Finding Libbie

by Deanna Lynn Sletten

  “Me, too,” Jack said.

  They closed up the cabin and left. On the drive to Libbie’s house, Jack said, “I think you should hide the engagement ring until we can talk to your parents together. I want to be there when you tell them. I have a feeling it won’t be easy.”

  “Okay. Maybe you can come over tomorrow night after dinner and we can tell them then. I don’t want to wait too long.”

  “The sooner the better,” Jack said. He pulled up in front of her house and walked her to the door. It was dark inside except for a light on in the entryway.

  “See? They’re in bed,” Libbie said.

  Jack reached for Libbie and held her close. “Tonight was amazing. Every minute of it. I love you so much, Libbie.” He kissed her, then reluctantly stepped away to leave.

  Libbie grabbed his hand and pulled him close one last time. “I love you, too. Don’t ever forget that. No matter what happens. Okay?”

  Jack nodded. “Goodnight, Libbie.”

  “Goodnight, Jack.”

  He walked back to his truck and watched as she entered the house and closed the door. Then he turned his truck around and headed home, still unable to believe that he was soon going to have Libbie beside him forever.

  “You’re what!” Abigail screeched from across the dining room table. Jack and Libbie sat at the other end, holding hands. Gwen and Walter were there, too, with little Lynn in her high chair, happily eating her apple pie as if nothing was happening around her.

  “Now, Abbie, stay calm,” Randall said soothingly.

  “We’re engaged, Mother,” Libbie said softly. As planned, Jack had come over after dinner for dessert to announce their engagement. He’d dressed in a button-up shirt, slacks, and dress shoes, as if he were going to church. Libbie had found it endearing that he’d made the effort to look nice, but she knew it wouldn’t make a difference to her mother.

  “No! Absolutely not,” Abigail said, her face turning red. “I do not approve of you marrying this boy. It was one thing for you to date him, it’s quite another for you two to get married. I forbid it!”

  Randall reached over and placed his hand over Abigail’s. “Abbie, please. Let’s all discuss this calmly.”

  Abigail turned burning eyes on her husband. “You said this was just a childish crush. You assured me that it wouldn’t last. But look at what’s happened now. We should have stopped this a year ago. Can you honestly tell me you want our daughter to marry him?”

  “Mother! Don’t talk about Jack like that. I love him. I want to spend the rest of my life with him.”

  Gwen had been sitting there quietly, watching the scene play out. But at Libbie’s words, she snorted. “Love? Really, Libbie? You’re not old enough to understand what a big commitment marriage is. How can you possibly know that you love this boy?”

  Libbie glared at her sister. “Who are you to talk? You weren’t much older than I am when you got married. At least I’m not pregnant and don’t have to get married.”

  “Libbie!” Abigail said, looking aghast. “Don’t you dare talk to your sister that way. At least she married a man of means.”

  Libbie was so angry, hot tears formed in her eyes. She fought to hold them back, not wanting her mother and sister to know how badly they were hurting her. She felt Jack squeeze her hand, and it gave her strength.

  “Ladies, please,” Randall said more forcefully. “Enough. We will discuss this in a dignified manner.” Everyone around the table quieted. Randall composed himself and turned to Jack. “Tell me, son. What are your plans for the future? How do you propose to support our Libbie?”

  Jack sat up straighter. “I’ve already completed a year at the local trade school for mechanical training. I have one more year of school, and then I will be able to get a good job as a mechanic. I’ve already spoken to the head mechanic at the Ford dealership here in town, and he said he’d be interested in hiring me when I’m finished with school. Until then, I’ll work at my uncle’s garage and with my dad.”

  “Mechanic,” Abigail said with disdain. “A dirty, low-paying job. You’ll never support Libbie in the way she is accustomed.”

  “Maybe not at first, ma’am,” Jack said, turning to Abigail. “But I’ll be trained in both regular engines and diesel. I’ll earn more than a regular garage mechanic when I’m done with school. Eventually, Libbie and I should have a good life.”

  “Eventually,” Gwen interjected. “But what about now? What about a year from now, and the year after that? I suppose you’ll expect our parents to give you money in order to put a roof over your heads and food on your table?”

  Libbie was about to lash out at her sister when she felt Jack squeeze her hand. She turned and saw the determined look on his face and the hard set of his jaw.

  “I don’t expect handouts from anyone,” he told her decisively. “I will take care of Libbie without help from any of you.”

  Libbie beamed up at Jack, so proud of his being able to stand up to her family.

  “Well, you are a determined young man,” Randall said, a small smile on his face.

  Jack turned to Libbie’s father. “I love your daughter, sir. And I respect her and only want the best for her. I will do whatever I have to to take care of her. She will always be safe with me, I promise you.”

  Randall nodded. “Well said.”

  Abigail stood, throwing down her napkin. She glared at Jack. “I don’t care what you say. You are not good enough to marry my daughter, and I will not let you.” With that, she stormed out of the room.

  Gwen set her lips in a fine line, glaring at Libbie. “See what you’ve done? You’ve upset Mother—again.” She also left the table and followed the path her mother had taken.

  Randall sighed and Walter kept silent, wiping the pie crumbs from his daughter’s face.

  “Don’t worry about your mother,” Randall said, giving Libbie a weak smile. “She will come around. She always does.” He stood up and extended his hand to Jack.

  Jack stood quickly and shook his hand.

  “I’ll hold you to your promise, son,” Randall said, but his expression was kind. Then he walked over to Libbie and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations on your engagement, dear. I’m sorry the news wasn’t as well accepted as it should have been.”

  “Thank you, Daddy.”

  Randall left the room, also heading upstairs to Abigail.

  Jack and Libbie turned and looked at each other. They sighed in unison.

  “Never a dull moment in this family, eh?” Walter said with a grin.

  Both Jack and Libbie turned and stared at him in surprise. Then Libbie couldn’t help it—she broke out laughing, and so, finally, did Jack.

  After the disastrous announcement at Libbie’s house, Jack drove her out to the farm to announce their engagement to his family. Unlike the Wilkenses, however, Jack’s family was delighted to hear that Libbie would soon join their family.

  “Congratulations, sweetie,” Bev said to Libbie, giving her a warm hug. “I’m so happy for you both.” She gave Jack a hug, too. “I’m thrilled to have Libbie as a daughter.”

  Norm also hugged both Libbie and his son. “Such a wonderful surprise,” he said.

  “And you’ll be my sister!” Jan squealed, hugging Libbie tightly. “I’ve always wanted a sister.”

  “Will you live with us?” Ray asked. “Are you going to be sharing our room with us?”

  Everyone laughed as Jack explained that after they were married they’d have a place of their own. Ray seemed to like that idea better. “Then I get a room to myself,” he said cheerfully. “That’s even better.”

  “Let’s celebrate,” Bev said. “I have a chocolate cake in the kitchen. Jan, come help me serve it, okay?”

  “That sounds delicious,” Libbie said. She squeezed Jack’s hand. “I love your family,” she whispered to him before heading into the kitchen to help. After what she’d just gone through with her family, Libbie appreciated Jack’s loving family that much more
.

  Bev asked for all the details of how Jack had proposed and Libbie told them, leaving out the part about the champagne, as they all ate their cake.

  “That’s so sweet,” Bev said. “I didn’t know my Jack was such a romantic.”

  Jack reddened and everyone laughed.

  “Have you picked a date?” Jan wanted to know. “Will it be a big wedding? Can I be a bridesmaid?”

  “Jan, dear. Give them some time. They just got engaged,” Bev said, laughing.

  Jack and Libbie looked at each other. Libbie knew he was thinking the same thing as she was. They had a lot of planning to do. And after her mother’s reaction, there might not be a big wedding.

  “We’ll have to wait and see,” Libbie told Jan. “We haven’t talked about the wedding yet.”

  They left shortly after that, with Bev telling Libbie to come out to the farm as often as she wanted that summer. There was only a week left of school and then graduation. After that, except for marrying Jack, Libbie really had no other plans.

  On the drive back to Libbie’s house, they started discussing their future.

  “I guess we should think about a wedding date,” Jack said.

  Libbie was sitting close to Jack and turned to him. “I want to get married as soon as possible. After last night, I can’t stand the thought of us being separated for long.”

  Jack smiled down at her. “Me, either. Last night was incredible. I can’t wait until we can be together every night.”

  “Then let’s get married this summer, Jack. Please? I don’t care if I have a big wedding or even if my mother approves of us. I just want to be with you.”

  Jack pulled the truck over at their favorite spot by the lake and parked. He turned to Libbie and took her hands in his. “I want to be with you, too, Libbie, but we have to think about our future. I should finish my second year of school before we get married. There’s really no way I can pay for school and support us if we get married this summer. But if we wait, then I can get a better job and we can start our lives right.”

  Libbie’s face fell. She had so hoped they’d get married right away.

  “Hey?” Jack caressed the side of her face, and she lifted her eyes to his. “It’s only a year. It’ll go fast. Besides, I know you wouldn’t be happy just running off and getting married. I’m sure your mother will come around, like your dad said, and you can have the wedding of your dreams. Don’t you want that?”

  “I just want you, Jack. So much could happen in a year. What if you don’t love me a year from now?”

  “That could never happen,” Jack said. He drew her close and kissed her softly. “I will always love you, Libbie. Always.”

  Libbie nodded and Jack drove her home. She knew he was right and that they should wait, but she was eager to start her life with Jack. If her mother continued to protest their marriage, the next year would be hell.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Abigail stayed in her room for five days, the longest Libbie could ever remember her hiding away. Libbie was worried about her, even though her father said she’d be fine. She felt guilty, since it was her fault her mother had taken to her bed. Also, graduation was on Saturday, and Libbie didn’t want her mother to miss it. On Friday evening, Libbie knocked softly on Abigail’s bedroom door, and when she didn’t hear a response, she tentatively opened it. Gwen had just left for the evening, and her father was down in his study, reading.

  “Mom? May I come in?” Libbie looked inside the room. The lamp on the bedside table glowed softly, and her mother was propped up in bed on a pile of pillows, but she looked to be sleeping. Libbie rarely visited her mother in her bedroom. Her parents had separate rooms, which hadn’t seemed odd to Libbie until she grew older. She’d asked her mother once why they didn’t sleep in the same room, and her mother had looked embarrassed by the question. She’d explained it away as her father not wanting to disturb her sleep when he rose early in the morning. Libbie had thought it made sense at the time, but she knew now that she never wanted to have separate bedrooms once she and Jack were married. What would be the point of being married if they couldn’t sleep in each other’s arms every night?

  Just as Libbie was about to turn and leave, her mother’s eyes opened.

  “Libbie? Is that you?”

  Libbie walked over to her mother’s bed. “I just wanted to check on you, Mom. Are you feeling any better?”

  Abigail slowly pushed herself up higher in the bed. To Libbie, she looked like a frail old woman twice her age. It was as if she’d aged decades in the last five days. Libbie’s heart broke. Her mother could be difficult, but she still loved her. She hated seeing her mother so sick.

  “I’m doing better, dear,” Abigail said. She reached out her hand and touched Libbie’s arm. “I’m happy you came in to see me.”

  Libbie was unnerved by her mother’s touch. Abigail rarely showed signs of affection. Libbie had never taken it personally—her mother rarely touched anyone—but when she did, it always took Libbie by surprise. Libbie moved closer and bit her lip. “I’m sorry you’re sick, Mom. I feel like this is my fault.”

  Abigail nodded. “Don’t worry, dear. I’ll be fine. Come, sit awhile.”

  Libbie sat carefully on the edge of the bed. She noticed that there were empty glasses on her mother’s nightstand and bottles of prescription medicine there, too. Libbie wondered why her mother would need medication when she was just upset about her marrying Jack. When she turned and looked into her mother’s eyes, she thought they looked odd. Her pupils were dilated, and they looked glassy.

  Abigail ran her hand up and down Libbie’s arm. She attempted a smile. “You know that I only want what’s best for you, don’t you, Libbie?” Abigail asked. “That’s why I was upset. I want you to have everything I’ve had and more.”

  Abigail was slurring her words. It frightened Libbie to hear her talk this way. She wondered if it was because of the medicine. “I know you do, Mom. I’ll have everything I need. I love Jack and he loves me. We’ll be happy together.”

  Abigail dropped her hand to her side and sighed heavily. “Oh, baby girl. If only love were enough.”

  Chills rippled through Libbie’s body. What did her mother mean? Love was everything.

  “Dear, I was young once, too. I know that first love can be exciting and you think that you can live on love only. But there is so much more to life, and it can be much harder than you think. Security is the most important thing a woman can have. Otherwise, all the love in the world won’t do you any good.”

  Libbie stared at her mother, trying to understand what she was saying. Hadn’t her mother married her father for love? Or had it just been because he came from a family with money?

  “Jack will take care of me, Mom. I can count on him. He comes from a good family, and they are all hard workers. They have all they need, and love, too.”

  Abigail sighed. “Oh, Libbie. I hope you’re right.”

  “Will you be able to come to my graduation tomorrow afternoon?” Libbie asked hopefully. “I’d miss you if you weren’t there.”

  Abigail nodded. “I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it. And we’ll take you out to dinner for a celebration. How does that sound?”

  Libbie smiled. “I’d like that, Mom.”

  “Let me sleep now. Tomorrow I’ll be better.”

  Libbie nodded and left the room. As she went to her own bedroom, she worried about what she had seen on her mother’s nightstand. Libbie knew that Gwen would know, but she didn’t think her sister would tell her. Those types of things just weren’t discussed in their house, so she decided not to say anything. She was just relieved her mother was going to make an effort to come to graduation. And maybe, after a time, her mother would get used to the idea of her marrying Jack. Then everything would be fine.

  Libbie’s mother kept her promise and showed up for graduation along with the entire family. Jack’s family was in the stands, too, and Libbie felt so proud to walk across the stage and accept her diplo
ma. They were all adults now, and soon everyone would be going their separate ways. She felt excited and scared, all at once.

  And, just as Libbie’s father had promised, her mother finally came around and accepted that Libbie was marrying Jack.

  “Well, it looks like we have a wedding to plan,” Abigail said one morning at breakfast, as she sipped her coffee.

  Libbie stared at her in disbelief. “Really, Mom?”

  “Of course. We can’t have our daughter marrying without a big celebration, can we? We’ll get started on the plans today, dear.”

  Randall smiled and winked at Libbie, and she squealed, jumped up, and hugged her mother.

  “Oh, thank you, Mom. I’m so excited!”

  “You’re welcome, dear,” Abigail said.

  “Well, try not to put me in the poorhouse with this wedding, okay, ladies?” Randall said as he stood to leave for work. He laughed, and Libbie smiled brightly at her father. She was so happy that her parents had accepted her engagement to Jack and wanted to give her a nice wedding. She couldn’t wait to tell Jack.

  “That’s wonderful,” Jack said when Libbie drove into the gas station later that morning to tell him. “I told you they’d come around. Let’s set the date.”

  Even though Libbie was anxious to get married, she settled on waiting one year. They picked the first weekend in June of the next year, June 6, 1970. Libbie was thrilled—she finally had a wedding date. What she didn’t realize was how many problems would arise when planning her wedding.

  Her mother insisted the wedding be held at their own church, the First Lutheran Church of Jamison. All the prominent people in town attended that church and many would be invited. She also wanted the reception to be at their country club on the lake. Libbie was worried at first about the choice of the church until Bev set her mind at ease.

  “We’re Lutheran, too, dear. The only difference is we go to the smaller church on this side of town. I’m sure your church will be lovely,” Bev reassured her.