The new neighbor himself!

Sure enough, when Cassandra opened the door, an older black man stood there with a strained smile on his face. She silently greeted him with a red-faced smile and nod before he spoke.

"Sorry to trouble you miss, jus' movin' in next door," he said with a strong southern accent. Sharon came to the door while Harold waited around the corner, too rude to come to the door. "How do you do ma'am, mah name is Franklin Wood. It is quite a pleasure to meet you." Sharon offered her hand and Franklin lifted it to his lips, eliciting a nervous laugh from the woman. "And my, what a pretty dress on you!"

Cassie smiled proudly as she briefly modelled for him, then extended her own hand for a kiss. Franklin smiled and obliged, taking the girl's hand and pressing a kiss onto its backside. Sharon smiled approvingly, "Well, you are a fine gentleman, Mr. Wood. Can we be of any assistance during your move?"

"Well, now that you mention it," Franklin admitted, and Sharon and Cassie nodded eagerly to hear what he had to say. "I could certainly use this youngster, but she's obviously dressed up for a formal engagement..."

"The party won't be starting until later!" Cassie assured him. "Can I go with him, Mom?"

Sharon was a little apprehensive but also proud of her daughter's neighborliness. "Well, maybe you should take that dress off..."

"I promise it won't get dirty!" Cassie declared, kissing her mother on the cheek as she went out the door.

"I guess yo daddy ain't completely poisoned you, child," Franklin observed admiringly, and she smiled shyly.

"Oh, I guess you heard him... he thinks he's being protective, I guess," Cassie shrugged. "So, what is it that you want me to do for you?"