Satin Salli

By Marjorie E. Dufault

Dominic Valliant, at eighteen, had spent half his life helping his widowed mother support him and his older sister, Peggy. His knowledge of the world, and especially the fairer sex, was nil when he happened into a position with the wealthy, powerful Farnsworth family. With a solid work ethic and natural intelligence, he soon becomes known as Farnsworths Golden Boy, and he comes to love and respect Daniel Farnsworth as both a mentor and father figure.

When Daniels daughter, Faye, seduces Dom into believing that she is in love with him, he marries her, uncertain as to the meaning of true love. His sense of duty and obligation leads him to believe it is the right thing to do, despite his sister Peggys warning that Faye is from a different world than his.

After several miserable years of believing he is failing as a husband, Faye informs him that she has never loved him and that the son she bore him was actually fathered by her lover. Despondent and uncertain as to how to deal with this revelation, he decides to distance himself from Faye and her family, sacrificing the child he loves to assure the boy a normal life. His love for flying leads him to join the army air corps at a time when the war in Europe is in need of qualified pilots.

Salli Cahallan lost her family through a tragic incident that would have scarred most children. But Salli is not your ordinary child. Raised by her loving uncle and aunt, she attains a maturity beyond her years, and at the tender age of sixteen, she captures Doms heart and shows him the true meaning of love, a love that burns bright through two wars and shared hardships and will bind them together forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Sep 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781489705297

Marjorie E. Dufault

Marjorie E Dufault was born and raised in Oklahoma, the fifth of twelve children. After years as a working mother of three, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming an author, publishing her first novel in 2009. She now lives with her husband, Dewey, in central Florida.

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Prologue

Bloomington, Minnesota - November, 1943

"My God, Dom, she’s a child!

Peggy Shannon had dragged her brother from the living room on the guise of needing his help to reach some dishes for setting the table. Looking at the obvious pride, glowing on his dark, handsome face, she was having a difficult time absorbing what she was seeing. When he called her from Georgia three days ago to tell her he was coming for a visit and he had a surprise, she would never have imagined that the surprise would be his new bride…his very young bride.

Despite his twenty-seven years, when he turned his head to look at the object of Peggy’s shock, he had the boyish look of a besotted teenager. Turning back to face Peggy, he attempted to sound sinister as he twisted a mock mustache and wiggled his thick eyebrows.

Ah yes my dear, I stole her straight from the cradle to drop on your doorstep.

Not funny, little brother.

He continued, switching from his mock sinister tone to a truly lousy Southern accent. Actually mah de’a sista, Ah saved her from a fate worse than de-yath in the South. In another ye’a she would’a been consi’ded an old maid.

Dammit Dom, cut the clowning. I’m serious. Just how old is she?

Still evading a direct answer, he spoke in what Peggy construed as a rather condescending tone. To quote Uncle Matt, age is merely a number. Maturity is not measured by years, but by experience. Then sensing that his sister’s patience was running low, his voice became very serious. Believe me Peg, regardless of her age, there’s more woman in Salli’s little finger than in ten Fa… His voice trailed off as he watched the look on his sister’s face change from near fury to something akin to despondency.

"For God’s sake Peg. When are you going to stop blaming yourself for my mistakes? I can take responsibility for my own lousy judgment."

"But I’m the one who invited her into our lives."

PART I

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Love…bears all things, believes all things,

hopes all things, endures all things.

Corinthians 13:4

NKJV

Chapter 1

Minneapolis, Minnesota - September, 1930

She’s here. You gotta come see this Peggy.

Peggy Valliant pretended she hadn’t heard her name in the midst of the commotion at the window. The sitting area for the girl’s dormitories was on the third level of St. Agatha’s Academy for Young Women and there were over thirty girls pushing and shoving to peer down to the entry drive below.

It’s a damn Rolls Royce with a chauffer. And, my god, there’s enough luggage on the back to fill the recreation hall. Where the hell does she think she’s going to put all that crap?

The irritating newscaster voice was Mitzi Phipps. She loved to use crude language when the nuns weren’t around. Peggy had the impression that Mitzi thought it made her seem worldly, but as far as she, and most of the other girls were concerned, it simply made her sound trashy. No one dared to say so to her face since Mitzi’s father was one of St. Agatha’s main benefactors – or had been up until the market crash. Now Mitzi, along with most of the other girls, was here through the generosity of the Farnsworth Foundation – a fact that Peggy was privy to since her discussion with Sister Felicia the day before had verified her suspicions. Unfortunately, in the eyes of all the other girls, Peggy was the only student getting a free ride.

When Sister Felicia approached Peggy after mass and asked that she come to her office in ten minutes, Peggy was certain her greatest fears had been realized and her scholarship was being withdrawn. Before knocking on the office door of St. Agatha’s prioress, Peggy took a deep breath and forced back the tears that threatened to start flowing at any moment.

Sister Felicia’s clear resonant voice bade her, come in.

The office was a cold, stark room, its appearance as intimidating as the summons to appear before Sister Felicia; which usually meant some kind of disciplinary action was forthcoming. In contrast to her surroundings, the prioress herself emitted a warm caring deportment. Tall and slender, with soft grey eyes and a beautiful clear complexion that made her age indiscernible, Peggy imagined her hair to be dark, with touches of grey. She had never considered Sister Felicia intimidating as the other girls did; but then she had never been summoned to her office before.

Sister Felicia stood with her back to the door, peering out the unadorned window that provided the only brightness in the otherwise dull room. Turning to face Peggy, the expression on her face went from thoughtful to concern.

Addressing Peggy by her given name, as only the nuns did, she spoke in a conciliatory tone. Oh my dear Margaret, I didn’t mean to upset you by asking you to come to my office. Please have a seat, and rest assured that your presence here has nothing to do with my having any kind of problem with you. Quite the contrary. I consider you my most trusted and dependable student; and that is why I need to ask a tremendous favor of you.

Peggy realized that she had been holding her breath and with a heavy sigh, released it.

Unsure as to what she should say, if anything, she attempted a smile as she seated herself on the hard, straight-backed chair; back rigid, hands folded demurely in her lap; knees together and legs crossed at the ankles – precisely as the nuns had taught all their young women to sit.

Sister Felicia returned the smile, a gentle, reassuring one, as she seated herself behind a simple wood desk and began speaking.

As you know, Faye Farnsworth will be arriving tomorrow. I’m sure you are aware, as are all the students at St. Agatha’s, that the school was built by the Farnsworth family almost one hundred years ago; and they have been our greatest financial supporters ever since. Without the endowment trust set up by them, most of the girls here would not be able to continue their schooling at St. Agatha’s. It was Daniel Farnsworth’s wish that none of the students be forced to leave because of their families’ present financial situations. These are hard times for everyone with the economic problems that are now facing our nation.

Pausing, as if to collect her thoughts, she studied Peggy’s face before continuing. I’m telling you these things because it is of the utmost importance that Faye is made to feel accepted not for who her family is, but for herself. I believe you are the only student close to her age who would not be influenced or intimidated by the Farnsworth name. As a matter of fact, I am praying that your good work habits, kind nature and common sense will be a good influence on Faye.

Peggy mumbled a humble, Thank you, Sister.

Once again, Sister Felicia paused and appeared to study what Peggy’s thoughts might be at that moment. Unable to read her face, she proceeded.

"What I am going to tell you now is not common knowledge. Faye is my niece. Her father, Daniel Farnsworth, is my brother; and I am probably the reason Faye was not enrolled in St. Agatha’s years ago."

Peggy couldn’t hide the puzzled look on her face and Sister Felicia answered the look with an awkward smile as she continued.

"Up until Faye was old enough to attend St. Agatha’s, all the young women who bore the Farnsworth name were automatically enrolled once they reached their teens. I was much like Faye when I started my schooling. Privileged, spoiled and catered to by my parents. During the years I was at St. Agatha’s, I discovered that I was not a happy person. I felt I was envied and resented by most of the other girls. I couldn’t wait for my time here to be over – but when it ended, I was still unhappy. In time I came to understand that my unhappiness was something within me and had nothing to do with others, or my surroundings. It was then I recalled the joy I always discerned on the faces of most nuns and I knew I wanted that kind of inner joy. The day I announced to my parents that I wanted to become a nun, they were stunned. My mother tried to talk me out of it, but my father indulged my whim. I’m sure he thought I wouldn’t last the first year. Needless to say, I proved him wrong and I have never regretted it. I love the simplicity of my life and I love working with the young women at St. Agatha’s."

Sister Felicia had a peaceful look on her face that Peggy understood was the look she had recognized as a young girl, and now possessed.

Anyway, she continued with a wave of her hand, "I believe that Mae Edmonton Farnsworth, Faye’s mother, feared that the same thing might happen to Faye if she went to St. Agatha’s. Since Faye’s only sibling, her brother Daniel, Jr., died of influenza when he was six, Faye is the only heir to the Farnsworth fortune and Daniel and Mae’s only hope for future heirs. They sent her to New York where Mae’s family lives, and she has been attending an exclusive private school there for the last three years. Her cousin, Betty Edmonton, attended the school as well. It seems the two girls got into some kind of trouble just prior to the end of the past school year and both were asked not to return. I have no idea, and truly don’t care to know, what the trouble was about. Daniel and Mae decided to bring Faye back here to complete her final year of schooling at St. Agatha’s.

I know this is asking a lot of you, Margaret - and you certainly have the right to refuse my request - but I want you to be a friend to Faye. I haven’t had a lot of contact with her, but I’m sure she resents having to leave New York. If you are willing to do this, I will be moving you to the Senior Dormitory into a room with Faye. It’s where you should be anyway, although I know you enjoy mentoring the younger girls.

The questioning look on Sister Felicia’s face, told Peggy that she expected her to say something. Clearing her throat, Peggy spoke in a soft murmur.

Will I still be able to continue my private voice and piano lessons?

The gentle laughter emitted by Sister Felicia contained both humor and relief.

Of course, my dear! That’s the reason you were given a scholarship. Bishop DeLong is extremely proud of St. Agatha’s choral group…and especially its soloist. He’s already concerned about what he will do for his radio show next year after you graduate. I’m certain he plans on asking you to continue participating as a soloist, so if that is your only concern, Margaret, you needn’t worry.

Do any of the other girls know that Faye is your niece?

I’ve never advertised the fact so it will be entirely up to Faye. Daniel told me that he made it clear to Faye that she would receive no preferential treatment. So barring any recognition of a family resemblance by the other students, and considering that who I am is most likely a source of embarrassment to Faye, I doubt she will share the familial connection.

Peggy sat in awkward silence for several seconds before finally speaking. If…if that’s all you need of me, Sister, I’ll go start moving my things. I just need to know what room we’ll be in.

Sister Felicia couldn’t hide the relief in her voice as she said, Thank you Margaret. I knew I could count on you. I have to make a few arrangements before I can tell you where you are to relocate, but I will get back to you this evening. Then with a warm smile she added, You are a very special young woman, Margaret. Don’t you ever forget it.

There were eight rooms in the senior dorm, each furnished to accommodate two students.

All the junior dorm rooms housed four girls to a room. There were no vacant rooms in the senior dorm, so moving Peggy and Faye to one of the senior rooms meant that two of the senior girls would have to move to one of the junior rooms. Upon learning this, Peggy was certain it would be a major upset for whoever was asked to relocate. She immediately went to Sister Felicia to request that she remain in the junior dorm. One of those rooms was empty and they were actually larger than the senior rooms.

Wouldn’t it make more sense to simply remove two of the beds from my room? she asked. It would be far less upsetting to the other girls; and Faye probably wouldn’t know the difference.

"That’s an excellent idea Margaret. I should have thought of it myself. However, she will know the difference, if not at first, I’m sure the other seniors will make sure she does."

Can’t you just tell her that you put us there because the rooms are bigger? It’s not exactly a lie, is it?

Sister Felicia chuckled at Peggy’s red faced look. You’re a bright girl, Margaret. And no, it’s not at all a lie. I have a feeling that along with her daytime uniforms, Faye will have enough clothes with her to outfit every girl at the school. If she’s anything like I was – and I believe she is – I couldn’t wait until classes were dismissed to get up to my room and change out of uniform. I sometimes regret that we don’t require them to be worn all day.

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The one luxury that Peggy had as a senior in the junior dorm was the corner bedroom. There were windows on two sides, with a wonderful view of the pristine grounds surrounding the building. It was decided that the three girls assigned to room with Peggy would be moved to the vacant room, so Peggy and Faye would remain in what was considered the best room, befitting their senior status. Since two of the girls, had just arrived that morning and were not really settled, the transfer didn’t cause too much of a stir for them. The third girl got a little huffy about having to move all her things after just getting settled. Peggy had to listen to her grumbling all the while she was helping Sister Sarah break down the two extra beds. They left the additional chests and chairs in the room so it didn’t look quite so bare.

Chapter 2

Get away from that window this instant!

The commanding voice of Sister Celeste started Peggy from her musings as she watched the older nun stride across the room.

This is supposed to be a period of quiet reflection. Return to your seats immediately.

As the girls scattered, Sister Celeste looked around the room. Spying Peggy in the corner, she headed in that direction.

There you are, Margaret. I should have known you wouldn’t be in the midst of those prattling hens.

Peggy smiled, pleased that she hadn’t let her curiosity get the best of her.

Margaret dear, Sister Felicia would like for you to return to your room. She wants you to be there to greet your new roommate.

Peggy didn’t know what to expect from Faye Farnsworth. Would she turn her nose up at her, the way Mitzi Phipps did? Of course, Mitzi never did this when others were around, especially the nuns. She would go out of her way to include Peggy in a conversation or activity, but Peggy knew it was all for show. Mitzi thought she had the nuns fooled, but in truth the only one she fooled was herself. Peggy could see why Sister Felicia didn’t want Faye to room with the likes of Mitzi – or any of the other seniors who were in her little clique. But why me? She asked herself. How could she possibly have any influence on someone who most likely considered herself far above everyone at St. Agatha’s? Especially me! If she has been in New York for the last three years, she’s probably sophisticated and worldly; as well as rich and spoiled. Mitzi will be all over her! Peggy said a silent prayer as she entered her room to await Faye’s arrival.

The luggage arrived ahead of her. The chauffer, along with Mr. Tompkins, the custodian and Mr. Grant, the groundskeeper, all struggled to maneuver the overly large suitcases and two trunks that most likely contained more clothes than Peggy had ever owned in her entire life. It was a good thing they had the extra closets and chests. It was Sister Sarah who appeared at the door with Faye, not Sister Felicia as Peggy had expected.

Margaret, I would like for you to meet Faye Farnsworth, your new roommate.

The tall, dark haired girl who stood before her looked as frightened of Peggy as Peggy was of her. And there was definitely a family resemblance between her and Sister Felicia. Except that there was no joy in Faye Farnsworth’s sullen grey eyes. When neither of them spoke, Sister Sarah chattered, I’ll just leave you two alone to get acquainted. Then surveying the stack of luggage, added, Looks like you’ll be spending the rest of the day unpacking. I do hope you will enjoy your time with us, Miss Farnsworth and I’m certain you will enjoy Margaret’s company. She turned and exited, closing the door behind her.

Faye looked older than her seventeen years. The girls at St. Agatha’s were allowed to wear lipstick, but no other makeup, such as rouge, mascara or foundation. Faye wore it all, and Peggy immediately wondered if she was going to have to be the one to tell her she couldn’t. She was dressed in a suit with a matching hat, shoes and purse; again, giving her the appearance of being older. And definitely more sophisticated. Although she wasn’t what Peggy would have classified as pretty, she was very attractive. And very intimidating. Peggy wanted to flee the room.

As Faye’s grey eyes began to take in her surroundings, Peggy took a deep breath and walked over, holding out her hand. My friends call me Peggy. Welcome to St. Agatha’s. Your bed is the one in the corner by the windows. There’s a lovely view and I thought you would prefer that side of the room.

Faye’s gloved hand reached out and barely touched Peggy’s. "Are all the rooms this drab?

This is probably the nicest room here – mainly because of the windows, Peggy said, attempting to sound as cheerful as possible. Then, knowing that she would find out soon enough, Peggy added, This is actually the junior dorm. The senior dorm is upstairs, but the rooms are much smaller so I requested that we have a room down here. I hope you don’t mind. I just thought you would like more space.

Why are the larger rooms in the junior dorm? That doesn’t make a lot of sense. Faye’s tone sounded more confused than disagreeable, so Peggy attempted to explain.

There are usually four girls to a room on this floor. I hope I wasn’t too presumptuous in my choice.

It doesn’t really matter. Faye replied with an indifferent shrug, I just have to endure this for nine months.

Peggy wasn’t certain if her tone was defeat or resignation. Whatever it was, she definitely wasn’t happy to be here.

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St. Agatha’s was renowned for its music department ever since the appearance of Sister Celeste McElroy. A graduate of the Julliard Institute in New York, she was schooled in both piano and voice. It was said she had a bright future as a performer, but when a fire destroyed her family home, claimed the lives of both her parents and left her with disfiguring scars over sixty percent of her body, her dreams of becoming a performing artist ended. After several years of depression, she felt that the accident was God’s way of leading her to her true calling as a nun. This was her sixteenth year at St. Agatha’s.

All students at St. Agatha’s had to participate in the choir. Whether you could sing or not was irrelevant – unless you were completely tone deaf. Sister Celeste’s favorite line to the girls was to praise God in song is to pray twice, and she had a way of instilling confidence in even the weakest voice. There were only two girls who fell into the tone deaf category. One was given a triangle to ping at certain intervals, while the other was put in charge of turning the sheet music for the piano accompanist. As choirmaster, Sister Celeste had zero tolerance for any form of misconduct in her class. Sister Gertrude played the piano most of the time, but on occasion, Peggy would play. Mitzi once complained about Peggy being both soloist and playing piano accompaniment. Sister Celeste simply turned to her and said, Fine Mitzi, why don’t you have a seat at the piano and play our next selection.

Mitzi, who couldn’t play chopsticks, sputtered and said in her most indignant tone, You know I don’t play the piano. I… I was referring to someone other than Peggy being soloist.

And would that someone be you, Mitzi?

Well, why not. I have a good voice and I know all the music as well as Peggy.

Okay, Mitzi, consider this your audition for soloist. Please sing the Ave Maria for us in the key of C…that is the key we use for our recitals, isn’t it Margaret?

Yes sister.

Go! commanded Sister Celeste, pointing to Mitzi.

But that’s too high for me! Mitzi, a true alto, was sputtering again.

So you recommend we alter all our arrangements to meet your voice. Sister Celeste made this comment as a statement, rather than a question, then added, Please be seated Mitzi. I’ve no time for petty jealousy and you’ve wasted enough of class time already.

While most of the girls snickered, Peggy blushed and actually felt rather sorry for Mitzi. Another reason for her to despise me!

Faye had a sweet, warm contralto that blended well with the choir. In the first few months of the school year, choir seemed to be the only period where Faye showed any measure of enthusiasm. She even complimented Peggy one evening on her exceptional voice.

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Faye wasn’t a reader, and overall, not a very good student. Peggy spent much of her free time helping her with math and science. Despite their physical closeness, Faye remained aloof for the most part, not only with Peggy, but with the other girls as well.

Mitzi honed in on her right away and was flatly rejected. Peggy was relieved that Faye didn’t gravitate toward her group, but understood that Faye’s acceptance of her wasn’t a bid for friendship. They lived in two different worlds and both knew it. Faye was at St. Agatha’s because her parents gave her no choice. Peggy was there to gain as much knowledge and experience in her love for music as the four years would allow, knowing perfectly well that she could never afford to go to college.

Peggy’s father had died when she was twelve, leaving her mother to support and raise Peggy and her nine year old brother, Dominic. They had done okay, but Peggy felt constant guilt over the fact that during the school year, she was not contributing in any way to support the family. Dom had spent every summer since he was ten working on their Uncle Dennis’ farm. The meager pay uncle Dennis could afford was given directly to their mother. During the school year, Dom ran a paper route in the mornings and worked as a stock boy at a local grocery in the evenings. All so she could stay at St. Agatha’s. She was the big sister, and should have been helping Dom. Instead, he was giving up most of his time with his friends to make sure that Peggy had the proper clothes and supplies she needed for school.

Their house, a large Victorian home located in what had once been considered an upper class neighborhood, had long ago been divided into three small apartments, along with the main living area occupied by Peggy, Dom and their mother, Edna. Most of the houses on their street were either apartment homes or boarding houses occupied by working class families who depended on the rental income, along with their paltry workers wages, to support their families.

Edna Valliant was an expert seamstress and did alterations and repairs at home for Bergman’s Laundry and Dry Cleaning Service. This income, along with the rentals, allowed her and her two children to live a modest life style. Edna made all of Peggy’s school clothes from quality fabrics and in the latest styles, so despite their lack of money, Peggy never had to be embarrassed about her appearance. She hoped that she would be able to repay both her mother and Dom one day.

Chapter 3

The school year passed quickly and while Peggy understood that she would never be accepted as Faye’s equal, they did develop a kind of friendship. Faye depended on Peggy to help her through her studies. Eventually, Faye took her into her confidence enough to share about the incident that resulted in her and her cousin being asked not to return to Raddley.

It had been the week after Easter break. Faye had spent the time with her cousin’s family at a summer cottage in Nantucket. She met a boy, a college student who thought Faye was older. According to Faye, they fell in love. He invited her and Betty to come up to Columbia for a Fraternity party the following week. They managed to sneak out without detection, but both of them drank at the party and by the time they left, were quite tipsy, as Faye put it. When they attempted to sneak back into the dormitory at Raddley, Betty stumbled on the stairs and they both broke into a fit of giggles, awakening the dorm matron. The only reason they didn’t get kicked out immediately was because there were only four weeks left before the school year ended, and fortunately, the only ones who knew about the incident were the dorm matron and the prioress. Both agreed it would be best to down play the incident rather than have questions asked about why the two girls were dismissed.

Peggy asked if Faye was still in touch with the boy, but she never answered. Her eyes just welled up and she turned away. She never spoke about him or the incident again.

When her mother and Dom came to Peggy’s graduation, she couldn’t help but notice the looks that Dom received from almost all of her classmates. Just a few months short of his sixteenth birthday, Dom had already been shaving for two years. His dark French looks, combined with a tall lean body, gave him a much older appearance. Since Peggy had inherited her mothers lighter hair, short height and much paler skin tone, the girls assumed that he was her boy friend, and rather than have them swarming all over him, she just smiled with pride and kept the truth to herself. Even Faye had commented on her gorgeous boyfriend, to which Peggy simply replied, He really is a fine looking man, isn’t he?

Mitzi couldn’t take her eyes off of Dom. When she made a beeline toward him while he was standing in a crowd next to their mother, Peggy grabbed her by the arm, and in a very uncharacteristic tone, said. Don’t even think about it! He’s taken and he’s not your type. The look that accompanied the remark sufficiently warned Mitzi away and sent Faye into a fit of laughter.

Perhaps it was just the joy of the day that later impelled Peggy to write down her home address and give it to Faye, telling her to keep in touch. She certainly never expected to hear from her again.

Chapter 4

The first summer after graduation, Bishop Delong did ask Peggy to continue as soloist on his weekly Bishop’s Hour radio show. She would receive a stipend that included the cost of transportation from their home in Bloomington to downtown St. Paul. It wasn’t a lot and Peggy hated the fact that it meant being away from her family on Sunday afternoons; but she loved singing and it was there that she first met Sean Patrick Shannon.

Peggy knew that Bishop Delong had invited the men’s choir from St. John’s University to be the guests on the Bishop’s Hour for their anniversary show. What she didn’t know was that they had accepted at the last minute, and when she arrived, she was met by the program director. He informed her that the opening hymn would be performed by the choir and she would sing the interim hymn. The choirmaster had also invited her to join the choir in the closing hymn and wanted to meet with her to make sure she was familiar with the selection they had chosen. The producer then led her over to a very tall, very redheaded young Irishman who had to practically stoop to shake her hand.

Hi, I’m Pat Shannon. His smile was broad and his perfect white teeth gleamed in the midst of his ruddy features. "I’ve heard you sing, and it’s hard to believe that that big voice comes from such a petite girl. I’m one of those people who can’t carry a tune in a bucket. That’s why I got selected as the Choir Manager, which is just a fancy title for an errand boy." This was all said with barely a breath being taken, and an underlying humorous tone that prompted Peggy to smile in return as she offered her hand.

"So you’re a ping, she said, enjoying the confused look on his handsome face. I’ll explain it to you later," she added as they proceeded down the long hallway toward the studio. She already knew she wanted there to be lots of laters.

Now, after two years of correspondence and summer dates, Peggy wore a small diamond engagement ring and thrilled at the thought of becoming Mrs. Sean Patrick Shannon. Pat would graduate in May with a degree in architectural engineering and a promising career with a large construction firm in Minneapolis. Their wedding date was set for one month after his graduation.

During the week, Peggy worked as a teller at a small bank. It had felt good to be contributing to the support of the family, and with Dom going into his junior year in high school, she hoped he would get a chance to spend time with his friends and participate in school activities. But Dom had other ideas and continued working just as hard as ever. He was now able to keep his earnings, the major portion of which he diligently saved.

Frank Valliant had been a mechanic and Dom inherited his fathers love for working with his hands as well as his mechanical aptitude. When Dom worked at his uncle’s farm, in addition to his farm chores, he was the one who kept the equipment running. That included his uncle’s truck and the family sedan; a 1925 Packard that his uncle promised Dom he would sell to him for a good price, when he graduated from high school. Dom intended to keep working so he could buy the car.

True to his promise, Dennis Valliant delivered the Packard to Dom the day of his graduation, along with his congratulations and assurance that the car had already been paid for by Dom’s loyalty and hard work over the past eight years. Dom, who had always tried to hide his emotions, being the man of the family and all, broke down as he hugged his uncle. After that, Peggy always teased him, saying the car was his first love.

Like Peggy, Dom had always known that he would never go to college. Uncle Dennis had offered to help pay his tuition and Dom appreciated the offer, but he didn’t want his uncle to waste his money when Dom had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. He loved working the farm in the summer and thought that someday he would like to own his own farm – but he also knew that he wanted something else – he just didn’t know what.

Chapter 5

Bloomington, Minnesota - September, 1933

It was a warm sunny afternoon, the week after Dom had returned from the farm. He was tinkering with the Packard behind the house when he heard a car pull into the drive. Walking around to the front of the house, wiping his greasy hands on a rag, he spotted a new Fleetwood LaSalle Coupe convertible with an attractive young woman at the wheel. As he walked toward the car, the woman removed her sunglasses and Dom thought she looked vaguely familiar.

Can I help you? he inquired, suddenly conscious of his disheveled appearance.

I’m looking for Peggy Valliant. Is this the right address? the woman inquired, looking at a piece of paper she held in her hand.

It is…was…that is she used to live here. She’s married….now she’s Peggy Shannon. They…she and her husband live in Minneapolis. Dom realized he was stammering and hoped his sun browned face covered his blushing. He was still trying to determine if he knew her but before he had a chance to say anything further, she cocked her head and asked, Have I met you before?

Dom smiled, I was just going to ask you the same question. He started to hold out his hand, but realized it was still quite covered in grease, so shyly pulled it back.

I’m Peggy’s brother, Dom.

That’s where I’ve seen you. You were at her graduation.

Then she burst into laughter.

Dom tried to think back. Did I do something stupid at Peg’s graduation? I must have. Why else would she be laughing at the memory?

She stopped laughing as abruptly as she had started offering her gloved hand to Dom. I’m Faye Farnsworth. I was Peggy’s roommate during our senior year and I apologize for laughing, but all of the girls, myself included, thought you were Peggy’s boyfriend. I think I know why she didn’t tell us differently. She emitted a low chuckle.

Now Dom was really blushing as he showed his greasy hand, certain that she would pull back. Instead of taking his hand, she reached for the door handle and stepped out of the car.

So our quiet little Peggy has a big brother that she chose to hide from her classmates. There was still a hint of laughter behind her comment.

Actually, I’m her younger brother…and, like I said, Peggy’s not here.

She was tall and had stepped uncomfortably close to him, boldly looking directly into his face. Dom tried not to sound irritated. His discomfort level being such that he wanted to flee, he merely took a step back.

Dom’s experience with the opposite sex was minimal; by his choice for the most part. He never cared for forward, pushy girls who openly flirted – and Faye was definitely flirting. Most of the girls he was attracted to seemed to be frightened off by the fact the he looked so much older than his classmates. The only girl he ever asked out, Mary Skaggs, claimed her dad forbade her to go out with him, saying he didn’t trust a boy who looked like that. Dom was never quite sure what that was, but was pretty sure his being Catholic and her being Methodist had more to do with her father’s distain for him than his appearance. They met secretly at the movies a couple of times, which was the extent of Dom’s experience in dating.

You’re kidding, Faye responded with a coy grin. I would never have guessed you were younger than Peggy. So-o-o, Dom, would you like to take a spin? I drove all the way down here to show off my new car. You wouldn’t want to disappoint me now, would you?

Now you’re kidding. There’s no way you want me and all my grease dirtying up that new upholstery.

I’ve got lots of time if you want to go clean up a bit. I’ll wait.

Dom looked at her in disbelief. You’re serious! Wow! That is some kinda’ car.

If you hurry, I may even let you drive it. You are old enough to drive? The last remark was said with a playful smile that had Dom blushing again.

Humph, he grumbled. Just don’t you go anywhere. I’ll be back in a jiff.

As he turned and ran to the house, he felt Faye Farnsworth’s eyes follow him. He didn’t care. He was going to go for a ride, maybe even get a chance to drive a brand spankin’ new Fleetwood LaSalle Coupe. Convertible no less!

Peggy had never talked about her classmates much. Not that Dom was that interested in all her hoity toity friends, as he had always referred to them. Most of the time he caught snatches of conversations between Peggy and their mom, but nothing ever stuck with him. Although he was certain that Peggy had mentioned Faye’s name before, he was a little embarrassed that he couldn’t remember anything about her or her family.

It didn’t seem to bother Faye that he asked questions about things he probably should have known. When the name Farnsworth finally sunk in, he felt rather dumb saying, "Farnsworth, as in Farnsworth Farms?"

Faye just laughed and replied, Afraid so.

"Why would you be afraid to admit that your father is…that you’re that Farnsworth?"

You are an innocent, she said with a sigh, then immediately added, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that the way it may have sounded. It’s just that most normal boys…men… are either intimidated by who my father is, or they assume that I’m a snob. Either way, they take off running. The ones who stick around are far more interested in my father’s money than they are in me.

Did you just say that I’m not normal? Dom teased.

Faye was quick with her comeback. "I just said you didn’t know who you were riding with until now, so if you want to bail out, have at it. I’m not stopping the car."

They drove around for several hours and Dom did get to drive on the way back to the house. When he turned to thank Faye for a great time, she reached across the seat and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Thank you. she said. That’s the most fun I’ve had in years. Would you mind if I dropped by some other time?"

Dom didn’t really expect to see her again, but the following week he was repainting one of the basement apartments when he heard a car in the driveway. When the horn honked, he knew it was Faye. Almost falling off the ladder, he ran out to greet her, rag in hand, this time wiping off paint.

You do like to get yourself dirty, don’t you Dom Valliant? There was laughter in her voice so Dom yelled back as he approached the still running car.

And you do like to drop by at the worst times, Faye Farnsworth. They were both laughing now.

Wanna go for a ride? I’ll let you pick the destination and even drive.

He didn’t hesitate with his response. It’s gonna take a few minutes for me to close up the paint and change my clothes. You may want to kill the engine.

Shutting down the engine, she stepped out of the car saying, Mind if I wait inside. I would enjoy seeing your mother again…that is unless you’d rather I didn’t.

"Actually, Mom’s working at the dry cleaners today, but you’re welcome to wait inside.

She’s been working there full time ever since Mr. Bergman’s wife died. Mom offered to help out up front until they could find someone, but she enjoyed it, so Mr. Bergman offered her the position. Now she does her mending and alterations in the evenings. Dom realized he was rambling so abruptly turned toward the house, adding, I shouldn’t be too long."

The top of the convertible was down, despite the fact that the weather had turned considerably cooler over the last week. Faye was dressed in a warm looking red sweater and stylish black slacks. A long plaid scarf was wrapped around her head, the ends tossed casually over her shoulders. With her sunglasses still in place, Dom thought she looked like a movie star, and wondered if any of the neighbors might be watching. For some reason, he was embarrassed to imagine what others might be thinking if they saw them go into the house together.

As Faye entered the house, she seemed to be taking in everything around her. Dom had never been ashamed of their home, but imagined that it must look pretty shoddy by Faye’s standards.

This is nice, she said as she walked into the living room. It looks so big from the outside, I guess I expected the rooms to be larger…but I actually prefer the warm coziness of a small room.

Her tone was casual and sounded sincere.

"I’ve been told that this was once a much larger room. There’s a small apartment on the other side of that wall. It’s been