The Dance of Life

By Jan Carol

The Dance of Life is a true love story. From young love to old age, the author traces
the ups and downs in the lives of two normal, everyday people. Th e twists and turns
in The Dance focus on Jans perception of the events in her life. From the decisions
she makes, to the decisions made for her, she has unanswered questions that leave
emptiness within her she cant seem to fi ll. What if? Why? If only!! How many times
do we all second guess ourselves? Good choices, bad choices. Often, there are no
choices. Jan doesnt quit until she fi nds the answers. It is funny, it is sad, it is sexy. But,
most of all, it is honest.
Writing this book has brought Jim and I even closer. Discussing the questions we both
had about our relationship as young people, and how Th e Dance steps were performed
without our awareness, have given us much to think about and remember. I hope you
enjoy reading The Dance of Life as much as I enjoyed putting it on paper.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781468525526

Jan Carol

Jan Carol is a Registered Nurse with more than 50 years experience, and lives in Naples, FL. Her first book, "The Dance of Life" was published in 2021.

Book preview

The Dance of Life

JAN CAROL

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AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2014 Jan Carol. All rights reserved.

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

Published by AuthorHouse 12/08/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4685-2554-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-2553-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-2552-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014905838

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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

To my dad, Jim, who loved me unconditionally and never judged my mistakes.

To my husband, Jim, who made my life complete in every way. I have no regrets.

Chapter 1

L UNCHEON WITH THE GIRLS WAS great! As I drove home, The Second Time Around, sung by Tony Bennett was on the car radio. I thought about the words to the song, and the conversation at the table. All the baby boomers, including myself, were discussing the pros and cons of medical plans, and Medicare supplements. Where had all the years gone since I had first met Jim? As amazing as it seemed now, it was at least fifty years ago.

It was the first day of eighth grade. Everyone was gathered in the courtyard at the Junior High School. Excitement and uneasiness were in the air. A new school, new friends, some familiar faces from my neighborhood. I still felt a little uncertain. We were all waiting for the first day of school to begin. Standing by a tree with some other boys I did not know, a tall, gangly, dark haired boy, with large ears caught my eye. He was so cute! As I wondered who he was, the bell rang, and school was in session. When we changed classes, or went to lunch, I hoped to catch another glimpse of the boy in the courtyard. What was his name? Would we be in any of the same classes? How was I going to meet him? That was the only time I saw him for the next six weeks.

It was already the middle of October in New England. That wonderful crisp, clear, nippy air, with the sunshine illuminating the colors of the changing leaves, spectacular! It was the perfect day for a football game. As I walked onto the field to find a seat in the bleachers, I saw him. He was with another boy I had met when school first started. The temperature outside was quite chilly, but I was warm all over. I can’t remember who we played, all I know is that we won. After the game was over, my friend Gayle and I walked with the two boys to the corner drug store for a cola to celebrate our victory. Do kids still do such things? I doubt it. Conversation was sparse and painful; after all, it was eighth grade. I did find out his name was Jimmy, which I found curious. My grandfather, my father, and my brother were all named Jim. My grandfather even had a beautiful collie named Jock! Obviously, a good omen! Gayle and I said good bye to the boys. They went their way, and we went ours. Of course, they lived on the opposite side of town.

That was the beginning of magical years for me. Jimmy and I were from very different backgrounds. I was the shortest person in my family, 4’11". We lived in a middle classed development of single homes, where most children had two parents that were married and still together. My dad worked hard, long hours, and provided a very comfortable standard of living for my two younger brothers, my mother, and myself. He and his brother owned a design and build precision machine shop contracted to do work in the aerospace, defense, and automotive industries. We had everything we needed, and most of what we wanted. My mother was a stay at home mom, and gave ballroom dancing lessons to children and adults in our recreation room. She had previously been an Arthur Murray instructor.

My dad was of German and English descent. My mom was English and mostly Native American. I had my dad’s coloring; light complexion, blonde hair, and hazel eyes. My mom and I did not look alike at all. She was tall with black hair, dark complexion, she did have hazel eyes. She was also athletic, I was a spectator only. I did like to swim, but she could out swim me anytime.

Jimmy, on the other hand, was the tallest person in his family, 6’5. He lived in a blue collar family, with a younger sister and older brother. His dad was a long haul truck driver, and wasn’t home very much. He always told Jimmy he was going to wind up in the electric chair! Not a positive influence. His mother was a fun loving person who took her two boys, thirteen and fourteen to the local bar every Friday night with explicit instructions, remember, don’t call me mom call me Betty. If we get home, and your father is there before we are, we went to the movies." She worked during the week on an assembly line in a factory that made electrical boxes, but was most interested in going out and having a good time. She was not a