by Linda Ellen
Irene’s entry interrupted the sweethearts and they broke apart almost guiltily, although Vic kept his hands at Louise’s shoulders as she turned in his arms to face the door. As she chuckled softly and was just about to turn and sit down on the couch, she realized Irene wasn’t smiling as she usually did when she returned from the ladies’ gathering. Something about her expression seemed off.
“Miss Irene? Is something wrong?” Louise asked, a sudden sense of foreboding beginning to curl in the center of her stomach.
Irene came on in, hating to interrupt the young people as they were enjoying their evening, and especially disliking the necessity of what she had to announce to Louise, so soon after the poor young woman had gone through the grief of losing her father. But, it couldn’t be helped.
Clearing her throat, she walked a few steps forward and placed her pocketbook on a nearby table. “I’m afraid I have some unexpected news,” she began, her eyes meeting first Louise’s and then Vic’s. “Bernice, one of the other ladies in our group, shared that she had received a letter from our friend Betty…my roommate.” She paused to walk over to the couch and sat down next to Louise.
“Betty said to tell everyone hello, and that she had changed her plans and had decided to come back to Louisville and not stay with her daughter in Seattle. She’s…coming back in two weeks.”
The enormity of that statement hit Louise hard. That meant she and little Tommy would have to find another place to live…
‡
CHAPTER 6
The Apartment
“Oh Vic…just when I thought things were all right! Now, I’ll have to find a place for me and Tommy to go!” Louise lamented, her emotions threatening to overflow.
Vic was momentarily shocked too, and the thought came that maybe he should have stayed in Evansville where he had a job and a place, and had asked Louise to join him there. In Louisville, he only had a tiny room at the YMCA. But even as the thought occurred, he knew she wouldn’t have done it. He couldn’t have asked Al and Goldie to let her stay with them, they only had a tiny one bedroom apartment…technically, she was still married, and she had Tommy to think about.
“I’m so sorry, dear,” Irene soothed, reaching to take one of Louise’s hands in hers. “But don’t worry. God will provide. We’ll put this matter to prayer and then see what opportunities fall in your lap when He shakes the trees,” she quipped with a sparkling smile. “Have faith, child.”
Louise pressed her lips together and nodded, Irene’s words lifting some of the oppressive burden that had begun to descend.
Several minutes later, Louise walked Vic to the door as they said their goodnights, Irene having already retired to her room.
“Aw Mary Lou…Miss Irene’s right. We’ll figure something out,” he encouraged as he once again took Louise into his arms for a long, warm hug.
Once she had seen him out, and closed and locked the door, Louise turned and leaned back against it. The future had once again become something to dread, but she fought to tamp down the fear. Have faith, Miss Irene says. Have faith. God will provide. Louise realized she had never truly had to totally depend on God for help in a situation. She had always either made the best of things, or someone had come to her rescue.
Deep in thought, she slowly made her way to the bathroom to perform her nightly tasks. Padding into the second bedroom, she checked on her sleeping son before quietly removing her clothes and slipping into a nightgown.
Then relaxing into the pillow, she spread the sheet and a light coverlet over her and made sure Tommy was covered. Folding her hands together, she stared at the shadows cast on the ceiling from a nearby streetlight shining through the window as she tried to articulate her worries and fears to God and ask His help. The old familiar feelings of guilt began to try to rise, but she determinedly tamped them back down. Her emotions swung back and forth like a pendulum as she struggled to see and expect good in her life instead of bad.
Finally whispering, “Amen,” she focused her mind on the ‘evidence’ of good in her life – Vic’s return.
It was a long time before she closed her eyes in sleep.
*
Three days later, Tommy was playing nearby as Louise sat on the steps of the apartment house, perusing the want ads in the newspaper. She had been thinking that maybe she could get a job as a housekeeper; somewhat like her mother had done years before. But there was nothing remotely resembling a position like that. Chewing on her bottom lip, she silently fumed, Yeah that was at the turn of the century. Things were different then…
At the sound of a car engine, Louise looked up to see Sonny pulling up to the curb. She waved at him as little Tommy squealed, “Unca Sonny!”
He walked up to his sister, reaching down to scoop up his nephew for a hug. “Hey sis,” he greeted as he bent to give her a kiss on the cheek.
“What are you doing here this time of day? I thought your boss frowns on you taking off,” she asked without preamble.
“He would, but he ain’t my boss anymore,” he announced nonchalantly, leaning to put down a squirming Tommy.
“What?” Louise gasped. “Why? What happened?” she asked, instantly concerned, especially knowing his and Sara’s baby was due any day. She scooted over on the stoop to make room for him to sit down.
“Aww, old Garretson went on the warpath again, threatening all the salesmen that if we didn’t sell enough advertising to suit him today, he’d let one of us go. I guess I looked at him wrong, so he fired me.”
“But Sonny!” Louise exclaimed, “You’re acting like it’s nothing – what about the baby? What about Sara? Your rent? Food and all your other…” she paused as she realized he was smiling that I’ve got a secret grin he always did when he knew something she didn’t. He’d always loved to tease her, ever since they were kids. He especially loved to let her go on and on railing about something that he knew had already been taken care of – and this time seemed the same. “What,” she stated flatly, cocking her head a bit to one side.
Sonny leaned back on his elbows, pretending to be enjoying the summer sun filtering through the trees, and the cool breeze blowing. Pursing his lips, he whistled innocently.
Chuckling, she play-punched him on the arm. “Joseph Hoskins! Give!” she demanded, trying to sound miffed.
Glancing over at her with a wink, he explained, “I’d just got off the phone with a customer that I’d sold a half page ad to, and the man had said he liked my style and if I was ever looking for a job, to come see him. So, I collected my severance pay from the office and went straight there. He hired me on the spot,” he finished with a smug grin.
“That’s wonderful! Where is it?”
“Caufield’s, over on West Main,” he answered, tossing his head in the general direction.
“Caufield’s? What’s that?”
“It’s a novelties store. They sell all kinds of stuff, like magic tricks, practical jokes, toys, and even costumes. Old man Caufield started the business back in 1920 as a photography studio, but soon changed over to selling novelties.”
“Novelties? Who has money for stuff like that?” Louise wondered as her brow furrowed.
Sonny shook his head. “Evidently lots of people, they’re makin’ plenty. That half page ad in the Courier wasn’t cheap, I’ll tell you. Mr. Caufield’s son and daughter run the business now, but the old man still does the hiring. He took a liking to me. Said I’ve got chutzpah,” he added, chuckling.
Louise chuckled too, then noticing Tommy had wandered too far, she snapped her fingers and yelled for him to get away from the street. The little boy obediently came running back.
Sonny watched his nephew, smiling fondly and wondering if his own soon-to-be-born child would be a boy or girl. Thinking about it, he felt the familiar flutters of fear mixed with wonder and excitement. Reflexively, he slipped his hand into his shirt pocket for a pack of cigarettes – a newly acquired habit. Then reaching into his pants pocket for his lighter, his fingers touched a folde
d piece of paper and he took the cigarette out of his mouth, remarking, “Oh yeah, got another telegram from Mama yesterday.”
Pulling it out of his pocket, he handed it over to his sister as she asked, “How’s she doing?” before silently reading, TO JOSEPH HOSKINS…FROM LILLY HOSKINS…WANT TO COME HOME…WILL SELL CAR TO GET THE MONEY…FIND ME AND BILLY A PLACE…MAMA.
Louise looked over at her brother, wide-eyed. “Mama and Billy are coming back to stay?”
“Looks like it. Seems I’ve gotta find her a place, like that,” he answered, snapping his fingers before pausing to light his cigarette. “But, I was kind of expecting this. She’s always hated Bowling Green.”
Louise just sat there, holding the telegram, amazed. Without a doubt, she knew this was an answer to prayer. An apartment big enough for their mother, Billy…and her and Tommy…it was the perfect solution. She couldn’t wait to tell Irene and Vic.
*
They had been looking for an apartment for a week. Time was running out – Betty was due to return in three days. But so far, it seemed like nothing suitable for the four of them could be found. Either the apartments were too small, too expensive, or downright dumps.
Once again, Louise was beginning to let fear get the better of her. Several times she’d had nightmares of walking down a long, lonely road in the rain, carrying Tommy, and no cars would even stop and pick them up. Vic had told her to stop worrying. He had been so supportive through the whole thing. He hadn’t let her know, however, that things were starting to look a bit shaky even to him.
That evening, she, Vic, and Sonny had made the rounds to two more apartments for rent that had been advertised in the paper. Neither one was suitable – one too small, the other way overpriced – so the trio had to trudge back to Irene’s in defeat.
As Sonny stood just inside the entry with Vic discussing ideas of where to look the next day, there was a knock at the door. Sonny opened it to find the Blankenbakers on the stoop. The young man was so taken aback that for a moment, all he could do was stare at them.
Mr. Blankenbaker cleared his throat. “Are you going to let us in, or do you intend to have a staring contest all evening?”
Shaking his head, Sonny stood back and allowed them to enter. Vic bristled visibly, but held his peace.
Just then, Louise emerged from the other part of the apartment carrying Tommy and stopped short when she saw who was at the door. Curiously, Tommy didn’t react, but merely stared at his grandparents.
After an uncomfortable moment, Beatrice Blankenbaker stepped forward and held out her arms to her grandson. “Hello little one…will you come to grandma?” she asked in the singsong voice one typically uses with toddlers.
Normally a friendly child, Tommy uncharacteristically turned and buried his face against his mother’s neck, holding onto her tightly.
Mrs. Blankenbaker was embarrassed and paused, unsure of what to do. Thankfully Irene came through from the kitchen to see who had entered the apartment. Ever the polite hostess, she asked them to have a seat on the couch.
“You’re looking well, dear,” Louise’s mother-in-law offered, attempting to make small talk.
Louise responded with a small smile, cutting her eyes to Vic and then back to the older woman as she answered, “Thank you.” Inside she bit back what she was truly feeling. Thoughts like Oh that’s fine, coming from you. You who turned me away from your door when I had your grandson in my arms and no place to go…you who always gloss over and cover up anything your no-good son does…
As if she could somehow hear Louise’s thoughts, Beatrice began to fidget with her skirt, making Louise wonder if she was actually feeling guilty. Meanwhile Tommy, sensing the growing tension between his mother and grandparents, began to squirm restlessly on Louise’s lap.
“We, um…” the woman began, glancing over at her husband and pausing.
He met her eye and scowled, clearly uncomfortable. Louise figured it was because there were witnesses now to anything he or his wife said or did. “We’ve come to see how you and the boy are doing, and to bring you some money from TJ.” With that, he made a show of reaching into his pocket to bring out TJ’s offering and held it out to Louise. It was in a small sealed envelope.
Pleased, Louise smiled and accepted it. “Is he well?” she asked politely, noticing the two glancing at one another again.
“We’re…we’re not sure where he is…he sent the money to us in the mail and asked that we give it to you,” Beatrice explained, curiously averting her eyes from Louise’s.
From there, the conversation continued sporadically, with attempts made by Irene, Louise, and Sonny. Vic remained a silent observer, perched on the armrest of the couch at Louise’s side. He stared back at the couple any time they cast disapproving glances at him, silently daring them to make any disparaging remarks.
Finally, Sonny stood up to make his exit, remarking, “Well, I’d better get home to Sara. Sis, I’ll keep asking around. There’s got to be a place for rent in this city that will work.”
Mr. Blankenbaker turned curious eyes to the younger man. “A place for rent?”
Sonny nodded. “Our mom and brother are moving back to Louisville, and Louise and Tommy need to find a place because Miss Irene’s roommate is coming back. We’ve been looking.”
“Hmm, I might be able to help,” the older man replied, causing Louise’s eyes to widen. Privately she and Vic were wondering why TJ’s parents were offering to be of help all of a sudden.
“Really?” Louise responded, unable to keep a trace of irony out of her voice.
“Yes, I…I heard of an apartment for rent just yesterday. I’ll check to see if it’s still available and make the necessary arrangements.” At the look of surprise concerning his pushiness from the other occupants in the room, he amended, “If that’s agreeable.”
Louise exchanged looks with Sonny, Irene, and Vic as Tommy kept writhing on her lap, tired of the adult talk and wishing to be let down on the floor to run around.
Her eyes connecting with Sonny’s again, she murmured, “What do you think?”
He shrugged, also wondering at the seeming about-face of his sister’s in-laws. “I guess we can take a look at it.”
The older couple stood abruptly and began making their farewells. A maximum amount of rent was discussed, and the couple kissed their grandson and said their goodbyes, exiting quickly.
The four remaining once again exchanged confused glances.
“Well what was that all about?” Louise mused, shaking her head.
“Danged if I know. But hey, if he can find a place, I say more power to him,” Sonny ended optimistically, before giving his sister and nephew a quick kiss and following the couple out the door with farewells to Vic and Irene.
Vic shook his head; the whole thing seemed odd to him. “I don’t know…somethin’ just don’t feel right about this.”
The women quietly agreed. All three decided to wait and see how things worked out.
Shaking her head in wonder, Louise opened the envelope and let out an ironic laugh. “They made a big show of TJ giving me money for Tommy’s support. Look,” she commented, holding up three crumpled dollar bills. “If I was the kind to make bets…I’d wager that this would be the last money I’ll see from him.”
Those words would later come back to haunt her…
*
The next day, Sonny and Louise toured the apartment with Mr. Blankenbaker and the owner of the apartment house, Hetta Despaine. A sharp-tongued widow in her sixties, she had coal black hair and cold dark eyes. The wrinkles on her face testified to her age, and the tight drawn look around her mouth hinted at the years she had spent smoking cigarettes and sulking. When the woman spoke, Louise could see not only her tobacco-stained teeth, but also smell her foul breath and she wondered if she perhaps indulged in the particularly nasty habit of dipping snuff and chewing tobacco. In any case, she definitely didn’t appear the type of person one could easily warm up to…
H
owever, the apartment was wonderful. It was a large one-bedroom place that comprised the entire first floor of a narrow three-story apartment house at Brook and Breckinridge. The front door opened into a wide hallway that ran alongside the living room and connected to the back rooms, which Sonny and Louise figured would be big enough for Billy to have a space of his own. The living room and bedroom were large, and separated by a set of floor-to-ceiling, heavy, dark wood pocket doors. The bedroom was plenty big enough to hold a full-sized bed and furniture, as well as Tommy’s baby bed. High ceilings and tall windows throughout brightened the rich walnut toned woodwork and gave the rooms a spacious feeling.
Louise and Sonny wandered through from the hall to the living room, bedroom, and then to the back rooms – the bathroom, dining room, and kitchen. A side door angled off to the right and a covered back porch extended out from the kitchen. As Louise stepped out the back door, she noticed a large icebox against the interior wall. That would come in handy, as she knew her mother didn’t have one of her own.
“Oh Sonny, this is so nice! It’s plenty of space and I like the way the rooms are laid out,” she confided.
While the brother and sister discussed the apartment’s attributes, they could hear Mr. Blankenbaker and the owner speaking in hushed tones in the living room, although the siblings didn’t pay much attention. Finally when Louise and Sonny rejoined the others, Mrs. Despaine snapped, “Well? Do you want it or not?”
Momentarily taken aback at her abruptness, Louise stammered, “Y…yes, I do. But, I’m afraid I don’t have the deposit as of yet. You see, our mother…”