by Linda Ellen
Mr. Bigsby drew her up to a machine where three women sat idle, all of them dreading that they would be put to doing some other job in the plant that paid less. Their expressions said they were glad to see her.
“This is Louise. She’ll be working with you today,” the old foreman informed the team. “She’s never worked lefts,” he added before giving her a fond grin and going on about his business.
“So, what’s your job over on rights?” the tallest, youngest girl asked.
“Finisher.”
“Ok, that’s the easiest to switch out anyway, so have a seat,” she answered. “I’m Annie. That’s Peggy and Susan,” she added as the machine roared to life.
After that, there was little time to talk. Louise soon found out that working lefts was awkward when you were used to the rights. As Stella had predicted that first day, she could now make cigars in her sleep. Indeed, at times, she did dream she was at work. But lefts made her feel like a novice again, like she was seeing the world as a mirror image. She felt discombobulated.
Well, this is sure going to be a long day…
After that day, she made double sure she wasn’t late again – for a very long time.
*
The day had been long for Vic as well.
When three o’clock finally came, he couldn’t wait to get out of that smoky, overly warm room full of sweaty men and ringing phones, and get back to his rented room for a long cool bath.
Wearing clean clothes and having splashed on some Old Spice, he had stopped to make a collect call in a drug store down the street from his rented room.
“Hello?” came a voice on the other end of the line.
“Al? Hey brother, it’s Vic,” Vic spoke into the mouthpiece of the telephone in the small wooden phone booth.
His brother moved the phone from his mouth and called to his wife, “Hey honey, it’s Vic!”
“How you guys doin’?” Vic asked, settling himself onto the tiny metal seat in the booth.
“We’re fine, just fine,” Al answered. “Except, Goldie fell down the steps and broke her leg two weeks ago. Pretty bad. The doctor wants her to stay off it for the next three months and it’s in a cast up to her hip,” he added.
“You’re kiddin’!” Vic exclaimed, instantly concerned for his sister-in-law.
“Nope. Thank goodness for neighbors coming to check on her while I’m at work. She’s already getting cabin fever,” he added with a laugh.
“Aww man, I’m so sorry. Give her my love, will ya?”
“I sure will. So, how’s everything with you? You’re driving a cab, now, right?” Al asked conversationally.
“Well, I was, but I got fired…”
“What’d you do, little brother? Wreck it?” Al teased.
Vic chuckled and shook his head. “Naw, I, um…broke a couple of rules…and somebody called in and reported me.”
Al chuckled a few colorful words. “Well, Chief – you got any prospects?”
Vic cringed, balling up one fist. “Yeah I, uh…I’m workin’ for a friend…” he paused, moving his leg and shutting the door to the booth. In a quiet voice, he told his brother what the new ‘job’ actually entailed. He had to tell somebody, the weight of the secret was crushing, his conscience squeezing so hard he felt as if his head would explode.
When he finished, Al whistled softly, adding a few more choice words. “Man…you just be careful, you could end up in some serious trouble…”
Vic nodded. “I know it. But I’m only gonna do it while I’m lookin’ for something else. I gotta make money, big brother. Can’t just sit around on my duff all day.”
Al hesitated. Vic knew he was debating on whether or not to give his younger brother a lecture or not, so he beat him to it. “I know – you don’t even have to say it. I’m thinkin’ about Pop, too. Don’t think this ain’t botherin’ me. I almost walked out, but…my friend gave me a weeks’ pay in advance and I…I kind of spent it all. So, I’m stuck for a while.”
“Well…I just hope you know what you’re doing, Vic. What does Louise think about it?”
Vic cringed again. “I haven’t told her.” Then before Al could berate him, he added, “But I will. Before the wedding, I swear.”
Al nodded, and then Vic could hear a grin in his voice when he asked, “So my little brother’s really getting married. When’s the big day?”
“That’s actually what I’m calling about…I was hoping you and Goldie will come to the wedding, but…it’ll be in about a month…”
“Mmm, I don’t know… Goldie probably won’t be able to make a long trip like that so soon…”
“Yeah, well, that’s okay. I understand. Jack and Liz might come…I took Louise and Tommy by to meet ’em…it went pretty good.”
“Glad to hear that. And I hope they do come. Somebody needs to hold your hand,” he added with a teasing laugh.
Vic laughed too, thinking how good it was to hear his favorite brother’s voice again. “Well…guess I’ll let ya go…tell Goldie I said get well quick. Okay?”
“Will do. You take care. Call back anytime, keep us up on things, okay?”
Vic smiled and nodded. “Okay, brother. You got it.”
Then they exchanged goodbyes and hung up. He sat in the booth for several minutes, deep in thought, until someone finally knocked on the glass, impatiently wanting to use the phone.
He exited with an apology and made his way out to his car to go see his girl.
‡
CHAPTER 15
Round up a Few Witnesses
The weeks of October crawled slowly by, with the lovers feeling more and more anxious and longing for their upcoming wedding – and Vic really felt the pinch of guilt over his decision to take the job.
Each time he saw Irene, she never failed to tell him how proud she was that he had found a successful position! Somehow, Louise had gotten it into her head that he was selling insurance and had shared that happy news with their friend, and although he hadn’t come right out and told her he was, he hadn’t corrected the fallacy either. It was, at times, a difficult juggling act to sidestep direct questions, but so far it was working. His conscience, however, was taking a real beating.
The one good thing about his new, albeit temporary, occupation was the money. He finally had money to buy things he needed – and even a few extra things.
A case in point – several weeks into his secret job, Vic stopped by his favorite pawnshop, Dapper Dan’s, and purchased the best wedding ring set he could afford – which was actually only an imitation stone in a setting of ten carat gold, with a matching plain gold band. The stone looked so real, however, that the average person had to look very close to notice it wasn’t genuine.
But when he put the engagement ring on Louise’s finger that night, you would have thought he had given her a four-carat diamond. With tears in her eyes, she had gazed at the sparkling stone and then at him before going into his arms for a long, deep kiss of thanks. Indeed, it did mean a lot to her that he had made the effort, because it was leaps and bounds more than her first husband had thought to do.
Halloween came and Louise allowed Billy to take Tommy out Trick or Treating dressed as – of course – his hero, The Lone Ranger. Sonny had surprised them with the complete costume, borrowed from Caulfield’s, and although the pants had to be rolled up and pinned, the shirt sleeves rolled back off his hands, and the boots stuffed with tissue to keep them on his little feet, the white cowboy hat and black eye mask fit just fine. The double gun belt kept falling down around his ankles and threatening to trip him when he walked, so Billy soon just scooped him up and carried him from door to door along the street. Tommy, ever the charmer, usually managed to receive a double handful of candy or other sweet treats in his pillow case when he would excitedly yell to the person at the door, “Twick O Tweat Kemo-sa-ve!”
It being a warm evening, Lilly was content to sit on the porch with a bowl of goodies and greet each child as they approached. That left Louise free
to spend time with Vic, uninterrupted…for about an hour, anyway.
Standing at the table in the kitchen, Louise was busy finishing up a batch of popcorn balls for the family to enjoy once the candy dispensing had ceased. Earlier, Vic had displayed his carving skills on the large pumpkin, which now sat on the front porch glowing with its goofy, big-toothed grin. Now, he sat sprawled in a kitchen chair gazing at the girl he loved.
She glanced over at him with a shy smile. “What’re you watching me for?”
He shrugged, his mouth moving into a lop-sided smile that showcased one dimple. “I like watchin’ ya. You’re so good with your hands…” he murmured, his eyes holding hers captive when she paused to return his gaze. Something about his comment made her blush and she bit her lip, her heart speeding up at the intensity of his stare. He had been making more and more risqué comments as the weeks went on, and she knew it was a sign of his underlying frustration at having to wait to claim her as his bride. Although she hadn’t voiced it in so many words, she was feeling the same frustration. The waiting was driving them both crazy.
Now, she managed to tease, “You think so, huh? You should see me patch a cigar. I can do it in twenty seconds flat. Perfect every time.”
“Mmm hmm,” he purred, rising to his feet and moving around behind her as she worked shaping the sticky mixture into round balls and laying them on waxed paper. He slipped his arms around her waist and began to nuzzle her neck, drawing one earlobe softly between his lips and teasing it with the tip of his tongue. “You got any idea how bad I want you?” he whispered, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine.
Desire shot through her body and she barely stifled a gasp of pleasure as she leaned back against his firm chest. “I might have an idea…maybe about as bad as I want you…”
He burrowed his face under her hair, his lips sensually torturing the delicate skin beneath her ear. “I’m sick and tired of waitin’. I wish that judge’d go on and sign those blasted papers,” he mumbled. “Before I lose my mind and go screamin’ off the Second Street Bridge,” he added with a chuckle that came out a low rumble in his chest.
After a minute of delicious torture, he turned her in his arms and captured her lips with his, his deep kiss sending the message even stronger than his words had done. Barely keeping her wits about her, Louise wound her arms around his neck; but managed to remember to keep her hands from making contact with his hair, as they were sticky with syrup and butter.
Vic growled low in his throat as he wound his arms around her, pulling her tightly up against his wide, muscled chest. Louise felt herself go slightly weak in the knees from the force of emotions stirred by his kiss, and the feeling of his body pressed against hers, for there was no mistaking the potency of his desire. The kiss blazed hot, causing both of them to forget their surroundings. Louise felt herself on the verge of abandoning her sanity as Vic swept her along on a sensual rollercoaster. Breathless, one hand reaching up to cup the back of her head, Vic broke the kiss and ran his lips across her cheek and jaw.
“Oh babe, you set me on fire,” he mumbled against her mouth. “I love you so much…”
She smiled softly as she kissed his lips and then pressed her cheek to his, nuzzling and cuddling. “I love you, too,” she whispered sweetly.
Just then, they heard the front door open and footsteps running through the apartment.
“Ahh dang it,” Vic grumbled. “Never fails.”
Louise chuckled, touching her forehead to Vic’s and mumbling, “You’re lucky. You were about to trade hair tonic for syrup and butter. You made me almost forget what I was doing.”
He laughed softly, placing one more solid kiss on her lips before he pulled back, whispering, “It woulda’ been worth it.”
She shot him a look and grabbed the dishtowel she had thrown over her shoulder, snapping it at him as he moved just out of her reach with a chortle.
“Wookie Mama! Wots an’ wots of candy!” Tommy squealed as he skipped into the kitchen just then, his tired uncle helping carry the heavy pillowcase.
Louise laughed as she reached for a damp rag and wiped her hands clean. “My goodness, Tommy – you hit the mother lode.”
The little boy stopped and looked up at his mother with wide, innocent eyes. “I hi’ you? I sowwy!”
The adults tried not to burst out laughing at his sweet innocence as Louise bent down and scooped him up into her arms.
She made a mental note to write that one down to add to her memory book.
*
Finally, the long awaited moment arrived when Louise came home from work and found a thick envelope with her name on it lying on the coffee table in the living room. Picking it up and seeing the return address as the Jefferson County courts, she literally squealed with excitement and ripped it open. Reading quickly over the legal language that essentially made her a free, single woman once again, Louise clutched the sheets of paper to her chest and hurried down the hall to the kitchen to celebrate with her family. She couldn’t wait to show Vic when he walked in later that evening.
Several hours later, the moment she opened the door in answer to his knock, she thrust the pages into his hands. He read the top line and his eyes began to sparkle as he looked up and met hers. “Well, it’s about time,” he murmured, leaning forward to give her a soft kiss.
“Oh Vic, I can’t wait for us to get married! I can’t wait to be your wife, to have your children, to be a family…” she murmured against his lips, overflowing with excitement and joy.
When he pulled back, just for a fleeting moment, Louise caught sight of something lurking in his eyes.
“Vic?” she asked hesitantly, her heart speeding up a bit. “What is it?”
He smiled lovingly, his eyes caressing her face, her hair, and meeting her eyes. Giving his head a small negative shake, he murmured, “It’s nothin’…I just been thinkin’…” he paused, choosing his words carefully.
“Yes…?”
“Well…I want us to wait a little while before we have kids. I mean,” he hurried when he saw her eyes flicker. “Well, we’ve already got Tommy…I just think it’d be nice to have some time to ourselves before…well, before babies and bottles and diapers and cryin’ all night…” He waited, letting her search his eyes and see he wasn’t opposed to having children with her, he just wanted to wait a bit. “I guess I’d just like a little time that I don’t have to share you,” he added softly, giving her that sexy grin that always made her want to say ‘yes’ to what ever the question happened to be.
Hating that the excited spark had dimmed a bit in her eyes, he grinned mischievously.
“I’ve got a surprise for you,” he informed her with a wiggle of his eyebrows. “Boss told me today that he was gonna give all of us a bonus…business has been real good…so he said he was gonna arrange for you and me to spend our weddin’ night at the Brown. What’dya think of that, hmm?”
Louise’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. She had never even stepped foot inside the Brown Hotel, not even the lobby. “The Brown?” she gasped. “My goodness, I can’t believe it!” she giggled, placing her fingers over her mouth in delight.
He chuckled, his happiness nearly to bursting. “I know, me either. We’ll be steppin’ out in style, huh?”
She nodded eagerly as he reached out and folded her into his arms, taking her lips in a warm, heart-felt kiss. Soon the kiss deepened as they melted into one another’s essence. But after just a few moments, Vic pulled back, tilting his head to gaze past her into the living room. “Hey, where’s the squirt? Seems to me that was his cue to come tearin’ in here,” he teased with a silly grin.
Louise grinned back at him, mischief dancing in her eyes. “I made sure he was occupied with a snack and firmly locked in his high chair in the kitchen.”
“Ahh, okay,” he nodded, knowing she knew he was only teasing and that the precious little boy’s exuberant greetings always melted his heart.
Changing the subject, Louise extracted h
erself from his arms and backed up a step, taking his hand and tugging him on into the living room. “I can’t wait to show you what I bought at Lerner’s today.”
“Alright,” he murmured, lowering himself onto a chair as Louise disappeared into the bedroom. Soon she returned, a dress in her hands. She came over to him, holding the garment up against her body and turning back and forth, the dress swishing side to side. “Isn’t it pretty?”
He took a close look at the article, which was a lovely, medium blue, short-sleeve street length linen dress with a wide square white lace collar framing a square neckline. “It’s nice. It’ll look good on ya,” he complimented.
She paused, waiting for him to meet her eyes. When he did, she murmured, “I got it to wear for our wedding.”
His eyes flared for a moment, the word always causing his heart to speed up just a bit, and then he smiled and nodded. “It’s real nice. But hey…I thought it was bad luck for the groom to see what the bride was gonna wear before the big day,” he reminded, only half teasing.
She waved that aside. “Oh, that’s just an old wives’ tale. Turning the dress around, she held it up to gaze at it, musing that it was the nicest outfit she had ever owned. “I just love it,” she went on, pressing it against her body again. “It was on a clearance rack because they’re setting out their winter things now. I just couldn’t resist it…and I got shoes to match…and a new purse, too,” she gushed, her excitement nearly overflowing.
The fleeting moment of angst from earlier when he had seen her name on the same page with her now ex-husband now gone, he merely gazed at her, his eyes warm and soft as he thought again how much this girl meant to him. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that he would spend the rest of his life working to give her what ever she wanted. He longed to shower her with presents.