Wildflower

By April R. Schreiber

A blind date introduces April to a man she nicknames Jimmer and her life is changed forever. He exposes her to the finer things in life, but more importantly, he teaches her what true love is. She finds herself telling him things she never told anyone before and cannot understand why he loves her when he could have someone not as damaged as she. She is an addict when they meet, had been raped, and had a childhood filled with severe physical and mental abuse. Yet, the more she tells him, the more deeply he falls in love with her.

Coming from a small town where hunting and guns are common place, she thinks nothing of it when she learns he carries a .38 under his suit coat to work. After living on a rough part of a reservation where her sister handed her a rifle because she though someone was coming to steal their gas, she assumes his guns are to protect the large amounts of cash he has both in his car trunk and apartment. She is unfamiliar with city life and assumes this is normal.

Because she trusts him so completely, she is not suspicious of his job when he takes spur of the moment out-of-state business trips that can last for an undetermined amount of time. When he tells her something 'fell off a truck' he laughs as she wonders why it didn't break.


Wildflower is true the story of their time spent together, events that happened, and murder. It is a story every woman of every age can relate to. It is the author's hope that you enjoy this glimpse of the not-so-average life one woman was lucky enough to survive.

May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows youre dead!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468527964

April R. Schreiber

Born with a strong sense of humor, the author tends to implant that component into all situations. Combine this with the curiosity of a child and you have the creation of a unique writing vantage point. There is always a story within a story within a story. It is the layers of events that give her fiction the element of real life. Never does any person do just one thing. Our minds carry unfinished mini stories which nag at us until their conclusion, usually with the onset of more mini stories. Thus, the Wildflower series could go on and on indefinitely.

Book preview

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CHAPTER 1

THE WEDDING OF MY TENANTS BROUGHT ME BACK TO MILWAUKEE. I was forty-six years old and dating a special man after going through an awful divorce. We were seated at the reception dinner with a distant biker cousin and his wife. The exquisite meal and excess of cocktails had me talking and laughing more than usual when a waitress about my age or older spoke to me while clearing for the next meal course. She said, I remember you. Surprised by her comment, I said, Oh, that can’t be possible. I’m from a small town up north. She continued to clear, then stopped, turned, looked me straight in the eye, and firmly said, I know who you are. I sat there dumbfounded as my mind paged back through the years to 1973.

March 10, 1973, my first date with James Everest Raven. My sister, Tuts, called me up that afternoon. She said, What are you doing tonight? I said, I don’t have any definite plans. Some of us thought we’d go to the Park dance. Excitedly, she asked, Want to go out with us? There’s a guy I want you to meet. I was seventeen and my sister was my legal guardian, so if we were in a bar she could legally hand me beer to drink. Although I rarely got carded, it was still nice to do it legally for a change. Plus, I enjoyed her company so I said, Sure. What time do you want me to be ready? She said, We’ll be down about eight or so to pick you up.

Tuts had been my legal guardian since I was sixteen. Our mother had gone through my purse and taken a hash pipe and some amphetamines out. Ironically, both did not belong to me. I came home on a Sunday evening and she was exceptionally nice to me, something completely out of character. She then made a phone call. Even though she lowered her voice, I heard her say, She’s home now. Moments later, the sheriff and the county drug detective were at our door to arrest me. That explained why she was being so nice; it was a setup.

After being roughly handled by a matron, I spent the night in jail. The next morning Tuts was there to rescue me. She brought cigarettes and made arrangements to have me released into her custody. She agreed to remain my legal guardian till I was eighteen.

At the predetermined time I was sitting at my mother’s dining room table watching out the picture window. A big shiny red Buick with a white convertible top pulled into our driveway. Tuts hopped out from the back seat and came up to the house, pausing midway to light a cigarette. She was in denim cowboy boots with her tight fitting jeans tucked inside, a ski sweater, all topped by a leather long fringed jacket. Tuts was fifteen years older than me, but every time I saw her I still marveled at how beautiful she was. She had kept her figure. I don’t think anyone would have guessed she had three kids. She came in, quickly closing the door behind her so our mother wouldn’t yell at her to ‘quit heating the great outdoors’ as we had heard, well, probably our whole lives. She said, Hi. to our mother and then looked to me at the table. You ready? she asked. I could see by her face that she was excited in anticipation of the evening to come. I said, Yeah. Just need to throw on my jacket. She walked ahead of me as we were going toward the car. I saw she still had her distinctive sway. Tuts had a walk that looked more like a runway model than that of the beef farmer and mom she was. She walked tall and proud, had a straight step with a slight hip sway that made her look just a little sexy, but not sleazy. I smiled. I felt proud that she was my blood.

We got to the car. A friend of Tuts and her husband, Jerry, named Don was sitting shotgun in the front seat. He got out and lifted the seat forward so Tuts could hop in the back. In the back seat were Tuts, Jerry, and Don’s wife, Karen. Don motioned for me to hop in the front seat next to the driver. As I was getting in Tuts said, Oh April, this is Jim. Jim Raven. I looked up into piercing blue eyes. Somewhat nervous, I smiled and said, Hi! It’s nice to meet to you! He looked into my face and we froze for a moment, just looking into each other’s eyes. His eyes narrowed and I felt like he was looking straight into my soul. It felt like he made a complete summary of my personality in just that split second. It made me uneasy because I thought maybe he didn’t like me. Then his eyes softened and in a controlled voice he smiled warmly and said, Hi. Nice to meet you, too. Then he flipped into a gregarious tone and yelled to the back seat, Now where do you want me to drive to? You guys know I don’t know where anything is in this town so direct me to the nearest tavern. Tuts gave him directions to a live music place called Jerry’s Country Sound and we were on our way. As he drove he would continually joke with everyone. Every so often if he could catch my eye, he gave me a special glance with a wink, knowing I felt somewhat overshadowed by all these boisterous and loud people. They had been out with each other many times so they had all sorts of common stories to share. I hadn’t been there so I had little to add to the conversation. I would ask a question here and there so I’d understand what they were teasing and talking about, but mostly I was pretty quiet and observing it all.

We arrived at the bar. It was crowded because there was a band, but we luckily found a table. Jim made sure I had a seat and he stood by me all night. He managed to joke and tell his stories and was pretty much the center of attention without ever making me feel neglected. It was something that was effortless for him. When I would ask about a particular incident, he would lean in to explain it, putting his hand on my shoulder or back as he spoke. I noticed he’d change his tone of voice when speaking to me and it seemed as if he liked me. I hadn’t been too sure if he liked me or not in the car so I was relieved it wasn’t going to be one of those awful blind dates where you sit like a bump on a log, yearning to be home in bed instead. We drank quite a bit but there was so much happening that the night flew by and soon it was closing time.

As we piled back into the car, Tuts said, Why don’t you come up and spend the night? I can bring you home tomorrow. I had lived with Tuts and Jerry on and off for years, so to spend the night was no big deal to me. I could see by the gleam in her now drunken eyes that she was playing matchmaker. I said, Okay. Are you sure you won’t mind bringing me home? She gave me one of those looks like she knew I was toying with her and she used a teasingly sarcastic tone and said, No. I don’t mind. I could see out of the corner of my eye that Jim was pleased he was going to have more time with me.

When we got to their place she excused herself and she and Jerry were off to bed. I asked if she minded if I played an album and she said, No. Go ahead. We aren’t going to hear anything. I knew that was another attempt at further matchmaking. There was a stereo in the kitchen so Jim and I sat at the table listening to Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’. We both commented that we liked that song, and because it was the only album we had I guess that was a good thing. We made small talk as we sipped on yet more beer. Suddenly I stopped and said, Do you mind if I call you Jimmer? He seemed taken aback, but after thinking a bit he said, No. I’ve been called a hell of a lot worse! Why do you want to call me that? I said, It just suits you. He shrugged and said, If it makes you happy, okay.

We talked about various subjects and the night’s happenings. He finally blurted out, I’ve been doing all I can to control myself to keep from kissing you! I smiled at him. I wasn’t going to make it easy for him. I was never easy on men. I pretty much ignored what he had said and continued chatting about how I had lived with Tuts and Jerry on and off since I was fifteen years old. I told him what a good cook Tuts was, and then went on to describe how the house went from two rooms with no indoor plumbing to the current unfinished three-bedroom ranch with a gorgeous bathroom. He kept watching me and watching me as I chattered away. Finally he leaned over and kissed me. It was a knock out kiss! It was obvious this wasn’t his first kiss and he took pride in making sure it was good. I responded and we kissed several more times.

It was quite late by now so I suggested that we try to get some sleep. We went downstairs into the bed I always slept in when I stayed there. We lay on top of the covers in our clothes and quietly kissed more. We must have dozed off because I awoke to daylight and the smell of a fresh pot of Tuts’ coffee, both of which snapped me into reality. He was lying on his back and I was on my side, facing him, with my head on his chest. He had his arm around me. In the daylight I could see he was older than me, I guessed around twenty-eight or so. I later learned he was thirty-six. He was quite tan and his dark hair was naturally wavy with some sun streaked highlights. He had on a long sleeve burgundy paisley print silk shirt that had a straight hem. He wore it out over his jeans; I’m sure to hide that slight belly I could detect when he wasn’t holding it in. When we woke up my first thought was, ‘my breath!’ After smoking a good pack of cigarettes and drinking all night my breath was hideous. I turned to the side as I whispered, Mornin’! so he wouldn’t be knocked over by it. He gave me a really sweet smile and softly said, Good morning, April. He kept smiling as he looked at me. I looked at him as if to ask, What? He whispered, Your hair is all tousled, as he brushed it back into place. Embarrassed that I looked unkempt I softly replied, Oh. Thanks. Want to get up and get some coffee? With the light coming in through the window we could see the kids were still asleep in their beds. He said, Sure.

We quietly made our way upstairs to Tuts standing at the stove. She looked pleased that we were getting along so well. She said to me, I took out some pork chops and I was hoping you’d make them up in that mushroom gravy you do so well. Then to Jimmer, She’s a really good cook! I came back with, "The only reason she says that is because she taught me how to cook!" I was sure she intended to have my cooking impress Jimmer. But, because she asked me to, I made the chops. Everyone ate well and commented on how good the meal was, but they pretty much did this for every meal. They were always an easy lot to feed, not a picky eater in the bunch. I liked that Jimmer ate and ate well. It was fun to cook for someone who actually enjoyed good food.

After we finished eating I said, Well, I suppose I should be getting home. I’ve got school tomorrow. Jimmer looked surprised as he said, You’re still in school? I said, Yeah. I’m a senior. My sister piped in, But she’s going to be eighteen in just a couple of weeks. I’m sure this was to let him know he had her blessings in seeing me. He said, Oh yeah? When’s your birthday? I said, April second. Luckily with a name like April Robin I at least missed April Fool’s Day, but only by about eight hours! He said, I’m going in your direction anyway so why don’t I drop you off? I looked at Tuts and she nodded yes so I said, Okay. That sounds good. We left and he dropped me off in the driveway where things had begun the night before. After he kissed me good-bye he said, I’ve got to go to Miami for a week or so. Can I see you when I get back? Surprised that he needed to ask, I said, Sure. He said, I plan to stay with a friend for a couple of weeks and then do some business. It’s too late for me to cancel now or I would. I was touched that he didn’t want to be away from me for so long and I said, It’s okay. I understand if you already had plans made. He looked like he was searching his mind on a way to get out of it, but couldn’t. I leaned over and touched his arm and said, It’s okay. He seemed surprised that I said that. He gave me another one of those deep looks into my eyes and then he looked at me like I was the only thing he could see. I could tell that he really liked me and I was glad. He wasn’t like anyone I had ever met before and I was pleased that he liked me. I went bouncing into the house, turning back to wave cheerfully to him as he backed out of the driveway.

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CHAPTER 2

WEEKS PASSED AND I HEARD NOTHING FROM HIM. THEN WHEN I got home from school on the day of my birthday my mother said, These were delivered for you. Here’s the card. On the table were a dozen long stemmed red roses. I remember the smell being so soothing. I couldn’t imagine who would have sent such a lavish gift. I knew one drug dealer that could have, but when I opened the card I delightfully discovered they were from Jimmer. All it said was: Happy Birthday, Jim. I guess because I hadn’t heard from him in so many weeks I thought he had forgotten about me, and his words were just those never-intending-to-keep-promises that all guys make. Although the inscription on the card was kind of bland, I remember smiling almost smugly and feeling like I mattered to someone. It made my birthday so memorable. I saved the petals and kept them and the card for years afterward in a hymnbook my Grandma Bessie had given me.

During the school year I had been working at a local nursing home under a grant program where they hired teenagers. My first day on the job got me put in the office when they learned I could type. I also was made editor of their little in-house paper. This was something I really enjoyed because I would get to interview the residents and then write stories about them. I tried my best to make it interesting. In the office I was trained how to do some billing and bookkeeping. Shortly before my birthday the administrator came to me with a job offer. The receptionist/bookkeeper was leaving and they asked if I would like her job? I said, Sure! But I don’t graduate till June. They said I would have to quit school and take the job now if I wanted it. They couldn’t wait till June. Then when June came, I could take my GED, a high school equivalency test, so I’d still have a diploma. I thought about it and knew that I could go through secretarial school and not get as good a job at the pay they were offering. Going on to school was a risk while this was a sure thing. I saw it as my best option, so I excitedly took the job. It was easy work, much easier than school, and I had my own desk and office equipment. Everyone was so nice to me and they treated me respectfully. I was so happy to have the opportunity.

Jimmer came up to see me the weekend after my birthday. He just drove into my yard early Saturday afternoon. He pulled up and hopped out as I ran to greet him. My dog, Jesibelle, followed me. He looked glad to see me and even more glad that I was happy to see him. I threw my arms around his neck and he lifted me into the air as I gleefully said, Thanks for the flowers. They are gorgeous! His eyes sparkled as he said, That’s the least I could do after staying away from you for three weeks. I said, Come on in. You can meet my mom. As we were walking, Jesibelle ran up to him. He asked, Is this critter yours? I said, Yes, this is Jesi. Jesibelle. He knelt down to pet her and she leaned into him. She only did this when she liked someone. She ran to get her ball and I tossed it for her as we walked toward the house. When we entered the dining room was empty, my mother had gone into the living room. I knew she had been watching us out the window as she always did, but made herself scarce to give me privacy. We walked into the living room and I said, Mom, this Jimmer. He’s the guy Tuts introduced me to and the one who sent the nice flowers. She looked up from her knitting that she was pretending to have been doing all along, smiled politely and said, Oh, and nodded a greeting. Jimmer said, It’s nice to meet you. You’re a lucky woman to have two such beautiful daughters. My mother could smell bullshit a mile away, but she let the compliment fly without nasty comment and nodded in agreement. I’m quite certain my mother didn’t think Tuts nor I to be beautiful so she would have thought his comment to be insincere. But I knew he meant it and I was flattered. I always thought Tuts was beautiful, but I didn’t think I was. I tilted my head looking at him curiously, delighted that he thought I was beautiful.

He asked if I’d like to go somewhere. I said, I’m not really dressed to do anything. Do I have time to change? He said, Sure. I ran into my bedroom and in record time I had changed into my best fitting jeans, combed my long red hair and slapped on some makeup. He looked up at me as I walked out of my bedroom and I saw he was pleased with the improvement.

Now that I was eighteen I could legally go into bars so we went to Marge’s. It was a small tavern that had a sign up that read: We Seat 120 at the Bar, 12 at a Time." Marge was a big woman, both tall and across. She had red hair that was professionally styled in an up-do, blue eyes that could go from piercingly mean to soft and loving in a split second, a booming voice that knew every cuss word, and she always wore dresses. She looked like a cross between Zsa Zsa Gabor and John Wayne. She gave me the evil eye because she thought I still may be under age and knew I could only be in there with Tuts. I produced my driver’s license to show proof. My being of age and Jimmer buying a few rounds for the bar changed her attitude almost immediately. She could tell we wanted to be alone when we sat near the far end of the bar, so she only came when summoned.

Jimmer said, I hope you didn’t mind me just coming over? I said, No. Not at all. He said, Good. Because I never had your phone number and didn’t want to drive up to Tuts and Jerry’s first. So I just came to your house. I said, Wow. I’m surprised you remembered where it was. I lived on a country road where there weren’t too many houses. I could think one could easily have gotten lost. He asked, What did the card with the flowers say? Curiously I said, You don’t know? He said, No, I don’t. Surprised, I laughed and mockingly said, It said ‘Happy Birthday, Jim’. I was thinking maybe he was a lot older than I thought to forget something like that. As I was pondering his age, he said, I had my secretary order them and I would have liked a better note than that. You got them on your birthday, right? I said, Yes. I was so surprised! He face turned to somewhat of a grimace. Seeing this I said, What? He sighed and said, My secretary’s name is Connie and I know she’s not too happy you’re in the picture. He went on to tell me the story that at the last Christmas party he got drunk and she was so amorous toward him that he ended up taking her on a pool table. Since then, she thought there was more between them than there really was. He assured me he had no further interest in her. Being naive I asked, Then why did you sleep with her if you don’t really like her? He laughed and said, When someone has a hold of your manhood, it has a mind of it’s own. Then in a more serious tone he said, "It was just the one time and I’ve avoided her since. She’s nothing for you to be concerned with. I work with her and that’s it. Wondering why he felt he had to explain this all to me I quickly blew it off with a quick Okay." Later I thought about it and I realized he wanted things to be open and was trying to be straight with me, something refreshing compared to the men I had known.

He told me he was thirty-six. I hadn’t asked; he just wanted me to know. I guess it should have mattered to