Elusive Love

By John Callahan

LOVE affects the mind as well as the heart. Some couples are able to find a way to experience this phenomenon without heartbreak, but others don’t have the ability to capture its elusive ways.

Youth plays a large role in early encounters of love. Most couples seek love in their late teens or early twenties, but circumstances beyond their control will not allow them to follow their intentions.

ELUSIVE LOVE is about such as couple. This couple cannot find a way to put aside their life’s ambitions to give in to their hearts desires. Lives can be fractured for years unless one partner or the other gives in to their need for companionship, and to find a way to resolve their differences.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728318561

John Callahan

John Callahan (1951–2010) was a nationally syndicated cartoonist known for his frank portrayals of challenging subjects, in particular disability. Callahan, who became a quadriplegic following a car accident at age twenty-one, drew cartoons that touched upon addiction, ableism, and the absurd. He was the creator of the Nickelodeon cartoon Pelswick.

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Copyright © 2019 John (Jack) Callahan. 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 07/11/2019

ISBN: 978-1-7283-1857-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-1855-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-1856-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019909244

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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

Dedicated with Love…

To my wife, Frances, my sons, and my extended family.

CHAPTER 1

Exhausted from his non-stop twelve-hour drive from Atlanta to Key West, Clint Bullock pulled into his beach home driveway.

The Key West property, located on an isolated beach on the Atlantic side of the peninsula, had been his Uncle George’s summer retreat since before the start of World War II. His uncle willed the beach home and property to Clint, since his wife Rachel had passed months earlier.

He spent many happy summers with Uncle George and Aunt Rachel, and he planned to recapture those special days. Now, it would become his restful destination to solve the recent problems harboring in his mind. His unfinished manuscript and the breakup with Amanda, his one and only love, weighed heavily on his thoughts.

Clint’s storybook rise in the publishing world brought him instant recognition. His original book, MY FIRST LOVE, was on the best sellers list for over two months with sales in the millions. Because of the success of his first novel his publisher immediately signed him to a six-book contract, which assured him of a large signing bonus with each subsequent manuscript he published with them. He had written four novels since, but they were not as well received as his original novel, which added to his ongoing discontent.

His publisher had the patience of an angel and continued to invest heavily in advertising dollars to promote his unsuccessful novels; however, their efforts hadn’t been well received. He needed another profitable novel to continue his money stream, and a way to calm his heightened anxiety about his financial future.

And now…he wanted to be alone to concentrate on his half-finished manuscript. Sadly, he hadn’t been able to add a single line for months. He needed to clear his mind so he could get back on track with his intended goal. Also, he was looking forward to enjoying the beach home where he spent many joyful summers with Uncle George, and he needed to put his ongoing spat and final goodbye with Amanda behind him once and for all.

The mounting pressure to complete a novel a year had become Clint’s ongoing nightmare. He was exhausted from the pressure building within him. His bank account was nearly exhausted because of Amanda’s spending habits, leaving his financial world on the verge of collapse.

The trip from Atlanta to Key West became Clint’s way of putting his ongoing arguing bouts with Amanda behind him once and for all, and for him to seek a fresh outlook for the completion of his manuscript. His last four months had become a hectic nightmare while trying to write, and to find a way to settle his disagreements with Amanda about her spending habits.

Disappointed with his last months in Atlanta, Clint, determined and mindful to put his recent break-up with Amanda behind him once and forever, was looking forward to a new lifestyle, and hopefully time to enjoy walking on the beach during the sunset hours with his dog companion.

In their seven years together Clint and Amanda had grown from youthful love in their adolescent years to mature adults with opposing personalities. Amanda’s desires to travel with her modeling business were now possible, and Clint’s decision to return to Key West, which he remembered to be his favorite and most restful place on earth, became a reality. He needed time alone to finish his manuscript, and to decide what to do with his clouded future. Perhaps the sea air and evening walks on the beach would be a peaceful way to make his life complete once again.

During his trip from Atlanta, Clint’s mind filled with plans for a summer in Key West where he could complete his novel, which was due to the publisher in October. His plans were to work all day on his novel, and then go for long walks on the beach during sunset hours where he could view the colorful skies and enjoy the coolness of the sea breezes with his dog by his side.

His mind was exhausted from many arguing bouts with Amanda, which he believed prevented him from completing his manuscript. The bitter arguments he and Amanda filled their days with during the previous two months continued to linger in his mind. During their seven years together they had become completely indifferent with each other since they first met and fell in love. He needed this novel in the worst way, because the thought of returning to New York to resume his stockbroking life was too painful to imagine. This journey to the beach house would be his answer to make things right again.

He and Amanda had said their final goodbyes two days earlier. His German Shepherd, My General, had become the only companion who understood his mood swings. When he threw a tantrum My General would slink off to his bedroom until his rant subsided, otherwise he was constantly by his side.

It was Clint’s quick decision to pack a few things and head to Key West. The breakup had been coming for some time, and now, it had happened. It was time for Clint to build a new life for himself.

Amanda wanted to jettison her life with Clint to go on the road with a modeling company, and he wanted to find a way to jump-start his writing. Their non-stop arguing kept Clint from concentrating on his manuscript, which would guarantee his money stream.

When Clint sat down to the computer to work on his manuscript, his mind would recount Amanda’s constant attacks on him. He would sit for hours without an original thought coming to mind. He’d read about writers who had one or two books in them, but he couldn’t allow that to happen to him. He’d reread the previous chapters he’d written time and again in an attempt to restart his story line, but everything he tried, failed. It all started over a month ago, and he hadn’t broken out of the rut since he found himself mired within. After weeks of futile attempts he was ready to give up his passion to write and go back to being a stockbroker; however, his girlfriend Amanda coaxed him to overcome his doubts, and to remain in his chair until a new thought arrived, but no matter how hard he tried, nothing happened. He’d failed to write a single paragraph.

When Clint opened his car door the sea air rushed in to fill his nostrils. Just as he remembered— it had a calming effect on him. He opened the back door of the car to view his German Shepherd by the name of My General. He attached his leash to his collar and urged him awake.

My General growled deeply.

His response to Clint’s urging was not to be taken lightly, even by his master. He closed the door and allowed his favorite companion return to his sleep. He left his luggage and went right up to his bedroom. He didn’t bother to turn the light on, but fell crossways onto the bed.

It wasn’t until morning Clint heard a knock on the door. His first thought before being fully awake was The General was awake and wanted inside.

He turned over and thought how ridiculous, even a dog as smart as My General couldn’t knock.

The knock changed to a pounding on the door. Agitated, Clint rose and looked at his feet. He hadn’t taken his shoes off the night before, and they felt too swollen to walk.

Okay, okay, I’m coming, he shouted vainly, as he limped toward the door and opened it.

A young blonde woman stood facing him.

Yeah! What is it you want? He rubbed his eyes to shield out the blazing sun.

Clint, it’s you! Surely you remember me? Look more closely.

From when and where should I remember you? I came here to finish my novel and I don’t want anyone to disturb me. Go away. He rubbed his eyes again.

Clint, you must remember me! Look more closely.

You woke me from a much needed sleep with your pounding on my door. I don’t remember you, so go away. I have to let my dog out of the car. Don’t be afraid. He is big and boisterous, but he won’t bite you as long as I’m beside you.

Clint brushed past her on the way to his car.

I’m Mary Elizabeth. Surely you remember me now?

Clint stopped and turned to look at his intruder more closely. He wasn’t completely awake, but the name Mary Elizabeth woke his sleep-depraved mind.

Mary Elizabeth, he snapped. It can’t be? Look at you. You’ve grown up since… By God, it is you, freckles and all. Well I’ll be damned!

I was so pleased to see a car in your driveway. I came in late last night only to find a recent hurricane had completely flattened our family beach house. I don’t want to impose, but I need a place to stay. I don’t have enough money to stay in town and I need a roof over my head. Believe me, it’s just for a few days.

Stay— here? Impossible! I have a deadline to meet and I can’t do it with someone lurking around. I came here to be alone to finish my novel, you know, be by myself. Surely you understand. I need to be alone to finish my work, Clint expressed, exhausted.

Lurk. Me? I don’t lurk. I will be as quiet as a fly on the wall, or a sleeping mouse. Promise, I’ll not be in your way. I could cook your meals and be out of sight the rest of the time. I have a mission of my own to work on.

You appear to have an answer for everything, don’t you? Please understand, I really need to be alone to finish my manuscript. It’s best if you would just go away.

I can cook for you. You write—I’ll cook. I know how to cook well. Maybe you’d find time for a sunset walk on the beach like we did in the summer of 08. Surely you couldn’t work all of the time. Can I come in to make some coffee, and we could just talk about it.

Talk about it? The summer of 08 was nine years ago. I just arrived in the middle of the night. I have so much to do. I haven’t looked over the place to see if it needs any repairs from the winter storms.

Clint, where is the adventurous spirit you bragged about in the summer of 08?

There you go again with that 08 stuff.

It was the summer that meant so much to me. If I felt down or couldn’t cope, I would think of our love affair on the beach in 08.

Clint closed his eyes as he thought about it.

You would, would you? A sly smile crossed his lips. Since— I haven’t given it a single thought. What do you think of that? Clint countered.

I think you are cruel and determined to hurt me.

We’ve both moved on with our lives since then. Perhaps you should try growing up?

Well! Are you going to let me stay for a few days or should I camp out on the beach?

You’re desperate, aren’t you? Well, I couldn’t let you do that. You know where the kitchen is—you’ve been in it often enough. I had Marlene, the cleaning lady, stock everything a week or so ago. I have to get my German Shepherd out of the car and I’ll be back. Make the coffee strong— I could use an eye opener. You’re as unexpected as a hurricane.

You still have a sense of humor, but you’re not as unflappable as you pretend to be. Promise, I won’t rain on your parade.

Clint sighed heavily as he looked toward the beach. Mary Elizabeth’s name had brought back memories he’d suppressed for some time. His first novel was all about his flirtatious affair with Mary Elizabeth on this very beach in 08, and now…she was here. So, what am I going to do about that? He heavily pondered.

He’d been here less than twelve hours and his plans had left the tracks. Gone haywire. He wanted to be alone, but how could he be alone with this young attractive woman with a past history wanting to stay in his house? But somehow he must finish his novel so it could be on the shelves during the holiday season.

My General eagerly jumped out of the car and headed for the beach. He probably wouldn’t see My General for an hour or so. My General’s favorite sport was to find a piece of driftwood, drop it in the water and retrieve it when a wave washed it ashore. Clint went inside to follow the inviting trail of coffee brewing.

Clint retrieved a cup from the cupboard, and sat down to look more closely at Mary Elizabeth. He couldn’t believe she was the teenager he spent so much time with on this very beach in 08, and the one he’d written his most successful novel about.

It’s been nine years since the summer we practically lived together on this very beach, Mary Elizabeth gleefully remarked, as she looked directly into his eyes.

Clint wiped his brow, broke eye contact, and looked out the window to see My General running through the surf as his embarrassment grew by leaps and bounds.

Mary Elizabeth poured the coffee. As she poured his coffee Clint looked into her light blue eyes.

Clint, you’ve changed so much. You were full of carefree advice for me, and you had a happy-go-lucky air about you. I want to recapture the younger you.

Recapture the younger me? That’s a laugh. I don’t know where you would look or ever find the younger me.

Clint laughed loudly. But look at you. The world has done wonders with you. Tell me, tell me, what have you been doing with yourself these past few years?

I graduated from Princeton a week ago and I came here before starting my career in law. You see— I want to be a divorce attorney in a large law firm in Chicago. I’ve applied to a number of firms and I’m eagerly waiting for a reply I can accept. I came back here to relax before taking on my lifetime career. When you and I were together in 08 on this very beach, it became my very favorite place on earth.

A divorce attorney? Sounds obnoxious to me. How could you arrive at that conclusion? Dipping into married couples’ problems in an effort to extract as much money as you could from the male partner.

I don’t want to discuss my future with you. Firstly, you know nothing about law, and secondarily, you know nothing about women in the workplace, and how they are held back. Men don’t like to get involved with divorce law and I chose this because I want to get to the top in a hurry.

Hey, this is good coffee. Where did you learn how to cook? Let’s not talk about the past, or your career aspirations, shall we? You and I were so young and the things I said at the time could now be considered pure fantasy. Now— we are both grown adults with different interests.

You may think our summer of 08 was pure fantasy, but I’ve replayed it over a hundred times in my thoughts. It was the first time a boy kissed me on the lips. You were caring and understanding, and you made love to me. I was having trouble with my parents, and my telling you about my hiccups with them made me feel so grown up.

I was a totally different person back then. Growing up is a tough business. My life has been over a lot of bumps since then. It appears you haven’t grown up yet.

Honestly, I can’t forget our time together. I can’t put those precious memories aside like you apparently have done. I had a teenage crush on you during the summer of 08, and I’ve carried it with me ever since. I had no idea you’d be here, but when I saw a car in the driveway my heart skipped a beat, and I silently prayed it was you.

Oh God! I don’t recall much of that time. You were fifteen then, weren’t you? And now…you’re twenty-four. As you can see I’m good at math, he chuckled.

Don’t make light of it. You made love to me and you said you would love me forever.

I said that?

Sure did. You kissed me, kissed me, and you kissed me again and again, and you kept saying you loved me over and over again.

I don’t remember any of that. I’m sure you’re making up a lot of what happened. It’s been almost ten years.

It’s most disappointing that you don’t remember any of what happened to us on the beach, especially on our last night. I remember your very words, ‘Mary Elizabeth, I love you and I will love you until the day I die.’ Surely, you remember now?

Let’s not talk about it any more. It’s too embarrassing to talk about it. Okay?

And you…you were going to start at Yale come the end of our special summer together. How did that go?

Frankly, it didn’t go well. My life has been a roller coaster ride ever since. I dropped out after the first quarter and have regretted that major mistake ever since. I was good at math and easily got a job with a stock-trading firm in New York City. It took several years before I was elevated to be a full-fledged stock trader; however, there was fraud swirling around in the whole building, and before I knew it I had to fight myself to go to work. I changed firms, but it was the same, all the same. The investment companies took advantage of well-meaning people with little money in their retirement nest egg. I quit without thinking where my next meal would come from.

You say you are a writer now, how did that come about?

I was rooming with a guy who worked for the New York Times. I told him why I quit and he told me to write an article about fraud on Wall Street, and he would give it to his boss. His boss liked what I wrote and how I wrote it, and he asked me to come in for an interview.

The stars were shining brightly on you that day. It could be the day where you found the real you. Tell me more.

He chuckled, yeah, could be, because writing brought joy into my life. I wrote a dozen or more articles and was well paid for each of them, and then, I got the bright idea to write a novel. The novel idea came out of nowhere and before I knew it I was consumed with writing chapter after chapter. From morning to night I wrote and I wrote without getting out of my pajamas. I didn’t think of eating, shaving or taking a shower. The feeling of ecstasy had taken me completely over.

It must have been a magnificent feeling to capture the real you.

Yeah, it was, he laughed. I submitted my first manuscript to a publishing firm, and after months of editing they accepted it and promised me big bucks. I titled it ‘MY FIRST LOVE’ and all the secluded and lonely people in the country bought it. There must be plenty of them around because my novel went gangbusters the minute it was published, he chuckled. And I am now working on my fifth novel. That’s it in a nut shell, and now, I’m a struggling writer desperate to find the person who wrote my first novel.

It was titled ‘MY FIRST LOVE’. Tell me— is it about you and me on the beach in the summer of 08? Come on— tell me. Is it about us? Clint’s face reddened—he couldn’t answer her very pointed question. It was so true, but Clint couldn’t admit it to the person he had so vividly written the story about.

Clint’s cell rang. He looked at it and could see it was Amanda calling. He shut it off and looked at Mary Elizabeth. When they split Clint asked her not to call him, but he relented, because she depended on his advice.

Aren’t you to going to answer it? I could leave if it’s privacy you need.

No, I’m good.

My General scratched at the screen door. Clint rose to wash his feet and let him in.

Mary Elizabeth, don’t recognize him. Just pretend he isn’t here. He will get used to you in a day or so. I need to go to my bedroom to work on my book. It was nice talking with you. You can use any of the bedrooms on the North side.

You’re saying I can stay, aren’t you?

Yeah— be a fly on the wall like you promised, or something like it, will you? It is most important I finish my novel on time.

Clint started toward the doorway to his bedroom, and My General rushed over to block his departure. He lay in the doorway. Mary Elizabeth snickered as she enjoyed the encounter.

Look at him. He’s so smart that sometimes I think he is human. It’s My General’s way of telling me he needs to be fed. Have you run across any dog food in your search for the coffee? Clint remarked.

There is a big bag behind the trash can. I imagine he eats an awful lot.

Thanks, he likes his food. I only feed him once a day. Be sure not to share any of your table scraps with him. He can become a pest if you’d let him.

Clint sat before his computer, and My General settled close by. Mary Elizabeth’s distraction had upset him, but he had to admit he was pleased to see her, and for some unknown reason it had energized his mind. As a teenager she was very provocative, and now, as a young woman she had become even more so.

However, he’d come to this lonesome beach to be alone where he could work without being distracted. He reread the last chapter