Young Love -- Finale

A Time For Young Love

Finale

        Or

What’s Love Gotta Do With It?

By

B.D. Adams ©2016

   Lucy’s graduating high school class had over 600 students and she was in the top 100. She graduated with very excellent grades, however, she didn’t graduate Summa Cum Laude. Her scores on the SAT were impressive, though.

   She was glad, but it really didn’t matter to her. She didn’t have her Roger.

   With Roger out of the way (of course, Lucy didn’t know about that), her mother had everything mapped out for Lucy. She planned to have her enrolled in TCU and spoke with the Tri-delta Sorority. This was her dream for her daughter.

   However, Lucy had other plans (her mother had no idea). Plans that did not include TCU, a sorority or Ft. Worth.

   For Spring Break in 1968 -- she wanted to go to Galveston, Texas. To visit Dobby, her paternal grandmother. Her grandmother had had that nickname since she was in college and Lucy called her that. A spry older woman in her 60s with snow white hair. She could pass for younger.

   Lucy was allowed to go to Galveston in her mother’s ’65 Ford Galaxy Coupe. Of course, Lucy had to swear she would be careful. Her mother couldn’t afford to buy another car. Plus, she had to swear she wasn’t really going to sneak a visit with Roger. (That puzzled Lucy.)

   Lucy swore to both.

   It had been a while since she’d visited south. She and Roger had planned to go there in his car, in order to introduce him to Dobby. Of course, that didn’t happen.

   Lucy loved this grandmother and going to the Gulf of Mexico beaches on Galveston Island. Great beaches and waves!

   Dobby and Papa lived, since their marriage in 1915, in a wooden clapboard, two-story Victorian house. Unfortunately, Papa’s untimely death in 1955 was more than sad. Lucy knew her grandfather, but only for a short while. Lucy knew he was in charge of their home.

   The house was in a cream color with accent, trim colors that subtly highlighted the house. The house always looked freshly painted. That always amazed Lucy.

   There were many properties like Dobby’s. Some of those houses in Galveston would rival the houses in New Orleans. The old Galveston streets were tree-lined with Oak Trees, Magnolia Trees, and Palms. And, like many of these houses, the inside was cozy – not sprawling large.

   With all the two story houses, there were porches downstairs and upstairs. Her grandmother’s downstairs porch went three-quarters around the house. The porch-less side had tall evergreen bushes.

   Lucy loved to sit on the back porch to eat Dobby’s waffles and drink freshly squeezed orange juice in the mornings. Her back garden was so soothing, so lovely. In the spring and summer, the fragrance of flowers, like honeysuckle, jasmine, and roses, filled the air.

   Lucy was elated to make this visit! Dobby. She always listened to her granddaughter, never berated her.

   Soon, Lucy pulled into Dobby’s narrow driveway. It was March, but warm for this early season.

   After several hugs and kisses, Lucy and Dobby sat with their filled ice tea glasses on the back porch to relax. For Lucy, to relax after the long trip.

   Lucy managed to confide to Dobby about her mother. She thought her mother was the reason Roger was so heartless to break-up with her -- the way he did.

   In her wisdom, Dobby played down the anger Lucy had for her mother. However, she understood this part of her former daughter-in-law’s personality.

   Lucy explained what her mother wanted for her and, on the flip side, what she wanted for herself. She told Dobby that she wanted to go to the University of Houston. Would she help out?

   Of course, she’d help her granddaughter. Then they could visit more often. Big smiles all around.

   They both did their parts to get the forms via long distance. Dobby signed the papers and paid for the first year’s tuition. That’s what Lucy had hoped for from her grandmother. Not expected, but hoped.

   When informed of her daughter’s alterations, Lucy’s mother and maternal grandmother were infuriated, to say the least. A lot of tears and yelling and screaming for two days. After the verbal mayhem, though, things calmed.

   Quite innocently, just before she trekked southward, Darcy was told by the girl who had introduced them that Roger had gone to North Texas, as he wanted.

   She was glad for him, however, she still felt sad. However, with the idea of change for her, she was more hopeful for her future.

   It was September 1968. Lucy took the train to Galveston, so Dobby to pick her up at the station. Then get her into her dorm room. Dobby’s car was a ’47 Chevrolet Sedan. Her jalopy she

teased, more to herself.

   Lucy was finally happy, not overly happy, but not as miserable as in the past months. She had always enjoyed time with Dobby!

   And she was away from her mother.

====

   Roger had stayed away from Lucy as promised. Oh, but he wanted to see her, accidently run into her. However, he knew that would be a disaster if Mrs. Coleridge or Mr. Edson learned about that.

   He might get another visit from him. He was a distinguished man but had the look of Al Capone when not happy – like when he and Mrs. Coleridge paid him that visit.

   Never again!

   From the girl who had introduced them, he learned that Lucy went to the University of Houston. Actually, that made him happy. A good school and not what her mother wanted.

   Good for you, Lucy, Roger silently praised at one time.

   Now, it was February in 1969 and Roger was knee deep in college himself at the University of North Texas. He enjoyed the curriculum, the campus, and his solitude. No one knew him – he was incognito. Just a handful of students from high school, but not any he really knew.

   He wasn’t employed in a hamburger place here but in a campus bookstore. Able to read any book he wanted.

   One afternoon, Roger got a chicken sandwich at the Dining Hall and went to sit on a bench outside near the Business School to eat in the nice winter afternoon. His canvas book satchel was rather heavy, so he rested it on the ground by the bench.

   It was cool, but the sun was warm. No heavy coat, however, he wore blue jeans, sneakers and a warm wool, bulky, pullover sweater with a scarf around his neck.

   It would be warmer in a month or so. Trees had no leaf buds yet, but the sky was cloudless. The sun felt inviting.

   There were people scurrying around and others who just sat on the other sporadically placed benches or lay on the grass. Sunning on the dead winter grass, but who cared. There were a few couples who talked, smiled and kissed.

   How he wished Lucy was there. He took a bite of the sandwich, chewed and closed his eyes to the bright sunlight. Took another bite.

   After a moment, a shadow came across Roger’s face – opened his eyes. He was quite astonished to see the face that looked down to his.

   “Hello, Roger.” A man in a corduroy zip-up jacket, blue jeans, and work boots stood in front of him.

   He swallowed his bite of sandwich and then steadily said, “Mr. Edson. What are you doing here?” Actually, he wanted to go screaming away from this hateful apparition. However, he remained seated and stared at the man.

   “Roger, do you know about Lucy?” the older man asked.

   “Is she all right? Has she been hurt?” Roger asked quite concerned. He sat more forward on the bench.

   “Do you know where she’s going to school?” Mr. Edson blandly asked.

   “Last I’ve heard was the University of Houston. Did she change?” Then he realized his question was ignored, “Is she hurt?”

   The man gave a cynical smile and said, “She’s fine.”

   Roger gave an audible sigh of relief.

   “How did you know that’s where she went to school? Are you in contact with her?” Mr. Edson’s face had that look of cold suspicion.

   “Mr. Edson, we have many mutual friends. One told me. That’s all.” Roger was now irritated that he was being interrogated by this man. He had done what he and Mrs. Coleridge wanted. Painfully, he had done the deed!

   Roger stood, gathered his book satchel, then stuffed his unfinished sandwich in the bag and said, “If there is nothing more – good-bye.” He had begun to turn away.

   “Roger, this is for you,” Mr. Edson said. “I’m confident you have truthfully stayed away from Lucy. So, this is for you.” No smile, but no frown either. He handed Roger an oversized letter envelope.

   Roger mindlessly, robotically took the envelope and asked, “What’s this?”

   “Oh, nothing important. This is from me. Mrs. Coleridge doesn’t know about this. Enjoy your schooling here. It’s a good school.” He gave Roger a confirming pat on his shoulder, then turned and walked determinedly away, quickly went around a building.

   Roger sat on the bench again. He felt rather numb – wasn’t sure if he should look into the envelope or just throw it away.

   Nonetheless, he opened the envelope.

   Money! A lot of money inside! Fifties and hundreds!

   Roger put his hand to his mouth – amazed, startled, wide-eyed! Why? Why would this man do this? Mr. Edson didn’t even like him, for crying out loud!

   Then it hit him like a sack of bricks. He and Lucy had made jokes that Mr. Edson could be a gangster. After all, he was in construction – built houses and commercial buildings. They had teased that Mr. Edson had shifty eyes -- like a gangster.

   What Roger held in his hand was his “pay off,” for breaking up with his love. Now … Roger was infuriated!

====

   It was now February of 1969. Lucy had a dorm room on campus, and thankfully, she had no roommate. She stayed there only to study. Otherwise, she was with Dobby.

   Lucy’s birthday had passed in December, now 18-years-old – a woman. She had become a good collegiate student. All the subjects now were basic; English, history, math, etc. Her major was journalistic photography, but no major classes yet. Just a few humanities classes in photography.

   Of course, her mother had wanted something totally different for her. Just something to make her appealing to an important man --until she married an important man her mother approved of and then became pregnant.

   Lucy just continued to follow her heart.

   With the money she had saved – back when she was planning a wedding – she was able to buy a used Volkswagen Beetle for $500. Rather old but in decent condition and ran great. She would go to Dobby’s place as often as she wanted.

   She was able to get a job at the Houston Post – the same kind of work she had had in Ft. Worth in the teletype room. Just three days a week.

   At one time, she wanted to drive her car to Denton – to perhaps see Roger. Dobby suggested that would not be a good idea. Especially if her mother found out.

   That idea quickly dissolved.

   There was a boy she began to see at school. His name was Daniel and was a couple of years older than she and nice looking; black hair, blue eyes, and a slender physique. His major was commercial art/graphic design.

   She hadn’t introduced him to her grandmother in Galveston yet. Lucy wasn’t sure if he would help her forget Roger. Silly thought.

   This particular day was Sunday. Lucy and Dobby had been out walking and talking in the city. It was a brisk, winter day, but not biting. Beautifully sunny, hinted of an early spring. They had just arrived back at Dobby’s home and the phone was heard ringing, as they entered.

   “Hello?” Dobby happily answered. “Just a moment.” She handed the old black phone to Lucy. Her tone was now not happy.

   Nothing needed to be said. Lucy knew it was her mother.

   “Hello Mother,” Lucy answered the way she always did to her mother.

   “Are you ever in your room?” her mother asked snippily.

   “Of course, I am. We spoke last week.” Dobby made a hand gesture that Lucy should go easier. Lucy understood and then asked, “What’s going on? You sound … aggravated.”

   Dobby gave a roll of her eyes like that was the wrong thing to say. Lucy nodded with a small frown that she knew that.

   “Well, not that it matters to you, but … but Mr. Edson is dead,” she said. There was a hint of tears in her voice.

   “Dead? Mom … I liked Mr. Edson. What happened? Did he have a heart attack?” Obviously stunned, Lucy sat on the chair by the phone.

   “Not a heart attack – everyone is perplexed,” she said. Then she took a deep breath and continued, “He was drinking and smoking. He must have fallen asleep – the sofa where he was lying caught

fire. He burned to death!”

   “Oh, Mother! Burned? That’s horrible!” Lucy was truly affected. But she had to ask, “When did this happen? Did the police say it was an accident?” What she really wanted to say was to correct the wordage from ‘fallen asleep’ to being ‘passed out.’

   Calmly, sadly her mother said, “Three days ago. I didn’t find out until yesterday – I thought he was out of town. They want to talk to that boy you used to date – the one who wanted to marry you.”

   “Roger? Why on earth would they want to talk to him?” Lucy asked shocked. “Do the police think Mr. Edson was murdered? Roger would have no reason to murder Mr. Edson!” Lucy offered on Roger’s behalf. She couldn’t understand why she was sticking up for Roger – the guy who had sex with a hooker!

   “I don’t know why. I told them the same thing that Roger would have no reason to harm Mr. Edson.” Her tone sounded unconvinced – like she might know something. She sniffled and blew her nose, then queried, “Have you seen Roger?”

   “Mother, I haven’t seen him since we broke up over a year ago.”

   “Talked to him?”

   “No, Mother. I haven’t seen him or talked to him!” Now, Lucy felt grilled and had no idea of why. “Look … I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Edson, but I don’t … don’t need your attitude.”

   “I’m sorry, Lucy. I’m just so upset and confused about my friend’s death. You can understand that, can’t you?”

   “Yes … I can.” Lucy was softer to her mother.

   “Can you come home, Lucy? Please?” her mother pleaded.

   “I can’t. Prelims are coming up. The mid-term exams are soon. This is the only day I haven’t study -- needed a break.” She felt bad for her mother, but there was nothing she could do. And, she was being honest. She suggested, “Call some of your girlfriends. That will help you.”

   “Yes, that will. I’ll do that. Thanks, sweetheart.”

   That ended this call.

   Lucy remained on the chair by the phone and just looked dumbly at that apparatus. For some reason, she felt at a loss, bummed-out.

   Dobby had been in the kitchen to brew up some hot chocolate to drink once the phone call was ended. She had a thermos filled with the hot liquid and it was on a tray with the mugs and a plate of graham crackers. The tray was put on the coffee table in front of the sofa.

   “Want some soul food?” Dobby smiled softly.

   “Got anything stiffer than hot chocolate?” Lucy asked. She looked to her grandmother now. She didn’t want to get drunk, but, after this trauma, she wanted to mellow somewhat more.

   Dobby pointed to the tray and there was her decanter of bourbon. That was exactly what Lucy wanted. She calmly changed from the stiff chair to the more comfy sofa.

   Her grandmother put not quite a jigger of the bourbon in a mug and poured in the chocolate. Her intention was to ease her granddaughter. She handed the mug to Lucy, who took it.

   Dobby poured a full jigger into her mug. Her former daughter-in-law had the way to irritate even vicariously.

   Lucy blew onto the hot mixture, then took a large gulp of her drink. She just sat back and took another gulp.

   “Mother’s boyfriend died recently. Unexpectedly. He had passed out while smoking. Burnt to death. He’s a drinker and smoker like my mother.”

   “My word,” Dobby said. “I wasn’t sure if I heard correctly.” She was definitely surprised about this. She took a large gulp of her mug.

   “For some reason, Mother wanted to know if I’d had contact with Roger since we broke up. She said the police wanted to talk to him.” Lucy got quiet, sipped her drink now. Then she said, “It is a mystery why they think Roger would know anything about Mr. Edson’s death. He’s going to school in Denton.”

   Again, Lucy seemed to become more in thought.

   “Lucy. What are you thinking?” Dobby asked.

   Lucy set her mug on the coffee table, turned to look to Dobby and wondered, “How much do we really know about someone? I mean, I never thought my parents would divorce. We never thought Papa would die. I still can’t believe Roger went to bed with a hooker.” Now Lucy screwed up her face and analogized, “Life is never what we think. But I really doubt … doubt that Roger would know anything about Mr. Edson’s death.” She shook her head and added, “I’m never going to tell my mother anything about Daniel, or any other boy.”

   Lucy and Dobby just continued silently with their toddies.

****

   Three days ago, a story came on the teletype in the Houston Post about a man’s burning death in Ft. Worth:

AP – UPI: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram --   On Thursday, February 20, 1969, Mr. Alfonso Edson was found burnt to death in his home in an affluent neighborhood in Ft. Worth. He was 61-years-old, had attended Arlington Heights High School, then attended Texas Christian University. He was a family man with two older children, however, divorced for 5 years.

     His construction business has been involved in the building of many downtown projects and suburban developments in the Ft. Worth and Dallas areas.

     The Ft. Worth Police are treating the death as suspicious. There was an oversized envelope with a large sum of partially burnt paper money near the body. They are still questioning neighbors, especially about a Chevrolet Corvair parked in the area with a University of North Texas parking sticker on the windshield.

     Anyone with information should call the Ft. Worth Police Department.

*** With any mystery, a lot of the speculations can be what’s in the mind. My all-time favorite scary movie is “Rebecca,” a black and white movie by Alfred Hitchcock. No scary hobgoblins, no vampires, werewolves or zombies. To me, the mind can conjure things scarier than what can be shown in a movie. ***

Happy Halloween