The Soul of Beth: The Luminous Black Dahlia

By Juanita Spinos

The Soul of Beth is a true story about Elizabeth Short, better remembered as The Black Dahlia, who was horrifically murdered in Los Angeles in 1947.

Beth, (the name she was known by then) and Nita, still a student in high school, were co-workers in a popular tea parlor in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In this clear, unfeigned story, Beth’s charm, personality and kindly manner are recounted in dynamic incidents that took place at the restaurant, St. Clair’s: Nita was saved by Beth from the harassment of a senior waitress, an unattractive spinster who perpetually tormented the frightened teen ager: Beth helped Nita heal her broken heart when her first boyfriend ended their love affair: and it was Beth who introduced Nita to a bigger world when one night she took her to a downtown Boston fashionable restaurant-night club.

Juanita Spinos is unreserved in accrediting Beth for her defined self-improvement: Nita copied Beth in her meticulousness in dressing and arranging her hair and makeup; in acquiring a more confident air with everyone she came in contact with; and although she didn’t intentionally try to duplicate Beth’s many attributes, she felt she was becoming more and more like her idol.

Emanating Beth’s vivacious style and ‘savoir faire’, the shy, naïve Nita grows into a more secure and competent adult. These new-found qualities are advantageous in developing a friendship with a suave, Latin-American Harvard student, whom she wound up marrying, and living a glamorous life in a capital city, south of the border.

While not giving any pertinent detail to her life in a South America, Nita pays heartfelt tribute to her adoptive country in a most eloquent and descriptive manner.

Not until her return to the U.S. 20 years later, did she discover that her precious friend, Beth; now known as The Black Dahlia, had become famous for having been brutally murdered.

Over the span of years, hearing shady gossip as to the character of The Black Dahlia through the media of books and films, Nita was often distraught and saddened. She declares in The Soul of Beth:

‘This painful information I gained about her way of life prior to the baffling end made me determined to tell my story to demonstrate that there was only good in that unique person, my friend, Beth; because knowing Beth could leave you with nothing less than inspiration and a ‘joie de vivre.’

Now, through The Soul of Beth Juanita Spinos introduces to the world the real ‘Dahlia’; the unmatchable, the extraordinary, the everlasting Beth, to honor this dear friend; the brightest star in the heavens.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Juanita Spinos
• Release date: Jul 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781941536124

Juanita Spinos

JUANITA IS A multi-talented, amazingly active, artistic, alert and inspiring octogenarian. She began her pursuit in music at a very young age as a piano student. She was then tutored by Helen Mahler and went on to play leading roles in her High School in Arlington, Massachusetts in operettas and other local productions. Her formal training included voice and piano at the Mannes Music College.After her marriage to a Colombian Harvard grad who she met at the very restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she waited tables with Beth Short, she traveled through Europe and lived in Paris, where she became fluent in French and added famous French songs of the era to her musical repertoire; she afterwards was a resident of New York City during a three year period. She then established herself in Colombia, her husband's country, and delighted in living in its capital city, Bogotá, because of its cultural advantages. She raised a family of four children, and at the same time, continued to pursue her goal as a singer and performer with incredible creative energy. This began with the Bach Choral Society, which led her to become a pioneer in radio and television in local shows during the early black and white and ‘static in the airwaves’ period of the 1960s, not only as creator and director but also as a performer.She went on to produce two LP vinyl albums that, although not widely distributed, were masterfully executed and are a cultural and historical gem of the era. The first, Así Canto la Cumbia, is a careful and exquisite selection of Colombian music from different areas of the country, in which most songs have lyrics in English written by Juanita; these are a true legacy of her multilingual and multicultural integration to different cultures. Her second album, Así Canto Romántico, is an invitation to a profound musical experience and a window to her inner self and true spirituality.After her return to Miami in 1970, having been a yoga devotee for many years, she taught yoga at Miami Dade Junior College and went on to publish her own book, Inspirational Yoga. At the same time, she began teaching Spanish and became so proficient that to this day she continues this activity, both at her local Community Center, as well as a private tutor. Once again, she has her own self-published book, Sailing with Spanish.Now, with The Soul of Beth, Juanita pours out for the reader her soul and her innermost emotions, and brings to fruition a long-lived desire ... to reveal the spirit and true nature of a friend like none other, and an unforgettable human being, infamously known as The Black Dahlia, an angel she will never forget.

Book preview

Special Smashwords Edition

THE SOUL OF BETH

THE LUMINOUS BLACK DAHLIA

by

Juanita Spinos

THE SOUL OF BETH

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Copyright © 2014 Juanita Spinos. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

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Cover designed by Telemachus Press, LLC

Cover art and author photo:

Copyright © Veronica Locklear

Published by Telemachus Press, LLC at Smashwords

http://www.telemachuspress.com

ISBN: 978-1-941536-12-4 (eBook)

ISBN: 978-1-941536-13-1 (Paperback)

Version 2014.07.03

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DEDICATION

To Beth

Knowing you was a vital and valuable experience for me when I was just a teenager and you lovingly befriended me. In my happiest of remembrances, you were extraordinarily beautiful and compassionate … and a constant inspiration.

I dedicate this true and unembellished story to you, Beth.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

The names of the people mentioned in THE SOUL OF BETH are fictitious, with the exception of Helen and Gustav Mahler.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To my family and friends, who at the very mention of Beth Short, encouraged me to write about my unforgettable friendship with this sparkling, beautiful person.

My loving children: Veronica, Vivian, Juan and Rick, never ceased to persuade me to put into writing my feelings about Beth; and my devoted friends: Penny, Jennifer, Micheline, Joan and Silvia, contributed in the enthusiasm that surrounded me. To know they all believed in me propelled me to accomplish this compelling work.

But it still may never have become a reality without the expertise of my editor, Rick Arenas, who brought it to fruition. He scrutinized every phrase, every punctuation mark, and cautiously polished the manuscript with the admonishment: ‘Remember Mom, I’m not your son.’

To all of you my deepest, heartfelt THANKS …

Ultimately, I thank my infallible ‘faith’ that has protected and guided me through trial and glory, and directed my creative spirit to help me record this honest story about my friend, Beth.

Lovingly,

Juanita

TO THE READERS

THE SOUL OF BETH is my true story about Beth Short, the beautiful girl who was murdered in Los Angeles in 1947. Beth was my friend and co-worker at a popular restaurant in Harvard Square, Cambridge between the years, 1945 and 1946, when I was still in high school.

In this clear, unembellished story, THE SOUL OF BETH, her beauty, charm and personality are recounted in incidents we shared together, as I struggled to find my way in my teen years … Beth offered me counsel and encouragement; and her most caring manner and sincere affection, when I was in need, have had an impact on me throughout life.

With the wisdom of time, I now look back in defiance of the negative propaganda exposed over the span of years through the media of television, movies and books about my unforgettable friend, Beth.

Therefore, I have been intensely led to share entertaining and heartfelt moments with receptive readers; that they may know the sensitive, delicate human being that was this unique person who merits nothing less than reverence and praise.

Through my sincere, unfeigned story, I wish to re-introduce the real; the unmatchable; the everlasting Beth … With profound gratitude, I speak these truths to honor the memory of the brightest star in the heavens through:

THE SOUL OF BETH

Juanita Spinos

THE SOUL OF BETH

THE LUMINOUS BLACK DAHLIA