He really wished he hadn’t been an idiot and given his actual surname of Evans instead of Simone.
<><><>
Mack had a quiet dinner with Lucas, and afterwards she played a new Super Mario Brothers game on the Wii for half an hour with him. He kept winning, telling her she was worse than his friend Scott.
Lucas was in his bed asleep, while she was lying propped up in bed, drinking her hot chocolate, thinking about Dean.
He was really appealing, both in personality and looks. She had never felt so attracted to someone so quickly. He was taller than she was, and his body rippled with muscles, without an ounce of fat on him. With his blue eyes and the tattoo that peeped out from the neck of his t-shirt, he was gorgeous and maybe a bit rough around the edges. But he’d certainly got her motor running.
After being lost in her own thoughts for ten minutes, she reached out and picked up Rose’s diary to read some more, thinking she may show Dean in a day or to and get his opinion on what to do if Jacob didn’t get back to her.
Chapter 16
April 5, 1947
Breakfast with my parents….
After the upset of yesterday, I really didn’t want to get up. I snuggled down for five more minutes, thinking about Jacob and how gentle he was when he’d made love to me in his bed. He made me feel cherished and loved.
I’d promised to marry him and move to Boston. I could hardly wait. I wanted to be with him desperately. My heart was filled with so much love, when I thought about my future with him.
When he walked me home last night, we talked about our plans for Boston. At first we would rent one of the rooms his sister had available in her boarding house. Apparently, she only rented rooms to married couples, so to begin with, until we could marry, we would pretend. Jacob had already spoken to his sister about me, and she had agreed to let us stay together and treat me as his wife.
I finally dragged myself out of bed, rushing to the bathroom, then back to my room to dress for work. I was actually dreading facing Mother and Father at breakfast. If I could avoid doing so, then I would.
I took a few deep breaths for courage, then walked out of my room and down the stairs.
“Morning, Mother, Father,” I said, acting as though nothing untold happened last night.
I took my seat, where my breakfast was already waiting for me. While I buttered a piece of toast my father cleared his throat.
“Where did you disappear to last night?”
“Somewhere peaceful,” I replied and started to eat.
“Rose, dear, we just thought that it would be a good match between you and Richard. He would be able to look after you,” my mother said, patting my arm.
“Richard would be able to look after you well. His family has more money than we’ll ever see.”
“Father. I’m sorry, but I’m not going to marry Richard. As your only daughter, you should want me to marry for love and to someone who can make me happy just by being with them. Money shouldn’t come into it at all.”
“You need money to live, Rose,” Father said, starting to get irritated with me.
“That’s why there are jobs. I intend to marry someone who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty, and who doesn’t mind working for his money. I have no intention of marrying someone who just spends all day spending the family inheritance, without working a day in his life.”
I stood up from the table and looked at both my parents. “Please don’t expect me to marry him, because I will always refuse.” I walked out of the room, collected my jacket and purse, then started walking slowly to work.
Unfortunately, my slow walk to work didn’t go as planned. No sooner had I left the front path, Richard pulled up to the side of me. “Rose, let me give you a lift to work.”
I ignored him and carried on walking.
“Rose, please talk to me,” he begged, running up to me. “I’m really sorry about last night. My father said something that made me do what I did.”
I sighed. “Richard, I’m sorry, too. I think it would be for the best if we don’t see each other again for a while, that way your father won’t get the wrong idea about us.”
I walked past him and left him stunned behind me. Not long after, I heard his car screech away from the curb, obviously in a temper.
At the library, Mr. Young put me on the desk, which could be even more boring than dusting shelves. Throughout the day, I helped around ten people.
It had just turned three when I looked up, having heard the door opening. I looked straight into Jacob’s eyes. I only just stopped myself from running into his arms.
I stood and asked Mary, who was close by, to watch the desk while I popped to the restroom. I then followed Jacob to the Philosophy section.
Jacob took hold of my face and pulled me into him for a soul-shattering kiss. “I hated sleeping on my own last night, after having you in my bed.” He kept kissing all over my face and finally came back to my mouth, slipping his tongue between my lips.
“I can’t wait for us to be in Boston, to wake up with you every day, to eat our meals together. Oh, Jacob, I’m so excited.”
“My Rose.” He couldn’t stop kissing me. Not that I was complaining. “I better go. I’ll see you again soon. Remember, I love you,” he told me.
I just stood watching him walk away and out through the door.
The rest of the afternoon went really slow. All I wanted was to be with Jacob.
Finally, after a very long day, I left work and walked slowly home, with my thoughts on Jacob and what our life would be like in Boston.
I entered the house and was greeted by both my parents, again. I stopped dead and looked from one to the other. “Rose, please come in here a minute, I have something to say,” my father said.
Dreading what my father was going to say, I followed my parents into the front parlor.
“I’ve spent most of the day thinking about what you said this morning.” He looked very ill at ease. “We really don’t want you to be unhappy, and I’m sorry if we gave you the impression your happiness doesn’t matter, because it does. Richard seems to care for you, and he would be able to make sure you are well looked after. Even if he doesn’t do anything.” Did my father just smile? “Saying all that, we do want you to marry well, so please don’t get it in your head that anyone will do, because they won’t.”
I wasn’t sure what they expected me to say to Father’s little speech. “Thank you. May I leave?” Father looked ready to continue speaking, but thought better of it and just nodded his head.
April 7, 1947
Oh my, I was introduced to a wall tonight….
Just checking a book out for Mr. Willis, I looked up and saw Jayne walking into the library. She always made me laugh as she looked around to make sure Mr. Young wasn’t lurking about anywhere.
“Jayne, why aren’t you at work?” I asked, leaning on the desk towards her.
“I’m on an errand for one of the bosses. What’s going on with you? I have hardly seen you. You haven’t been to any of the local dances like you usually do. Are you seeing that, what’s his name, Jacob?”
I guess I didn’t hide my shock very well, my face gave me away. JT always said I made a terrible liar.
“Are you out of your mind? What if your parents find out?”
My face fell. “I know what my parents are like, but I love him, Jayne. I don’t want anyone else. I’m going to be with Jacob whether or not they agree. I intend telling them soon, but not yet.” I really hoped she wouldn’t tell anyone.
Not long after Jayne left a student from the local school came in asking if I would help him with a paper on George Washington. I’d no sooner said goodbye to the grateful student, when Jacob walked in. He came straight over to my desk.
“Are you free to meet me at my apartment tonight?” he whispered.
“Yes.” He caressed me with his eyes.
“I’ll see you later.”
“Who was that?” Mary asked, after he left.
I spent the rest of the day watching the time to when I could be with Jacob. The day really dragged on, and once or twice, I nearly went to see Mr. Young to tell him I had woman problems. He usually didn’t ask questions if one of us told him that, and he couldn’t wait to get out of sight. But I didn’t. I stayed until closing. Then after brushing my hair and applying more lipstick, I dashed out and quickly walked to Jacob’s apartment.
Jacob opened the door, took one look at me, grabbed hold of my arm and pulled me into his apartment, kissing me. He pushed me up against the wall with his body. There wasn’t one inch between us as his body was molded to mine while he kissed me until I was breathless.
My arms went around his neck. His hands searched under my skirt, bringing it up around my waist. “I need you, Rose.”
“Yes.”
He pushed my underwear down. Stepping back slightly, he unzipped his pants, pushing them down past his hips. He slammed his lips to mine and put his hand between my thighs, then slipped his finger into me. Withdrawing, he bunched my skirt again and took hold of my waist, lifting me up. I wrapped my legs around him. His penis slid inside me. Oh. Amazing. Catching his breath, he started to move his hips.
“This is going to be quick.” Without pause, he started moving really fast. Heck, it felt good. He sealed his mouth to mine. Despite it being fast, or maybe because it was so fast, I felt alive! Suddenly, I felt that burst of ecstasy – rapturous delight. I couldn’t stop shaking and moaning. Jacob groaned and I’m sure he grew even larger inside me before he shuddered.
He panted heavily into my neck, while I tried to catch my breath.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken you like that, up against the wall.”
“Jacob, you can take me like that anytime you want, as long as we’re not in public. It was amazing.”
He laughed, helping me to get my feet back under me. Then he fastened his pants, while I pulled my underwear back on. He took my hand. “I want to show you something.”
After we were comfortable in his sitting room, he passed me a letter. “Read it,” he said, sitting beside me.
The letter was from an engineering company in Boston, offering him an apprentice position that started on Monday, April 21st.
“Will you still come with me, Rose?” He looked so nervous.
“I love you, Jacob. I have already agreed to be your wife, so yes, I will still come with you. I’ll go anywhere with you.” He sighed in relief.
“Do you think you could be ready to leave a week today on the 14th? It would be easier for you if we get settled in Boston before I start the job. Eleanor has said you can help her with a few minor things around the house during the day, if you like.”
I smiled at him. “I do like, and I can hardly wait.”
“The money is pretty good, so we can save up and find ourselves an apartment, or if you want to stay longer at my sister’s, then we might be able to save for a deposit on our own home, but I would prefer that we get married fairly soon.”
I pulled his head down to mine and kissed him ever so softly. “I would marry you tomorrow if that was possible.”
We sat cuddled on the sofa, not talking for the longest of time, and then all too soon, I had to head home.
Jacob walked me part of the way, while we made plans to meet at eleven, the night of the 14th, next Monday.
I planned to take some of my things to Jacobs’ apartment on Friday, and then whatever else I wanted, I would have to sneak them out with me on the 14th.
My biggest regret was that I couldn’t take JT with me. I would miss him so much. I love you, brother!
I will miss Mother and Father, but they have forced me to make this choice. If I thought for one minute they would accept Jacob, I would have told them.
Before going to bed, I needed to find a hiding place for my diary so no one would stumble across it and stop our plans.
I knew the perfect place!
Chapter 17
Mack couldn’t get Rose and Jacob out of her thoughts, and thinking about them brought tears to her eyes. She ended up cooking the eggs for breakfast in tears.
“Hey, Mack!” Dean said in greeting as he walked into the kitchen and headed straight to the coffee pot. He pulled up short when he saw the streaks on her face. Changing direction, he went straight up to her, and after looking closely, wiped the tears away with his thumbs.
He removed the pan from the burner and turned it off just as he pulled her into his arms. “Mack, what’s wrong? Why are you so upset?”
She couldn’t answer and just burrowed her face deeper into Dean’s chest, then put her arms around his waist while she sobbed.
A few minutes later, she pulled away and went to the sink to splash cold water on her face, stopping briefly as she heard Thomas outside talking, probably on his cell. “It’s something and nothing. Please don’t say anything?”
Dean frowned. “Okay, are you all right now?”
“Actually, I think I am, but a good morning kiss might make me feel so much better.” She stood right in front of him. He placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned down for a very quick kiss, too quick.
“Auntie Mack, are you really doing kissing things with Dean?”
“Oh my God.” She turned crimson, while Dean just grinned and walked over to Lucas doing the high five thing.
“How’s it going, champ?”
“Good. I slept in today,” Lucas replied, trying to see out of the window, obviously looking for Thomas.
“Thomas will be in soon, Lucas. I think he’s on the phone.”
“I wish he’d hurry up.”
Just then the back door opened and in walked Thomas. “Morning, folks.”
He walked over and gave Mack a bunch of peonies.
She leaned over to give Thomas a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I think you need to marry me, Thomas.” He was so sweet and would make a good grandfather.
“Hey, not funny. He can get his own girl. You’re mine.” Dean pulled Mack into his arms, laughing.
Suddenly, she was all serious and looked up at Dean. “Am I really?”
Dean stopped laughing and caressed Mack’s face. He pushed the hair back from her forehead. “Mack, I’ve never felt like this before, but, I’m starting to think, that maybe, yes you are.” He then placed a lingering kiss to her lips.
“Auntie Mack, are you making breakfast?”
Thomas chuckled. “I think she wants to be making something else, buddy.”
All flustered she pulled away from Dean and finished the breakfast, deep in thought.
Mack wondered what the hell she was doing. How did this happen? Why did this, with Dean, feel so right? Never in her life had she been so attracted to anyone. Dean had popped into her life literally twenty-four hours ago. How the heck had he managed to get under her skin so quickly? When he kissed her, she practically swooned at his feet.
Dean, meanwhile, was thinking about the mess he’d made for himself, and how he really needed to come clean about his name before his relationship could go any further with Mack. When she asked if she was his girl, his heart had flipped. Looking into her eyes, he knew he would do just about anything to make her his.
Mack was finally composed and turned from the stove to place the eggs, bacon, and biscuits onto the table.
“Okay folks. Can we eat without mentioning anything unpleasant?” She caught a smile on Thomas’ face as she took her seat and started to load her plate with food.
“This looks good.”
“Thank you.”
Thomas looked rather tired. “How was your evening?” Perhaps that might explai
n it.
“Late night, but a good one. I won at poker, fifty bucks,” he said rather proudly. “I don’t think I’ve won that big since 1998.”
Mack froze with a fork of food halfway to her mouth. “You serious?”
“Sure am. I think Lucas here is my good luck charm.”
“My granny and gramps play strip poker. Is that what you played?”
Dean couldn’t help but roar with laughter, which in turn had everyone else laughing, except for Lucas.
“What’s so funny?” Lucas asked, baffled. He looked at the adults as though they’d lost their minds.
“Your granny and gramps playing strip poker, and no, that wasn’t what I played,” Thomas managed to reply.
“But why is that funny? Granny says...”
“Lucas, that’s enough. Your breakfast will be going cold.” Heaven knew what Lucas was about to say. Mack wasn’t waiting to find out.
Lucas, not wanting to be hushed, carried on. “Auntie Mack, I was only going to say that Granny said she wasn’t embarrassed about her body, or her droopy boobs at her age, but if Mommy didn’t stop having her boobs made bigger, they’ll pop, and then Daddy won’t have anything to hold onto.” He paused to catch his breath. “What does that mean, Auntie Mack?”
Both Dean and Thomas made a quick exit outside. She could hear Dean laughing on the other side of the kitchen door.
She giggled herself, and told Lucas to ask his father.
God, she really needed to have a word with her mother, who was the most flamboyant person she had ever known. Her mother still lived in the sixties and wasn’t bothered who knew it, getting more outrageous as she grew older. Sometimes she forgot whom she was talking to, as Lucas just proved. No matter how much like their mother Melinda was, she would’ve hit the roof if she’d heard that comment.
She could remember growing up with Melinda, how proper behavior was expected when they were in school. Their mother used to threaten to wash their mouths out with soap and water if they said anything untoward. Perhaps she needed to try that same tack with their mother now. Give her a taste of her own medicine.
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