Fourteen Forever: Girl of the Harbor Series

By Yvonne Ware

Something exciting was going to happen; Lindsey just knew it. She had dreams, plans, and schemes for the year ahead. Shortly after her fourteenth birthday, her plans fall apart. Lindsey faces challenges and temptations she never considered. She receives a nickname from the guy shes crazy about and steps into her first romance. As Lindsey becomes Zee, she finds hope in the unexpected, leaving her childhood behind in the uncertain 1970s.

It wasn't like Zee to stand in silence. She usually preferred movement, motion, and conversation. She had never allowed the sound of her breath or her beating heart to speak above her voice. Perhaps it was his hand holding hers that settled her spirit; perhaps it was the warm, humid air or the fragrance of the night-blooming jasmine. She had spent many evenings on the screened patio, but she had never stood here before.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490817583

Yvonne Ware

Yvonne Ware has completed three novels—Fourteen Forever, Autumn’s Fortune, and Just Moon Shadows—all part of the Girl of the Harbor series. In her teens, she and her family moved to beautiful Charlotte Harbor, on the Gulf side of Florida. The surrounding towns, beaches, and harbors became the inspirational backdrop to the adventures of Lindsey and her friends. Yvonne and her husband are proud parents of four grown children and are blessed with nine grandchildren. Yvonne has attended Edison Jr. College and Bethel College. She homeschooled for eighteen years and has taught language arts at a private school. She continues to write as she enjoys the scenic pleasures of the Sunshine State and her loving family.

Book preview

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CHAPTER ONE

Presents and Promises

Something exciting was going to happen! Lindsey just knew it! Lindsey just turned fourteen. Summer vacation had started a week ago. She would be starting her first year of high school in the fall. And, now Mom and Dad were leaving on a week-long trip.

Lindsey circled the week on her calendar. Seven days of freedom! she thought. Then she skipped a few months ahead to September 1970. Lindsey circled the first Tuesday. The first day of school—Dover High, older guys, bon-fires, and dances!

The year ahead was full of expectation, hope and possibility, like Lindsey’s last birthday present.

A few days before her birthday, Lindsey was browsing through Mom’s clothes closet, just in case she ever wanted to borrow anything. That’s when she saw the yellow box covered with smiley faces with a large yellow bow.

It’s got to be for me, Lindsey thought as she reached towards the upper shelf. After all, if the box were for her little brother Tommy it would have Cookie Monster or Big Bird on it. Mark, her nine-year-old, brown haired, blue-eyed, freckled face brother, was into motorcycle stuntmen, not smiley faces. And, of course, Lindsey’s birthday was just a week away.

I know it’s for me. I’ll just give it a little shake. The smiley faces seemed to nod their heads to say, Yes, open us! The contents were packed tightly. Lindsey didn’t hear a rattle or a thump. Maybe, I’ll just open one side and take a peek, she thought to herself. Then, Mark walked by.

Mark was always spying on Lindsey and lived by the words, you’re in trouble, and I’m telling. Either he didn’t see Lindsey in her parents’ bedroom or he didn’t know about the yellow box. He passed by and went downstairs. Lindsey hurried out of the room as if nothing had happened and nothing had happened. The yellow box and its contents remained a mystery.

Lindsey couldn’t stop thinking about the yellow box. It could be a camera, she thought. That would be cool. I could take pictures of my friends and get the results in minutes.

Grandma told Lindsey that she could have her old Brownie camera. The camera was a square box that grandma held just above her waist. She would look down into a hole on the top of the camera to focus then snap the picture. Grandma had the camera since Mom was a little girl. But, that wasn’t what Lindsey wanted. She wanted something new, the latest and coolest; a Polaroid instant camera!

Then again, she thought, that yellow box was the right size for an eight track cassette player. Lindsey had a record player. Mom called it a turntable. Grandma called it a phonograph. Lindsey called it old-fashioned. It was from Dad’s college days, but it still worked. She had a few Beatles singles, one song on each side of the vinyl record; I Want to Hold Your Hand and It’s Been a Hard Day’s Night. Still, this was the space-age, man had landed on the moon, and the old 45 records and record player would have to go!

Oh, I hope it’s an eight track cassette player, Lindsey whispered.

On Lindsey’s birthday, the yellow box was missing from the birthday table. Brightly covered presents surrounded the chocolate layer cake that Mom had baked just that morning.

Me bwow. Tommy begged to blow out the candles on Lindsey’s birthday cake. Pweeze, Zee.

Tommy was three years old. Lindsey loved everything about her blonde hair, blue eyed baby brother, especially the way he called her, Zee.

Go ahead, Tom-tom, you can blow them out, she agreed with a giggle.

Each wrapped gift gave Lindsey a twinge of excitement. As she held a small flowered gift she thought, This could be a plane ticket to France… Or a romantic poem from a secret admirer…

Open it, Mark demanded.

A manicure set, Lindsey announced. Thanks Mark.

I think you can cut wood with that knife, Mark said, impressed with his choice for Lindsey.

Zee, Zee, dis one, Tommy insisted that Lindsey open his present next. Lindsey opened the long tube that looked like a roll of wrapping paper. Inside was a poster of her dream hunk, Davy Jones, a singer in the band called The Monkees…

Dabee! Tommy squealed with delight as everyone laughed.

Then, Lindsey opened the last gift on the table. It was an orange, lightweight, V-neck sweater.

Thanks Mom, I love it. This was a present that Lindsey would not exchange. Lindsey checked the size. Perfect!

Lindsey started to doubt that the yellow box in Mom’s closet was for her.

Good thing that I didn’t open it, Lindsey thought.

That’s all there is, Lindsey, Dad said as he walked out of the dining room, except for this one. Dad walked back into the room. He handed Lindsey the final gift, the yellow box.

This is the big one! Mom and Dad always save the best for last! Lindsey thought to herself as she ripped through the smiley faces. She reached in and pulled out…

A vanity makeup mirror, she announced happily. It’s just what I wanted!

Actually, Lindsey wanted so many things. She had forgotten until now that a vanity makeup mirror was on her list of wishes.

She looked into the magnified side of the flipped mirror and smiled at her brown hair, brown eyed self. This means that I get to wear makeup, not just lip gloss, Lindsey stated.

Mom gave a reluctant nod, just a little.

Zee smoothed her long hair with her hand, giving one last look into the mirror.

Thanks everybody.

Fourteen years old, Mom remarked. Time goes by so fast. She looked across the table to her husband as if she could see him holding their first precious baby.

Lindsey started to clear the dining room table. You don’t have to help today, Lindsey, Mom said sweetly. It is your birthday.

That’s all right, Mom. I don’t mind. Lindsey said happily. So, tomorrow Aunt Karen will be here?

That is right Honey. She will need your help.

Mom and Dad were leaving for Fort Lauderdale the next day. The trip was a business seminar for Dad, but Mom was going along. She considered it a second honeymoon that they could never afford.

Lindsey overheard her Dad ask Mom what she planned on doing when he was in his meetings. Don’t worry about me, Mom answered. I will pretend that I am a tourist. All these years in Florida, it is about time that we see the East Coast. Mom told her friend that she hoped to browse boutiques and tan by the pool during the day then, and in the evening, Mom and Dad would enjoy quiet dinners and walks on the beach.

Lindsey, Honey, Mom continued, be sure to tell Aunt Karen which television shows we allow and which ones we do not."

I will. Lindsey agreed. But, now that I am 14, can I stay up longer?

Yes, Lindsey, now that you are 14 your bedtime can be at 11 o’clock, at least until school starts again in the fall.

Thanks Mom, Lindsey said happily.

Tanks Mom, Tommy repeated.

Mom gave Tommy a hug. Such a sweet boy, she said as she kissed him on the cheek.

Me big, Tommy giggled.

Lindsey could tell that Mom was having second thoughts about leaving Tommy. Mrs. Hunter, Mom’s closest friend, told Mom to call Tommy at the same time every night. She also suggested that Mom place a photo of Mom and Dad near his bed. Dad had reassured Mom that with Lindsey, Mark, and Aunt Karen at home Tommy would be fine. Still, Mom told Aunt Karen to call if Tommy showed any signs of worry. She would come right home.

Don’t worry Mom, Lindsey said softly. I’ll take good care of Tommy.

Zee, care me, Tommy repeated with a smile.

Mom walked over to Lindsey. She smoothed Lindsey’s long, brown hair and tucked it behind her ear. Are you sure, Lindsey? You will have to give up some of your free time to look after Tommy.

I am sure. I will look after him Mom. Lindsey added, I promise.

Zee pwomise, Tommy repeated with a giggle.

Fourteen years old, summer vacation, and high school in the fall, Lindsey thought happily.

The year lay ahead like the last unopened present, full of expectation, hope, and possibility. Something exciting was going to happen! Lindsey just knew it!

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CHAPTER TWO

Inseparable

Aunt Karen was not cool. At least Lindsey didn’t think so. She was efficient; she washed the dishes right after dinner. She was well groomed; but not stylish. She was neat; but not pretty. Her brown hair and black, wide rimmed glasses suited her. She liked to make lists, read books, and to do crossword puzzles.

Aunt Karen drove all the way from Ohio to Florida just to take care of Lindsey, Mark, and Tommy while Mom and Dad were way. Seeing all of you again is the best vacation I could have, Aunt Karen said.

Lindsey was very happy to see Aunt Karen again, but she didn’t understand Aunt Karen’s choice. She wondered, Why would anyone choose to come here to this little town of Dover Harbor? Hasn’t Aunt Karen heard of the French Riviera or at least Miami Beach?

Still, Lindsey liked Aunt Karen. She was easy to talk to. She never pried into Lindsey’s business, and, best of all, she trusted Lindsey!

Lindsey hurried as she got dressed and then ate a quick bowl of cereal. She didn’t want to waste any time of the first day that Mom and Dad were away. By 10 a.m. she announced, I’m going to Stacey’s. As she was about to walk out of the front door she hollered, I’ll be back before supper.

See you before five, Lindsey. Aunt Karen said, leaning into the living room with a basket of folded laundry.

This is cool! Lindsey thought. Mom would have requested an hour by hour account and a list of every friend she was planning to meet. Not Aunt Karen! Lindsey had five days to do whatever she wanted, no hassles, and she didn’t even have to do her chores!

As Lindsey closed the front door she heard a tap, tap, tapping. It was Tommy with his nose pressed against the dining room window, sadly tapping his chubby fingers against the glass.

Bye, Zee. Tommy said, smudging the window with his nose.

"Bye,