Together Again

By Grace A. McLain

This is a story about two young
executives in their thirties who devoted their lives to working their way to
the top of the corporate ladder. They
never made time or had any interest in relationships until one day when fate
took over and brought them together.

Susan never met anyone she could
put before her profession... Business was her only love.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> George, who was a World War II hero got hurt
by his first love and never trusted another woman... until he met Susan.

See how their lives changed when
love came upon the scene. Journey with
them through a romance that started with love at first sight, share the tears
of their unusual wedding vows and then on to eternal love.

Its a story that will warm your
heart and move your emotions from start to finish.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Youll share their hopes and dreams for
happiness, a happiness that they both needed badly.

I assure youll shed many tears
learning about all their emotions and caring... things they wished would have
happened years before. They wasted so
much time! This story will indeed renew
your faith in lasting love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 28, 2004
• ISBN: 9781418459918

Grace A. McLain

She was born, raised and still lives in New Jersey. In her younger years she participated in many sports, such as bowling, softball and golf. She also enjoyed writing for and acting in skits with her brother. They performed comedy acts for a musical troop doing shows for charity. She is a treasurer, the financial secretary and an elder in her hometown Presbyterian Church. Until she retired in 1999 she was the supervisor of accounts payable at the local board of education. After retiring she decided to try writing, something she always dreamed of doing since she learned to put words together.

Book preview

© 2004 by Grace A. McLain. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 05/12/04

ISBN: 1-4184-5991-7 (e-book)

ISBN: 1-4184-5019-7 (Paperback)

ISBN: 1-4184-5020-0 (Dust Jacket)

"DEDICATED TO ALL COUPLES

WHO FALL IN LOVE AT

FIRST SIGHT"

Table of Contents

THE NEW HOUSE

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

TRUE CONFESSION

MORE REVELATIONS

A CALL FOR HELP

TRIP TO WISCONSIN

GEORGE’S WAR BUDDIES

THE REAL STORY

TIME’S GOING FAST

TERRIBLE NEWS

LIFE WITHOUT GEORGE

THE MESSENGER

LIFE GOES ON

A STRANGE VISITOR

LOVE NEVER ENDS

THE NEW HOUSE

On a beautiful, warm September day in 1965 Margaret Carmody, who preferred to be called Maggle, was standlng at the back wlndow of a newly renovated three story, oversized brown stone watching the ships go by on the Charles River.

The house had a beautiful view, the backyard was practically on the river bank. There also was a five car parking lot behind the house. She was waiting for the realtor to discuss a property deal. She had been living in a loft in mid town Boston for the past fifteen years but it was now condemned and was about to be demolished.

She thought about buying a one family house but couldn’t imagine being stuck in a building without neighbors. This house had three apartments and a pleasant view, just what she required.

Another good feature was, the house was empty and she could move in immediately. As she turned and looked around she thought, This is a splendid house, old fashioned yet modern. It seems to be exactly what I’ve been looking for…I think I’ll buy it.

As soon as the realtor came in she told her of her decision. The realtor asked her to come to her office to arrange for a mortgage. Oh, no mortgage, said Maggie indignantly, I pay cash for everything.

But it’s $550,000. stated the realtor.

That’s fine, you’ll have your check tomorrow. And by the way, I want you to find two young professional gentlemen to rent the first floor apartment. Charge them $1,200 per month.

You mean $1,200. each per month, don’t you?

No, I’m not in this for the money, I just want security and I’ll feel more secure with two young men in the house with me, explained Maggie impatiently.

But you can get at least $3,000 per month in this area, she stated.

No, those are my terms, only both of them have to be professional people, added Maggie.

The realtor shook her head in disagreement and said, Okay, if that’s the way you want it. I’ll see you tomorrow.

The next day, when the building was paid for Maggie called her friend Susan Taylor who worked as the manager of the Carmody Cruise Lines. Maggie was her boss because Maggie’s father owned the Carmody Shipping and Cruise Lines and Maggie was Senior Vice President of the company.

Her first words to Susan were, How would you like to move?

Move where? asked Susan with a surprised tone.

I just bought a house on the Charles River bank and I want you to take the third floor apartment.

I wasn’t planning on moving, I’m happy where I am, she replied.

This is a much nicer place than yours, it even has an elevator.

It must be very expensive, why do you want me to move there? Why don’t you move there yourself if it’s so nice? suggested Susan.

I am, she said with enthusiasm, I just bought the place for us, your rent will only be $700 per month. How about it? I really want you there with me.

I hate moving again, but I’ll take a look at it, replied Susan.

As soon as she saw the apartment she fell in love with it, especially the screened in porch with that wonderful view of the river. Right away she planned on buying a chaise lounge and some plants for the porch. It was ideal for her private life.

Both women moved in on October 1st, lock, stock and barrel. They didn’t see each other until dinner time, when Maggie called Susan down for take out Chinese food. They were both exhausted from working all day. Since it was in the warm seventies they ate out on Maggie’s porch. It was a lot like camping out!

As they were eating and relaxing Susan said, I had some crazy news about Ted today. Ted was her friend since birth, they were both born in the Irish section, the south side of Boston and their fathers were both Hibernians together. They really never had a romantic relationship but they did date now and then.

What’s he up to now? asked Maggie in a disgusted tone. She didn’t like Ted, she was sure Susan was never going anywhere with him.

He told me we wouldn’t be seeing each other again. He admitted he is gay and he found a nice partner. They’re moving to New Jersey to live together as a couple, explained Susan.

You’re kidding, said Maggie with astonishment. I always thought about him that way. But I have to say you’ll be better off without him. He was never anyone for a nice girl like you.

That’s the trouble, I never meet anyone who’s nice for me. I don’t think I’ll ever get married. I’m already thirty four, I’m doomed, but I don’t care I’m Happy with my job and now I love my apartment.

Don’t be silly, it will happen one of these days. You’re too nice to be alone, comforted Maggie. Take it from me, I’ve been divorced twice, I know men. I know what they want, I just had too much of what they don’t want. But I survived both marriages, it was fine while it lasted.

You always have a good answer for any of my problems. I enjoy talking to you. I’ll just have to keep waiting, and waiting, and wait a little longer, she said, as they both started to laugh.

After dinner they sat back on the two wooden crates on the porch and watched the boats sail by.

By the end of the month one of the new tenants arrived. He was a reporter for the Boston Sun Times. His name was Troy Benedict, and was also divorced. He was fifty three, very tall and thin with black and gray thinning hair, and brown eyes.

In the beginning Maggie thought it might be a good idea to make a fuss over him. He was fairly good looking and had a nice personality. But Troy wasn’t a one woman guy, he liked to love them and leave them. Although Maggie was a simply beautiful, green eyed blonde with a good figure, he just didn’t go for the fancy, revealing clothes she wore all the time. He was nice to her but just nice enough to keep away from her seducing ways. If he was going to fall for anyone it would be for his third floor neighbor. She had a little more weight and a lot more sweetness.

Maggie tried everything to lure Troy but after a month of trying she finally gave up. From then on they were merely tenant and landlady and they both liked it that way.

About November 10th Troy’s new roommate appeared. He was a thirty seven year old accounting manager named George Curry. He worked for the Richmond Pharmaceutical Company, had reddish blonde hair, blue eyes, a good looking body and had never been married.

Maggie wasn’t interested in George, he was too young for her. He was also not her type at all. He reminded her of a guy she might have had for a son and she treated him like a sweet, caring landlady.

They all enjoyed their apartments and were happy and content. Troy and George, though one hundred percent different in personality, became good friends and enjoyed sharing their living quarters. They had a cleaning woman come in, as did Maggie and Susan, and they shared the cooking. Troy was the eat out type, while George was a microwave chef. Most of the time George brought his work home and worked while eating.

George was home every night except on the weeks he flew to California to his company’s headquarters for consultations with other executives. Troy spent many a night with his girlfriend before he decided she was the wrong one for him…then he went on to the next available partner. He was determined not to get hooked again. He was here today and gone tomorrow where women were concerned.

The first week in December Maggie invited Susan for dinner on Thursday evening. When she got downstairs Maggie said, I’m sorry, I’ll have to cancel our dinner date.

Susan didn’t think much of this, Maggie did this about every month and a half or so. Susan could never figure out why she cancelled all the time, and at the last minute too. But she just accepted it as one of Maggie’s secrets…she was a very secretive person!

Susan made herself a sandwich, grabbed a glass of milk and ate while watching television. As usual she fell asleep, but this time she was awakened by loud music, and people running around giggling. She could tell the giggling belonged to Maggie. This strange action went on a long, long time…then there was silence. Maggie’s bedroom was directly beneath hers so she could hear them plainly. Troy and George had bedrooms on the other side of the house so they probably never heard her and her visitor.

The next morning Susan got up at the regular time, got dressed, got into her car and headed for her office across from the cruise piers. Halfway there she realized she had left an important telephone number on her kitchen counter. She immediately turned the car around and headed back home.

As her car approached their house she noticed a heavy set, slightly bald, gray haired man coming out of their front door. She slowly followed behind him as he walked to his car that was parked by the curb around the corner. When he opened the car door she thought, I know that guy, he’s the captain of one of our cruise ships…that’s Michael Schaefer.

She didn’t want him to notice her so she forgot about the telephone number and started back to work. She also didn’t want Maggie to think she was spying on her.

All day Mike’s face kept haunting her. She couldn’t get over the fact he had spent the night with Maggie…and they were having such a good time! She certainly didn’t agree with their actions. Susan was a church going person and had a lot of old fashion ideas and what happened the night before wasn’t one of them.

She was disappointed in Maggie, whom she had always held in high esteem. But it was her life and she didn’t have anyone to answer to for her actions…especially not Susan!

Susan decided she wouldn’t ask Maggie any questions when she saw her for lunch. If she wanted her to know anything she would tell her. Troy never mentioned anything about the noise and Susan hadn’t met George yet. He kept mostly to himself, she noticed he had a nifty car but that was all.

As Susan guessed, Maggie didn’t mention her visitor or the giggling when they met for lunch, so Susan just ignored the entire situation.

But Maggie was in a terrific mood, Susan hadn’t seen her so happy in weeks. In fact, not since the last time she cancelled one of their dinner dates. Hummmmm.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

The Carmody Ship Lines gave a gigantic holiday party at the Boston Hyatt the week before Christmas. The entire