Ben and Irene: A Love Story

By Terri Edmund White

The story of a couple who meet quite by chance and cross paths later, to the fall in love and live a Camelot-like life, sadly interrupted by tragedy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Feb 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781329902190

Book preview

Ben and Irene: A Love Story

Ben and Irene: A Love Story

by Terri Edmund White

Copyright © 2015 by Terri Edmund White

ISBN 978-1-329-90219-0

About the Author

Terri Edmund White is a freelance writer and innkeeper on Anna Maria Island, Florida. She enjoys life with her husband Jim and their remarkably adaptable cats adopted from the Humane Society of Manatee County.

Preface

Everyone should know their parents' love story. It tells us so much about why we are who we are. I spent hours in person and over the phone with my mom getting this story on paper. I cherish every minute, as well as the hours it took to write and rewrite and share. I know my mom better and love her even more. You think you know a person or a couple until you start asking questions. Memories stored away for years, decades even, start bubbling up. It's happy and it's sad. It's fun. It's important. One day it will be too late. Go for it!

Dedication

For Mom and Dad, who taught us most of what we know about love.

For my sister Laurie, my brothers Spike and Ben and my sweetheart Jimmy who all know it’s not as easy as Mom and Dad made it look.

Ben and Irene: A Love Story

Irene takes a last quick look in the mirror, blotting her lipstick with a tissue and smoothing her brunette curls. She’s wearing her good blue dress from her graduation party. Her kitten-heeled slings are her most comfortable dress shoes, and they still look good even though she got them at last year’s end of season sale.

Twice in one week? Is it getting serious with Jake? Her mother asks over her shoulder as she scoops steaming grape preserves into a row of canning jars near the stove.

Oh, I don’t know, Mom. He sure is fun. And he’s a dreamy dancer. I guess it can’t get too serious since I'm going to school in Chicago, Irene says as she peeks out the window watching for Jake’s new Chevy to round the corner. Mary Deters just nods and smiles. She’s so proud of Irene for graduating with honors from Villa de Chantal and being accepted at the Latin-American Institute.

Thundering down the stairs, 11-year-old Phyllis bursts into the hot kitchen and dunks a finger in the grapey pan. I think Jake is your best boyfriend ever. I sure wish I had a boyfriend, she quips, licking her sticky finger. Maybe when you leave for the Windy City I’ll steal him away.

Before mother or sister suggest she’s far too young to be thinking about boys, Phyllis flies out the front door when she hears the car engine. Hi Jake! Mom’s making grape jam. Want some?

Hey, squirt. Your sister ready? Jake May tossels Phyllis’ hair as he climbs the front steps two at a stride. Ireney, you look swell! Hi, Mrs. Deters. It smells really good in here.

Have a seat, Jake, and I’ll get you a bite of fruitcake, Mary says wiping her hands on her apron and patting her hair in place. Coffee’s fresh too.

Thanks but we’re in a rush. A good friend of mine is in the hospital and I'd like to stop by before we hit the Col, Jake explains. He and Irene are going dancing at the Coliseum, the most popular night spot in all the Quad Cities. They have to arrive early because the best seats by the dance floor fill up even before the band starts.

I'm ready, Irene grabs her handbag and waves goodbye to her mom. Phyllis trails them out the door, skipping to the side of the car. Next time I want a ride, she flirts as Jake ushers Irene to the passenger door. You got it, squirt, Jake winks at her and gently yanks her pigtail. As they pull away, Phyllis waves goodbye wistfully, wondering if she’ll ever be as glamorous as her big sister.

* * *

Driving to the hospital, Jake tells Irene his friend was