A Well Lived Life Book 4 BethanyChapter 49 Revelation
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July 1977
Saturday was pick-up day from camp. Rather than going straight home, Dad took me to see the site for the new house. It was a wooded lot on Overlook Drive that covered just over 7 acres. When we arrived, I saw that the excavation for the footers of the house had been completed. Dad showed me the design - very similar to houses we’d had in Yorba Linda and Bermuda Dunes, California.
It was a U-shaped one story home with a pool in the center of the ‘U’. In this case, it was an indoor pool instead of an outdoor (like in Bermuda Dunes) or a rose garden (like in Yorba Linda). Built on a slope, the garage would actually be about half a story down from the house on one side, and a room with hot water tanks, the furnace, and some space for storage, underneath my parents’ bedroom on the other side of the U. There weren’t many houses on the street and there was even a farm with horses. I hoped that boded well.
Back at home, I found the expected and hoped-for letter from Birgit. Nothing much had changed from her last letter - just having a good Summer sailing, hanging out with her friends, and getting back into the swing of things. She had drawn little hearts all over the page, which made my day. She reminded me about our agreement and told me not to pass up any opportunities.
She hadn’t met anyone, but didn’t want me to be a monk. I frowned a bit, but I knew eventually she’d have a boyfriend. It was pretty much inevitable, and although I hadn’t really had any ‘opportunities’ as she put it, I figured I would have a girlfriend, too. We were way too young, and way too far away, for a commitment.
After I put my dirty clothes in the washer, unpacked the rest of my stuff, and got some lunch, I sat down and answered her letter. I had more stuff to write about since I had been at camp, so I easily filled a couple of pages. I sealed it and planned to put it in the box on Monday. Then I called Larry and made plans for later in the week.
The rest of Saturday was uneventful, and I had traded away my service at Mass, so I sat in the pew with my mom, my brother, and my sister. We were at our normal Mass and Jennie wasn’t there. I did see her as we were leaving, walking hand-in-hand with who I assumed was now her boyfriend.
I once again felt a pang of jealousy, though it went away quickly. I hoped they got along. We arrived home and I had a message from Jennifer. I called her back and she asked about chess. I told her I was getting together with Larry at his house later in the week and she should check with him. I gave her his number and we hung up. The rest of the day was quiet. I just read, watched a bit of TV, and turned in.
Monday I had to show up at the deli for my first day of work. To call it uneventful would have been an understatement. To call it boring was accurate. Put on the apron, sweep the floors, and keep the tables wiped down. Carry hunks of meat and cheese from walk-in cooler to the display cases. Repeat as needed. But I was getting paid. I did notice that several girls from school came in for lunch the first day. The rest of the week was more of the same. Different people came for lunch, different people picked up orders. I made a couple of deliveries to a doctor’s office down the street.
Wednesday afternoon I was off and it was the day I was heading to Larry’s. His mom picked me up on her way home from the hospital where she was Charge Nurse, stopped by Jennifer’s house to pick her up, and learned she was staying for dinner like I was. We played some regular chess, but mostly we played against Larry’s Chess Challenger computer. On easy mode we could all beat it. On the harder modes it could beat us, although if we teamed up we could hold our own on all but the two hardest levels.
Larry’s mom let us know that dinner would be ready in a few minutes and asked Larry to find out what we wanted to drink and get it. Coke for both of us. He went to get the Cokes and when he left, Jennifer said she wanted a chance to talk to me.
“Sure. Just call me.”
“I’d rather talk in person, if you don’t mind.”
“Well, can you come to the Deli for lunch? We can eat and talk.”
“I can do that.”
“I work tomorrow.”
“OK.”
I wondered what was up, but didn’t think too much about it. Dinner was fantastic and the conversation slipped from my mind as we chatted about everything under the Sun. Larry’s brothers, Brent and Jeff, were pretty cool and didn’t bug us like my brother did. When we finished, Mrs. Higgins served us ice cream. After dessert, we grabbed the chess board again and played until Jennifer’s mom came to pick us up.
They dropped me at home and Jennifer said, “See you tomorrow.”
“Uhm, yeah, see you tomorrow.”
When I got in the house, I had a phone message from Melanie Spencer. I had no idea why she would be calling, but I went to the upstairs extension for privacy and called her. She said she had something for me from Birgit and wondered when she could bring it by.
“What is it?”
She deflected every question I tossed her way. Finally I told her I’d be home all day on Friday, so any time would be fine. Since she had a car, it wouldn’t be an issue for her. But the anticipation would kill me.
Thursday was uneventful, at least until lunchtime. Jennifer showed up and I asked Andreas if it was OK to take my lunch. He looked at Jennifer, smiled, and said, “Of course. Be back in an hour.” He made us some sandwiches, not charging me for Jennifer’s (mine were always free when I was working). We went to sit at a picnic table in front of the deli.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“All year, in chess club, it was pretty clear that you didn’t have a girlfriend. You also didn’t talk to many girls except me and Susan. At the dance, you were going through all the cute girls in the room, having a blast and otherwise being a different person. When they played Dancing Queen and I asked you what you were thinking. The way you said ‘Birgit’ plus the look in your eyes screamed ‘love’. But it didn’t look like love unfulfilled. It looked like love experienced. Something is going on with you this Summer.”
“Jennifer, we’re friends. But it’s not something I really want to talk about. It wouldn’t be right.”
She considered what I had said and countered “Ah. A gentleman. So you won’t talk about it. I get it. But with Birgit, there’s no reputation issue. She’s gone.”
“That’s not true, actually. The whole ‘Swedish girls are easy’ reputation kind of kept her from dating more. She was being careful not to be put in that category. She went out with a number of guys. And what did you hear?”
“You’re right!” Jennifer said after a moment’s silence. “Nothing. No rep. Kinda hard to brag about bagging the Swedish chick when you don’t get a goodnight kiss! She did go out, but mostly she hung with you and Larry.”
“Exactly.”
“It’s clear from the dance and from this conversation that you were together at some point. And unless I miss my guess, about six weeks ago.”
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July 1979 — Falkenberg, Sweden On Friday, when I got back from my run, Pam was in her bra and panties again. I whistled at her, she giggled, then finished dressing. I showered, and we went to breakfast and finished up our last day. Once class was done, we were pretty much free. On Saturday, we’d have several optional activities and then on Sunday we’d head back to our host families. After dinner on Friday, I took Pam’s hand and we walked towards the river. It was quiet and peaceful, and...
July 1980, Over the North Atlantic We reached cruising altitude, and I settled back to read my book. Pam raised the armrest between us, snuggled close to me and read as well. The cabin crew offered drinks, and I had my first Coke in a year! Meal service began about an hour and a half into the flight. After the cabin crew picked up the trays and offered drinks again, they passed once more, offering headsets for the movie. Trevor and Maria took them, but Pam and I didn’t, instead we turned on...
July 8, 1997, Chicago, Illinois “Is it really that surprising?” Leah asked. “I suppose not,” I replied. “I just didn’t read too much into the kiss on the cheek.” “I didn’t think it was a good idea to kiss you on the lips with all those people around, because I had no idea who they were or what they would think. You were VERY careful with our dance, so I kind of followed your lead.” Which showed very mature thinking on her part. Both of these girls were exactly the kind of students I...
November 8, 1993, Chicago, Illinois A dark fog swirled before my eyes as I tried to take stock. My head hurt, badly. I felt something on my face and realized, dimly, it was an oxygen mask. My right hand was uncomfortable and I recognized the feeling of an IV and pulse-oximeter. My left arm ached fiercely. On my chest I felt the pads and wires of an EKG. I didn’t feel anything else wrong as I continued taking inventory. I tried to open my eyes, but the fog didn’t clear. I tried to speak, but...
August, 1983, Chicago, Illinois In the morning Anala and I ran as we had the previous time, then showered together, carefully washing each other’s bodies in an intimate but non-sexual way. After our shower we went to the kitchen and I made breakfast and we sat down to eat. “Steve, may I make a suggestion?” she asked. “Sure.” “Broaden your circle of friends. Other than me, all of you are white, nominally Christian, 20-year-old Americans. And you don’t invite me to your Sunday...
June 23, 2000, Chicago, Illinois “Steve,” Kimmy said over the intercom, “I have a Suzanne Aavik for you.” “Thanks,” I replied. “Put her through, please.” A few seconds later, Suzanne was on the line. “Hi!” she exclaimed when I greeted her. “I’m in Chicago for three weeks. Can I still run away and join the circus?” I chuckled, “You might want to find out what the circus is actually like before you join! If you’re free, you’re welcome to come to the house tomorrow or Sunday and meet the...
March 1979 Monday was back to the normal routine of school. Debbie Courtney, who lived across the street and had turned fourteen the last week in February, started flirting more with me on the bus each day. Debbie Vaughn, who lived just down the street, would turn fourteen on March 16th and invited me to her birthday party. And Donna Woody, who lived just down the street in the other direction, would turn fourteen on March 20th. She had made it clear what she wanted for her birthday, and in...
June 2, 1990, Chicago, Illinois “My office, please,” Sensei Jim said after class on Saturday. I followed him to his office and waited for him to bid me to sit. He did, and I sat in the usual chair across from him. “She has a real problem, you know that, right?” he asked. “I do. That’s why I insisted she start seeing a counselor.” “I run a huge risk having her here with that kind of temper and her violent acts.” I nodded, “I understand. May I ask what you intend to do?” “I really don’t...
February 21, 1991, Chicago, Illinois “Hi, Sweetheart!” I said, greeting Bethany at the door. “Uncle Steve!” Nicholas exclaimed. I took him from his mom and he hugged me tightly. “Is Jesse with his moms?” Bethany asked. “Yes. They won’t bring him back over tonight so you and Nicholas can surprise him in the morning.” “Perfect!” “How was the drive up?” “The same as usual. Just a bit of traffic in Northern Indiana. Otherwise, smooth sailing. It was driving the other direction that was a...