She was laying on her bed, smiling as he was grazing his fingertips over her waist and leg. She wriggled a little beside him and giggled as he was kissing her neck.

"Bunnie…" She whispered.

"What?" He grinned.

"That tickles!" She laughed. She felt him continue and she kept giggling, she couldn't stop. She wriggled and squirmed, laughing. "I'm ticklish there, I can't help it!" She laughed. There she lay gazing up at him as he had lightly pinned her to the bed and kissed her on her lips. He moved down and kissed her waist and she glanced down at him, smiling, running a hand through his dark hair.

"Stop it!" She giggled as he had his hands on her inner thighs.

"You are ticklish aren't you?" He laughed. "This should be fun!" Those brown devilish eyes gleamed at her. Those thick lips of his turned upward in a smirk, and he then placed his face between her legs...

Helen's eyes opened suddenly and she sat up in her bed. "That was an….interesting dream. I kind of liked it." Her thin lips formed into a smile…..She sighed a little disappointedly. "I always wake up at the best part!" She sighed again with a smile on her face and flopped onto her back. "But I can think about what could've happened!" She smiled. Helen turned her head and saw his picture on her dresser. It was of just his face to his shoulders, but you could tell he looked sharp, dressed in a suit and tie. His black hair was parted and combed back. He had thick eyebrows and his brown eyes seemed to stare at the camera. His smile showed none of his teeth, but it was still just as perfect!

"You're so….sexy." She grinned, looking at the picture.

Fred suddenly stood there in her bedroom doorway that connected to the other bedroom. White shirt, tan pants, and suspenders hanging down. By the looks of him, he was up and getting ready for work. "Who are you talking to?" He had a strange look on his face.

"Nobody Papa…." She said quickly. "Just me here."

"Uh huh…." He glanced at her. "You just woke up?"

"Yeah…and I have to get ready! Eddie's taking me out today." Helen sprang up out of her bed and went to her dresser.

"Where to?"

"Roshek's Department Store! He's taking me to lunch!"

"Roshek's, huh?"

"Yeah…Either that or Robert's!"

"Are things getting real serious?" Fred asked.

"Maybe!" Helen smiled eagerly and raised her eyebrows.

"You kids be careful…." He chuckled putting his hands on her shoulders.

"Pa!" Helen laughed as he kissed her on the cheek. "Don't worry!"

"I've got to watch out for that pesky daughter stealer." Fred laughed.

Helen smiled, but rolled her eyes at her father. "Eddie's a good guy, Papa."

"He is…." Fred nodded.

"So you're saying?"

"Whoever you think of settling down with….make sure of that and that it's with someone you love."

"I'm not thinking of settling down right now!" She laughed.

"I know…" He chuckled and brought her into an embrace. "I'm just your father…." Fred began.

"Eddie's here! I've got to go!...Bye Pa!" She said, letting go of her father and bounded out the door.

Fred stood at the door for a second watching his daughter, and went into the kitchen and found his wife in her pinkish-white housecoat, at the stove waiting for some eggs to boil.

"Wanna make me some bacon to go with those?" He asked, sitting down to a cup of coffee.

"I'm going to….you know I always do." Frances said, laying a few slices of fresh toasted bread on his plate. She started frying up the bacon and brought some of the hard boiled eggs to the table.

"Happy Birthday, you old man." She joked and bent down to kiss him on the cheek. "How does it feel to be 48 today?"

"Come on Frances…September 30th, it's just another day…"

"It is not." Frances insisted. "It's the day you were born, it's special."

"Seems like Helen forgot…." Fred said. "Didn't even wish me a happy birthday before she left with Eddie this morning…And she always remembers my birthday."

"She didn't forget! She going to make you a birthday supper…and I'm baking you a cake. She wanted to surprise you…..so pretend I didn't say anything." Frances winked at him.

Fred grinned and grabbed her by the waist and brought her close to him. "So…..where's that bacon, already?" He chuckled a little.

"You…" Frances smirked and rolled her eyes a little, grabbing his plate and went to the stove to fetch his bacon.

(

"Hey baby!" Eddie grinned as she flew into his arms and gave him a little peck on the lips. He couldn't help but have his eyes scan her body. "Gosh, you look great."

"You look great yourself." Helen smiled and kissed him again. "So where to?"

"Roshek's….And I don't know about you, but I'm starving already! C'mon." Eddie said, and opened the door to his father's automobile he was borrowing for the occasion, helped her in, and they drove off to the Roshek's Department Store on 8th and Main. It was a large department store and sold clothing, shoes, household items and other things a department store would sell, but they also had an eating place there called Roshek's Packet Room. Eddie and Helen took a table for themselves and looked at the menu together. The menu was light blue and white and had a ship's wheel on the front of it.

Helen was looking at the front page, the Chef Specials. "Chopped Roundsteak…$1.25…..Breaded Pork Tenderloin…$1.00….Grilled Beef Tenderloin, $1.25….Hot Roast Beef or Pork Sandwich, 90 cents…..French-fried Jumbo Shrimp, $1.50….Fried Select Oysters, $1.50."

"It all sounds good." Eddie stated. "Hard to choose!"

"I think I'll get the hot roast beef sandwich….it's the cheapest thing on the menu. " She said. "Although,….the Fried Select Oysters sound really good….Served with French-fried potatoes and a tossed salad….Hm."

"You want the oysters, then order them!" Eddie smiled.

"No. It's way too much…."

"No, it's not…..If you can wear it, eat it or use it in some way, it's worth the money."

"Eddie…"

"Don't Eddie me!" He laughed. "You want the oysters, you'll get them! Don't worry, I can cover it all."

"You're sure?...Because I can…" Helen began.

"Baby, I'm sure. Now you pick out a drink for yourself."

"Well, alright then…" She said.

"You two ready for your orders?" The waitress asked.

"I can order…." Eddie replied. "I'll take a Reuben sandwich….and a cup of coffee."

"Yes sir, Reuben sandwich. That's grilled corn beef, cheese, and sauerkraut on rye…and it's served with potato chips."

"That's just fine, thank you."

"Alright, a Reuben sandwich, potato chips and a cup of coffee….Will you be wanting a dessert with your meal?"

"Uh, not right now, thank you."

"Okay, and for your lady?"

"I'd like the fried select oysters, please…..and a lemonade." Helen smiled.

"Dessert with that?"

Helen turned to Eddie.

"Get whatever you want, baby." Eddie chuckled at her.

"Would you like to split something with me? I really need to cut down."

"No, ya don't." He smiled.

"Yes I do! I eat one chocolate bar and I gain 10 pounds!" Helen whispered, but chuckled a little.

"You look just fine." Eddie whispered. "And yes, I'll split something with you."

Helen smiled. "I think the Hot fudge sundae with cashews sounds so good! Is that okay with you?"

"Sure…." Eddie smiled.

"Ya got all that?" He asked the waitress.

"I think so!...Reuben sandwich, complete with potato chips, a cup of coffee….and for her, the fried select oysters, served with French-fried potatoes and a tossed salad, and a lemonade for her to drink…I'll be right back with your meals and your dessert will be coming later! Hope you enjoy eating at Roshek's!" The waitress smiled, and walked off.

"You're sure you can afford all this? I ordered so much and it's so expensive compared to yours."

"I'm sure…" Eddie smiled. "Thanks to a good job."

"How is work?" Helen asked him.

"Going surprisingly well….they've got us doing stone work up at Eagle Point Park. Planting trees….It's hard work, but I enjoy it." He said. "Look, don't worry one bit about the money…..You're worth it."

"Aw…." Helen smiled. "You're too sweet."

"You are…" Eddie smiled, holding her hand. "You're perfect." He said, and brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it.

Helen blushed and smiled at him. "I love you." She came close to kissing him, but the waitress came with their food.

"Fried Select Oysters, French-fried potatoes and tossed salad…and your lemonade, ma'am."

"Thank you."

"And your Reuben sandwich and your potato chips, sir….And I'm sorry, I forgot to ask if you wanted milk and sugar in your coffee."

"Straight black is fine with me, thanks."

"Okay. Then here's your coffee!" She smiled, laying it down in front of him…. Hope you both enjoy your meal, and I'll bring your dessert by whenever you're ready for it."

"Thank you, ma'am." Eddie said and the waitress walked off to deal with some other customers.

"Well, let's dig in!" He chuckled and they started eating. They started talking about his work in the C.C.C. "Like I said…it's hard work. Building roads and stonework , planting trees up at the park….but I like it. Work to do, 3 meals a day and I'll have a nice bed to sleep in….Good money. Most of it gets sent to my folks, but I do get to keep some. I usually can't spend it, but you're worth it. I wanted us to enjoy ourselves a little before I leave….."

"You're leaving?" She asked, a little shocked.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, baby…..They're stationing me in Red Wing, Minnesota….and I'll spend a little time in Fordyce, Arkansas."

"When are you leaving? How long will you be gone?" Helen asked.

"In a few weeks…I'll be gone maybe a month or two. Not long…Baby, I want to serve my country someday. Being in the C.C.C. makes me feel like I am. I love it…"

"I don't know how I feel about that…." Helen said quietly. She was quiet for a little while.

Eddie sighed a little, and took a sip of his coffee, which was now cooled down quite a bit. "Bought you a nice lunch…..ya probably think it's a way of softening the blow….I just wanted us to enjoy ourselves."

"I never said anything like that, Eddie!" She said. "I believe you." Helen smiled at him.

"I'd like to take you shopping too. You deserve it." Eddie smiled. "I think I'll have a little money left after I pay for our food." He laughed, leaning on his elbows on the table.

"If it's too much, then no…." She said, shaking her head.

"Now don't tell me no." He smirked. "If I want to, I want to….You're my girl!"

The waitress brought them their ice cream sundae, hot fudge with cashews. It looked delicious!

"Eddie, I'm putting my foot down! If it's too much, I don't want you to spend things on me! You can't always…." She was saying determinedly, until he spoke up.

"I've got enough money! And I can spend it on you now and again if I want to…..now would you stop your gabbing and share this ice cream sundae with me?" He laughed.

"Okay, fine." She smiled and grabbed her spoon, and took a bite. "Mmm, this is so good!"

Eddie grinned, digging his spoon into the ice cream. "Yeah man!"

Helen giggled at him. "Enthusiastic, aren't you?"

(

Fred was out on the back porch, trying out a new recipe for bock beer. He always had his little beer crock on the back porch, with a dish pan over it. The old tom cat loved to sit in the dish pan, which was in the sun, and he always lay there or slept there.

"Outta here, Thomas…" Fred chuckled at the old cat, and got him out of the way so he could get to work! Fred boiled a kettle of water with malt in it for an hour or so. He was making the wort for the beer…..He had some already with some yeast added to it that had been fermenting for about 4 weeks. He added corn sugar to the mixture went into the house.

He walked into the kitchen, with Thomas curling around his legs. "Thom, ya dumb cat." Fred chuckled. "Get off of my legs!"

"Is he helping you brew?" Frances chuckled and picked up Thomas and petted him.

"Either that or he doesn't want me to!" He laughed.

"I'll try and keep him out of your way then." Frances laughed, petting Thomas on the head and down his back a few times. "What do you need, honey?"

"Just a dish towel."

"What's wrong with that old dish pan?"

"Ah, it's all dirty….needs to be washed."

"I'll wash it then, where is it?" Frances asked her husband.

"Oh….Outside." He pointed behind him at the door with his thumb.

"Why didn't you bring it in?"

Fred shrugged. "Wasn't thinking about it…."

"Just like a man." Frances laughed and patted his arm.

"Anyway, can I have that towel?"

"Sure." She said went to where she put her linens and other cloths. "I'll follow you out and get that dishpan." Frances followed her husband out and got the old dirty dishpan and went back inside.

Fred put the dish towel on his almost ready crock of bock beer. He let the wort for his newer brew cool down and was about to go inside when he saw Thomas on the ledge again sprawling out in the sun.

"A nap sounds like a good idea there, Thom." Fred chuckled and scratched the cat on his ears and went inside to the front room and sat in his chair for a short nap.

Thomas the tom cat stretched out in the sun, his claws retracting out and back in his paws again. He let out an almost silent meow and got up and stalked down the window ledge to the crock of bock beer with the towel over it. Thomas pawed at it and looked closer at it and walked on it, thinking he could lay down and nap, but instead, he fell into the beer crock! He soon climbed out of the crock, soaked with beer! He trudged his little beer soaked furry body inside and into Fred and Frances' bedroom, leaving a little trail of fresh beer foam behind him. Frances was busy baking, so she didn't see him come in. She went to her pantry for something and it was then when she discovered the trail of beer foam.

"My goodness, did Fred leave a mess again?" She went outside to see if he did. She saw the crock of bock beer, with part of the towel laying in it. Beer was dripping down the side, and she found the start of the little beer foam trail and began following it. She saw her husband sleeping in his chair in the front room, but the beer foam trail leading into the bedroom. "Well, ain't this strange." She walked into their bedroom and saw the little trail had led to the bed. She lifted the bed covers and looked underneath the bed and saw Thomas licking himself, reeking of bock beer!

"Well, this explains the beer foam trail!" Frances chuckled. "Thomas, you silly cat!...Let's get you cleaned up." She said, reaching for the cat, but he hissed a little, pawed at her, and sank further under the bed to lick himself clean.

"Fine then! Have it your way." Frances left their bedroom and went and cleaned up the little beer foam trail, re-adjusted the towel over the beer crock, and went inside to finish her baking. Fred had woken up and gone outside to enjoy his new recipe of bock beer. He stayed out on the back porch awhile and later went inside as he drank the last glass he could get out of the whole crock. "You know, honey?" He said, as he drank the very last drop of beer from his large, tall beer mug.

"What Fred?"

"That was the BEST bock beer I've ever made!"

Frances instantly started laughing! She laughed so much her sides ached.

"Now what's so damn funny?...Why are you laughing about it? I seriously think that was the best recipe I ever brewed!"

"I'm sorry…." She laughed. "I'm sorry!...It's just, it's so funny!"

"I don't see how it's so funny." Fred said.

Frances quieted down a little and was finally able to talk…."Um, I think you added a little extra ingredient!" She laughed, covering her mouth to try to stop her laughter.

"I did not! It was the same as always….Other than the fermenting stage."

"Yeah, you did." She chuckled. "Thomas fell into the beer crock!" Frances laughed till tears came.

"He did not." Fred gave her a look.

"He did. He did!...I found a little foam trail in the kitchen leading to our bedroom! Found him under the bed licking away." Frances laughed.

Fred glared just a little and blinked at her. He didn't seem too angry or upset though.

"Oh lighten up! Laugh!" Frances smiled, putting her hands on her husband's face. "It's funny!"

Fred cracked a smile and chuckled. "I guess it is pretty humorous….I've got to see this to believe it."

Frances went into the bedroom and coaxed Thomas out from under the bed. "He STILL smells like bock beer!" She laughed. "I'm going to have to give him a bath."

"He probably drank some! Let's just hope he's not drunk!" Fred laughed. "I feel a bit woozy myself."

"You go sit down….I'll go bathe the cat." Frances laughed again at the thought of it.

"He won't like that, I bet!" Fred chuckled and sat down in his chair.

"Too bad!...I want him clean!" She said. "If he bites me, it's your fault!" Frances laughed.

"Think it's the cat's fault for falling in the beer crock." Fred said to himself. He stretched himself, yawning and put his hands behind his head. "Still the best bock beer I ever brewed…."

(

The waitress came to Helen and Eddie's table when they were finished with their dessert finally. "Your total comes to 3 dollars and 15 cents, sir."

Eddie paid for their meal and dessert and got up to help Helen out of her chairs. "Shall we go shopping?...I've got a few bucks left."

"You told me not to tell you no." Helen smirked, those daring dark brown eyes gazed at him. He loved that look and grinned at her.

"Let's go." He said. "Buy you somethin' real nice."

They took the stairs and she went straight to the perfumes.

"You want perfume? Pick out a bottle." He grinned. "What's that one you got in your hand?"

Helen stood there, just taking in its scent. "Mmmmm….Tabu by Dana….Smell it! It's beautiful….rich….warm and spicy….sort of woodsy. I like it."

Eddie took a whiff of the perfume, and deeply breathed it in. He even liked it. "Sexy….Intoxicating….beautiful." He wrapped his arms around her waist. "Like you…" He whispered, smiling. "Hm….What a face." He said, trailing her jawline and cheek and over her lips with his finger. His touch sent shivers through her body!

Helen smiled and looked away then looked at him again. "Can I get the perfume….and we can get out of here?" She chuckled.

"Agreed." Eddie smiled. He walked her out after he paid for the perfume.

"Thank you…." She said, and kissed him. "Lunch was wonderful and thank you especially for the perfume! I can't wait to wear it."

"Glad you like it." Eddie smiled, and held her hand.

"Oh, and I almost forgot!" Helen said as they were getting into the automobile. "Papa's birthday is today…..You're invited. I'm cooking supper."

"I treat you, you treat me….It's a win-win!" He chuckled a little. Eddie smiled as she laughed at his comment. He drove her home and they went inside.

"Thomas!" Helen smiled and picked up her mother's favorite cat and petted him. "Um….Mama….Why does Thomas smell like Pa's beer?"

Frances chuckled and explained how Thomas fell into the beer crock and went through the kitchen and into the bedroom, leaving the beer foam trail behind him. She told the story quite a few times today! Frances had told her mother when she had come downstairs after a nap, and Fred Jr. and his wife Irene and daughter Marlene were there earlier for a little cake to celebrate Fred's birthday. "I gave him a bath, but I guess he smells like it still."

"What kind of beer?" Eddie asked.

"Bock!" Fred exclaimed. "Best beer I ever brewed. Ever brewed in my life!...Hello sweetheart." Fred aimed for her forehead, but he kissed his daughter right between the eyes, instead.

"Are you a little drunk, Papa?" Helen chuckled.

"Just a little tipsy! I'm okay…I feel fine!...Wunderbar!" He exclaimed, slinking back into his favorite chair. "So, you a drinkin' man there, Eddie?"

"Me?...Yeah, I like my beer."

"Frances! Bring this guy out a Star beer!...I'll take another too."

"I guess I'll start on supper." Helen said and followed her mother into the kitchen.

"Ya like Dubuque Star, kid?" Fred grinned.

"Yeah, it's okay."

"Some folks say it's gotta be really cold, or you gotta be drunk as hell just so's you can drink it!" Fred laughed. "Don't make no difference to me! I work there….bottle the stuff. I like it…..I do love my German beer and whiskey though."

"So you work at the Dubuque Star Brewery." Eddie said.

"Yup!...Worked at Dubuque Malting and Brewing Company too…and at another brewery in Pennsylvania when I lived there." Fred went on. "I make my own too…..Made some today. Was a good brew.…minus the tom cat." Fred laughed and so did Eddie.

"Frances, where's the beers?" Fred bellowed. "Schnell!...please." He said.

"I'm coming with them! Wanted to make sure they were cold enough." She said, as she brought two large bottles of the dark brew with the red and white label. They both drank their beers and talked until supper time. Helen had made a meal of hamburger, fried potatoes and onions, with a little bit of tomato sauce for extra flavoring. They had a cake for Fred's birthday after they were done with supper. Helen walked with Eddie to the front door as her parents were in the kitchen.

"So you had a nice time with my father tonight."

"Yeah, he's a neat guy…I enjoyed talking with him. Getting to know him better."

"Did you mention how you're leaving?"

"Yeah….I mentioned work a little bit…..I'm going to miss you. Good thing I'll only be gone a month!" He smiled.

"Eddie…I'm going to miss you so much, I don't want you to leave." Helen softly wrapped her hands on the back of his neck and kissed him and felt herself lean against her bedroom door, which slightly opened. "I didn't mean to do that." She breathed, walking into her room and stood against the wall.

"Are you already wearing your Tabu perfume?" He could smell it on her neck.

"Yeah…I wondered when you would notice." She smiled a little.

"Maybe it's a sign…." He smiled a little. "I've been patient, waiting for you….You turn me on! I can't help it!" Eddie grinned and held her.

"I've been thinking about it a lot lately too…." Helen breathed.

"Can we…." Eddie started to say.

"Oh not here!" Helen blushed…"If my parents found out, I don't know what I'd do!"

"Tell them you're a grown woman….in love." He whispered, kissed her neck and once again took a breath of the strong, sexy aroma of the Tabu perfume. Eddie kept kissing her neck and fondled her clothed body and ran hand up her blouse to touch her even closer. "We can lock the door…" He whispered, his hand on the doorknob.

"I don't know if I'm ready for this…." She whispered. "As much as I want it."

"Thinking about it and wanting it shows you're ready…."

"Thinking about it….it's a lot different than actually doing it…" Helen looked at him.

"Okay…." Eddie said softly. "I'll wait then." He tenderly kissed her goodnight, and walked out the front door to his father's car, and drove home.

A/N: Rosek's Department Store was a place Helen would take my mother and her siblings (her grandchildren) It had a little eating place called the Rosek's Packet Room. I included some of the menu in this chapter. Seems like some really good food!...Robert's was another place she would take them. Also known as Robert's Smorgastable and Restaurant. :)

The perfume, Tabu by Dana was a 1930's perfume which Helen wore. :) My mom always said it smelled like an old lady's perfume. Lol….I looked at other peoples reviews to the fragrance, and they described it as having top notes of bergamot, coriander, neroli, orange, and spices; a heart of clove bud oil, clover, jasmine, narcissus, oriental rose, and ylang ylang; and a base of amber, benzoin, cedar, civet, moss, musk, patchouli, sandalwood, and vetiver. Some had said it's smell was like a brew of maple syrup, patchouli and incense. Tabu has been described as a beautiful, earthy, sexy, seductive scent...It's been said that Tabu was created for prostitutes! Oh boy, if my great grandma Helen knew that, she'd probably flip! And to think she wore the perfume! !

The C.C.C. stood for the Civilian Conservation Corps for young, unmarried men. Eddie was a part of it in the 1930' had him working on building roads, stonework and planting trees at Eagle Point Park in Dubuque. Hard work, but he enjoyed it very much….He also worked a bit before 1935 on a couple of Mississippi riverboats. He was also stationed in Red Wing, Minnesota and also in Fordyce, Arkansas. The C.C.C. trained the young men for WW2…..The C.C.C. camp payment was $30.00, or $1.00 a day of $25.00 got sent home to the young man's folks, and he got to keep $5.00.

The story of the tom cat falling into Fred's beer crock, the cat climbing out of it, going through the kitchen and into Frances' room (she and Fred had different rooms, which was connected by a walk-in closet) and leaving a trail of beer foam behind that Frances later came across was true! And she had a favorite cat named Thomas, who was a tom cat, so it probably was Thomas who fell into the beer crock. For some reason, Frances didn't tell Fred about the cat being in the beer crock until he said to her, "That was the best bock beer I've ever made!"….. I thought it was so funny, and used my imagination. Hope you too found it humorous!

The meal I used that Helen made, the hamburger, potatoes and onions…..was an actual meal she made. It was a meal from the Great Depression…..I made it awhile back and my family loves it! :)