Love Anytime

By Rosie Moore

Love Anytime is a mostly fictitious love story, with some true-life episodes included. It is the story of a young girl who tries to circumvent and overcome a problem or difficulty in a clever and surreptitious way. She thinks she finds the answer when she meets the love of her life until war, imprisonment, and the chaos of life keep them apart. Will their love survive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 5, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984517791

Rosie Moore

Rosie enjoys reading, people, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She started writting at a young age. In the last decade, people suggested she try to get her writting published and she had since published three books. Rosie grew up in Lancaster, PA. for the first 46 years of her life, before she moved to Knoxville, TN, where she currently resides surrounded by her loving family.

Book preview

Prologue

Jada was sitting at a picnic table that was situated in Pavilion 337. She was busy writing; papers, notebooks and pencils surrounded her. The only comfort she found in her life was her writing.

The day was slightly hazy, not very hot, a little on the cool side. Occasionally a gentle breeze blew, ruffling her hair. Once in a while her eyes would lift from the pages and she would gaze at the scenery confronting her; the green trees, the bushes, and the other pavilions, and especially the rolling hillocks of the park.

Once she looked up and saw a man ambling toward her. A few minutes later her eyes noticed a pair of shoes directly in front of her. Now what? She wondered. She raised her eyes, and it was him! It was her beloved Jordon. She often wondered where and when she would see him again.

She didn’t expect this—not here—not now.

She leaned back and nibbled on the end of her pencil. Then she laughed. Joy told me that I might not recognize you, but she was wrong. I would have known you. It must be your eyes, and that smile…. But there was no smile.

He put a foot on the picnic bench and leaned towards her. His eyes were devoid of feeling and his voice was low and slightly menacing.

What are you doing here? Why did you come back? Don’t think you’re going to cause any trouble. I won’t let you, get that through your head!

Her face turned white. She was astounded. She never expected this outburst. Quickly she rose and started to gather up her memorabilia. Tears had come to her eyes. She turned away so that he wouldn’t see them. A cloud obliterated the diminishing sun and the air got cooler.

I don’t know what you mean. I didn’t—don’t want to cause any trouble. I came back because this is my home…. She couldn’t speak any more. With her arms full of her writing material, she ran to her car, jumped into it, put her head on the steering wheel and sobbed uncontrollably. After a few moments there was a tap on her window. She looked up. He opened the door, took her arm, and said, come here, I want to show you something. They walked down the road towards the park’s outer edge. Step by step, together, as they used to—only now they weren’t holding hands as in the long-ago days. She remembered how her head only came to his shoulders, how he would stoop to take her chin and bend his head to kiss her. But they never had trouble walking together. He would hold her hand tightly and keep in step with her.

She was hic-cupping from her sobs but eventually they stopped. The tears also ceased pouring from her eyes. He took her hand and helped her up one knoll and down another. Neither said a word. Finally, he stopped. They were in a secluded spot, on the bank of a small stream. Near them stood a huge tree.

Remember that tree? It was a lot smaller many years ago.

That’s it? That’s the tree where…. She was going to say, where you gave me my first kiss…and where you held me in your arms as we sat….but the words were stuck in her throat.

Yes, that’s it. Look, I’m happily married—

And I’m happily single, she replied, a note of bitterness entering her voice. He pulled her down and they leaned against the golden-leafed tree. A few dead leaves were curled under their legs, while larger ones drifted aimlessly from the limbs above their head. Pictures of the many happy times they had there floated past her eyes. The walks they took, riding on the handlebars of his bike while he whispered sweet murmurs in her ear. Sitting in his car on a snowy road, huddling under blankets, drinking hot chocolate. All these things happened in this park.

Suddenly her reverie was broken by the feel of his lips on hers. After the first second of shock, she responded, giving in to the longing she felt in her soul It had been so, so long since his lips touched hers, years and years had gone by. With a jolt she came back to reality.

Oh, no, she cried, jumping up, we mustn’t do this. You are a married man! I’m sorry, I’m sorry—

I sorry too, he said, as he rose and dusted the gritty, dry dirt from his slacks. I didn’t mean for this to happen, but, look, it wasn’t your fault.

Oh, Jordon, no, it wasn’t anyone’s fault. Just promise me one thing; come to me when you are free. He turned away from her, gazing into the darkening stretch of land that was being covered by twilight. He wanted to reassure her, but he was afraid. Too much, so much, had happened. Could anything be regained?

They walked back together to her car. When she got in, he turned without saying goodbye and walked off. He felt like a fool. He hadn’t meant to make her cry, he hadn’t meant to sound derogatory and mean. Actually, he had wanted to explain to her why he married—but he shook his head. He just couldn’t do it. His hurt feelings came to the surface and he wounded her instead.

Jada drove slowly home to her little cottage which was built about a quarter of mile from the bank of the Conestoga Creek. She had been looking for a place when she returned to Lancaster. She didn’t want to impose on her friend, Joy, any longer than she had to. The realtors showed her a lot of glamorous abodes, most of them way too large for her. Then there were others that were crummy or too small and surrounded by other apartments that seemed to enclose her until she couldn’t breathe. They reminded her too much of the apartments she grew up in.

She had given up all hope of finding anything and was lamenting to her friend, Joy, that she stayed with. Joy, who still looked at the world with eyes of disillusionment and cynicism while, at the same time, she managed to purvey an I don’t care attitude. They had kept in touch during the years. Once or twice, when Jada returned to the city they had lunch and talked about old times, the good times, there was never a mention of the terrible times. When Jada needed a place to stay, her friend cajoled her into staying at her home. She said she would enjoy the company. She had never married, kept going with one guy after another; she could never settle down with one.

What are you looking for" Jada once asked her.

All I want is someone to like me for what I am; not for what I can give them or do for them. I can’t find anyone like that, Jada, I don’t know why. Joy looked out the window of the restaurant where they were dining. She watched with interest the passers-by, and wondered if they were happy and satisfied with their lives. Is anyone, she wondered?

Jada clasped Joy’s hands. But, Joy, who are you?

Joy looked at Jada dispassionately, then answered Jada’s question with a question of her own. and who are you? Jada squeezed Joy’s hand harder and laughed. I asked you first.

Joy didn’t answer for a few seconds, then she said with a whisper, leaning towards Jada. Oh, Jada, I don’t know. I don’t know why I was born, why my life was the way it was, and, most of all, I don’t know how to reconcile my life of today with the life I used to have.

How do you mean that, Joy?

I mean, when I was younger I wanted to be out on my own. I wanted to grow up fast, then, all of a sudden, I was grown up and it wasn’t what I thought it would be—but, she gave a little laugh, of course, I got used to it. I have a fairly good job, everything seems to be going pretty smoothly….

But? Jada leaned back in her chair, relinquishing her friend’s hand and Joy leaned back also. She said quietly, Jada, I do know who I am. I don’t know why my father treated me the way he did….no, that’s wrong, I did learn through therapy why he was the way he was, but, of course, that does little to appease me. I’ve tried to put it all behind me, and I really think I have. I guess I mean, I haven’t found my niche in life yet. I don’t fit into life yet. You know what I mean? It sounds silly, I know.

Jada shook her head, then leaned forward again. You know what, Joy? I do know what you mean a little bit. I don’t think I’ve found my niche yet either, although I am happy when I’m writing. I think that may be what I am destined to do. But there is a part of my life missing….

Joy thought she knew what caused the hesitancy in Jada’s voice. You’re thinking about Jordon, aren’t you? Then she gave a little mischievous laugh. I’ve been waiting for you to ask about him.

Jada grew a little pink. Well, you know, I always do. Have you seen him lately?

Joy went to the little church where Jada had taken her fifteen years ago. Jordon’s father still preached there. When Jada heard that Joy started attending there, she immediately ran her on the phone, and made a luncheon date with her, then yelled at her before they got in the door. What do you mean by going there? When I wanted you to go, you said you wanted no part of it!

Joy looked at her friend for a minute, then said, Jada, don’t you think I needed someone, or something, after what I went through? I depended on myself for so long and look where it got me. When I got out, I had no friends, no one to turn to. Joy shuddered. She didn’t really want to relive that horrendous time, but she felt as if she owed Jada an explanation.

She gave a little laugh. Remember when Reverend Stoner would come around and sell you and your Nana vegetables? Well, I found out that he used to come to our house too, only I never remembered seeing him. I probably was out somewhere or maybe upstairs. She stopped and swallowed, then continued. Well, anyway, when I got out, I went home and it was awful at first. My mother and I had to learn to live together again, to forgive each other, God, Jada….

Jada leaned across the table again and touched Joy’s hand, Look, let it go. If it hurts this much….

No, it’s OK, Jada. Joy wiped her tearful eyes and continued. I happened to be home when Rev. Stoner came one day and invited both Mom and me to church. That’s how it started. I felt peaceful there, the comfort that I needed was there. Sometimes I think, well, no, I won’t go this day. But, when I don’t go, I feel as if I’m really missing something. But, to answer your question, yes, I see Jordon occasionally. You know he’s married, don’t you?

Oh, yes, I knew that. She also knew that the pain she felt whenever she thought of him was always there, close to her heart.

Surely, you don’t still love him, do you? Joy asked.

Jada didn’t answer, but said, Come on, let’s get out of here.

As they hurried to catch a bus, Joy suddenly stopped. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner. I know the perfect place for you, Jada. You’ll love it. It’s a little cottage along the Conestoga Creek. It sits on its banks, but not too closely. It was my brother John’s. Remember, how he used to take off every weekend and go hunting? He always wanted to be alone, to wander the woods. Actually, sometimes he scared me and Mom too, of course. Later we found out why he left…he knew, well, you know….

Oh, Joy, he did? Oh, gosh, I didn’t know that, I mean, you never mentioned….

Joy punched her in the arm. I’ll find out about it—tonight!

Chapter One

Jada was sitting at the second story window, staring at the brick wall and black fire escape of the apartment across the yard. She could almost stretch out her arm and touch it, it seemed so close to her.

All the buildings in the second block from the square in Lancaster, Pennsylvania were built close together, separated only by narrow brick alleyways. She was bored, lonely, and twelve years old. She smelled the blackberry jam her Nana was cooking on the little two-burner gas stove. She often wondered what kept her Nana going when she had so much to contend with—being disabled, stuck on the second floor, hardly ever leaving the premises. Jada couldn’t imagine living the life her Nana lived. She could hardly bear her own life.

She glanced out the window and noticed a man and a boy and a girl climbing the fire escape across the way, each of them carrying a small hand-woven basket of vegetables. Jada could see bright red tomatoes, green-topped scallions, red beets, and purple eggplants.

Nana, come look. Someone’s selling vegetables. Can we buy a tomato? Do we have any money?

Nana called from the hot, small kitchen. Knock on the window, tell them to come here. I think I have a quarter for a tomato.

When Jada knocked on the window, the man looked up and smiled. The sun shone on his eye-glasses and his teeth sparkled. He waved that he would come to their apartment shortly. When they came in Jada’s back door, which opened into Nana’s bedroom the first thing he said was, it is fate that we meet. Jada wondered and wondered about that statement. Why did he say that? In the ensuing years she learned the