laurey? Gotta leave soon."

"I'm almost finished." She extracated herself from Jud's grip "Aunt Eller, can you help me decide which shawls to bring? I can never tell what colors match the best."

"'Course, Laurey" Eller entered the room, and after a moment, Jud walked out.