Love Connection

By Sally A Allen

Mae Warner was a special person. She ruled with an iron hand when her daughters, Glenna and Jamie, were in their formative years. She possessed a bright smile and had a lovely sense of humor.
She was beautiful with flaming auburn hair and a regal face. She had prominent cheekbones and full lips that she painted with red lip gloss. Mae knew her auburn hair didnt call for red lipstick, but she wore it anyway. Her figure, at five feet two, was lush and curvaceous. Men of all ages stared at her like there was no one else in the room.
Jamie was ten years younger than Glenna and resembled her mother with the same auburn hair and snapping brown eyes. Glenna took after her deceased father and was a platinum blonde with blue eyes.
Their friend, Cheryl, lived down the road from them, and the two vied for her attention. Even though Cheryl was seventeen years old, the same age as Glenna, she was seventeen going on twenty-six, and Mae Warner wasnt sure she was a good influence on her daughters.
Cheryls family lived in a sprawling colonial-style home and was one of the richest families in town. Her father owned a paper mill, and most of the people in Plainfield worked for him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493161096

Sally A Allen

Sally A. Allen is originally from Wisconsin and currently lives in West Central Florida with her schnauzer, Sibby. While her novels are fiction, she draws from the many experiences she’s had in her life. Visit her website at www.sally-allen.webs.com.

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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

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

CHAPTER 34

CHAPTER 35

CHAPTER 36

CHAPTER 37

CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 41

CHAPTER 42

CHAPTER 43

CHAPTER 44

CHAPTER 45

CHAPTER 46

CHAPTER 47

CHAPTER 48

CHAPTER 49

CHAPTER 50

CHAPTER 51

CHAPTER 52

CHAPTER 53

CHAPTER 54

CHAPTER 55

CHAPTER 56

CHAPTER 57

CHAPTER 58

CHAPTER 59

CHAPTER 60

CHAPTER 61

CHAPTER 62

CHAPTER 63

CHAPTER 64

CHAPTER 65

CHAPTER 66

CHAPTER 67

CHAPTER 68

CHAPTER 69

CHAPTER 70

CHAPTER 71

CHAPTER 72

CHAPTER 73

CHAPTER 74

CHAPTER 75

CHAPTER 76

CHAPTER 77

CHAPTER 78

CHAPTER 79

CHAPTER 80

CHAPTER 81

CHAPTER 82

CHAPTER 83

CHAPTER 84

CHAPTER 85

CHAPTER 86

CHAPTER 87

CHAPTER 88

CHAPTER 89

CHAPTER 90

CHAPTER 91

To Jacob, my mentor and friend. Thank you for believing in me.

CHAPTER 1

Mae Warner was a special person. She ruled with an iron hand when her daughters, Glenna and Jamie, were in their formative years. She possessed a bright smile and had a lovely sense of humor.

She was beautiful with flaming auburn hair and a regal face. She had prominent cheekbones and full lips that she painted with red lip gloss. Mae knew her auburn hair didn’t call for red lipstick, but she wore it anyway. Her figure, at five feet two, was lush and curvaceous. Men of all ages stared at her like there was no one else in the room.

Jamie was ten years younger than Glenna and resembled her mother with the same auburn hair and snapping brown eyes. Glenna took after her deceased father and was a platinum blonde with blue eyes.

Their friend, Cheryl, lived down the road from them, and the two vied for her attention. Even though Cheryl was seventeen years old, the same age as Glenna, she was seventeen going on twenty-six, and Mae Warner wasn’t sure she was a good influence on her daughters.

Cheryl’s family lived in a sprawling colonial-style home and was one of the richest families in town. Her father owned a paper mill, and most of the people in Plainfield worked for him.

Jamie and Glenna’s father worked at the mill as a machine tender until he got his arm caught between two gigantic rolls of paper and was sucked between them. When the workers pulled his body out, it was pressed as flat as a piece of cardboard. All the bystanders watched in horror. They knew immediately that Bill Warner was dead.

As was the custom, the town’s church bells tolled ten times, signifying a death at the mill. Everyone in Plainfield heard the sound and grieved for the dead person’s family, hoping that it wasn’t one of their loved ones.

From that day on, life changed completely for the Warner family. Mae Warner was an excellent seamstress. She worked part time at J. C. Penney’s doing alterations and making beautiful dresses for the wealthy women in town, who paid her handsomely. She made enough money to pay the mortgage and take care of the household expenses, but there wasn’t much left over at the end of the month.

Bill’s small pension and life insurance paid for the extras, and Mae’s parents added some money for their two darling granddaughters. They also set up a trust fund, which they could claim when they reached eighteen. It was earmarked for a college education. Neither Joe nor Helen Burke had gone to school beyond the eighth grade, and they wanted to make sure their grandchildren got a higher education.

CHAPTER 2

Two Sundays of every month, the Warner family drove out to Grandma and Grandpa’s farm after church to have a delicious meal that Helen had prepared. It was down-home cooking, like baked chicken or beef pot roast. Her favorite was pork and sauerkraut because of her German heritage.

It was one of the Sundays when Glenna begged their mother not to take them. In her mind, she was getting too old for family outings.

Aw, Mom, why do we have to go? Glenna whined.

Yeah, all the kids are having a party at the skating rink, Jamie added.

Grandma and Grandpa are expecting us. Grandma’s already cooking something wonderful for dinner.

Mae knew Glenna would soon be involved in school functions and friends, and she wouldn’t spend as much time with the family, but she wanted to put it off as long as she could. You girls can bring your skates and do figure eights on Grandpa’s pond, she told them.

Please let us stay home so I can go to the party, Glenna begged.

Jamie looked at her with disgust. You just want to see Kurt Dolan. He’s got the hots for you!

Mae’s ears perked up. She placed her hands on her hips and scowled. Who is this Kurt Dolan?

La de da, Jamie said dramatically. He’s only the most popular guy in school. He’s a hunk and the quarterback of the football team.

Mae’s heart fell. She didn’t want to accept the fact that Glenna was old enough to have boyfriends. She could feel her slipping away from her, and for a moment, she panicked, but she knew Glenna wouldn’t stay attached to her apron strings forever.

Mae sighed. Okay, I promise this will be the last time I insist that you go, but Grandma and Grandpa are expecting you today.

Glenna knew that she had lost the battle. I’ll call Cheryl and tell her I can’t make it, Glenna said with disappointment.

Jamie hurried out of the room to get their skates.

Snow was falling lightly as Mae drove down the already slippery highway. She clung tightly to the wheel, trying to keep the car on the road. Once, they slid sideways and narrowly avoided skidding into a ditch.

I told you I didn’t want to go! Glenna screamed.

Be still, and let me drive, Mae barked. See how many different states you can find on the license plates of the cars we pass.

There are no other cars, Glenna said sullenly.

Then find numbers on the road signs, and see how high you can get.

Glenna pouted, but Jamie hollered, I see a one!

The girls had reached twenty before Mae left the main road and drove down the small rutted road that took them to their grandparents’ farm. It was snowing harder now, and the pine trees on either side of the road were picturesque. Their branches hung low under the weight of the heavy snow, and ice was forming on the branches.

When Mae was a quarter of a mile down the road, the farmhouse came into view. A waft of smoke drifted out of the chimney, and Mae knew a fire was burning brightly in the fireplace.

For a minute, she reflected back on the wonderful times she and Bill had spent there, but she pulled herself together and parked the car next to a giant woodpile.

Glenna, apparently forgetting her objections to coming, quickly got out of the car and ran up the hill to where Grandpa Joe was standing on the stoop, waiting. Rusty, his golden retriever, was barking excitedly at his side.

They all stomped the snow off their boots and placed them on a rubber mat just inside the door. Grandma hugged both girls soundly. Here are my babies! she exclaimed, causing Jamie and Glenna to exchange a look of tolerance.

Rusty turned around in circles, wanting to be petted, and Joe stoked the fire. He was burning birchwood from the trees on his property.

When the family had Christmas at the farm, the huge pine tree came from the property too. Grandpa chopped it down a few days before Christmas so it wouldn’t dry out and lose its needles before New Year’s. After that, Joe stuck it in a snowbank and hung seedballs on it so the birds would have food through the cold winter.

Come on, Helen cried, clapping her hands. Let’s all have some hot buttered rum. That should warm us up!

Mae started to protest, but Grandma cut her short. Don’t worry, Mae. I’ll make the shots small. Wouldn’t you rather have your kids sample liquor at home rather than out with some irresponsible kids?

Mae looked sheepish, and the girls yelled Way to go, Grandma in unison, Jamie grinning from ear to ear.

Amen, Grandpa said, laughing heartily.

Jamie sniffed the air. What smells so good?

You won’t like it, Helen scoffed. I made my famous chop suey.

Yeah, that’s my favorite. Thanks, Grandma! Jamie squealed, launching herself into Helen’s arms.

Nothing fancy tonight, just chop suey with rice and Chinese noodles on top. Joe will want a roll, and if you want one too, I have a whole package of them.

We’ll finish our drinks at the table, Joe said, leading the way.

The meal was served on the large oak table, and Grandpa poured them all coffee, asking them if they wanted cream or sugar.

Mae frowned. Don’t get them started drinking coffee, she complained.

Nonsense, he replied. My pop served me some when I was ten years old, and look at me, it didn’t stunt my growth.

He was right. At sixty-nine, he was still a robust man with broad shoulders and bulging muscles in his arms. He stood about six feet two.

Mae couldn’t disagree, so she said, I like my coffee black. The girls ordered the works.

At least you don’t smoke that dreadful pipe with that strong Eight Brothers odor anymore, Mae scoffed.

I intend to have a puff later, except with Prince Albert.

Good for you, Grandpa, Jamie cried.

Smoking is hazardous to your health, Mae chastised.

I’ve smoked for fifty years, why quit now?

I hound him to quit every day, but he won’t listen to me, Helen interjected.

Who’s the boss around here anyway? Joe joked. After dinner, I’ll hitch up old Ben, and we’ll take a ride through the woods on the sleigh. How would you girls like that?

Jamie nodded enthusiastically, but Glenna answered, I’ll stay here and help Grandma clean up.

All right, Joe answered, knowing she was afraid of horses.

Later, the two of them came back to the farm, covered with snow, cheeks rosy from the wind.

It’s nasty out there, Joe said. I think it’s better if you guys spend the night.

Can we? Glenna asked excitedly, thinking of her grandmother’s soft down comforters she had on every bed.

Mae agreed. I don’t want to drive home in this awful weather, and the schools will probably be closed tomorrow anyway.

I’ll get my accordion out, and we’ll sing some old songs, Joe said.

Yes! the girls cried.

Grandpa came back with his accordion, and they launched into a hearty version of You Are My Sunshine. The girls forgot all about skating and went to bed after the songfest.

The main road was plowed in the morning, so they made good time going home. When they got there, the girls went into the backyard to build a snowman.

Mae watched them out the window. Life is truly for the young, she thought. She decided to give the girls cross-country skis for Christmas; she knew they would be thrilled with them.

That night, about ten o’clock, a car full of noisy boys drove by the house, screaming and honking the horn.

Who was that? Mae asked.

Lover Boy, Jamie replied, and Glenna looked away, blushing furiously.

I’ll see Kurt in the morning at school, she said.

He should have some manners. The neighbors are probably sleeping. After all, it’s ten o’clock.

That’s not late, Mother, Glenna complained.

It is for you. It’s a school night. You two take a shower and hit the hay.

Jamie obeyed immediately, but Glenna looked out the window to see if the guys came back. Seeing no one, she reluctantly went upstairs.

CHAPTER 3

Cheryl called Glenna the next day. Mae frowned when she handed the phone to her. It’s Cheryl, she said curtly.

Hey there, Glenna said into the phone.

I missed you at school today, Cheryl said. I was going to tell you about Kurt’s birthday party at the park tomorrow night. You know, snowball fights, the works. She giggled. I hope all of us guys and gals will enjoy it, if you know what I mean.

Glenna knew too well what she meant, and that’s why she avoided any so-called parties. She hesitated. I guess I can come, she said with trepidation.

You’ll be glad you did! Kurt will pick you up at eight o’clock, okay?

Glenna’s heart started to hammer. Kurt was picking her up! She couldn’t think of any reason not to go. How long will this shindig go on? she asked. I have a twelve o’clock curfew.

Oh, come on, you can break it. Your mother can’t be that stuffy.

Glenna could picture her mother waiting up and watching the clock until she came home, but the idea of being with the dreamboat Kurt was more important than anything else. I’ll be ready, she said, the image of her mother flying out of her mind.

That night, Glenna had erotic dreams about Kurt. She wrapped her arms around her pillow, imagining it was him. How sweet it would be to get her first real kiss from him. Her only experience had been a peck on the cheek from a creep she didn’t know anymore.

There were already about thirty kids at the party when Glenna and Kurt arrived. Someone’s boom box was loud enough to split eardrums.

Several couples were dancing, their bodies so close together that a piece of thread couldn’t have come between them. Others were drinking beer and singing loudly, an indication that they were on their way to oblivion.

Kurt put his arm around Glenna and gave her a playful kiss on the cheek. I guess we should have gotten here a little earlier. The party’s in full swing already. He squeezed Glenna’s arm. We’ll just have to make up for lost time.

He pulled her over to the beer cooler and took out two bottles. He handed one to Glenna and said, That damn cooler is only half-full. He kicked a kid’s beer out of his hand in fury.

The kid called him an asshole, and Kurt jerked the boy up by the collar and shook him. Who do you think you’re talking to? Do you know who I am? he screamed.

Some other kids, obviously friends of the boy, jeered, Yeah, you’re the team’s hotshot quarterback who thinks his shit don’t stink.

Kurt clenched his fists and made a move toward them but suddenly realized the fight would be five to one. Before he turned around, he gave them the finger. Up yours! he shouted.

He looked around and realized Glenna was gone. Stupid broad! he raged to himself. He should have hit on Cheryl; she was loose and had bigger boobs. All the guys on the team knew she didn’t care whom she was with.

Kurt didn’t see Glenna anywhere, so he sat down next to Cheryl and put a hand on her knee, noting she was already lethargic from drinking.

He pulled her to her feet. Come on, baby, he crooned. Let’s take a little walk in the woods. Kurt had completely forgotten that he had come to the party with Glenna.

He tried to pull Cheryl toward him, but to his surprise, she hauled off and hit him square in the nose.

Kurt reeled backward with his nose bleeding. He windmilled and fell on his backside into a pile of snow.

The boy and his group of friends joyfully peppered him with snowballs, hooting and hollering.

Glenna watched the scene with disgust. She grabbed Cheryl’s arm. Let’s get out of here, she hissed. If you want to stay here, you can, but I’m walking home!

Cheryl shook her head to clear it. Yeah, let’s go, she agreed. I always knew Kurt was a creep, but I thought I’d let you find out for yourself.

Together they trudged through the snow to the road that would take them back to town.

Without hesitation, Cheryl stuck out her thumb at the first car that came by. Glenna grabbed her arm. You can’t hitchhike! she screamed.

Can you think of any other way to get home? Cheryl screamed back.

The girls were almost frozen after five cars had passed them. Dejectedly, Cheryl stuck her thumb out again.

Finally, a car approached them slowly, looking as if it might stop. Too late, Cheryl realized it was a squad car. Let’s run back in the woods! she hollered.

Glenna put her hand on Cheryl’s arm and held on tightly. The cops will give us a ride home or, at least, get us out of this place. Look! It’s starting to snow again!

The car pulled over, and one of the officers got out. Come on, he said to the girls. We’ll take you home. Then he added sarcastically, I guess you didn’t like the party.

He opened the back door and motioned for the girls to get in. The blessed warm air washed over them as they crawled into the seat.

Where to? the officer asked.

Glenna quickly gave him her home address.

The driver said, Okay, we’ll take you gals home and then come back to bust up the party. Drinking is illegal in Wisconsin if you’re under twenty-one.

Glenna breathed a sigh of relief. She hoped Kurt would wind up in jail. Surely, his big mouth would get him in trouble there. The inmates wouldn’t put up with his nonsense. They didn’t care if he was the quarterback of the football team either.

Hearing Cheryl and Glenna coming up the front steps, Jamie ran and opened the door. You guys look frozen! Hurry in!

Glenna’s mother appeared behind her. Home so early? she asked.

Yeah, the party was a bust. No one was there because of the cold, Glenna lied.

Who brought you home? Mae asked suspiciously.

Cheryl piped up. Calvin Nelson, she said, knowing Mrs. Warner would know he was the class nerd.

You girls get out of those wet clothes, and I’ll make you a hot cup of cocoa.

Glenna looked at Cheryl. Are you up for it? she asked.

Thinking beer and cocoa wouldn’t mix, she shook her head no.

Mom, can we have coffee just this once?

Coffee isn’t good for you! Jamie exclaimed. Just because we drink it with Grandpa doesn’t mean we can drink it here.

Just once? Glenna begged.

Mae thought about it and said, I guess you’re old enough. I’ll go put a pot on.

Cheryl smiled. Thanks, Mrs. Warner.

We’ll go upstairs and change. We’ll be back before it’s ready, Glenna said.

Jamie pouted. If they can have coffee, then I can have beer like Grandpa does.

Mae gave her a look. Go get your pj’s on. It’s your bedtime, my dear.

Jamie made a face and stood rooted to the spot.

Get! her mother said, and she left the room, muttering to herself.

Upstairs in the bathroom, Cheryl and Glenna were gargling with mouthwash to cover the odor of beer. When they were done, they walked downstairs like innocent lambs and sat down at the kitchen table to have a cup of coffee.

Jamie came downstairs clad in her pajamas with rabbits on it. She snuggled up to Glenna, wanting to sit on her lap. Glenna picked her sister up and kissed her on the cheek.

I smell something bad! Jamie exclaimed. What is it?

It’s just my perfume, Glenna replied lamely.

You could have fooled me, Jamie said deviously.

Mae broke in. Jamie, I said it was your bedtime. She remembered what it was like when she was Glenna’s age. She had to try everything, including drinking a beer. Glenna’s trying a new perfume. Now go to bed.

Yuck! Jamie exclaimed as she got up to go upstairs.

Mae turned to the girls. Just don’t make a habit of it, she instructed. Girls will be girls. I know that from experience, but you’ve tried it, and that’s enough.

Nothing else was said on the subject. The girls knew to leave well enough alone.

Can Cheryl sleep over? Glenna asked.

If her mother says it’s okay, Mae replied.

"I told her