Peace Sign

By Vivian Crosby

Susan’s was an active and lively member of the boomer generation. She goes to her 50th high school reunion widowed and looking for romance. She is shocked to see the changes in her classmates and begins to realize there is no fountain of youth.

Soon after her reunion, she meets Bill, the man of her dreams and life is wonderful. She feels like a twenty-something girl again until she discovers her heart is failing. As her heart grows weaker, she is eventually forced to go to the Resort, a senior care facility of the future where she discovers that for her generation there is no age like old age; with hippie parties and nano-technology.

As Susan navigates her senior journey she learns a few new facts of life. She discovers this ‘change’ in life is about more than a bucket list of final wishes. It’s a passage with spiritual significance. As her sixtieth high school reunion approaches, she realizes a sense of peace that has eluded her and her generation for so long.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vivian Crosby
• Release date: Jul 6, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452497952

Vivian Crosby

I am excited to share with you my novel Peace Sign. Peace Sign is a story about boomers and like the characters in my book, I am a boomer. I live in Kansas City where I was born and raised. I can not think of a better place to have gone to high school than Wyandotte and proudly claim to be a KU Jayhawk and a lifelong resident of the sunflower state. Like many of my peers, I am experiencing some of the challenges that come in our senior years. I can’t do some of the things I used to do, like reading the small print, and I have a few new wrinkles and grey hairs. I am also experiencing what it is like to be sandwiched between the rolls of daughter, mother and grandmother. As I look ahead to my future, I am optimistic and hope that I will be a late blooming boomer. I wrote Peace Sign to share with others what I have learned about growing old and to paint a picture of what the future may hold for boomers. The many amazing seniors in my life have inspired me to write this book. The men and women who I have met working at the Good Samaritan Society-Olathe and my mother who has faced so many challenges and is still perking along in her 90’s and enjoying life. I also wanted this book to be a tribute to the boomer generation by showing what makes us unique and special. Enjoy!

Book preview

Peace Sign

Susan’s life was like a rock and roll song from the 60’s, a blend of blues, jazz and a little gospel.

Copyright 2011 Vivian Crosby

Smashwords Edition

The characters in Peace Sign are very realistic and the futuristic aspects are fascinating. We never know when we wake up in the morning what the day will bring and this book exemplifies that so well.

Tom Bailey, Pastor at the Good Samaritan Society-Olathe.

Vivian Crosby has blended the reality of life issues faced by seniors today with an eye toward what it will be like in the future.  I enjoyed getting to know the characters in her book.  Because aging touches every life, I would recommend it for readers of all ages.

Dan Holdhusen, Retired Vice President, The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society

I loved this book. It is exactly like what I see everyday at our nursing center.

Liz Boyd, Social Services Associate, Good Samaritan Society-Olathe

Copyright 2011 by Vivian Crosby

Millcity press, Inc

2112 3rd Ave North, Suite 290

Minneapolis,MN 55401

612.455.2294

www.millcitypublishing.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

ISBN-13:978-1-936780-74-7

LCCN: 2011932073

This book is available in print via authors website and Amazon.com.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other peple. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

I dedicate this book to my grandchildren: Tyler, Alyson, Cayden and Landon, that they may

know about their grandmother’s generation and what it is like to get old.

I want to thank all of my friends who have contributed ideas and inspiration for this book, including my mother Virginia. Thanks to everyone who has critiqued, edited and given me stories to include about seniors in their lives who they will never forget. Without their help, my dream would have never become a reality. And thank the Lord for sending me just what I needed when I needed it to make Susan’s story complete.

Introduction

There are 77 million baby boomers in America who were born between the years of 1946 and 1964. In 2011, the oldest baby boomers began turning 65. They are the generation of sex, love, and rock and roll; and many of the oldest boomers experienced the Vietnam War. In 2030, when all of the surviving baby boomers are over 65, it is projected there will be 72 million seniors and they will make up about 20% of the population. Peace Sign is set in the years 2017-2027 when the boomers are aging and in a Resort or senior care facility. Currently the senior industry is one of the ten largest employment groups in the nation with 1.6 million workers in 2008 and over 75,000 nursing facilities. Many in the industry are speculating how the boomers with change senior care in the future.

This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific events or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

Do Wah Diddy Diddy Dum Diddy Do May, 2027

Susan toddled down the hall pushing her Rollator Deluxe walker and softly singing Do Wah Diddy Diddy Dum Diddy Do. At the intersection near the fountain, she stopped, brushed back her hair and adjusted her peace sign necklace. She reached for her tube of lip gloss, pulled out the wand and waved it over her lips. Hiking up her wrinkled velvet pants, she took a deep breath and proceeded to Starbuck’s.

After several scooters whizzed past, Susan merged her walker into the slow lane. Along the main concourse, she passed video monitors and digital information screens, but she paid no attention. Instead she stayed focused on her journey. With each successive step, her progress slowed and her breath became more labored. When she finally saw her friend Cat in the distance, Susan waved, smiled and forged ahead with renewed energy.

When she got to the coffee shop, she side stepped out of traffic and stopped at the entrance. With another deep breath, she inhaled the aroma of freshly roasted coffee and then spotted Cat inside. Susan clumsily maneuvered her walker across the room through a maze of chrome and glass fixtures toward Cat’s table. Finally, she backed up to a plastic molded chair, sat down, and heaved a deep sigh.

I made it, Susan said with a quiver in her voice. Boy, it’s a long way down that hall. My legs are shaking like crazy, and I almost wet my pants.

You’d better ‘go’, before it’s too late, said her friend Cat.

I’m alright when I’m sitting down, but don’t make me laugh!

Cat smiled and nodded.

Sorry I’m late. It takes me awhile to glue myself together in the morning.

No problem. We’ve got plenty of time.

Susan brushed a few crumbs off the table and looked down at her lap.

I didn’t know what to wear today. Do you think velvet’s too dressy?

You look fine.

I need some new clothes; my old clothes are all too big.

I wish I had that problem. My clothes are all too tight, Cat said gazing up at the menu. Do you know what you want?

Un-huh, said Susan.

Cat pushed the button on the order pad. A recorded voice asked for their order. A cup of coffee, loaded, she said.

A double latte with a little cinnamon sprinkled on top, Susan added, settling back in her chair.

I’ll get us some rolls, Cat said. She backed her scooter up carefully and maneuvered to the bakery shelves. Slowly lifting the tongs with both hands she placed two cinnamon rolls on a plate. With the plate in her lap, she spun her scooter around and rolled back to the table. She set the cinnamon rolls in the center of the table as the robot waitress delivered their drinks.

How do you like my new Vera Bradley zippy tote? Susan asked pointing to the cloth bag hanging on her walker. Ashley helped me order it.

It’s neat, said Cat.

I’ve got my lip gloss in here, my AARP card and my phone. What do you keep in yours?

Oh, let’s see, said Cat peering into the faded bag snapped to the front of her scooter. I always carry my toothpaste in case my teeth fall out. I never know when that might happen. And here’s a brownie left over from the other day. It’s hard as a rock. Guess I should throw it out.

It probably stinks, said Susan wrinkling up her nose. That reminds me; I’d better put some perfume in my tote, in case I smell some bad odor.

I know someone who keeps soy sauce in her Hugo. She loves Chinese, said Cat.

Susan took another deep breath, finished her drink and slumped back in her chair. Boy, I’m tired today, she said wiping a dollop of whipped cream off her lips with a napkin.

Were you up late last night?

No! I never stay up late anymore. But boy I used to. I loved to party when I was young, said Susan.

I used to water ski. Things sure change when you get old.

You can say that again.

George down the hall told me he called the funeral home again last night. He told them to come and get him because he’s dying, Cat said. I told him we’re all dying.

I’m not, said Susan indignantly. Not yet.

Cat looked at Susan then silently said a prayer for her friend. They sat for awhile watching a steady stream of people passing by and finally Susan broke the silence.

Did I tell you that I saw Tammy yesterday? Susan asked. She said they’re planning our next class reunion. It’ll be our sixtieth!

Oh cool, I can’t wait, said Cat. Remember our fiftieth? It was a blast.

It was depressing! Don’t you remember how old everyone looked?

It’s been so many years ago. I barely remember, but I loved the music.

I didn’t recognize anyone!

That’s because you didn’t wear your glasses.

I had on my contacts! Susan said squinting at her friend.

There won’t be as many of us at this reunion. There aren’t many left.

I may not go, said Susan.

You’ll be there. Well, it’s time for my water aerobics, said Cat as she backed her scooter up and turned to go. I’ll stop by your room after lunch. Call me if your plans change.

I’ll be waiting. Nothing interferes with my Pepsi time.

After Cat left, Susan adjusted her oxygen and continued watching people. Eventually, she got up, went to the bathroom and then began her journey back to her room. The thought of her sixtieth reunion made her anxious. So many things had changed in ten years. She had changed. Life had taken on new meaning.

My Generation May 2017

The sound of an old familiar melody gave Susan a rush as she entered the Ritz Charles. She felt like an athlete ready to start a race with sweaty palms and her adrenaline flowing. She looked dazzling wearing a new black cocktail dress with her favorite sexy strappy sandals. Her nails, painted with pearlized pink lacquer, matched her frosted pink lips and her hair flipped back in a Farrah Fawcett do. It was Susan’s Wyandotte High School, class of 1967, 50th reunion.

Susan walked to the check-in table and selected her name tag from the hundreds arranged alphabetically. With a Sharpy, she wrote ‘Parker’, her maiden name, and ‘Bradley’, her name by her first husband, in front of ‘Stephens’. She strategically placed the name tag on her right shoulder and adjusted her peace sign necklace. She entered the ballroom excited to see her high school friends and hoping perhaps to reconnect with an old boyfriend.

As the DJ began playing a slow song from the sixties, the lights dimmed, a mirror ball began spinning and a few couples began to dance. The ballroom decorated in red and white, her high school colors, reminded Susan of her prom. Twisted crepe paper streamers hung across the ceiling and draped down the center of each table. A table tent of a bulldog, her school mascot, stood on each table. The people sitting around the tables looked old; men with bald heads and pot bellies and grey haired women dressed like grandmas in baggy dresses and frumpy shoes.

She walked to the bar and ordered a glass of wine. Susan glanced around the room and expected to see some of her classmates. But she didn’t recognize anyone. Then slowly, one by one, the faces morphed into people who looked remotely familiar but whose name she had forgotten. Seeing their faces started to trigger memories of Susan’s high school years. Susan didn’t think she looked as old as her classmates, and she surly didn’t feel old - she felt young. She still had a teenage body and wore the same size eight that she had worn in high school. When Susan compared herself to her classmates, she felt sure she would win the superlative for ‘classmate that looks the youngest’.

The music changed to a fast song, and Susan started tapping her toes. She loved to dance freestyle it made her feel young. Since she had come to the dance alone, she didn’t have a partner, but she hoped someone would ask her to dance. Since Frank’s death, she was learning to navigate life solo. When no one asked her to dance, she started looking for a table where she could sit with some other single women or men. But everyone appeared to be in couples.

Suddenly, a woman ran up to Susan and gave her a hug, nearly knocking her off her feet. Susan glanced at her nametag. It said ‘Cheryl’, but Susan didn’t recognize the last name at all. She finally realized it was Cheryl, her best friend from high school.

Oh, Cheryl, you haven’t changed a bit, said Susan. Cheryl reminded Susan of Dorothy, the TV character played by Bea Arthur. She was tall with a deep voice, very large feet and a contagious laugh. She looked nothing like the skinny, pimple-faced teenager with mousy brown hair and braces on her teeth who Susan remembered.

You haven’t changed either, said Cheryl squeezing Susan again.

Are you single?

No, I’m married, but not to that greaser I went ape over in high school, the guy who got me pg. He gave me the brush-off.

Oh, I didn’t know. My husband Frank died a year ago. I’m ready to enjoy life again. I don’t like being single. I want to get married.

Remember that nice looking guy I dated with the duck tail who played in the pep band? I heard he was gay!

Really? You mean Donny? Well, no one came out of the closet back then.

I met my husband Tom in the 80’s when I worked for the city. We were both older - ready to settle down and get married. We’ve had thirty-three wonderful years together. I retired last year, and we planned to travel. But I have so many health problems, we can’t. I’m on dialysis and waiting for a kidney transplant. And I’m taking anti-depressants.

Oh, I am sorry to hear that, said Susan feeling a little depressed herself and beginning to back away.

Suddenly one of Susan’s high school boyfriends, Larry, the Senior Class President, came up behind her and whispered in her ear, Hey Suze. Susan, the Senior Class Secretary, immediately knew his voice and laugh. But when she turned around, she didn’t recognize him at all. Larry had become a vegetarian and lost a lot of weight. He looked younger than his years, but he was bald!

Oh, Larry! I didn’t recognize you. You’ve really changed.

You haven’t changed a bit. You look outta sight!

I know. I can’t believe you came, she said. Larry was married to a school teacher and unavailable, but that didn’t matter. He didn’t look as hot as she remembered.

Seen any good James Bond movies lately? he snickered.

Not since the ones we watched at the drive-in back in high school.

We didn’t exactly watch the movies, but we sure steamed up a lot of windows, he said with a wink.

He asked Susan to dance, and she felt like a teenager again at a Wyandotte High School mixer, dancing to Unchained Melody, one of her favorite oldie songs.

After their dance, Susan sat down to talk with her friend Patti, a National Merit Scholar from their class. Patti looked much the same but older, with a long straight hippie hairdo, no bra and hairy legs and pits. She had been divorced three times and was attending the reunion alone also. Susan was surprised that most of her classmates were on their second or third marriage. Many of the women had so many last names; they wouldn’t all fit on their name tags.

Patti carried her yearbook, the Quiverian. She seemed to remember every detail about high school. Patti showed Susan the photo of the synchronized swimming team wearing revealing tank suits. Susan marveled at how young they looked - thin and fit. Then Patti turned to the page with photos of the basketball team.

Remember when we went to Lawrence for the state basketball championship in my Dad’s old ‘56 Chevy, and it broke down? Patti asked.

No, said Susan. Wyandotte nearly always won the state basketball championship but Susan didn’t remember being stranded in a broken down Chevy. Unlike Patti, Susan had lost so many memories from her high school days. Patti’s stuck in the sixties.

Do you remember Terry Carlin? Patti asked.

Of course, she was Terry Wilson in high school. She’s famous, a bona fide movie star. I have her autograph in my yearbook. I bet it’s valuable. I could probably auction it on e-bay!

Well, she’s in town visiting her sister, and I heard she’s coming to the reunion.

Really! said Susan, clapping her hands with excitement. The last time I saw her, she was a contestant on Hollywood Squares. I haven’t seen her in any movies lately, but you can always recognize her by her big boobs.

Tammy, Susan’s girlfriend since kindergarten, came over and sat down. She had put on a few extra pounds. Susan remembered Tammy as the head cheerleader their senior year. But she was pretty sure Tammy couldn’t get off the ground to do a cheer jump now if her life depended on it.

Tammy and Susan shared memories of their childhood. Those years had been like living the TV sitcom Leave it to Beaver. They walked to school, rode bikes and played with their musketeer friends in the neighborhood. Susan remembered when Tammy’s family got a television, and together they would watch Romper Room. Back then the world seemed to revolve around the children of their generation. Tammy and Susan had kept in touch over the years, but they hadn’t seen each other since Tammy retired and moved to the lake with her third husband.

Suddenly, Terry Wilson-Carlin, the class celebrity, made her grand entrance and Susan shrieked with excitement. Terry arrived fashionably late, wearing a clinging designer gown and looking a bit like Cher from a distance.

Susan walked up to talk, and nearly gasped when she got a closer look. Terry didn’t look the same at all. She had become an old woman with more wrinkles than Susan. Her boobs weren’t perky and pretty like they had been in high school. They drooped like sandbags and hung nearly to her waist. Susan realized that she didn’t want to trade places with Terry after all. Life as a celebrity must not be all it’s cracked up to be.

Susan, you look fabulous, Terry said, hanging on the arm of her younger man.

Oh, thanks, said Susan wishing she had a younger man.

Weren’t our teenage years a blast, Terry said. And the crowd that had gathered all agreed. I think I got involved in every activity, and I almost gave my mother a nervous breakdown. Wyandotte was the best high school in the world. It was so beautiful too. They don’t build them like that anymore.

Then Terry began talking about her Hollywood celebrity life. It didn’t take long for Susan to absorb all the celebrity drama she could stand. She walked over to say hello to Jerry, her very first boyfriend.

I’ve loved you since kindergarten, she said giving him a hug.

Jerry introduced Susan to his wife, who was also named Susan. Many of her age mates were named Susan. It was a popular name back then.

Jerry had changed a lot since first grade. His black hair had turned frosty white, but his eyebrows were still dark and bushy. He had six kids, which gave Susan a good reason to be thankful she hadn’t married him. And he looked like he was pregnant! As he started his sales pitch for long term care insurance, Susan escaped to the ladies' room and ran into Ann, her friend from senior year.

Oh, my gosh! Susan is it really you? Ann asked. I’ve thought about you so many times and wondered how your life turned out. You’re the one person I hoped to see at our reunion.

Oh Ann, I’m doing great. My second husband Frank was killed in a car accident a year ago, but I’m over the shock of his death now and ready to start living again. Frank and I had a daughter, Angela, and you remember Thad, my son with Michael. He was just a baby when we were friends. Thad lives in China. Thad and Angela both have two wonderful children who I just adore. Grandchildren are the best. What about you?

Danny and I have been married for forty years, and we have three wonderful children and five grandchildren. I’m still a nurse but I only work part time now. We still live in sunny California. You should come out and visit us sometime.

I haven’t had much opportunity to travel, but now that I have my freedom, I might take you up on your invitation. I’ll always remember what a good friend you were after we graduated, and how much you helped me after Michael’s death. You were like a sister.

Oh, that’s nice of you to say.

I mean it! I don’t know what I would have done without your help to get me through those depressing years after Michael was killed in Vietnam. I still remembered the summer of ’69, or at least some of it. I was so excited for Michael to come home and see the baby. But when he didn’t come home, I almost lost it to drugs and booze. But you saved me. And when I messed up, you were there again.

That’s what friends are for - to help each other. I’m glad you finally remarried.

Well, I never loved Frank. He was older. He wasn’t one of our generation, but we got along and had a good life. My mother insisted I get married because she didn’t want me living at home forever and she said Frank would be a good husband and father.

What ever happened to your brother?

Oh Steve, he moved to Denver with his second wife and I don’t hear from him much. He came home once last year but his new wife doesn’t want much to do with our family. I don’t think he ever got over Michael’s death. They were best friends in high school. He still won’t talk about Vietnam, even after all these years.

Then Ann remarked, I like your peace sign necklace. It reminds me of the 60’s!

"I bought it at a jewelry party after Frank’s death. Peace signs were back in style again.