“Peter liked the cider too, just like all the men around here do.” My mother gestured with her hand. “Ever since prohibition started, they seem to drink each glass of cider as if it were the last drop on earth. If they’d take a look around, they’d see the apples haven’t stopped growing around here,” my mother said, shaking her head as her expression turned solemn, and she became quiet.
“My father can be a lot to handle sometimes.”
“Your brothers can be a lot to handle too,” I said. “Speaking of, I haven’t seen Junior in a couple of weeks. Where’s he been working?”
“He’s been working in Alexander. He was over for supper last night, but I didn’t see him because I was over at Helen’s,” Valerie explained.
“Well, I’m glad you’re coming with us.” My mother glanced over at me. “Maybe you can start going with us every Sunday.”
“I’d have to be persuaded.” I gave Valerie an inviting grin as I bit into another piece of crust and leaned against the counter.
My mother looked over at Valerie. “Your hair looks nice like that. With your hair twisted up, I think you look a lot like the Gibson Girl.”
“I do?” Valerie smiled.
My mother nodded. “Don’t you think so, honey?” and then turned to me as I bit into another piece of pie crust.
I nodded as I savored the sweet, cinnamon flavored crust inside my mouth. “Yeah.” I nodded. “Who’s the Gibson Girl, anyway?”
“Never-mind.” My mother slightly pressed her lips together and shook her head. “You look very fashionable, Valerie.” My mother stood up, grabbed both teacups, and placed them in the sink.
“Are we ready?”
“Yeah,” I replied as I grabbed my jacket and cap and slipped on my shoes. Then I helped Valerie on with her coat, and we left for church.
We drove a couple miles down Middlebury Road to the Middlebury Baptist Church, which was located across the road from the cemetery where my father was buried. We strolled in the door of the church just as the elderly Pastor Clive McVay began the service. I smiled at Helen Wilson. She smiled and waved back at me, and then she turned and whispered something to her husband, Travis. I saw Leon sitting next to his father, Everett, and his mother, Clara. Felix and his wife Millie were sitting in the row ahead of them. The pastor finished his reading, and Martha gave me a quick grin and began to sing the hymn as Cliff played the piano. He played beautifully.
After the service, my mother and Valerie stopped to talk with Martha as we stood outside in the fall sunshine. I spotted Leon standing with his parents next to their brand new Model T Coupe.
“I’ll be right back,” I said to Valerie, my mother, and Martha before ambling over to Leon as he lit up a cigarette and began walking towards me.
“I didn’t expect to see you here!” Leon shook my hand and took a drag off the cigarette. The smoke curled around his head and then disappeared.
“Valerie asked me and my mother to go to church with her this morning. She said Senior got bent last night, so Mertie didn’t feel like coming.”
“Merle told me they’d be over at the Mill last night, but after I got home from Felix’s I dozed off early, so I didn’t end up going.”
“So how’ve you been?” I asked.
“Swell,” he replied as he removed his bow tie and shoved it into his jacket pocket. “I’ve been busy helping Felix with the new barn that he’s building.”
“I’m not home much either. I’ve taken over most of my uncle’s chores at the farm since he broke his leg a month ago.”
“Well, it’s going to be your farm in a few years, so you need to know how to run it.”
“Yeah, maybe. Sometimes, though, I’m not sure that I want to take over the family farm.” I turned and looked back at my mother. “It’s a lot of long hours.”
Leon dragged off of his cigarette. “So Valerie came to your house to ask you to go to church, huh?” His lips moved to the side as smoke leaked out of his mouth.
I nodded. “Yeah, she did. Or I’d still be in bed right now.”
Leon glanced over at my mother and Valerie talking to Martha, Helen, and Travis on the church sidewalk. “She sure is the cat’s meow!”
“You ain’t telling me anything I don’t know.” I glanced over at Valerie for a moment.
Leon’s slicked-back, reddish-brown hair caught the sun as he adjusted his cap, scratched his head, and tossed his cigarette on the ground. “Ain’t it about time you made her your squeeze?” He looked over at Valerie, smiled and waved. She smiled and waved back. “If you don’t—“
“Don’t you eventhink about it.” I shook my head and pointed at his chest as I started to laugh at his idea.
“Fritzy, I’m just razzing you. But you better make a move or someone else will.”
“Well, you’re not funny.” I set my eyes on him. “And I’m working on it,” I said. “Well, I better head back over there.”
Leon glanced over toward the sidewalk. “It looks like the old hen is talking about you. Helen just pointed over here.” Leon shook his head, annoyed.
“Yeah. She doesn’t know when to quit, does she?”
“She needs to stop squawking,” Leon said. “I’ll be over at the store tonight until about 7:00. Then I was going to head over to the Mill if I’m not too tired. Stop by if you want to tip a few. And keep it hush because ol’ lady Kingsley told the dry agents that Anton’s been selling his cider.”
“She told them?” I asked, my eyes wide as quarters. I knew that her brothers, Walter and Willard, always bought cider from him.
“Yeah, she did. Last week the dry agents came in and asked ol’ lady Kingsley if she knew who was making the giggle juice around here. She gave them Anton’s name, so they questioned him.” Leon shook his head. “He’s lucky they didn’t throw him in the can.”
“I guess he is lucky. I’m just surprised that she gave them Anton’s name.”
“Well, she did. And Anton was blazing mad,” Leon said. “So keep hushed about it.”
“I’m not going to say anything,” I assured him. “I’m not sure if I’ll be there tonight. It depends on how I feel. ”
“All right. We’ll probably be there till at least 10:00 if you decide to show.”
“I wouldn’t count on Senior being there tonight,” I scoffed.
“We’ll see. He might want to cut the ball off the chain by 7:00 or 8:00.”
“Yeah, but then he won’t have a place to sleep tonight.”
“Don’t let your mother’s attorney friend know what we’re doing either. We don’t need those agents sniffing around here again,” Leon said and turned. Then he looked back at me to make sure I understood.
“Don’t worry,” I said, and he walked away.
I heard footsteps behind me and turned around. It was my mother and Valerie walking toward me.
“What’re you two talking about?” Valerie asked. “I heard you laughing.”
I shook my head. “Nothing, really. Leon just being Leon.”
“Well, Helen and Martha were shocked to see you in church today,” my mom said. “I told them that they might start seeing you here more often.”
“Come on, let’s go. I’m hungry and that apple pie is awaiting,” Valerie said, grabbing my arm.
“I was thinking about that apple pie, too.”
• • •
After we arrived back home, my mother served us shavings of roast beef and gravy piled high on toast. Then Valerie and I each ate warm, oozing slices of apple pie.
“Do you two have any plans for this afternoon?” my mother asked as she leaned against the sink, drying a plate.
“Do we?” I glanced over at Valerie.
“Not that I know of,” she replied casually.
“Do you have to go home soon, Valerie?” my mother asked.
“I should, but I can just tell my parents that I stayed for dinner and visited for a little while. I really don’t feel like going home to listen to them arguing,” Valerie repl
ied.
“You want to go for a walk, then?” I asked.
“That would be nice.” She grinned, stood up from the table, and set her yellow embroidered napkin next to her plate. My mother grabbed our plates, set them on the sink, and began to pump the water.
Valerie and I walked out the door and down the hill until we reached the bridge. We leaned against the railing and watched the waterfall.
I glanced over at Valerie as a strand of her blonde hair caught the breeze and rested on her soft pink lips. “How long before you have to be home?” I asked.
“Well, I shouldn’t be away for too long. My mom will want help with the wash and supper. And she likes me around when my father does this so she has someone to complain to.”
“How long does it take for your dad to move back into your mom’s good graces again?”
“Maybe a day or two.”
We both folded our arms on the railing of the bridge, and we stared off at the waterfall for a moment. I reached over and placed my hand on top of hers. She smiled at me. My heart began to hit my chest a little harder.
“Come on.” I grabbed her hand, and we continued our walk. We wandered through the trees and made our way onto the rocks next to the tall, thin waterfall. The sound of the water hitting the rocks below echoed off the hill. The cool breeze swept faded orange and yellow leaves across the water.
I looked down into her eyes and leaned in to kiss her. My heart pounded against my chest, either from excitement or nervousness… probably a little of both. I opened my mouth slightly, and our tongues touched. I let go of her hand and reached over to the back of her neck. Softly, I placed my fingers in her hair. Then our lips drifted.
“I’ve been waiting so long to do that,” I whispered.
“Me too,” Valerie blushed.
I leaned in and kissed her again. Our mouths opened, and our tongues crossed, and they swirled together. I felt her touch my back, and then she moved her hand down to my waist. My spine tingled with excitement. Her gentle touch sent my blood rushing through my body.
The longer I kissed her, the more my body felt like it was on fire. I moved my fingers through her hair, pulled out the hairpin that held her hair up, and placed it in her hand as I kept kissing her. Valerie’s long, wavy tresses fell onto her shoulders. She pulled away as she moved a few strands of hair away from her wet lips.
“I like when you wear your hair down.”
“My mother said at my age, it’s more proper to wear my hair up as ladies do.”
“It’s too pretty to hide all wrapped up.”
“You mean like the Gibson Girl?”
“Yeah, just like her,” I replied and kissed her supple lips again.
Valerie pulled away, stared into my eyes for a moment, and smiled. Then she glanced over her shoulder and looked toward her house. “Well, as much as I don’t want to go, I should head home. I’m sure my mother called your house already, wondering where I am.”
“Probably,” I whispered and pulled her closer. I kissed her again and kept kissing her. Our breathing became heavier. I didn’t want to stop.
Valerie pulled away. “Come on, or we’ll be here until the stars come out.” She smiled, pulled at my hand, and turned toward the bridge. “Wait!” Valerie whispered, pulling me behind a group of piney bushes.
“What?”
“It’s Helen!”
We watched Helen dash over the bridge.
“Is she going to my house?”
“No, I think she’s going over to Springer’s to help Doty this afternoon. Victoria is coming in on the train today. Charlie has to go into Batavia to pick her up this afternoon.”
We watched Helen walk past my house and the post office and down the road toward Springer’s house on the left side of the bend, diagonally across from Florence’s house.
“Okay.” I grabbed her hand. We climbed up the slight hill and strolled past my house before finally stopping behind the row of pine trees next to her house.
“Well, I better head inside.” Valerie leaned over and gave me a long goodbye kiss. “Come over after you’re done with work tomorrow?”
“I won’t be home tomorrow night. I told John that I’d take turns with him staying overnight in the barn. One of his cows is calving.”
“I should be home after 6:00 on Tuesday.” I leaned over and kissed her one last time.
“I’ve wanted to ask you for a while… would you be my girl?” I whispered.
She stared into my eyes, smiling, and kissed me again. “Does that answer your question?”
I nodded and kissed her.
Valerie broke our embrace and then turned and walked toward her house.
As I headed home, I could feel the joy radiating from the grin on my face. The day was so perfect; I almost expected to see a few beautiful white horses galloping down the road. Then, as I stepped into my house, I heard, “Hwhoooo hooooo.” I looked over my shoulder: there, sitting in the dark hole of our old maple tree, was a white owl.
Eight
After dozing off for a couple of hours after supper, I decided to go meet Leon and the others at the Mill. Seeing that white owl in the tree stuck in my mind, and the cool air sent a chill through my bones as I buttoned my coat. I remembered my dad saying something about seeing an owl during the day. He said it was an omen, but I couldn’t remember what he told me, and my mother didn’t remember either. I’d like to think it was a message from my dad giving me his approval on Valerie. Maybe he couldn’t find any white horses, so he sent the white owl.
The fall moon hanging in the night’s deep blue sky dusted the hamlet with a haze of light. It was well past 7:00, so I knew Leon had to be at the Mill already. I ascended the hill, and I stepped over the tracks, the flicker of fire from a kerosene lamp on the porch of the Morgans’ store caught my attention. I saw the shadowy figures of Martha and Helen sitting on the rocking chairs. I ambled over to the steps.
“Hello, Fritzy,” Martha said as she sipped from a steaming mug.
“Hallo,” I said with a nod and a smile. “Leon’s not still here, is he?” I asked.
“No, honey. He left with Cliff and Matt about a half-hour ago,” Martha replied.
“I’m sure they’re over at the Mill.” Helen pointed across the road. “I know you boys are up to no good, again.”
“Oh, Helen, leave the boy alone,” Martha said to Helen before looking back at me. “Cliff told me they were going to play cards tonight, so I’m sure they’re across the road.”
“Okay; I’ll head over there, then,” I said and rested my eyes on Helen as I adjusted my cap. “Helen, you know me, I don’t participate in any nonsense.”
“Telling lies like that ain’t good for the soul, Fritzy,” Helen said frankly, then she sipped from her mug.
“Don’t listen to her,” Martha said with a smile.
Helen rolled her eyes, and she slightly shook her head. “It looks like you found yourself a pretty young lady. I couldn’t help but notice you two at church this morning.”
I nodded with a grin.
“Valerie is a wonderful girl, Fritzy,” Martha said in agreement.
“Yes, she is, and we approve,” Helen added, and then she set her mug next to the lamp.
“That’s swell.”
“Can we expect to see you and Valerie every Sunday?” Helen asked.
“We’ll see. Uncle John has me putting in a lot of hours on the farm. Sunday is the only day I have to sleep in. I’m sure God will understand if I can’t make itevery Sunday. Sunday was his day of rest, too,” I reminded her.
Martha laughed, and she turned to Helen. “Helen, he has a good point.” Martha looked back over at me. “You’re as witty as your father was.”
“Thank you, Martha. I’ll take that as a compliment.” I nodded. “Well, I better go find the guys.”
“Have a good time, Fritzy, and tell Cliff I don’t want him coming home too late. And tell him to be quiet when he comes in. I don’t think he knows what quietly mea
ns.”
“Have a good night, Fritzy,” Helen said.
“Will do, and I’ll be sure to tell Cliff what you said.” I waved and headed across the road.
I swung the Mill’s wooden door open and ran up the stairs. When I reached the top of the loft, the scent of aged apples swept past my nose and a haze of smoke surrounded me. Large barrels of cider were lined against the back wall next to an old rickety table and chairs where the guys were all seated.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I asked the guys. Anton, Leon, Cliff, Matt, and Senior were all there. I was surprised to see Senior, and I’m sure it showed on my face.
“How did you get out of your house tonight? From what Valerie told me, I thought for sure Mertie put the old ball and chain on you last night,” I mocked as I unbuttoned my coat, shook it off, and hung it on the back of the only empty seat at the table.
“Now, how was I supposed to get rid of the aching headache? I’ve had it all day, so I came for my medicine.” Senior lifted his glass and swigged down all of his cider.
“Mertie must have some big angel wings to put up with your hooey,” I said as I sat down and poured a glass of cider from the jug that sat in the middle of the table.
“Yes, she does. I’d have to agree with ya there, Fritzy, boy,” Senior nodded while dragging from his cigar.
Leon looked over at me with a glass of cider in his hand and a cigarette hanging from his lips. “Hey, I waited for you at the store. What kept you?”
“I dozed off for a while.”
“I thought maybe you went over to Senior’s to see Valerie,” Leon said.
“I thought maybe you did too. My daughter is sweet on you. She came home after church giddy as could be,” Senior said.
I grinned, and then sipped from my glass. The sharp apple taste sent a burn down my throat. The first couple of sips were always the hardest. “Hey, Cliff, I just saw your mom; she told me to tell you not to come home stumbling in the door like a drunkard,” I said.
His eyes widened. “She said that?”
“Well, she didn’t say stumbling or drunkard. I added that because that’s what you are every time you leave here,” I said and laughed.
Shadow by the Bridge Page 6