Unforgotten Love

By Jean Schick

This will take you through the ups and downs of four generations of one mans family. Born in rural Missouri to an immigrant father and a half-breed mother, Robert struggles to make a life for himself. The only woman he ever loved is the one woman he will never possess.
Suffering betrayal, abuse, and destruction at the hands of those he is closest to, Robert has to come close to death to find a full life he didnt know existed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481703628

Jean Schick

Jean Schick has worked in the public eye in one capacity or another for most of her adult life. Although she is widely traveled, she is most comfortable at home near her children and grandchildren. Jean writes under a variety of pseudonyms and is currently working on her next book. Jean was born and raised in rural Missouri. She currently resides somewhere in the state. National Human Trafficking Resource Center Call 1-888-373-7888 or Text BeFree (233733) Report suspected trafficking, e-mail: www.humantrafficking.org/countries/united_s.

Book preview

Unforgotten Love

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A Bond of Love that

Continued to Give

Beyond a Lifetime

Jean Schick

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AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2013 by Jean Schick. 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 01/04/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-0363-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-0362-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012924290

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

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

For my Grandmother who was always a charming hostess, a great lady, she never lost faith in me.

For my Grandfather who showed love and compassion without boundaries of race, creed, color, or popular opinion.

I carry them in my heart always.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, events, incidents, businesses, organizations, and locations, are the product of the author’s imagination. Although reference is made to some, real historical events, and locations, they are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

I would like to thank Harriet Weger at the Missouri Department of Conservation for her input on the Greenhead Hunting and Fishing Club.

I also want to thank James for listening to my ramblings. I know he had better things to do late at night than hearing my ideas.

I take credit for any wrong information contained in this purely fictional account of historical information.

Jean Schick.

Chapter 1

(October, 2007)

Mari and Linda sat at the old kitchen table that had been the true heart of the home longer than either of them had been born. Every holiday, birth or death found an abundance of family and friends gathered there to share stories of joy, heart ache, or life changing experiences. This created the close bonds that made them special to each other.

The wooden table along with most of the furnishings had been the same as long as both of them could remember. The paint and wallpaper may change, but very little else. White kitchen cabinets with their glass paneled doors had been in and out of style many times but here they stayed the same. If ever there was a room that invited people with its’ warmth this was it. The old time country kitchen had the ability to make you feel welcome and wanted.

As the sisters went through box after box of pictures and papers they knew in another couple days this same table would be filled to overflowing with a variety food brought in by friends and neighbors of the family. Until the death of their grandmother, they hadn’t realized she kept so many things that had belonged to her parents and grandparents. Grammy’s old wringer washer on the back porch was still being used. As children playing in the attic they were too busy playing with the crank up phonograph to noticed the hidden storage spaces where stacked boxes containing the history of their family were stored.

Dressed in jeans with a floral print pull over, barefoot Mari stood at least five inches taller than Linda’s five feet two. Her shoulder length dark blond hair glowed with the natural reddish highlights most women pay to have put in. Mari had striking blue eyes and peaches and cream complexion. Linda’s deep and soulful brown eyes caused people she barely knew to open up to her about themselves and their problems. Linda’s petite build gave her an almost fragile appearance with her silky blond hair cut short to frame her face. With the olive undertones to her skin she became very dark during the summers while her hair lightened to almost white. Linda was the more outgoing of the two sisters. While Mari dressed to blend in, Linda dressed to stand out. Linda was wearing cut offs with a bright lime green sweat shirt, her jeweled sandals finished off the look. Mari was the more thoughtful, but shy, of the two. The sisters were as different as night and day.

I am so glad mom is sleeping, I started to wonder if she would ever sleep again. Linda said as she picked up an old picture of her grandmother, holding it out for her sister to see. I wonder who this boy is with Grammy in this photo.

It’s a wonder mom can sleep at all with my little monster making so much noise. Mari said while reaching for the picture. For Grammy to keep it, it has to be someone that she cared a lot about. It looks like this house in the background so it may be a relative or the son of a family friend, who knows.

Maybe mom can tell us so that we can write it on the back for future reference. Issa is not a monster. I think she has been keeping herself entertained pretty darn good, considering everything.

I know she isn’t a monster, she’s my little princess but she knows it. I don’t know what I would do without her to tell you the truth. When her daddy left I would have gone mad if I had not had her. Mari wiped a tear away I have to make more of an effort to get myself back in shape for his return. The last ten pounds just do not want to leave! If he could have been here this all would have been so much easier to deal with.

Think about how mom feels. Dad died two years ago and Grammy got sick less than six months later. I know Grammy is better off but it has to be really hard for mom. Losing Grammy hurt us pretty bad but mom spent almost every day of the last eighteen months with her. If I was in her place they would have put me in a straight jacket by now because I would have been stark raving mad! I don’t know why you think you’re out of shape, and you don’t need to lose 10 pounds either. Lord, Sis you don’t want to look like a bag of bones. That man has no idea how lucky he is to have you and Issa. Now, I’ll shut up before I say something I’ll be sorry for later.

Mari opened her mouth to say something but Issa came galloping into the kitchen astride her stick horse. Mr. Robber needs a drink of water. May I take him one, Aunt Lind?

Linda got up and crossed to the sink, while she was filling the glass she couldn’t help but chuckle Issa who is this Mr. Robber and just where did he come from? feigning a stern demeanor with her hands on her hips trying hard not to laugh out loud

Mr. Robber is my new friend and he lives in a really big city with tall buildings and his dog. Mr. Robber said he likes me and said he wished he had a little girl just like me.

Well, is that so? she said laughing

Yep! I am gonna take all of you to visit him, with Daddy too when he gets home.

Linda handed Issa the glass and used a damp cloth to wash the candy from the corners of Issa’s mouth. I didn’t think mom kept candy in the house anymore she said to Mari as Issa made a galloping exit with the water. She is certainly an entertaining child. I love the stories she makes up. That little lady makes this all a lot more bearable.

There is no telling where she got the candy. She may have stuffed her pockets while we were at the funeral home. I wish they wouldn’t leave the bowls of sweets sitting around where kids can reach them. Mari said with a tired sound to her voice. Having forgotten what she was going to say to her sister, she shook her head. It looks like she has a new imaginary friend. Maybe she won’t use this one like she did the last two. The others were to have someone else to blame when she got into things she knew she wasn’t supposed to. It has been at least a year since she mentioned them. I wonder why she started again.

She is bound to miss Grammy too. Issa was with Grammy more than either of us the last couple years. Remember that before you start looking for other reasons. When Issa’s dad went over seas the first time the other friends showed up. Remember? Maybe Mr. Robber takes Grammy’s place to help her cope. As the sisters spoke they continued to sort through the pictures and pile them in groups to be dealt with later.

I don’t know anything anymore. She had been bending over the pictures and shaking her head. She looked up with a devilish grin at her sister. In taking the matter into a hurried but in depth consideration, I concede you are more than probably right.

Oh, are you in training to be a Political Candidate or—

Hearing a loud crash coming from the living room, both women jumped up and ran to investigate.

I wonder what Issa and her horse broke this time!’ Mari’s statement was flat as they rushed from the room. I hope she hasn’t hurt herself. Let’s see if Mr. Robber gets the blame for this one."

As the two rounded the corner they almost bumped into their mother. Liz still had a petite build with long legs and her hair was a rich dark shade of blond with red highlights and enough white to make it glow. Liz looked closer to forty than to her fifty seven years. What was that racket? It sounded like someone trying to tear the house down with a wrecking ball. Liz sounded alarmed but still not completely awake.

The three women came into the living room to find an elderly man lying in the living room floor with Issa sitting cross legged beside him holding his hand. He wasn’t moving and his skin had a deathly white pallor. There was an end table turned over with a floor-lamp lying beside it. The things that had been on the end table were scattered across the floor. The picture that hung above the end table was lying on the floor beside the old man.

Please help Mr. Robber Issa cried with big tears in her large brown eyes. He is so nice and I don’t want him to go to heaven with Grammy yet. He promised he would take me to the zoo and to see the place he lives. You have to help him. He told me he had a secret to tell me. She was crying so hard it was hard for her to speak.

Issa, how did this happen? Mari asked her daughter as Linda and Liz exchanged looks of concern. Why did you let him in the house without telling us he was here?

While Liz checked for a pulse, Linda called 911. Mari was still consoling her daughter and trying to find out what had happened.

Mommy, I did tell you Mr. Robber was here, I did. Member, Aunt Lind got him a glass of water. After he finished the water he sat down to wait for you and Gram. We talked about lots of things and I like him, he is nice.

I guess you did, didn’t you! Mari stated showing annoyance with herself for not paying more attention when her daughter had came into the kitchen. Mari mentally kicked herself, for not checking on Issa sooner. Why is Mr. Robber in the floor, what happened? Can you tell me?

I had to go to the bathroom and asked Mr. Robber to hold Bekka for me. When I got back he was standing over there looking at the pictures on the wall. She pointed behind her near the stairs. Mr. Robber was holding the picture of Grammy and Paw and then he looked real funny and he fell down. He didn’t hurt Bekka at all when he fell down, but the table might be hurt. I want him to be alright Mommy. Issa said between sobs.

The police and ambulance are on the way. Is everything else alright? Linda said

I am going to see if I can find out who he is, and why he was here. Liz said as she reached into his pocket to find some identification. The wallet appeared to be a very expensive leather wallet, which came as a surprise considering his clothing. Interesting, let us see just who you are Mr. Robber. Okay, you are Mr. Robert Moffield and you live in New York, you are seventy four. Well you are a very long way from home, and why are you here? Liz couldn’t help but wonder out loud Robert explains the Robber, why would he be here in Dexter? Missouri is a long way from New York City.

Mr. Robber is here for surance, he told me so. He told me that Grammy was left with a paulsy from Paw and the place Grammy is told him to come here. Issa said this with her hands on her hips while standing in front of Mr. Moffield holding Bekka the doll. She looked like a she bear defending her cub.

Mom, this man is too old to be selling insurance or tracking down policies. I wonder what he is really doing here. Mari tried to keep her voice level so Issa wouldn’t hear the fear in it. What kind of a scam do you think he was going to try to pull on us? You think he may have picked something up while he was alone in here?

Linda said I’ll just have a look around while we wait on the police and ambulance. as she started looking through drawers and bookshelves.

All three of the women were thinking the same thing. This looked like a homeless man off the street. They were wondering if Issa told him about Grammy’s death and just what he would have done or asked for if he had not collapsed.

At the sound of the sirens Liz turned on the front light. The ambulance arrived just behind the police. Issa showed the ambulance crew where Mr. Moffield was while Liz stayed in the foyer with the officer.

Officer Thomas Smith was one year older in age than Liz. They had attended the same school. Tom about half way had a crush on Liz most of his life, and knew she would never be interested in him as anything other than a friend. When he was younger he told himself that she grew up in the big fancy house with fewer children and more money than his family, later he realized, he just wasn’t her type. It had nothing to do with money. She wanted him as nothing more than a good friend. He accepted that. Liz what’s going on? What I heard over the car radio was pretty vague at most. There was genuine concern in his voice You all have been through way too much lately, so what’s going on now?

Liz was thankful for Tom’s help. Without his help when her husband past away she wouldn’t have known where to start sorting things out, and when her dad past on Tom was there then too. Tom was a real blessing. She had the help of her daughters now. She was better able to deal with her mother’s death and making the arrangements for the funeral. Tom offered to help. If she needed him he would be there for her to lean on. She was glad her husband had such a good friend growing up, she never knew of Tom’s feelings for her.

Tom, I have no idea what is going on. I don’t know who this man is. All we know is a name off his license. He told Issa that he has something to do with Dad’s insurance policy; but Tom, he’s too old to be out doing field work for an insurance company in any capacity. Issa doesn’t warm up to people very easy but she already acts like she loves this old man. It would break her heart if he— For fear of upsetting Issa more, Liz hesitated before continuing. Well, never mind. I don’t even want to think something like what just went through my mind. Why would an old man from New York be on my doorsteps this late at night? Liz knew she was rattling, as she paced in the foyer. She stopped, wrapping her arms around herself as she turned to face Tom.

The look of concern on Tom’s face was real. I am personally going to go through everything we find on him. Don’t worry Liz, I’m gonna find out who he is and why he came here. Hey, it looks like you finally got some sleep. But, you still look really tired around your eyes hon, why don’t you go back to bed when we all clear out. If I find anything out I promise to call you first thing. Now, promise me you’ll go back and get some more rest?"

You really know how to flatter a girl. Yes, I promise. Are you happy now? Liz said with about a half of a grin, as she reached up to push a stray strand of hair back behind her ear.

I sure am glad. You know how embarrassing it would have been for a big ole boy like me to get down on my knees to beg you to go to bed? Everybody might of got the wrong idea, or something. Tom was grinning as he stood with his thumbs hooked on the top of his belt. The thumbs and belt were almost hidden by the expansive evidence of good food accompanied by not enough exercise in spite of his six foot three inch height. When Tom realized what he said he blushed and laughed. The mental picture alone was enough to make Liz laugh. We better knock it off, I have an image to maintain. Tom barely got the words out of his mouth when they both burst out laughing again. Let’s go check on the others.

Tom addressed the paramedic nearest him. What seems to be wrong with him? Do you have anything you can tell me about him or his condition?

It looks like he has had a pretty bad heart attack. We will try to keep him alive until we can turn him over to the hospital. You have the same information we have, I wish we had some kind of medical history. Having said that the medic turned back to his patient.

Issa stood very quietly out of the way. She had watched as the medics attached the oxygen tubing to the tank and mask then placed the oxygen mask on his face before making adjustments to the flow. Next they attached the cardiac monitor to his chest and ran strips of paper out of it, started IV’s, talked to the hospital, put medicine in the line running from the bag into his arm, and finally strapped Mr. Moffield onto the stretcher. Issa held her doll tightly in the crook of one arm while she listened to the medics talk as they worked. She was afraid for her new friend.

Liz and Tom moved out of the way so the ambulance crew could get the stretcher carrying Mr. Moffield out thru the door and down the steps. As Mr. Moffield was lifted into the ambulance Issa threw her arms around around her mother’s legs and burst out bawling.

Now, now, little one Tom said as he knelt down beside Issa, running his big hand down her silky blond hair What is so wrong that you sound like the world has come to an end?

I heard them people say Mr. Robber probly won’t make it till he gets to the hospital. Issa said through sobs and snubs. He has to cause I told him I would tell him all about Paw and Grammy and us. He said he doesn’t have nobody and I told him he has us. Issa let go of her mother’s leg and stood straight and as tall as she could for her five years as she defied anyone to say this stranger could not belong with them. The tears dried from her large brown eyes as Tom explained that everyone would do all they could for her friend while he brushed the silky long blond tresses from her delicate little shoulders.

Mari, I don’t think you will have to worry about anybody running over her. This little one will be a force to reckon with when she grows up. Tom said as he tried to hide a smile. She may look like a fragile little China doll, but she has the heart of a lion.

Lord, give me strength. Mari said as she turned to her daughter. Issa was that your doll, Bekka that was strapped on the stretcher with that old man?

Yes! Mr. Robber needed someone to be with him. I heard all of you talking when Grammy was in the hospital. Grammy said everybody needs to have someone with them when they are in bad shape. Mr. Robber has Bekka cause I can’t go. I made the people that took him put her on his bed cause they wouldn’t let me. Bekka can make sure they get him well!

You tried to get them to take you to the hospital? Mari said with disbelief Why?

He said when he was little that Grammy was his besttest friend and I am like her. He only has me and us and you don’t think so, so he only has me and Bekka. Issa looked defiant even with the fresh tears that had started to stream down her face.

Linda went to the closet and was pulling on her jacket as she said This is too much, everything else, now this on top of it.

Where are you going? Mari asked

I am going to get to the bottom of all this right now so we can get back on track. This baby is way too upset, we are burying our Grandmother the day after tomorrow, we need to get all the financial stuff straightened out, and I am about to lose it. We have not made a dent in anything yet. Lord, what’s next?

Mom, can you get Issa her bath then put her to bed? It’s past Issa’s bedtime and Linda can’t go to the hospital alone. You really need the rest more than I do right now. Tom needs to get back to work, he’s on duty. Giving her mother a pleading look, Mari was already in her coat before she finished speaking.

After Tom, Mari, and Linda left Liz gave Issa her bath. Liz read a few pages of Issa’s favorite bedtime story to her as her eyes finally grew heavy with sleep. She tucked her into bed, careful not to wake her as she kissed her goodnight. While Liz was getting ready to turn in for the night the phone rang. Liz didn’t want to wake Issa so she went down stairs to answer it. As she sat down she was afraid of what to expect at this time of night. She looked at the phone while it rang twice more before she lifted the receiver on the old rotary dial telephone.

Yes, that was my mother. Liz answered, confusion mixed with caution coming through in the sound of her voice Why do you ask?

The woman on the other end of the line let out a sigh of relief Has your mother lived at the same address for over ten years?

Look, I don’t know what you are up to and I am not answering any more questions. It’s far too late for this to be a business call, I’m not a fool. As Liz started to place the receiver back in the cradle she thought the old man really was trying to pull a scam and this was an accomplice working with him. Before the connection was broken she heard Mr. Moffield’s name. The woman’s voice was almost hysterical in her pleading, so she raised the receiver back to her ear. It was doubtful that the woman would have used the same name as she found in the wallet, so it wouldn’t hurt to hear what she had to say. Somebody needed to claim the old man if he died.

Please wait! the voice sounded frantic

What did you say about Mr. Moffield? Liz asked surprised

The woman said her name was Susan and explained that she was Mr. Moffield’s private secretary.

Mr. Moffield was wearing dirty old clothes with shoes that were about worn out. The coat he had on was good wool but extremely dirty and torn. His hat looked like it had seen better days long ago. She could not believe how wrong first impressions could be. Liz, both of her daughters, and Tom had thought a homeless bum had entered her home to beg or steal from her household. Her mother had raised her to know not to judge someone from their appearance. She felt ashamed knowing she had done that very thing.

Liz sat listening in stunned disbelief as Susan told her that he was the owner of the company, and semi-retired. "Mr. Moffield was looking over some old insurance policies. It appeared he became very angry. I have never heard him raise his voice