Gifts

By Marianne Zarek

This is the story of Roseann, a young girl which grew up in a dysfunctional family and is left alone when her parents and sister die. Only then does she learn she is wealthy. She is strikingly beautiful but never uses this to her advantage. Through her talents, she meets several men, which become a part of her lifeit is the one which becomes her greatest gift.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496934413

Marianne Zarek

Marianne was born and lived most of her life in Fennimore, Wisconsin, a small town in southwest of Wisconsin. She now resides in Naples, Florida. She has three daughters, eight grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren living in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

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2014 Marianne Zarek. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/06/2015

ISBN: 978-1-4969-3442-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-3441-3 (e)

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To my three gifts:

Trudie, Sarah, and Marci.

Gifts

Roseann sat up. Where was she? Looking around she realized she was in a hospital or some institution being cared for.

But how and why?

Was she involved in an accident? Taking stock of her body, she knew there was only one very sore area. It was her chest and the pain was severe. There were tubes coming out of her chest, an IV attached to her arm. And then the realization came.

Think, think and recall. Yes, a terrible pain in her chest and nothing more, until now when she opened her eyes.

Not so long ago she had felt the pain. As we often do, she decided to see her doctor. Doctor Horton was a kindly, understanding man that had been the family physician for years. Upon telling Doctor Horton about the pain, he suggested some tests before making any diagnosis. The tests revealed a heart murmur, but nothing drastic to be concerned about.

Roseann’s work was very demanding as a home decorator. Many days had long hours and although 15 hour days were tiring She knew this was her time to reach her goal in the world of colors and design. Her present client insisted on perfection. Over and over again changes were made to satisfy Josh Newton, the owner of the old mansion on Hickory Lane. It seemed an ever challenging time.

Many days Roseann actually picked up hammer and nails to show the workmen what Josh expected. Walls were demolished and replaced, ceilings were lowered and then altered to a dome shape. Basic windows were all removed and then the area closed up as a wall became a new room. It was just an ongoing alteration of a once beloved home of the old couple now deceased.

At 28 years of age Roseann knew she could handle any request that Josh demanded. Roseann had grown up in about the most abnormal home where about the only daily routine was getting out of bed in the morning. Her mother was a self afflicting ego catastrophe. Her father passed away when she was in her early teens, leaving her mother lost and unable to cope with even the normal routine. So it was that her mother spent days in bed looking for Roseann or her sister to handle the work. Roseann’s sister Beverly was two years younger, and much like her mother looked to Roseann for direction.

Direction for Beverly was impossible as she just roamed the halls in school, not going into her classes and simply left to roam somewhere else. In time Beverly got involved with a group of druggies. Roseann found out about the situation too late to stop the inevitable. Beverly was only 16 when she was found dead in a deserted building on the edge of town.

With all this, now Roseann had to tell her mother and make funeral arrangements for her sibling. Thinking of the time when her father had died and her mother was unable to take charge, Roseann had handled all the details. Suddenly Roseann looked at the autopsy report on Beverly and remembered reading the one for her father. Being young it meant nothing more than the fact that her father was dead. It did say something about a massive what? Roseann could not remember more.

But that was the past and today was the time to rouse her mother and declare her as head of the house and must take charge. Her mother’s only worry was where was the match to light her endless smoking habit. This smoking habit was resulting in a very bad cough, but nothing said or done could deter her mother from this habit. It was then Roseann realized no one worked in their house, yet there was always money for food, necessities, and habit.

The funeral for Beverly was conducted at their local Christian church, burial beside her dad in the Cemetary of Angels.

Friends and neighbors came to their home following services with typical sympathy. What was not typical is that her mother got out of bed, dressed for the ceremony and then greeted the visitors as if all was normal. Did the loss of two family members finally change things?

Closing the door on guests also closed any change in her mother.

Angry, frustrated, Roseann decided to look through records in her father’s desk. his last Will and Testament was filed in a simple white envelope. The shock was just about more than Roseann could understand. They were wealthy people. Her father had arranged an easy life for her mother, and, if anything should happen to him a Trust had been established to supervise all bills for the household and family. Thus, there never was a need for her mother to take charge. It was just a simple, self serving person called her mother.

With this wealth, and now the knowledge of the Trustee, Roseann was able to plan on going to college. A contact with the Trustee assured her that the tuition and other expenses would be paid Left with this information at the age of 18 years, Roseann set out to enroll in a college of Arts in Chicago, Illinois.

She sent her resume and portfolio of her work and was immediatly accepted.

It was now time to tell her mother the future plans for herself.

With Beverly gone, Roseann explained she would continue to stay in touch and assist her mother in anything she needed.

Like the dead walking, her mother just nodded, lit another cigarette and coughed.

It seems we try every means of communication to get the attention of someone in another world. Perhaps a cup of coffee, sharing thoughts, looking into each others eyes might help. But the worst happened. As her mother took a sip of coffee she suddenly coughed and blood poured into the cup realizing this was serious. Roseann took her mother’s hand and lead her to their car for a trip to see Doctor Horton.

It was easy to explain what had happened and even easier for the doctor to put her mother in the hospital for tests. But it was not easy when she was diagnosed with cancer of the lungs.

With this news, Roseann was under the obligation of cancelling her college enrollment to stay with her mother. Days and weeks went by with slow deterioration, until the final breath ended another family member for Roseann.

Living with a disfuncational family Roseann had never acquired close friends or a boyfriend. Alone, alone and lonely now. Roseann had to consider her college again. As it was it turned out to be a simply new enrollment and Roseann was on her way to start a new life.

Chicago, Illinois, a thriving busy metrolis. Roseann rented an apartment near Lake Michigan. It was rather extravagant, but the Trustee advised her there was plenty of money for her to enjoy it. Not only did she have the Trustee from her father’s estate, but her father had a life insurance of $1,000,000 on her mother which she inherited as the only surviving family member.

Roseann had never spent time thinking about her beauty.

Now, she decided to take a good look at herself and shape up. To her surprise under the guidance of a beautician, a new woman emerged. Her chestnut hair was lightened and trimmed to enhance her face, eye brows plucked, and cosmetics applied as a gorgeous Roseann looked at herself in a mirror.

The new Roseann walked into her first Art Class with the confidence and stroll of a model on the runway. Eyes turned, smiled and drolled. Who was the beautiful creature? It didn’t take long for Roseann to receive date invitations.

A match had struck the flame and it was burning to glow in the warmth of men’s attraction.

Many art students strolled in and out of Roseann’s life.

No serious relationships were established, just fun times for a novice. She was learning the art of love making and ways to avoid entrapment.

The years of college sped by so quickly. Being on Cloud Nine seemed to hold the years of misery at home buried in the grave of her family members.

Roseann had finally found girlfriends who loved sharing the many opportunites presented to them by a rich girl. At times Roseann realized some of the girls were only interested in what she could give them so she decided to try a test. No friend was suspicious,so any event Roseann devised must mean she would plan something special

Before the last year of college Roseann suggested friends take a cruise during the summer break. There was one catch, each girl had to pay her own expenses, but Roseann promised she would host a couple special treats. Several so called friends excused themselves while several others leaped at the idea of sharing ten days on a Western Carribean cruise. It was then discovered that many girls also had enough money to enjoy luxury.

Ten days on the sea, visiting ports, buying, buying, buying.

Laughing, competing in ship board games, gaining weight as scrupous food was devoured, brought the girls closer. For Roseann it opened a new door. Never before did she have such good friends.

As the new experience of friendship developed so did new families. Roseann was being invited to Holiday events at friends homes. Involvement with families brightened Roseann’s life

And now the day, Graduation Day. Sitting in the assigned seats, awaiting her name being called, Roseann looked around the auditorium at the hundreds of smiling people. It was only natural that family members were looking for their graduating child. A tear found its way down her cheek, knowing there was no family member smiling down to gaze on her.

Shock and surprise made Roseann sit up straighter, for there was someone smiling at her. Old, Doctor Horton, had come to share her graduation victory.

Hats thrown in the air, cheers, and laughter as the ceremony came to an end. Roseann rushed out to hug her dear doctor friend. But the day was just beginning to be a shining new experience.

Several families of her friends had invited the doctor and herself back to their homes to toast this marvelous ceremony.

This renewing of Doctor Horton’s visit would in time be a need later in life.

And so, like all good things, it came to an end. Roseann’s heart was overflowing with joy. Now she would apply for the job she longed to do.

At 23 years of age, eager, soaring on wings of hope a job opportunity came. She was on the lower rung of the ladder in a Home Decorating establishment, but with anticipation she feared nothing. The sun always came up and the moon was full in her world.

I visualized fame and if, by luck,it would pass my way, I would devour it like a hungry shark. I could lay in wait, ready to strike. I could swim the deepest oceans and float onto the shoreline with perception, as if a dream. The power of my mental image revealed a showcase full to overflowing.

Day after day, the labor of love proved her ability to achieve, and it did not go unnoticed. Gradually by almost imperceptible degrees, she climbed the ladder.

Break times became a ritual with Kathy, Cindy, and Barb. These gals also worked for the Home Decorating Company. Too often the talk was about men in their lives. Roseann sat silent. She had nothing to offer. Childhood, teen years, had been spent nuturing her mother and sister, Beverly. College years opened up a few male encounters, but nothing which held. It was silence which made the other girls take notice. But break over and onto another time.

Following these break times, Roseann often lingered with the idea she needed a man in her life to completely fulfill her dreams. Subsequently it happened.

It happened just the next morning. Roseann lived on the third floor in apartment 333—the perfect place since 3 was her lucky number.

Time to punch the button for the elevator. Feeling strangely excited, the elevator door opened. There stood the handsomest blond Adona. Deciding he must be over 6 foot, broad shoulders and dressed like an executive, she could hardly breath. Then the Adona introduced himself as Richard from the seventh floor.

Roseann may have been scrutinizing him, but Richard was doing his own lookover. Roseann was 5 ft. 8 but with her stiletto heels she stood eye to eye with him.

Roseann’s makeover had defintely been worth the expense.

She was gorgeous and looking into Richard’s eyes she saw appreciation of her beauty.

Too soon the elevator reached the main floor, but not before Richard remarked it was a beginning of a new day and would like to meet her after work for coffee or a drink.

Roseann emotionally felt a tingle of excitement and agreed to meet, but where. Richard said there was a quaint little pub just a couple of blocks away. If the time is alright, he would meet her in the lobby of the apartment building at 6:30 P.M. He openly declared himself an exercise freak as he rode a bicycle to work.

As Roseann exited the elevator she felt a tingle of excitment.

It was when Richard took her hand to say goodbye as he had to stay on the elevator to the basement to pick up his bicycle,

How could a grown woman be such a clod? She nearly stumbled forward leaving the elevator. She was quivering with joy, but no time to delay as she needed to hail a taxi. The elevator door had not closed for Richard was watching her departure feeling something was about to change in his life. Richard was a self—made millionaire. Having attended Harvard to appease his father, he graduated with a law degree, but had no desire or intention of following that path. His college roommate had a father in an Investment Company and introduced Richard to his father who offered to accept him as a new Financial Advisor. So many young women requested the services of Richard. Being smart and handsome always has advantages.

Richard loved to exercise in a gym, play handball,and joined a golf club. It wasn’t long before other young adonas became his friends and clients. Richard had an expeditious character, producing confidence and an expertise in his business.

In a very short time Richard became one of the top Financial Advisers, riding high on cloud nine. There was no dark side on his cloud.

And now, today out of the blue sky Roseann stepped into his elevator chamber. This beautiful creature needed to be woed, but first who was she. There is alot of time when you are young.

Richard was just 33 years of age.

As he wheeled away on his bicycle, Roseann was reaching her office building in the Chicago Loop.

Floating on the magic carpet she bide good morning to all she passed. Eyes turned to watch her move. Was this the shy Roseann? Something has happened. Now just to pump the pump and fill the bucket. What change had occurred?

Kathy, Cindy and Barb had secretly joined the jury to put Roseann in the question box. It was not needed, as Roseann was bubbling over with the thrilling news about Richard. After tonight’s meeting she would have much more to tell.

The change in Roseann had not gone unnoticed by some of the young, eligile men in the company. Here was a beautiful, shy, woman who had always seemed to tall to reach, her heighth and her countenance. But a change had altered all this.

Quick to snatch the golden ring, Carlos, with his dark,stimulating composure whistled. Crazy does as crazy will.

Several whistles sounded in the rooms along the corridor.

The shyness fell off of Roseann like scales from from eyes that had been blind. She was seeing and aware men actually liked what they saw. This really was a new day and the wind was definintely blowing in her direction.

Using the swagger many Italian men possess, Carlos knocked on Roseann’s door. It was just mid—afternnon and Carlos confessed he could not stop thinking about her which was interferring with his work. He came around the desk and leaned in close, looking deep into her eyes and the highlights on her chestnut hair sparkled against his dark features.

Roseann leaned forward on her desk for support. Carlos was whispering in her ear. As abruptly as it had started, it was stopped as Cindy walked in. A snicker from Cindy eased the moment as Cindy backed out.

Apologies can be an endeavor to hide embarrassement, but Carlos was not to be denied his opportunity to ask Roseann for a date.

Reeling in what had just happened Roseann admitted she would enjoy a date with him. Not to delay the possibility Carlos asked about tonight. lt felt good. It really felt good for Roseann to state she was already engaged for this evening. A surprised Carlos requested the next night, but Roseann refused and said perhaps at a later time.

The summer days of July in Chicago can be very overbearing as the heat index reaches 90 degrees. The winds from Lake Michigan provide some cooling effect, but Roseann had no sense of time or temperature. Her life was making a turn. She had never known turns growing up as she had. Time had seemed to direct her path in a one direction and had only changed following the deaths of first her father, than mother, than Beverly.

Before the closing of the work day, the kindest man Roseann knew in the office stopped by. Dale of the smiling face and gentle attitude wanted to talk to her. He too, wanted to see if she would like to share a movie night with him. Laughter burst forth. She explained she was not laughing at him or his request. She was laughing at being asked out for a date when previously no man had noticed her. Could he explain why this sudden change. Now Dale was laughing as he responded all the men thought she was unapproachable. She never seemed to smile and always wrapped up in her work as if she wish to be isolated.

Today a new Roseann walked into the office. Did she realize she was smiling and humming a tune? It was like the song Open up and let the sunshine in.

Dale talked about how beautiful she was, so tall and picturesque yet so aloof. To many, she was untouchable and he guessed no one wanted to get burned.

With this sudden change all the staff would be asking what had changed this wooden goddess. The saying goes that you need salt to enhance food and people. Did someone shake salt on her?

Roseann was gracious and overwhelmed, yet she had to decline a date at this time. There was no dejection on Dale’s face, he just said he would try again.

What a day. Three men asking for a date. lf there was magic in the number 3, Roseann had struck gold.

The day ended and as if a whirlwind had taken hold, Roseann dashed out of the building barely taking time to tell everyone goodbye. She was off for her first real date. Naming Chicago the WINDY CITY only heightened her excitement as the wind swirled around her exit. Hair flying, heels clicking and a whistle for a taxi increased her joy.

What anticipation! What imagination! What desire! This was not like her. She was out of control.

The apartment building appeared all too soon so that she hardly had time to find money for the taxi driver. Was she mentally unbalanced? Yes, she was, and she didn’t care. She was just in a hurry to shower and don something more suitable than her work attired.

Right on the dot of 6:30 P.M. a model of loveliness walked out of the elevator. As if on clue, Richard was waiting with a smile to take her breath away.

Richard had said the little Pub was close so unless she preferred not to walk, he would hail a taxi. Roseann was already walking on air so this seemed right and wonderful.

Hand in hand the two block walk was short and precious. Richard loved the way Roseann could keep stride with him as her long legs marked each step with the click of her heels. There should have been a photographer around to take this picture with her hair blowing in the swirling wind as he would have liked to perserve not only in his mind but forever on print.

The floursent lights of Elmer’s Pub glowed in the early evening dusk. It was small, discrete, yet a fasionable pub which obviously catered to the young working crowd.

Richard was a frequent patron so it was Elmer, himself, that took a look at the lovely lady now on the arm of Richard and hummmmm.

Was it going to be coffee or perhaps a cocktail? Roseann preferred a red wine, but Richard was from the old beer school and ordered a Blue Moon. As if on cue, Elmer put a quarter in the juke box for the song Blue Moon. was Elmer a romantic?

You bet, and he was delighted that Richard had a date with this incredible beauty.

Not to be made a fool of, Richard asked Roseann to dance on the tinest dance floor either had ever seen. Roseann was just happy to know she would be held in Richard’s arms and as thinking alike, he had the same feeling. Another couple saw them dancing and decided it was a good idea. The only problem now was that there was hardly room for one couple to manipulate on the wee floor without another doing the same. The one solution was to dance close. As Richard held her, he realized what a jewel she was,only too quickly realize the word jewel had awakened his family jewels rubbing against her body.

Richard asked if they might sit down rather than fight the crowd.

The joke did not go unnoticed by Roseann. Her body was also sending out passionate feelings, and this was all too new to her. As for Richard, he did not want to scare her off on their first date.

They sipped their wine and beer while exchanging some details of their lives. It was difficult for Roseann to say she was alone in the world except for a favorite family doctor who still kept in touch. Without speaking of wealth she said she was advised to obtain an apartment in what was considered a safe part of Chicago. She admitted she was late in attending college because of family illnesses and death.

But college had proved a special time for her as she had many good and faithful friends. Those friendships with their families still offered her holiday get togethers which she continued to accept with gratitude for their love.

On occassion Roseann communicated with Doctor Horton, feeling he was her father figure.

But enough about me she said. What is your story Richard?

Richard came from a family with mother and father both lawyers.

It just deemed the family would always have lawyers in the plan of life. He said, he had grown up with all that for so long it wore on his sanity to where he rebelled causing a great deal of discord with his parents. He was an only child and expectations were to follow the yellow brick road to never, never land without an detour.

After graduation, Richard informed his parents of the offer to become a Financial Advisor. He was smart and had excellent instints about investments. And, to seal the deal he already had a job offer with an Investment Company.

No pleading, no sniveling, no how can you do this,would change his mind. It took sometime, but when he proved he had the ability and showed his parents his financial status, they relented with dignity and pride.

So, to date his life has been pretty good, and she smiled in agreement.

The music on the jokebox ended. Their g1asses were empty and on cue Elmer arrived to see if they wanted anything else. He had to mention they had a special Chicago only ball park sandwich to melt in your mouth. The ingredients were a hidden recipe from his German grandmother. How could anyone refuse the challenge.

Richard wanted another Blue Moon, but Roseann said ice water would be sufficient. You needed a Dagwood size mouth to do justice to this Dagwood size sandwich. Both laughed at how to attack it, but when desperate you just go at it. As huge as it was they both finished to the last crumb. Like two small children it was a merry time in a merry place.

Going back, the walk was a welcome answer to full tummies.

They took the elevator up to the third floor where Roseann lived.

As Richard held the door, his desire to kiss her was over powering but morally he held back since it was the first date.

The look in Roseann’s eyes showed she did expect him to kiss her.

There is something about eager twinkles that offer up an opportunity. It would have to wait until another time.

Richard said he was going to be gone the coming weekend with friends. They were playing golf at the Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, the home of the Bunny Club where Hugh Heffner reined.

He emphasized it was a male outing every couple of months to different golf courses. A needed break from the pressures.

He asked Roseann if she golfed, and learned she had never had an opportunity with the responsiblites of her growing up life.

It was then he sensed something in her back ground that was sad and perhaps unpleasant. He would have to search out this part of her life

Now it was late and Roseann exited the elevator, smiling over this new part of her life. Richard did toss a kiss as the door closed. Not to loose it, as the door closed she thrust out her arm to catch the evaporating figment of a kiss.

The only memory of the evening was that each morning a rose appeared at her door. No message, nothing.

Neither Roseann or Richard had discussed when they leave for work, so it was the end of the week before they both shared the elevator ride. Each had a strenous work load and the tired lines showed on each. Roseann