Lacy's Lane

by Patricia Strefling

  Lacy’s Lane

  Patricia Strefling

  Copyright © 2013 by Patricia Strefling

  Graphics and book formatting by Leah Banicki

  www.patriciastrefling.com

  www.facebook.com/patricia.strefling.author

  All rights reserved solely by the author. The author guarantees all contents are original and do not infringe upon the legal rights of any other person or work. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the author.

  Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The author holds exclusive rights to this work.

  Scriptures used in this book were from the Message Bible. All verses can be found on http://www.biblegateway.com/

  Table of Contents

  Preface

  Chapter 1 Chapter 2

  Chapter 3 Chapter 4

  Chapter 5 Chapter 6

  Chapter 7 Chapter 8

  Chapter 9 Chapter 10

  Chapter 11 Chapter 12

  Chapter 13 Chapter 14

  Chapter 15 Chapter 16

  Chapter 17 Chapter 18

  Chapter 19 Chapter 20

  Chapter 21 Chapter 22

  Chapter 23 Chapter 24

  Chapter 25 Chapter 26

  Chapter 27 Chapter 28

  Chapter 29 Chapter 30

  Chapter 31 Chapter 32

  Chapter 33 Chapter 34

  Chapter 35 Chapter 36

  Chapter 37 Chapter 38

  Chapter 39 Chapter 40

  Chapter 41 Chapter 42

  Chapter 43 Chapter 44

  Chapter 45 Chapter 46

  Chapter 47 Chapter 48

  Chapter 49 Chapter 50

  Chapter 51 Chapter 52

  Chapter 53 Chapter 54

  Chapter 55 Chapter 56

  Chapter 57 Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Note to the readers.

  Resources

  Preface

  May 2001

  “Mom do you have anything I can wear over my bare shoulders?” Seventeen year old Lacy Lee Lane asked her mother.

  Her mom spoke around the pins in her mouth. “Isn’t it something Thad asked you to go to his senior prom?”

  “I’m going with Thad Gannon, for heaven’s sake but everybody knows it’s only because he and Missy broke up.” Lacy huffed. “It’s not like he likes me or anything.”

  Her mother gave her a look.

  “Mom, can you sew these pieces together enough to make me a wrap? I’d feel a little better.“

  “Of course.” Her mother answered as Lacy’s nine year old sister Allison flew by the door shouting, “Lacy loves Thad… ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!”

  “Be quiet Al. Wait until you go to your first prom. I’m going to make sure you…”

  “Now Lacy.” Her mother interrupted over the whirring noise of the sewing machine.

  Half an hour later, Lacy slipped on her bejeweled sandals and settled the wrapping around her shoulders.

  “Father come see Lacy before Thad comes. Bring the camera.” her mother called out.

  Lacy’s father appeared instantly. She knew he had been waiting to see his eldest daughter in her first prom dress. Pink, classy, a little too revealing, she thought. She turned around full circle as her father asked. Lacy saw tears in his eyes as he hugged her.

  “Oh dad. Don’t make me cry. I can’t ruin all this silly make up. Mom insisted, but I look like a magazine cover and my face…I wish I were prettier.”

  “Ah, we’ll have none of that Kitten. Mama and I made beautiful girls.” He winked and left the room after shooting a dozen pictures taken from every angle, per her mother’s instruction.

  Alone for a moment Lacy looked in the mirror. This was the most beautiful she would ever be. Her dark upswept hair was sprinkled with miniature pink flowers inserted in a few of the folds. She took a deep breath and heard Thad’s 1969 red Chevelle rumbling down the lane. She was going to the prom with the guy she had the hugest crush on.

  But no one would ever know. Besides he had a girlfriend. The whole school knew that just two weeks before the prom he and Missy Manigault broke up and Thad had asked Lacy at the last minute.

  After several more pictures of the two of them, Thad tucked her and the hem of her dress in his car and they started down the dirt road very slowly in his newly washed Chevelle.

  Thad tried to put on a good face. She knew she was a replacement and didn’t mind, except it was hard to replace someone as beautiful and nice as Missy. Lacy really liked her. She was kind to everyone. All the girls, even the snooty ones liked her. Thad and Missy were Senior King and Queen this year and voted most likely to be the first married couple.

  “I’m sorry about you and Missy.” She said quietly.

  “Don’t worry about it Lace…I’m glad I’m going with you. You look really nice.” He shot her a quick glance but Lacy knew his heart wasn’t in it.

  The rest of the ride was quiet. When they pulled into the school parking lot and started up the walk, several senior girls snickered as they sashayed by. Thad took her hand and tucked it in his elbow.

  The moment they walked into the gymnasium people stopped talking and stared at Thad. Lacy’s eyes followed his stare. Missy was standing with two other girls in a light turquoise sparkly dress with her long blond hair upswept, earrings hanging like elegant chandeliers and a smile on her face as she looked at Thad. Lacy thought she would die of embarrassment. She tried to wiggle her hand out of Thad’s elbow but he held it there.

  It was obvious Missy thought Thad would come alone. Missy waved at them both and turned back to her friends.

  “Thad?”

  “Hold on Lace. She might have a date. If that’s the case…”

  He never finished, because Missy was strolling toward them her beautiful dress casting sparkles like rays of light as she walked through the candlelit room.

  She walked straight up to Lacy.

  “Lacy, you look beautiful.” She said and Lacy knew she meant it. Missy touched her arm lightly. It’s going to be a great night.” She looked around at the glowing candles and heard the music playing in the background. “I hope you have a good time.”

  “Thad.” Missy greeted him with a soft smile and turned to walk away. Lacy couldn’t help but see the sadness in her eyes.

  “Oh excuse me. I think my strap broke.” Lacy never knew where that came from but she knew one thing. If she had to stand there and ruin Thad’s senior prom, she was not going to do it. “Be right back.”

  She flew down the hall and slipped into the bathroom but it was loaded with girls finishing off last minute make-up repairs. And from the looks of it, everyone knew everything. She locked herself in a stall, used it, came out, washed her hands and had no idea what to do next, so she prayed. God help me.

  In walked Sylvia. Also a junior but dating the basketball star, Jordan Michaels, a senior.

  “Come on honey, you’re coming with me.” She took Lacy’s arm and pulled her into the hall and they walked to a private place where they could talk. “I see what’s going on here. Missy didn’t know Thad had a date. She thought he’d come alone and I know that girl doesn’t lie.”

  Lacy nodded. “Is there a back way out of here?”

  “Yep, I can get us out through the kitchen and we won’t have to go back through the gym.”

  “I’ll call my dad. He’ll come get me.”

  “Sorry Lace, this really stinks.”

  “I know, but I like Missy. She isn’t like some of the other girls.”

  “You’re telling me.” Sylvia stopped, hands on her hips and stepped back for a look. “You clean up real good. That dress is really classy. And I love your hair
.”

  Lacy smiled, as Sylvia fingered the material and gave her the once-over. “Your mom make this?”

  “Yes!”

  “Save it for next year.” Sylvia said in her no-nonsense way. We’re getting you outta here. Come on.” She grabbed Lacy’s hand.

  “I’m so glad you walked in when you did.” Lacy let out a breath.

  “Me, too honey. Follow me. I’ll check before we go through the doors, make sure no one’s making out in the dark back here.”

  Lacy laughed. It was so like Sylvia to take life in stride. Right now she adored her.

  “Allrighty then. You’re free.” She said as they stepped outside. “You sure you can get a ride?”

  “No problem. Go. Go. Jordan’s waiting for you.” Lacy shooed her off.

  Finally she was alone. She’d cry when she got home but right now she had to get out of here, pulled her cell out of her small bag and called home. No answer.

  It was starting to get dark. Then she remembered. Her parents had driven Allison to the fourth grade camp up north. They wouldn’t be back for hours.

  “Hey Lace.” She turned to find Thad jogging toward her. “You okay?” Sylvia told me you were out here.”

  “I’m fine.” Lacy pulled out her phone just to have something to do. Dad’s on his way.” She lied.

  “Listen, I had no idea Missy was going to be here without a date.”

  “I know. It’s okay. Really. I’m kind of glad in a way. Missy’s really nice. It’s not a problem. This is your senior prom. I can go next year.” Lacy fidgeted with her phone, glad they were not standing directly under a light.

  “I have a ride for you. Billy’ll be here in a minute. He owes me.” Thad smiled. “I’ll make it up to you Lace. I promise.”

  She heard footsteps approaching. Thad ran up to his friend Billy. From the body language Thad was giving him the eye and poking his finger at his chest. She couldn’t help but smile. Thad took care of his girls.

  She’d heard Billy Barker was a little on the wild side. Every day after school he revved up his Camaro and raced out of the school parking lot, smoke billowing out the window from a cigarette and from the back of his car at the same time.

  Thad came back while Billy went for his car. Lacy heard it rev up from clear across the parking lot. “Billy’s taking you straight home and coming right back.”

  “No problem.” Lacy felt relieved in a strange sort of way as she waved at Thad and saw the smile on his face as he winked and said, “You’re the best.” and headed back to the gym.

  Billy pulled up and came around and settled her into his low-slung car, tucking her skirt in like a gentleman. She nearly gagged at the strong smell of nicotine.

  He revved the souped up engine to ear-deafening levels, squealed his tires and pulled out of the parking lot barely missing another car.

  “So, you got a boyfriend?”

  “No. not really.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Billy shot back laughing. “Either you do or you don’t.”

  Lacy just shrugged, wondering what she was going to tell her parents. Especially after her mother managed to fit and sew her dress in less than two weeks. Like Thad said, she’d save it for next year.

  Suddenly Billy turned off the main road and parked then shut off the engine. He said he just wanted to talk.

  Chapter 1

  August 2011 -- Marston, Michigan

  “Lace, did you see today’s paper?”

  Lacy Linden set aside the bowl of green beans she was snapping and stood, rubbing the stiffness out of her back. She was sitting on the rickety back screened-in porch hoping for a bit of late afternoon wind.

  Whenever her younger sister, Allison Renee Linden was in the house, there was no peace. Lacy walked barefoot on the old farmhouse wood floors and found Allison at the kitchen table her head buried in their small town newspaper.

  “You’re in here.” Her sister announced.

  “What?” Lacy grabbed the paper. “Whatever for?”

  Allison smiled knowing her sister’s face was already a darker shade of red beneath her garden tan. Lacy hated any kind of public display of herself.

  “Oh no…who…Al did you do this?” Lacy slapped the newspaper on the old table. When little sister did her famous one shoulder shrug, Lacy knew the answer.

  “I told you a dozen times, I don’t want people to know about my book.” Lacy turned her back and began tossing dirty pots and pans into the sink. “I’ve got enough to do around here without…”

  Allison stopped her sister’s rant with her palms up as guard. “I know how much you have to do. You tell me every day.”

  Lacy set a dirty pan aside took a few steps, plopped onto the old green ladder-back chair and pulled in a deep breath. “Sorry Al, it’s been so hot outside, the beans are too large because I waited so long to pick them and the squash and corn are overgrown…”

  Allison stood. “Lace you need to get a life. You’re going to die in this old ancient kitchen one day and will have accomplished nothing more than taking care of everybody but yourself.” Allison landed her hands at her narrow hips, shook her head and grabbed an apron, slung it around her waist and began washing the dishes.

  “Oh stop, Al. You’ve got your good suit on. You’ll ruin it. Go upstairs and change. I’ll put on a pot of these beans, heaven knows we have a truckload of them, and after you change will you go out and get a few ears of corn? I’ll fry up some potatoes and onions and we’ll slice tomatoes. It’ll have to do.”

  “It’ll do. I love our garden suppers, Lace.” Allison tossed the apron over the chair.

  Lacy heard the familiar clip-clop of Allison’s three-inch heels and smiled. Her little sister, all grown up. There was a seven year spread in their ages, but suddenly Lacy felt like it was more like 10 or 15. Her back hurt, her head hurt, and she’d gotten sunburned today trying to finish the rows of snap beans that needed picking. Not her beans, but her neighbor, Mr. Thaddeus Gannon’s beans.

  Al came flying down the stairs in her faded blue jean shorts and a red tank top looking like a model. Her long blond hair was held up with a barrette and sticking out from all directions, looking very modern. Lacy wished she had her sister’s laissez-faire personality.

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes. You want anything else from out there, Lace?”

  “Maybe some zucchini, about six or so…and no bigger around…

  “…Than a half dollar.” Allison shot over her shoulder.

  Lacy heard the screen door slam as she shook her head. Her sister could get more done in ten minutes than she could all day…or so it seemed. She grabbed a peeler, pushed wayward strands of dark hair away from her face, peeled several potatoes, chopped onions and green pepper into her favorite black iron skillet and set it on the gas stove burner to cook. The beans were already boiling in the pot and smelled wonderful. Her heart slowed. It had been a difficult week. Mr. Gannon, the older man who lived on the farm next door was alone. His grandson Thaddeus Gannon the third was off in Hollywood. Going on four years now.

  Lacy was the only one available to look after the older man and his farm. It was getting to her. Summers were the worst especially on hot days like today when it seemed she’d been working and slaving all day and not making any headway. She flipped the potatoes and sliced several fresh tomatoes and talked to herself.

  “Listen here, Lacy Linden, you have a place to stay, food to eat, someone to look after, and …”

  Tears dropped down the front of her mother’s apron. She started out with a prayer of gratitude and then suddenly a sense of loneliness swept right through her. She swiped at the tears nearly stabbing herself in the eye with the knife. She tossed it on the counter and went to the fridge, grabbed a glass, poured sweet tea and gulped it down. It wouldn’t due for Al to come in and see her crying.

  She set the table for two with the old mismatched dishes and with one glance at the calendar knew what was wrong. August 4th, the fourth anniversary of their pa
rents’ car accident. She had known the day was coming. What difference did it make anyway. It wasn’t going to bring them back. Still, just setting the old cracked dishes out the way her mother used to do, hit her hard.

  She plopped down in the chair, popped back up when she heard Al talking before she came through the door and finished slicing the tomatoes.

  “I shucked the corn in the field. You want the zucchini brought in or left in the fridge out in the garage?”

  “Fridge. Bring me three for tonight. I’m making bread tomorrow with the rest.”

  “Yeah? I love your zucchini bread, sis. If you’d like I’ll take a few loaves in for the girls. They love it too…and you can make a few bucks.”

  Lacy couldn’t answer. Her throat was backed up and if she spoke now she wouldn’t be able to finish, so she sliced another tomato.

  “Look Lace, I know what day it is.”

  Lacy dropped the knife on the counter. Hand pressed to her heart, she turned, crossed her arms over her midsection and leaned her backside on the counter.

  “I wish you’d get out more Lace. I worry about you. You hardly ever leave this house. All the memories. I know it seems like yesterday but it’s been four years. Mom and dad are okay now.” Allison plunked down four cobs of corn.

  “I know Al.” Lacy swallowed hard. “It’s just the heat and…everything…”

  “It’s not just the heat. The fact that you are always working, trying to keep up the farm the way mom and dad did, not to mention handling Mr. Gannon’s place…you just can’t do it all. Look what it’s doing to you.”

  Lacy swiped at the hot tears slipping down her face and tried to smile. “I know. I know. I just don’t know how to stop. Where do I begin? Really? I can’t let Mr. Gannon’s place grow up around him and he has to eat and bathe, and his bills need to be paid.”

  Lacy watched Al walk slowly to a chair, sit down and give her a look. There was something else. She could see it in her baby sister’s blue eyes.

  “Lace there is something I haven’t told you. I’ve known for awhile but didn’t want to mention it.”