Decade of Change

By Denise Dugo

Decade of Change is a novel that follows five women from the west Chicago suburb
of Park Heights, Illinois through the 1980's. Set against a backdrop of sex and politics,
Decade of Change is an exploration of friendship, love, sex and heartache and its effect
on five young women.
The five women, Delaney, D'Arco, Jillian Wendall, Claire Logan, Kate Bennett, and
Medina Masters are very different women with a common bond-their commitment to
each other. Yet they find as they grow older that you cannot always bring your childhood
friends and dreams into the larger world around you. As the decade progresses, the
friends struggle to hang onto their friendships out of loyalty to the past.
As the decade begins, Delaney and Kate are off to separate colleges where Delaney,
always open to sexual experiences, begins an affair with an older female professor. This
affair allows Delaney to explore her sexuality which she does so frequently with both
men and woman, never stopping for a moment to have a relationship with either sex.
Delaney takes a job with the school newspaper that introduces her to the world of
politics. It is the dynamics of writing and politics that drive Delaney and ultimately lead
her to her career choice.
As for the other women, Kate Bennett quickly gets involved in a serious relationship
with Gil Alexander. This relationship is the first threat to the circle of friends as Gil is an
outsider. In Park Heights, Jillian Wendall throws herself into her job as she plans to make
a career for herself at a local glass company where she has worked since high school.
Sexually repressed, Jillian shies away from dating. Claire's life moves into the fast lane
after meeting Paul Fisher who introduces her to booze and drugs and a hard lifestyle.
Finally, Medina Masters struggles to find herself, both professionally and personally as
she jumps from one job and one relationship to another, all the while passing judgment
on her friends, especially Delaney and Claire.
It is these early experiences that set the course for the heart of Decade of Change
which is Delaney D'Arco. Delaney's bisexuality and politics both conflict with the
conservatism of the 1980's. Delaney's sexual lifestyle serves as conflict as she struggles
to maintain her friendships with the other women. Also, Delaney must deal with the
growing feelings she has for Faith Porter and look inside herself to find what she needs to
make the relationship last even if it means she may not be able to hold onto the friends
he grew up with. It is Delaney's bisexuality and an incident with Medina that threatens to
destroy the friendship forever until a devastating accident brings them all together. In the
end, the friends must confront each other and all their feelings for one another and try one
last time, on the eve of a new decade, to see if the women that they have become can
salvage the friendship that grew from the girls that they had been.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Denise Dugo
• Release date: May 20, 2014

Book preview

Decade of Change

Denise Dugo

Copyright © 2014 Denise Dugo

Smashwords Edition

All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents

Prologue

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

The New Year

Prologue

We need more food! Delaney D’Arco stood from her spot in front of the coffee table and headed towards the kitchen. Does anyone need anything? Delaney was waved away as she moved into the kitchen. Delaney was tall, with a lean, strong body an early convert to the Jane Fonda fitness craze of the early 1980’s. Until recently, she had worn long, dark hair with loose, wild curls that was well past her shoulders. Now her hair was short at the sides and back with long bangs sweeping her high forehead atop full lips and sapphire blue eyes adorned by long lashes.

Hey, do you need any help? asked Jillian as she walked into the kitchen.

Yeah, grab that tray of shrimp and crab claws.

These look great. You’ve really gone to a lot of trouble for all of us tonight, Delaney.

Well, not that you’re all not worth the trouble, but it really wasn’t all my doing

Delaney paused for a moment. Faith did most of the work.

So things with Faith are still serious, right?

Yeah, Jill. They are, Delaney said pouring more champagne.

Jillian looked at Delaney, surprised at what she was hearing.

Wow! You’re not kidding, said Jillian.

Delaney smiled.

Really? You like her that much? Jill gave a small smile. Do you love her?

She makes me laugh, we have a good time when we’re together and when we’re not together I’m thinking about her all of the time.

Jillian shook her head as if unable to process what Delaney told her. Well I’ll be damned, exclaimed Jillian.

What surprises you more? Me being serious with someone, or the fact that the someone is a woman?

Honestly?

Of course.

Well, you know about my doubts with same-sex relationships… Jillian shrugged.

But I guess if you’re happy…

Look, Jill. I always said that if I ever fell in love it would be with the person, not a gender. I think there may be something there with Faith and why should it matter that we’re both women? Love is love, who is anyone to deny that? Delaney turned to put the finishing touches on the remaining appetizers.

Jillian went to Delaney and waggled a finger. It’s taken me sometime, Delaney, but whether you sleep with men or women, it doesn’t change who you are. It also doesn’t change the fact that you are my best friend. The two friends embraced, then they looked at each other and laughed. It had always been that way with them. When there wasn’t anything left to say, the laughter always came.

Hey, called Kate from the other room. Get the food in here already. The lady in the wheelchair is becoming agitated. Kate wheeled herself closer to the kitchen and Jillian had to step back to avoid having her toes run over.

Well it certainly took the two of you long enough to get back here. Always off in your own private party, said Claire. Performing the Delaney and Jillian show as usual.

Knock it off, Claire, snapped Medina.

Screw you, Medina. You know you were thinking the same thing. Their friendship bothers you. We all know to what lengths you went to to destroy it!

You have no idea what you’re talking about. What happened with Delaney was not any grand scheme on my part, Medina glared at Delaney.

Blah, blah, blah. This is all old crap, Kate yelled. Let go of it. Tonight is a new beginning. Let’s treat it as such, Kate said.

Kate’s right, said Jillian. We have all been hurt by each other over the years, but tonight we need to celebrate what our friendships have been and what they could be again.

Claire, said Delaney, We’ve all changed. It’s part of growing up. No one here expects things to be perfect between us. We have our own lives, families and jobs. But at least we all know that we have each other to count on.

Right, Delaney. Explain that to me. Outside of this group, you and I haven’t spoken more than a handful of words to each other. Jillian is too busy to return my phone calls, Kate’s in another state. That leaves Medina and we all know how we both feel about each other, Claire huffed.

Claire, I know that I’m terrible about returning calls, but you know that when you really need someone, I’ve been there for you. We all have.

Delaney stood up to change the album on the stereo. I think we all have had enough of this. It’s obvious we still have issues, but we don’t have to resolve everything tonight. Delaney looked at the others and noticed that Medina and Claire were still arguing. She turned to them, C’mon guys cut out the shit, will you?

Medina looked at Delaney and nodded. Yeah. I’ll do it- for you, Delaney.

Claire rolled her eyes. Well, that figures!

Don’t, Claire, warned Delaney.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let’s all avoid the Delaney and Medina topic. Let’s all just never talk about it.

Okay, I’m out of here, Medina grabbed her jacket and left, slamming the door behind her. Jillian gestured at Delaney urging her to go after Medina. She ran down the hallway and caught up with Medina at her car.

She’s right, you know, Medina said, fumbling in her purse for her car keys. We don’t talk to the others about what happened between us. If we did, maybe they would understand.

Medina, it’s not something that needs to be harped on. It happened a long time ago, a lot has changed. C’mon, she coaxed, Just come back inside. Ignore Claire, and let’s just get on with the night, okay?

Delaney, Claire is…

A pain in the ass? I know. But let’s not let her ruin the evening. It’s been a long time since we’ve all been together. I want to have fun. That’s why it’s important for you not to let Claire or the rest of us get to you. We need to stop bickering over all the small crap. To be honest, I am getting tired of being the one to hold it together. Unable to think of anything more to say, Delaney turned and headed up the sidewalk. As she did, she heard the click of Medina’s shoes behind her. Without saying a word, Medina followed Delaney back inside.

As Medina and Delaney entered the apartment, they were greeted by raucous laughter. Claire and Jillian were sitting next to Kate, who had a photo album open on her lap. Delaney peered over Kate’s shoulder. Pictures from graduation night in June 1981. Delaney groaned at the picture of her dancing on a table. As Kate turned the page, a photo of the five of them smiling broadly in their caps and gowns stared back at them. Medina and Claire on the ends with Kate next to Claire and Jillian next to Kate with Delaney in the middle. They had talked excitedly about their dreams for the future that night as they lay awake on the living room floor of Kate’s parents’ house. All of them had different dreams, different goals, different hopes. But they all agreed that they would be friends though it all no matter what came their way. What they could not forsee was how difficult that would prove to be.

Chapter 1

Delaney D’Arco was seated in the back of Mick Ryan’s 1972 Mustang convertible. As it pulled up in front of Kate Bennett’s house, Delaney leaned forward and kissed Mick then grinning at his brother, Kevin, she planted a kiss on him too. Delaney jumped out of the car. She grabbed a backpack, a case of beer and a couple of bottles of strawberry wine from the backseat and thanked the brothers as they drove away.

As Delaney walked up the driveway, her circle of friends, Jillian Wendall, Kate Bennet, Claire Logan and Medina Masters were there to greet her. It took a little longer than I thought to get Kevin to buy the beer, Delaney said. It took some convincing but I got him to agree.

I don’t even want to know how you did that, said Kate, taking the case of beer.

Well, I do, said Claire, putting her arm around Delaney as they strolled up the driveway. I want to hear all about it.

Everyone laughed as Kate began passing the beer around. Delaney opened one of the bottles of strawberry wine and drank directly from the bottle. They had graduated high school earlier that day and would spend the night celebrating at Kate’s whose parents had left for a weekend trip after watching their oldest daughter graduate.

C’mon, let’s go sit on the deck and enjoy the day! said Kate, heading for the door.

Somebody grab the radio, Delaney called over her shoulder as she headed out the door behind Kate. Gotta have tunes to get me in the partying mood. Delaney took a long drink from the wine bottle and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

While her friends set up the chairs on the deck, Kate loaded the picnic table with sandwiches, chips and various finger foods. When Delaney turned the radio up full volume everyone shouted at her to turn the music down. Delaney ignored them. Number one, music can never be too loud. Number two music can never be too loud. And number three, music can never be too loud. With that, Delaney finished off the wine tossed the bottle onto the grass and then climbed up on the picnic table to assist Kim Carnes in singing Bette Davis Eyes. When the song was over, Delaney jumped off the table to the applause of others except for Medina, who just rolled her eyes. Delaney laughed and threw herself onto the chair next to Medina’s.

I take it you are not amused? Delaney grinned.

Not much, no. Medina tossed her auburn hair away from her face.

It’s the stick up her ass, said Claire. It doesn’t allow for her to know what a good time is.

Delaney, Jillian and Claire laughed. Medina gave them the finger then marched into the house.

Jill, go after her and make sure she’s not going to pout all night, urged Delaney. Jill went in to talk to Medina, and they came out a short while later. Delaney smiled at Medina who turned the other way. Delaney shrugged her shoulders.

So, did anything ever happen between you and Kevin? asked Jill. You didn’t sleep with him, did you? Delaney just smiled and opened a second bottle of strawberry wine.

Oh my God she did! exclaimed Claire. Does Mick know?

Delaney nodded. Look, I was drunk; Kevin was drunker, and Mick was way beyond that point. We were all out together, and one thing led to another with Kevin. It just happened.

Christ, Delaney. It doesn’t bother you that you slept with your boyfriend’s brother? asked Claire

What if you got pregnant? asked Kate.

Look, I’m not an imbecile. I’m careful. I’ve been on the pill since I was 15. Maybe if I wasn’t the only one of us having sex, I wouldn’t have to justify myself.

Well, I for one plan on losing my virginity this summer, said Claire.

Way to go Claire, said Delaney as she saluted Claire with the glass of wine in her hand. A girl has gotta have goals. As for me, I plan on doing a whole lot of nothing this summer.

Aren’t you working at the restaurant this summer? Kate asked referring to D’Arco’s, Delaney’s family’s restaurant and bar.

Nope. My dad said that I should take the summer off. He says that this is probably the last time in my life I can screw off without it really mattering. What can I say? Father knows best.

They sat around and ate some sandwiches and talked about other plans for the summer. Jillian would be working at Reynolds Glass a job she had started through the Park Heights High School work program. She had worked there part-time since her sophomore year and they had offered her a full time position in the office. Jillian was the glue in the group. They had all met through Jill and continued to be tied to each other through her. Kate and Jill had been childhood friends and both had met Claire in junior high. They bonded after discovering a shared hatred of history. Jillian had met Medina in the guidance counselor’s office freshman year of high school. They soon realized that they shared a mutual love for The Village People, the construction worker in particular. It wasn’t until junior year that Delaney joined the group. Delaney and Jillian had shared a car together in Driver’s Ed, and the two spent half the time giggling in the back seat while the third driver was behind the wheel.

So are we still going to keep Fridays open for each other? asked Jill.

Why not? It’s worked for us so far. We can do our own thing all week, but Fridays are our time, man. Delaney got up and plopped down next to Kate. Besides, when Kate and I go off to college we’ll be out of sight and out of mind. Kate nodded.

Not true, cried Jillian. I’ll call. I’ll write.

Of course we will, agreed Claire. Medina shrugged.

You guys are so full of shit. You’ll never write, said Delaney. I’ll get one letter the first two weeks of school and that will be it.

She’s right, said Kate as she gathered up some items to move their little party into the house as it was getting late. The rest of the girls followed and before long they were settled inside.

The girls took turns changing in Kate’s bathroom, except for Delaney who stripped in the middle of the living room and threw on an oversize Bruce Springsteen t-shirt. They opened up their sleeping bags and sprawled out onto the floor. A big bowl of popcorn was in the middle of the floor within easy reach of everyone.

I still can’t believe that we are high school graduates, said Kate. It seems so grown up. I sometimes still feel like a little kid.

Yeah, but I can’t wait for our 10 year reunion, said Jillian. It will be so cool to see what everyone is doing then.

Jesus, Jill, said Claire as she looked at her watch. We’ve been out of high school for eight hours and you have us back there already.

Jillian laughed, But don’t you wonder what we’ll all be doing in 10 years?

I’m not even thinking about what we’ll be doing in the next 10 days, yet alone the next ten years, said Delaney as she tossed a handful off popcorn at Jillian Kate turned on the TV but before long she drifted off to sleep. Claire and Medina soon followed. Jillian and Delaney talked well into the night. On occasion, one of the others would wake up to tell them to shut up and go to sleep, but that would only cause Delaney and Jillian to start giggling. They fell asleep right before dawn.

***

True to her word, Delaney did very little all summer. Kate, Jillian and Claire were all working during the summer. Sometimes, she would meet Medina at the local public pool or they would voyage into Chicago and hit one of the beaches. Medina would often try and put herself into competition with Delaney. Medina tried too hard to attract the attention of the guys at the pool or the beach, but it would be Delaney that would get the attention. The males would look Delaney over while the females would usually cast a rude glare in her direction. This pleased Delaney. She was a firm believer that you could always judge how good you look by the reaction of the females.

For the most part the summer was uneventful, but the girls enjoyed it. They would see each other when they could during the week or on their Friday nights, but it never happened that the five would all get together.

As mid-August rolled around the friends made plans to get together at Busse Woods, a local forest preserve, for one last night out before Delaney and Kate left for college.

I can’t believe the summer is over, said Kate as she separated the food for the barbeque.

Who besides me needs a beer? asked Claire.

Over here, called Delaney from the opposite end of the picnic table.

Me too, said Medina.

Claire tossed one beer to Delaney who handed it to Medina. Delaney kept the second beer while Kate opened a bottle of wine for her and Jillian.

Damn, Delaney, just how tan are you? asked Claire as Delaney stripped to jean shorts and a bikini top. Delaney surveyed her own body. Yeah the tan is pretty good but the tan lines suck, said Delaney as she pulled down her cutoffs to moon her friends to show the contrast of the whiteness of her butt with the rest of her. Mick thinks it’s kind of sexy.

Speaking of Mick, what are you guys going to when you go away to school? asked Jillian.

We’re pretty much ending things. Long distance relationships never work. We didn’t have any sort of exclusive going so why bother now? I guess we’ll get together on breaks though. I hadn’t much thought about it Delaney said finishing her beer. She reached for a bottle of strawberry wine.

Kate announced that the food was ready and everyone ate with gusto. The conversation flowed easily as did the beer and wine. Everyone was drinking a little more than usual, especially Medina, who in turn became more friendly. After pulling Delaney onto the picnic table to sing Call Me by Blondie, Medina broke out a bottle of tequila. Medina tried to match Delaney shot for shot but she was soon puking into a garbage can. Claire thought the whole thing was funny until she too got sick and eventually passed out. Kate and Jill tended to Claire, while Delaney looked after Medina. Delaney held Medina’s hair out of the way and looked the other direction while Medina was getting sick. Delaney felt her gag reflexes kick in a few times and started to laugh.

Why are you laughing? asked Medina. This is all your fault anyway.

How so? asked Delaney.

The tequila. Medina coughed again.

Oh yeah, the stuff I poured down your throat.

Ugh. How do you do it, Delaney? asked Medina as she plopped onto the grass.

How can you drink like you do and not feel it?

Delaney shrugged, Irish genes? She went to Medina and sat next to her. Are you going to be okay? We can wait around here for awhile before we take you home. Medina nodded and laid down on the grass. Delaney got up and went to see Jillian and Kate. They were sitting on the hood of Kate’s car munching from a bag of potato chips.

Well this has certainly been a memorable going away, huh Delaney? Kate asked. They cleaned up the area and got Medina into her car. Delaney turned to say goodbye to Jillian, and they embraced.

I’ll write. I promise, said Jillian.

Oh my ass you will, Delaney said. Delaney turned to Kate and hugged her.

They said goodbye one last time and Delaney drove Medina home. She walked Medina to the door and they were greeted by her brother, Ric. Ric and Delaney put Medina to bed then Ric walked Delaney downstairs.

So, you’re going away to college tomorrow, huh? asked Ric. Too bad. I always thought it would be fun if you and I got together.

Yeah? I kind of always thought that too, Delaney said moving towards Ric.

Ric laughed and let Delaney kiss him. Her hand went for his belt buckle. She undid his pants and pulled him by the belt to his room. She removed his pants and pushed him on the bed. When they were finished, Ric sat up in bed when Delaney got up to get dressed.

Done with me are you, Delaney?

Pretty much, Delaney said as she zipped her shorts and stepped into her sandals.

Can I see you again? Maybe when you’re home the next time?

We’ll see. She kissed Ric goodnight. She left she knew that she would never pursue anything further with Ric.

Chapter 2

The following morning Delaney said goodbye to her dad, Frank, and two of her older brothers, Sean and Patrick. Her other older brother, the one closest in age to her, Will, was driving her to Central State College. As they drove, Delaney watched the cornfields go by and tried to remember why she had chosen Central State to begin with. She thought about the days ahead and could not believe that the day had finally come for her to leave for college. It was something she knew she wanted to do from the time she was a little girl.

Dad’s really proud of you, Delaney, said Will.

Delaney looked at her brother. We talked about that at breakfast this morning. He’s glad that at least one of his kids will be going to college.

Pat and Sean had no desire to go. They’re happy just working the restaurant with Dad. Will paused for a moment before he added, I wouldn’t have minded going, but my grades sucked. Hell, I was never all that big on school anyway. I’m just sure I would have had a lot of fun in college.

Delaney laughed, leaned her head back and thought about what Will had said. Her father and brothers had taken a small pizza place and turned it into one of the nicer places in Park Heights. Sean and Patrick had separated the bar out and made that one of the better after work or after sports hang outs in the western suburbs of Chicago. Frank and Will ran the restaurant. Delaney had worked at the restaurant since her freshman year of high school, but enjoyed hanging out on the bar side. She had convinced Frank, Patrick and Sean to offer an appetizer menu at the bar. This allowed Delaney an excuse to get to the bar side where she was able to meet a lot of older guys. While she couldn’t serve alcohol, she could serve the food and watch the various sporting events with guys in the bar. Delaney would have liked to work more, but Frank limited her hours so she could spend time on her school work and school activities.

Mom would have liked your going to college, too, Will said softly.

Delaney turned away and looked out the window. All day she had been waiting for someone to mention her mother. She wasn’t surprised that it had been Will. Will had been the closest to their mother. Maeve, Delaney’s mother, had been dead almost 10 years, a victim of an aneurysm at age 35. There had been no warning, no time to say goodbye.

Well, here’s the exit, announced Will as he turned the