Vivienne - Part 2 (The Lost and Found)

By S. M. Bowles

Mistreated by her brothers, neglected by her mother and father, Vivienne is born in a time when a woman’s life is not her own. She never knows true happiness until she meets Gabriel whose love and convictions encourage her to follow her heart and flout the will of her family. But just when she finds the courage to challenge her family’s dictates her father brings home some peculiar guests who cause her to second guess her future.

Vivienne is an epic two-part historical fiction/romance novel with a bit of a supernatural twist. Part one takes place in the late 1800's France and part two in the early 1900's America. It is the story of a first love that spans three lifetimes of heartache and tragedy before finally coming to it's fateful conclusion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. M. Bowles
• Release date: Feb 11, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311001900

Book preview

Vivienne

Part Two

The Lost and Found

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

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Epilogue

Chapter One

April 1917 - Boston, Massachusetts

It seemed quiet, too quiet for a Friday afternoon and warmer than usual for the time of year. The windows were open in our flat and as I looked over the streets, I noticed that there was very little traffic. There wasn't much noise coming from the nearby docks, either. Typically, the hum along Atlantic Avenue was constant with all the passing cars and people coming or going from the shipyards. In the warmer months we could hear the workers and their shouts as they loaded and unloaded cargo at any of the nearby piers. It all added to the din but it was virtually noiseless that day. 

Eerie, I whispered to myself.

I knew why such a hush had fallen on the city. I had been waiting all morning for Robert to come home with the news as soon as they announced it. Though I wasn't sure how I felt about America joining the war in Europe, Robert believed that it was the right thing to do. There were some things I would rather not think about and I had grown to trust his sense and judgment especially with concerns like these.

Momma? Christopher tugged on my skirt as I stood at the window wondering what to expect.

What is it, sweetie?

Play with me, he looked up; his eyes full of hope.

You bet! I ruffled his hair. Would you like to go to the park? Robert had asked us to stay home but there was so little for us to do. Besides, we were both restless from being stuck inside on such a nice day.

His face lit up and he nodded enthusiastically.

Let's leave a note for Daddy first, then we can go.

I turned to the writing desk and folded a sheet into quarters then tore a section from the page. After scribbling our message I tucked it under the centerpiece on the kitchen table. I checked my hair and put my apron aside then motioned Chris towards the door. It's a long walk; you're not tired are you?

No, Momma.

Are you sure? I teased.

He just smiled and took my hand. We wound our way down the stairs and out the front door of our building. Christopher was only 3 years old and full of curiosity so I kept an easy pace as we walked. He let go of my hand after a few blocks and since there were so few people along the way I let him wander and explore confident he wouldn't cause any trouble. Every so often he would stop to inspect a little something or other that caught his eye. Whenever he did, I patiently waited or oohed or ahhed if it was something he wanted to show me.

Somewhat to my disappointment the park was empty when we got there. I hoped there might be some other kids for Chris to play with and perhaps someone for me to talk to while the children kept themselves busy. Though the barren playground distracted me I did my best to entertain him and we played several games together. At one point I noticed Chris’ shoe had come undone and as I bent to fix the lace, I heard a strange noise.

When I looked around, I realized what was happening. Hundreds, maybe even thousands of people flooded the streets; some coming out of their homes to share the news others rushing to their loved ones to share it. The announcement seemed to be on everyone's lips and I realized that what Rob hoped for was coming to pass. After nearly two days of deliberation congress granted President Wilson’s request and America had declared war.

The noise and the throngs of people made Christopher nervous and he visibly trembled where he stood so I scooped him up and hugged him close. I wasn't sure what to do, whether I should stay and wait for the crowds to pass or try to get us home. Thankfully I didn't have to choose since Robert was among the first wave of passersby and he spotted us as the momentum of the crowd carried him along.

He muscled his way into the park and hurried towards us, Valerie, he wrapped his arms around me and Chris, what are you doing here? You should be at home; I asked you to stay home today!

I’m sorry, Robert, but it was so beautiful out and Christopher needed something to do.

He looked disappointed and my heart sank knowing he had every right to be angry. Come, he took Chris from my arms and swung him up onto his shoulders, hold my shirt and stay behind me.

The crowds jostled us once or twice but with Robert leading it didn’t take long to reach our building. We all seemed to sigh with relief once we were safely inside the flat. Robert whisked Chris from his shoulders then shooed him off to play before turning my way.

Are you alright? he ran his hands up and down the length of my arms.

I’m fine, I assured him.

Valerie…

Please Robert, don't lecture me. I know I promised I would stay in.

Forget about that, what’s done is done, he said dismissively. Val, we need to talk.

I narrowed my eyes at him, That doesn't sound good.

Well, it depends on how you look at it. He paused, I'm going to enlist.

I blinked in disbelief, You're what?

He led me to the couch and helped me take a seat as his words sank in. He sat across from me then calmly said, I'm going to join the army, Val, it's the right thing to do.

What?! I asked full of disbelief. No, you can't Robert. Why…why would you… I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say.

I can and I will, he assured me.

But Christopher and I, we need you. How are we going to live without you here? We need you more than the army does. We're your family; you need to take care of us!

You can go home and stay with your mother and father and I'll send you what I can while I'm away.

I shook my head, No, I whispered. Then, How can you even suggest that? You know I would never go home! What is wrong with you, Robert? Have you given this any thought?

I have and I've made up my mind. You can stay here if you’d like and try to get a job, but I'd rather you not, he said. It would be better for you, and Christopher, to be with your family. He's never even met half his cousins and hardly knows his grandparents.

My parents, I thought to myself, never!

I was the oldest of 6 children; 3 boys and 3 girls. I spent nearly all my youth cooking and cleaning and helping care for them all. Our home was utter chaos from dawn till dusk and all I ever wanted was to escape it. I never dreamed I would be free of it and certainly not in the way I finally was.

Robert and I had known each other since childhood. He was my neighbor and best friend. We did everything together. As we grew older, though, his feelings shifted from friendship to love. I could never find the courage or the right words to tell him that whatever hopes he had they were in vain. Instead I did my best to ignore it and discouraged him whenever possible. I guess I didn’t do enough to make him realize I didn’t share his feelings or maybe he did and refused to accept it. Either way, to him and to everyone else we seemed obvious, one for the other.

So, when Robert bypassed me and asked my father for my hand my father accepted on my behalf. I objected in every way imaginable and did everything I could to break the engagement. I even resorted to telling my mother I loved someone else but when I tried to explain who and justify my refusal I sounded like madwoman.

Neither of my parents would listen to my arguments and eventually my father heard enough. He seized me by my elbow and dragged me toward the front door. You will marry Robert or you’ll not spend another night under my roof!

I may not have been worldly but I’d seen enough to know the city was no place for a young woman alone. Terrified of the possibility, I relented and agreed to marry Robert. I hated myself for it, knew that it was wrong and felt in my heart that there was someone else for me; someone I was meant to be with. When I spoke with Robert, I did it privately. I told him that yes, I would marry him but he would have to find a home for us first. I would not live with or near my family ever again.

The thought of going back to my parents, even though only one or two of my sisters remained appalled me. My family's home did not hold the happiest of memories for me. I couldn't imagine being there with my parents for however long Robert was away.

And what if he never came back? my mind turned dark. Oh, God Robert! How could you do this to us? I asked my eyes brimming with unshed tears.

He looked across at me and took a deep breath, Because we have a responsibility, Val; it's our duty as freemen to protect our freedom and the freedom of others.

I hated when he said things like that. He made me feel so ashamed, so selfish. Every time we argued or disagreed on something he found the perfect thing to say to melt my resolve and I would give in or admit my fault. I stood up and paced while trying to come up with an equitable argument. It had been too much of a shock, though, and my mind was blank. When the silence grew too much for him Robert took my hand and stopped me.

He brushed a kiss across my knuckles, I'm sorry, Val. It's just something I have to do. You and Christopher mean the world to me, but what kind of world would it be if we don't do this?

I tried looking into his eyes; I wanted to beg and plead with him not to go but only managed a weak smile as I mumbled, Of course, Robert.

He tucked me under his chin and gripped me tight, There's a meeting tonight and I won't be home for dinner. He gathered his coat and got ready to leave.

You're going back out?

They want me to try to encourage some of the men to join us. We’re meeting at the town hall tonight and I'm not sure when I'll be home.

There seemed nothing more to say, so I nodded acceptance. Robert tracked Christopher down and hugged and kissed him goodbye. I followed him to the door and Rob apologized again as he let himself out. I bolted the door behind him and listened to his steps as he walked away.

My head was spinning and I had to sit down. I had no idea how to live without Robert. I had never been on my own. When I married Rob, I went straight from my family's home to his. Other than my day to day domestic responsibilities I never had, A job, I wondered to myself, what can I possibly do? How could I earn enough money to support Christopher and myself and keep us from moving home?

Christopher crawled up onto my lap as the whirlwind of thoughts battered my brain, I'm hungry, Momma.

I was thankful for the distraction, I'll make us some dinner, what would you like?

Hmm, he smiled, pancakes?

I cocked my head at him, Sure why not? It's been a topsy-turvy day. Why not have breakfast for dinner? I kissed his cheek and set him down, Would you like to help me?

Yessss, he clapped his hands.

Chapter Two

Robert left us in August. Everyone in our tenement seemed to have someone to say goodbye to, so we threw a block party to wish them all well the night before they left. We had so much fun it was hard to imagine that in the morning they would all be gone. I wondered when or if I would ever see many of them again. Robert and I stayed up well after the celebration was over. As we lay in bed, he reiterated time and again everything I would need to do while he was away.

He told me he had paid all of our bills for the next two months in advance. Afterwards he extracted a promise from me that if I wasn’t able to find work before those months were up I would go home to my family. I reluctantly agreed to it and all his other suggestions. He seemed on the verge of tears at one point and I assured him Christopher and I would be fine; he needn’t worry about us and must instead put all his efforts into keeping himself safe.

In the morning we stood on the walkway and said our final goodbyes. We watched until he disappeared from view then Christopher and I went back inside and spent a very melancholy morning together.

For the first week I kept close to our routines so Robert's absence wouldn't be overly felt by Chris. The following Monday, though, I decided I’d better face the inevitable and look for work. I made arrangements to leave Chris with our neighbor Katherine that afternoon. She had a daughter about Chris' age and was pregnant with her second child. They shared one of the larger flats above us with her mother and father who both worked at the Prince factory.

Stephen, her husband, was one of the many who had gone off with Robert to join the army so she was fortunate that her parents lived with them. They earned enough to keep themselves and Kate, along with her daughter, Justine, and the new baby once it arrived.

Kate was very kind-hearted and had many close friends in the building. She was the first person many of us turned to in a pinch.

I can’t thank you enough, Kate, I hugged her goodbye and peered over her shoulder to where Chris and Justine were playing together on the living room floor.

Any time, she kissed my cheek, Mother and Father put in a good word for you at the factory, make sure you try them first.

I will, I assured her as I waved goodbye to them all.

Much to my disappointment when I got there they informed me I had waited too long; during the week I spent with Christopher adjusting to Robert’s absence they filled their workforce and didn’t have a place for me. I received a similar response from just about every other business I inquired at. By the time I got home I felt utterly defeated.

What was I thinking? I scolded myself for my carelessness as I faced the very real possibility of having to honor my promise to Robert and move back with my family.

I composed my face