Deliberate Deception

By Lady Velvet Peterson

Marie deliberated the indisputable truths.

 

Number one, the status quo wasn't good enough.

 

Number two, Marie craved more for her life — she was stagnating in a pool of mediocrity.

 

Number three, She was not in love with Silas anymore.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lady V Writes
• Release date: Apr 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201347413

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Stymied

APRIL 4, 1968, Marie stalked out of Silas' office. They argued about her work. Or, in her opinion, the lack thereof. She sat down and lit a cigarette, huffing angrily. The others in the office knew better than to say anything. They probably heard it all, anyway. She would have to re-type her column. It meant she would stay late again. Marie didn't give a Willy ding-dong if Mrs. Gomez's dog won best in show at the local dog show. Silas had been giving her crap stories lately, and she wasn't sure why.

Well, that wasn't precisely true. Marie was a woman working in a man's field, but that was no reason to give her such banal work when she had previously worked on hard-hitting investigative journalism. She was the only woman working in the office except for the receptionist that seemed to change yearly. Everyone was doing their usual stories, and she had been shafted, reduced to a gossip column. Her story was handed over to someone else again—a man. Marie was dying to bite into some genuine news again.

Leaving the completed column for tomorrow in Silas's office, she started for home. Marie walked to work most days, as gasoline was costly. She stopped at the grocer's for some milk and bread. Marie sighed as she unlocked the door and put up the groceries. At 31 years old, her parents referred to her as the spinster daughter, as was relayed by her sister. Her sister was married with three children. She smiled at the thought. Her nieces and nephews were adorable, and she loved them. However, Marie didn't feel the desire to have children. The smile was chased from her face, knowing her parents would never come to terms with the life she had chosen. It was moot anyway as she no longer spoke to them. They had been estranged for years now.

Marie wanted a career, and most men were put off by it. Jobs were only for college girls trying to get a husband. She remembered her journalism professor telling her that. Women looked at her lack of a husband and were either envious of her freedom or judgmental as she wasn't following society's norms. Men assumed she was desperate or lesbian. It seemed like those were the only two choices in this black and white world. The Midwest was slow when it came to changing attitudes. What she needed was a plan. Staying with the status quo wasn't getting her anywhere.

These thoughts sparked something in her. Marie sat down at her typewriter. She would write a column about these fallacies, and she would also look for another place of employment. Marie knew if she presented an article like this, there was a good chance of being trashed because of conservative attitudes. Silas... She sighed again. At one time, she was madly in love with him. But he was just like everyone else. He wanted to be the man that went off to work while she stayed home to mind the house and raised the children as a woman should. It made some women like her sister happy, but that life wasn't for her. Marie craved to be part of something more than adding humans to society. She needed to find a place where she felt her talents would be of use. Frankly, if the Sun-Gazette didn't want her, she would go elsewhere. Just because the Gazette was the largest and most influential paper didn't mean it was the only one. There were plenty of other newspapers.

CHAPTER TWO

Starting Over

A WEEK LATER, Marie was standing in Silas' office. She had left her recent column on his desk as usual, well in time for it to go to print. But he had called her into his office the next day, as she expected.

What is this crap? he asked tiredly, looking older than his forty-five years.

Marie gave him a challenging glance before asking, What do you mean? She wanted him to say it.

Silas frowned, You know damn well what I mean, this woman's lib bullshit attacking the very thing that makes America what it is. Not all women want marriage and children? He raised his voice to falsetto, poking fun at Marie. This column won't go to print. Write something else.

Marie wasn't surprised by his attitude. What she was surprised about was that he didn't send her packing. Marie was prepared for the possibility of Silas firing her on the spot. Fine, Marie replied crisply, You have been giving me shit stories for weeks now. Everyone else is doing their regular work while I get reduced to a gossip column, and my story handed off to someone else.

Aren't you getting a bit old to be still working this charade, He sniped.

And there it was… his reason… she was too old to have a job. She had been hoping that he had kept her employed because of the quality of her work. It was apparent now to her that he thought she'd suddenly change her mind about it and fall into his arms, professing her love for him, eager to quit her job and pop out two to three children. She snorted inwardly at the thought before giving him a steely look. I like my job when I am allowed to do it, Marie answered as she held his gaze, letting him know it would not intimidate her. The tension between them grew thick as neither of them was going to back down.

The phone rang, causing them both to jump at the interruption, breaking their glaring contest. Silas held up a finger, telling her to wait as he answered. Hello… Yes… really?

Marie couldn't hear the caller, of course, but Silas raised his eyebrows in surprise at whatever the person on the line was saying. Marie's a good worker, punctual, and doesn't mind staying late. Even if she goes against the grain sometimes with her columns. She has her own opinions though most women these days do. He said it like her opinion was little concern to him which made her seethe inwardly.

Marie wondered who the caller was. She had sent out several resumes to other papers in the area a few days prior. Of course, they would be calling her current job as a reference. But it was surprising how quickly someone responded.

Silas raised his eyebrows again as his gaze settled on Marie. I see. You may tell her yourself since she's in my office, one moment. He handed her the receiver.

Not wanting Silas to see her nerves, she accepted the phone from him and internally took a deep breath. Hello?

Miss Arias, I'm Alton Mace from The Chronicle Daily. I am contacting you regarding your employment application. We at The Chronicle Daily would be delighted to have someone of your aptitude and skill on our team. Are you still interested?

Yes, I am, Marie said immediately as she knew she was on thin ice, and this might be the best way to have her skills and talents utilized. She would have to take the chance. Marie worried about starting over again. What if they wanted her for the gossip column or worse as a secretary? She wouldn't know unless she tried.

That's great. Your record speaks for itself. I realize you must give your notice to the Sun, so I look forward to seeing you in two weeks. Alton replied. She could hear the smile in his voice.

Thank you, Marie said, barely able to keep the smile from her face.

"Thank you, Miss Arias, Have