Jenny's Fame

By Betty Wagner Loeb

Framed in beauty. Fueled by ambition. Flushed with pride after designing a wedding gown for British royalty, Jenny returns from London, determined to fulfill her dream of becoming a famous fashion designer.

Why not? She designs dresses and lingerie for New York and Philadelphia manufacturers and owns a successful boutique, housed in a charming little Victorian house. She designs gowns and hotel uniforms for wealthy clients on both the East and West coasts.

As soon as she divorces Jonathan, an abusive husband, she marries Tony, the man she loves. She didnt marry Tony, in the first place, because she realized that Tonys twin brother Gus also loves her. It was impossible to marry one and hurt the other. Gus solves her dilemma by marrying Martha. But Martha hates Jenny, jealous of her beauty and because she knows Gus loves Jenny. In an attempt to kill Jenny in a public garage one day, Martha loses her own life.

Tony manages the boutique, also the workers in both the shop and in the workroom where skilled dressmakers make the original gowns that Jenny designs under her own label. So when Jenny inherits the lingerie factory from her friend Colya, Tony has more work than he can handle. They invite Gus to give up his restaurant in New York, move to Philadelphia and manage the factory. He leaps at the chance. Separation for the twins was always difficult. When one is seriously injured, the other instantly experiences the same pain.

Jennys household is run by two competent women who care for her small son Jon and baby Lisa. Jonathan knows nothing about his daughter until their chance meeting at Disney World where a terrible scene ensues. At Christmas time, he brings gifts to his children. Jenny nearly cries when she sees how sick he looks. Later, when she and Tony return from a honeymoon in Paris, they find that Jonathan, now mentally ill, has kidnaped Lisa. A frantic search follows, ending in tragedy.

Gus does well managing the factory, which he is told he may buy one day at a bargain basement price. Meanwhile, he becomes entangled with a rich girl who stalks and tricks him into marriage, claiming that her baby belongs to him.

Love binds Jenny and her family together. Her family includes Jonathans siblings and their family members, all of whom come to live close to Jenny. Tony jokingly calls her a little spider who draws everyone into her web.

Because she has little time for her children and heaps responsibility on Tony until he has a heart attack, Jenny realizes that fame is a fraud, not worth the sacrifice of those she loves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 4, 2007
• ISBN: 9781465332875

Betty Wagner Loeb

At age 86, the author hung up her tennis racquet and edited her trilogy of novels written years ago: Jenny’s Family Circle, Jenny’s Fame, The Many Paths of Love. The characters in her books became like family, so she wanted to see them in print. Two nonfiction books: Altoona and the Pennsylvania Railroad and Voices of the Pennsylvania Railroad were published in 1999 and 2001. Now in print is her young adult novel Abby and the Ugly Man (Mr. Lincoln). Also published were 95 of her stories, essays and poems. Her articles about present-day concerns appear monthly in area newspapers.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Jenny paced back and forth at Heathrow Airport in London, waiting to use a telephone so she could call her home in Philadelphia. Finally, one was free and Tony answered.

Jenny, are you all right? he asked. How is my famous fashion designer?

I’m fine, Tony, but not famous . . . yet. Give me a few years. I’m calling because my flight is delayed for perhaps an hour—something about a baggage check.

Don’t worry, my love. I’ll go to the airport and wait for as long as it takes. I’m so anxious to see you. With you away, these have been the longest three days of my life.

I know, Tony. I’m homesick for you and the children. How are they?

Fine, but they miss you. Lisa is a precious baby, and LJ watches over her even while she sleeps. They may not be twins like Gus and me, but they’re going to be just as close to one another.

Excitement filled Tony’s voice. Jenny, guess what? The builder finished our new house this morning. You didn’t want to marry me while still living in the house Jonathan built; now you won’t have to. Finally, my love, we can be married.

Yes, Tony, we can. Tell me, how does the house look?

Beautiful. Look who designed it.

I can’t wait to see it, Tony. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t gone over there for at least three weeks. Did they do the landscaping?

That’s not quite finished but soon will be, so don’t worry. I checked with the nursery.

What would I do without you, Tony?

"I’ll make sure I’m indispensable. For me, it’s called job security."

Tony, for heaven’s sake, stop thinking about yourself as an employee. You’ll be my husband and my partner in everything.

"Hmmmmm. The word husband sound so good!"

Tony, I must go now. It looks as though the delay has ended.

Have a safe trip, Jenny. I love you.

Emotion filled her voice. I love you, too.

Most of the passengers on the plane were men who promptly settled down to read newspapers or magazines; some typed on lap-top computers. The white-haired man who sat beside her, nodded and opened a hard-cover book to read. Jenny was thankful he wouldn’t be chattering like the man who bent her ear while she traveled to London.

After an attendant checked to see if seat belts were fastened, Jenny settled back in her seat and prayed for a safe journey while crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

Clouds obscured the view below, so Jenny reclined her seat and closed her eyes. Parading across her mind like a slide show were scenes of the unbelievable events that happened during the past few days. She saw the huge cathedral, heard the organ music soar to the with highest recesses of its vaulted ceiling, smelled the flowers covering the altar. She saw the Earl of Glenstonshire, resplendent in his beribboned military uniform, escorting his dainty daughter up the aisle. She saw the sea of richly-dressed guests rise, heard them gasp as the bride moved gracefully up the aisle in her shimmering white satin, pearl-encrusted gown with a long train. Cascading from a glittering diamond tiara, a gossamer veil draped over the bride’s shoulders and delicately flowed down over the length of the elaborate train.

Jenny relived the thrill of viewing that breathtaking gown. I designed it, she silently reminded herself. I, Jennifer Crawford, dressed a royal bride, and that’s just the beginning. I was introduced to scores of guests at the lavish prenuptial party last night. I promised to design a gown for the granddaughter of one of those guests. Maybe others will contact me. Aware of her surroundings, Jenny struggled to control the squeals of joy that demanded release. With fingers sealing her lips, she told herself, someday I’ll be famous. Why not? Ever since I was a kid watching film stars strut across the movie screen in lovely gowns, designing such clothes has been my dream. I’ll work as hard as anyone ever has for success. I love to design beautiful clothing.

Opening her eyes, Jenny caught a glimpse of the title of her seat-mate’s book—something about the rocky road to success. She smiled. Mine has certainly been rocky, she thought.

A polite young man inquired if Jenny wanted a pillow. She shook her head.

Staring into space outside, she returned to her thoughts and mentally ticked off some of the obstacles that had littered her path: first, I never knew my mother. Daddy and I lived alone, so poor that everything we owned looked worn and threadbare. Before I finished my fourth and final year at Drexel University, Daddy had a stroke and became an invalid. I couldn’t leave him alone, so I dropped out of school. Two years later, he died of a heart attack. At his funeral, I met Jonathan Holbrook, the psychiatrist who cared for my mother until her death at his hospital.

Soon afterwards, Sara, my precious friend, died of an overdose of medication after learning her fiancé had committed suicide. She never wore the wedding gown I designed for her. Jenny fought back her tears.

Closing her eyes again, she remembered her last evening with Sara. At a crowded restaurant in Philadelphia, we met handsome identical twins, Tony and Gus Antonelli. We shared a table with them, and before the evening ended, we were friends. They offered me a job in New York where they were soon to open a new restaurant. They said I could stay at their apartment with them and their mother, Maria. I explained that I had to finish my course at Drexel. How could I go to New York looking shabby and without money? Sure, that was where I should be designing, but the cost of living in that city was more than I could consider.

Jenny gripped the arms of her seat. If only I could forget walking into my cold, empty house and feeling as though Daddy was standing at my bedroom door, looking at me. I expected . . . wanted him to speak . . . but I was more frightened than ever before in my life. Just then, the telephone rang. I ran downstairs to answer and accepted Tony’s repeated invitation to come to New York. A sob escaped Jenny’s lips, attracting the attention of the man beside her. After an inquiring look, he resumed his reading.

Regaining her composure, Jenny thought, I was so anxious to leave that house that I packed two bags and took a train to New York the next day. Sara’s mother had called that morning and delivered all of the new clothes that Sara had bought for her honeymoon. We had been the same size.

From the moment I walked into their apartment, the twins and Maria accepted me as family, and family was something I sorely needed. They gave me sympathy and love, helped me through my period of mourning. But during the month I was there, love became a problem. While I helped decorate their restaurant, Tony glowed with love for me, and I secretly cared for him. Maria watched us with delight. I panicked when I realized that Gus loved me, too. He said nothing, but I went home, unable to marry one twin and break the other’s heart. They were inseparable, couldn’t be apart even for a brief time. I told Tony I wanted a career, not marriage. He said he’d wait as long as it took for me to realize I could have both. But I knew it was a hopeless situation.

After returning home, I sold my house, rented an apartment in Philadelphia while going to college and working nights in a department store. By graduation time, I’d spent most of Daddy’s life insurance for tuition. I was desperately poor and lonely. I tried to forget Tony. So, when Jonathan found me, I allowed him to trick me into marrying him. Millicent, his mother, gave us a beautiful wedding. I wore Sara’s gown. Again, I was blessed when Jonathan’s family accepted and loved me.

Jenny stifled a sigh. Jonathan broke his promise about my career. He demanded a family at once, citing his age in the forties. Millicent introduced me to her friend Gary Durant, a clothing manufacturer. Gary gave me the opportunity to design dresses for him. Millicent became my loving mother and generously helped me finance the boutique I eventually opened. With a boutique, I could sell the dresses and lingerie I designed. She died of cancer before seeing our little Jonathan, nicknamed LJ.

Alcohol and abuse led to my divorcing Jonathan, following which I learned I was pregnant with Lisa. Tony left New York and came to manage my boutique. Gus abruptly married Martha, one of his waitresses. I knew why. He had cleared the way for Tony to marry me.

An attendant interrupted Jenny’s reverie to offer her a beverage. Jenny selected orange juice. While sipping it, she decided that since their house was ready, she wanted to marry Tony immediately. Dear sweet Tony, she thought. He adores my children.

Like viewing a split screen, Jenny saw the faces of Jonathan and Tony, side by side. Jonathan, startlingly handsome with black hair and penetrating eyes, had a proud lift to his chin and an air of self-assurance that caused people to turn and look at him a second time. Tony was boyishly good-looking with unruly brown hair, lively blue eyes that revealed honesty and an irresistible smile that forced you to smile back at him. Kind and generous, Tony loved completely, unselfishly. Jenny smiled. He’s like a rock; he’ll protect me for the rest of my life.

Arriving in Philadelphia at last, Jenny saw Tony racing to meet her. Arms outstretched, eyes glowing, he swept her off her feet and held her so tightly that she could scarcely breathe.

Jenny, my love, please don’t ever go so far away again. If you had needed me, I couldn’t have reached you in time.

I won’t, Tony. I won’t. She clung to him. Unaware of the amused stares of other travelers, they continued to embrace and kiss each other.

Finally, she gasped, Tony, let me go. I’ve something to tell you. While she tried to catch her breath, Tony held her hands and gazed at her adoringly. Then, with one finger he traced the outline of her face and sighed. You’re so beautiful.

Overflowing with emotion, Jenny began to cry.

What’s wrong, my love? Tell me, and I’ll make it right.

She sobbed, I want to marry you. Now.

Tony glowed. You do? he shouted. Lifting her, he kissed her again and again, then put her down. His grin spread across lips that quivered. You do? he shouted again.

A young passerby shouted, Yes, she does, you lucky dog!

Jenny and Tony laughed hilariously. You scared me for a minute, Jenny. Why did you cry?

Because I’m so happy.

He shook his head. I’m sure I’ll never understand you, Jenny, but I’m willing to spend the rest of my life trying.

During their drive home, Tony kept one hand on the steering wheel of the van and one arm around Jenny. He first wanted to hear all about the wedding, then Jenny bombarded him with questions.

How is LJ? Did our little boy miss me?

Miss you? Every day, he colored a block on the calendar you gave him. Before bedtime, he went to the window and asked when his Mommy was coming home. I promised to bring you today. His last words were, ‘Hurry, Tony.’

And Lisa?

She grows sweeter every day. I think she knows me now, and when she smiles, I melt. As long as I live, I’ll be eating out of her tiny little hand.

Jenny laughed. They’re so precious, and I missed them so much. She paused. Is Della a good nursemaid for them? I hated to leave on her first day, but I knew Peggy would look out for the children.

Della’s great with the children. Peggy says so, too, but . . . .

But what?

Well, Peggy has cared for them since they were born. It’s hard for her to watch someone else take charge.

Peggy’s no longer young. She can’t care for an infant and a small, rambunctious boy. LJ is a handful. You know how he runs from one thing to another; seldom sits down. It’s easier for Peggy to manage the household, allowing her helpers to do the work.

Peggy understands, but she loves them, and LJ loves her. Tony chuckled. He’ll not be satisfied unless Peggy spends some time with him and Lisa.

I’m sure he will. Jenny kissed Tony’s cheek. You’ve done wonders for LJ since you came. He adores you.

I feel the same way about that dear little kid. He knows I’d never hurt him . . . . Tony paused. Jenny, I didn’t mean that like it sounded.

I know you didn’t. Maybe someday LJ will forget how his father treated him.

Abruptly changing the subject, Tony said, Wait until you see your house.

Our house, Tony. She kissed him again. I know we’re eyebrow-deep in work and can’t run off for a honeymoon right away, so I was wondering . . . She hesitated. Could we just sneak off to our new house after we’re married? There won’t be any furniture yet, but we could sleep in front of the fireplace. Couldn’t we?

Tony roared with laughter. You’re suggesting we spend our wedding night on the floor of an empty house?

Jenny nodded. Yes. Unless you mind.

Mind? I don’t mind. I’d sleep on the roof, in a barn, on a haystack. All I want is you. He leaned over to kiss her but missed her lips and kissed her ear. Any other ideas percolating in the bright little . . . . remarkable brain of yours?

She began, Well . . . .

He interrupted. I can’t wait to tell Mom and Dad we’re getting married. For this occasion, they’ll close the big restaurant, and Gus will close his smaller one. Short of disaster, they’ll come to celebrate with us. Or we could get married up there.

That’s what I’m afraid of, thought Jenny. I don’t want Gus watching us get married. She knew Tony was so happy that he could think of no one else. She struggled to offer a plausible excuse for not inviting them. For a moment, her mind deserted her. Let’s just surprise them, she blurted out.

Tony’s eyes left the road for a second while staring at her. You mean get married and not tell them until later?

Yes. Now Jenny had her excuse. If we have a wedding and invite your family, I’ll have to invite Jonathan’s family, too. You know how close they are to me. And you know how they’ll feel about my marrying someone else . . . . Her voice trailed off. Even though Jonathan has another wife, they’re sure his marriage won’t last since Vicki took him away from his hospital. They all hoped I’d remarry Jonathan.

Was that a possibility, Jenny? Tony’s voice sounded flat.

Never.

He squeezed her hand. All right, dear. If telling no one will make you feel more comfortable, that’s what we’ll do.

A moment later, he chuckled. I know exactly how to break the news to Mom and Dad.

Jenny turned to him, paused, thought for a moment, then giggled. I’ll bet I know exactly what you have in mind.

Eyes dancing, he nodded. We go for a casual visit, but at bedtime, walk to the same bedroom together and close the door. Mom will go off like a Roman candle. She’ll come charging into the room, read the riot act, then explode with love when we break the news we’re married. She’s always wanted a daughter. You, she says, fill the bill better than any other woman ever could. The fact that you’re a designer sure helps, too; she loves clothes.

Tony fell silent suddenly. After a while, he said quietly, Jenny, tell me all the reasons why you married Jonathan when you loved me. You did, didn’t you . . . love me?

I certainly did, Tony. Jenny weighed her response carefully. First of all, I couldn’t marry you without hurting Gus. You know that. Living in that awful mid-city apartment, I was lonely, afraid and nearly penniless. Jonathan was kind and generous to me . . . too generous. He promised to build a large house for me so I could have a studio with space to design. He said he knew women who would want the gowns I designed. He told me about my mother, a mother I lost at age two when Daddy said she was dead. Jonathan cared for her for seven years until she died. He tried to save Sara, too.

Why did your father lie to you about your mother?

It’s a long story, Tony. I’ll tell you some other time. It upsets me to talk about it.

How could Jonathan marry you if you didn’t love him?

He said I’d love him one day. Jenny cleared her throat. Unexpectedly, he slipped his ring on my finger the night he invited his family to come and meet me. I was shocked, didn’t know what to say. Later, I could have returned the ring, but . . . .

Jenny was silent for a moment. Staring straight ahead, she added, I married Jonathan because I knew I could never marry you and hurt Gus. I couldn’t face spending my life alone.

Tony’s voice was husky. How could I have been so stupid and blind not to realize that Gus loved you, too? All of our lives, we’ve been able to read each other’s thoughts. But when you came along, I saw no one else, thought of nothing else. Like they say, I was head over heels in love with you and wore my heart on my sleeve, so Gus kept quiet. Tony groaned. I’ve hurt the brother I love with all my heart . . . .

When did you first know, Tony?

When I overhead Mom and Dad talking about it. Then, when I told Gus I wanted to relinquish my share of our restaurant and come down here to help you, he no doubt knew I hoped to marry you. Immediately, out of the blue, he married Martha, clearing the way for you and me to marry. Martha was his head waitress, never shy when it came to saying how she felt about Gus. But she’s insanely jealous of him. If she ever guesses how he feels about you . . . .

Tony groaned again. Someday maybe I can find a way to repay Gus for what he did for me. He leaned over and kissed Jenny. I’ll always be in your debt for trying to protect my brother and me.

Not another word was spoken until they arrived home. Peggy had turned on all the lights for their homecoming, so the rambling, Spanish-type villa, high on a hill, looked inviting. The stone fountain splashed its welcome.

While Tony carried the luggage to her room, Jenny tiptoed into the nursery, gazed at her children and kissed them. LJ’s little face looked so like his father’s, while Lisa’s pink cheeks and blonde curls always reminded her of Sara. How Sara would have adored my children, Jenny thought, and how I would have adored hers. We had planned to remain close to each other all our lives. I’ll never get over Sara’s loss.

After feasting on the food Peggy had left in the refrigerator for them, Tony sat holding Jenny’s hands. Gazing into her eyes, he said, Jenny, I can’t think of a thing I ever did to deserve such happiness, but I promise to love and cherish you as long as I live.

Jenny swallowed the lump in her throat. Tony, I love you with my whole being. I promise to be a good wife and love you forever. She nestled in his arms and kissed him.

Brushing aside a tear, he said, Come, my love. You’re tired. He took her hand and led the way upstairs. He paused at Jenny’s bedroom door. She opened her purse, removed the rose the London bride had given her and laid it in his hand. From your bride-to-be, she murmured.

My bride, he whispered and kissed her. As usual, he waited until she closed her door before continuing down the corridor to the room where he slept.

Before falling asleep, Jenny thanked God for His grace in filling her life, in spite of all its sorrow, with such overwhelming happiness.

Chapter 2

Jenny sat on the floor, untangling her long, curly hair with a brush. Tony was struggling to tape large sheets of brown wrapping paper over the lower half of four of the six tall windows in the living room of their new home. We don’t want outsiders peeping in, he mumbled, a strip of tape dangling from his mouth.

Watching his Charlie Chaplin-like antics, Jenny was convulsed with laughter. The harder he tried, the more pieces of masking tape broke loose, allowing the paper to slide to the floor. Muttering under his breath, Tony tore off longer strips of tape and pressed them to the frame of the window for a longer time. Still, they came loose. I need help, he pleaded to Jenny who now rested on her elbow atop a thick pile of covers in front of the fireplace.

Still giggling, Jenny rose and held the sheets of paper against the window frames while Tony pasted strips of tape every few inches apart so they would secure the covering.

I’m glad ours is the only house at the end of the cul-de-sac. That should mean we get less traffic up here. He grinned. "When you told the architect that you wanted an open-type house, I had no idea a peeping tom could have such a generous view."

You don’t like our house? Jenny ask, frowning.

You know I do. It’s gorgeous, just like you. Arms akimbo, he added, "Should I put a do not disturb sign on the door?"

Why bother? You couldn’t make it stick. Jenny ducked as pillows sailed in her direction. When the barrage ended, she rolled over and gazed with pride at the new house she helped to design. This was the front wing of the house, built in a semi-circle. The front doors were double, opening into a two-story foyer with several tall windows above the doors. The foyer led to a wide, curved stairway that gave access to the sleeping quarters on the second floor. To the right of the foyer was the spacious living room with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. To the left of the foyer was the dining room from which sliding glass doors opened onto a tiled terrace. The dining room was separated from the family room by a wall of paneled doors and shelves. On the family room side, that same wall was a series of bookcases with spaces for a television set and other electronic equipment. Beyond the kitchen were a playroom and a three-room suite for Peggy and Della.

Hissing logs that spit sparks onto the bedding roused Jenny from her thoughts. Tony quickly extinguished them