1920s: Frank the bootlegger

Back at Frank and Emilie's place, Frank is making more success as a bootlegger than he has ever managed as a politician. While he rose fast through the ranks at first, his career seems to have hit a standstill, something which frustrates him endlessly. So much better than that the business on the side is working out so much better. Frank moonshine is selling almost faster than he can make it, as demand for alcohol increase with every new speakeasy and under the counter liquor store that opens. And in Louisiana they are many! In this, Frank is only one of many, as hordes of people in the state made their own home brew. Of course, selling illegal liquor does require you to deal with people from the shadier parts of society. But that doesn't put a stop to Frank, as he often meets his new associates in the local speakeasy he sells most of his drinks too.

Even as raids become a part of life, Frank is never worried that he'll get caught. The small home brewers like himself are too many, and police do not even try, instead restaurants, clubs, cabarets, and bars are raided, but then usually without arrest and just confiscation of the alcohol. Which in turn leads to Frank selling more to replace what was lost. The family has never had so much money before. For Frank, life is a party. He has his friends, his respectable job, his side business, more money than he can spend and a very young and beautiful mistress who is happy to spend it. Since her father died, Frank has put her up in an apartment in Newcrest, and spend almost as much time there as he does at home. 

He cannot stay away from home too long, however, as he still has a reputation to uphold. Emily is, after all, daughter of his boss, and very well viewed with a spotless reputation. Truth is, he needs her by his side. So every night, he returns home to spend the night, though he often arrives well after everyone has gone to sleep.

At home is also where he makes what he sells, and though it is lucrative, Emily does not approve. Confronting Frank doesn't help, however, and whenever she tries another argument breaks out, digging a deeper and deeper wedge between husband and wife.

Truth be told, Emily's life is almost easier when Frank is not in the house. The kids are more relaxed, she has the time to play with her youngest and teach Beatrice how to cook and knit and not have too much expectations on life and love. Her elder sons has even built a treehouse in one of the nearby trees for all the kids in the neighborhood to play in. Whenever dad is home, Beatrice and Harold, find their refuge from the arguments at home there.

John, soon ready for university, has taken it on himself to help care for his brothers in their father's absence. He was the one to come up with the idea of a treehouse, and he's the one helping his younger brothers with homework so that they do well in school. Still, he cannot wait to grow up enough to get out of the house. The sooner he can stand on his own two feet the better. But first he needs to get through winter. Christmas is just around the corner, a time when his father will be around much more than usual. John can only hope that it goes well, and that 1925 will bring the independence and change he so desperately craves.