Lives We Lead

By Edward Henry

In the early 20th century, DD and Nora are orphans at the infamous Tennessee Children's Home Society. They experience ups and downs at the orphanage, but Georgia Tann helps set them on the right path so they can become successful adults. As they transition into adulthood, they end up joining the military and getting recruited to the newly formed Office of Strategic Services. Watching German scientists and reporting on UFO activity is fun and exciting at first, but as the years drag on, Nora and DD find themselves wrapped up in scandals and tragedies that challenge their mental health.

Lives We Lead is a period piece that takes place between 1940 and 1961. It's the second book in a trilogy about hate in America, and the story focuses on turbulent times where characters deal with racism, unexplained phenomenon, war, child abduction, and more. Through it all, DD and Nora stand by each other's side. Their story is ultimately tragic with a ray of hope at the end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662443411

Book preview

Chapter One

Georgia Tann sat at the head of a table with ten chairs, two on the ends. Her blond hair was curled around her head, flower-patterned blouse flowing over her plump figure. She looked over the rim of her glasses at the four house captains also seated at the table. Keirstin Mary, her right-hand woman, was in charge of new entrants to the school and had many people under her depending on the chore to be done. Nora Swain was in charge of all the clothing, handouts, and other sundries. When items came in, she had two people under her to help sort and organize. Donna Wise was in charge of teaching the children. She had four teacher’s aides. And, finally, Sue Pasco was in charge of the sports program with four helpers to assist with the kids.

Georgia and her captains had a standing 8 a.m. meeting every day of the week to discuss whatever needed to be dealt with at the time. She was ready to start the meeting when one of the children came in holding the rotary phone.

There’s a call, ma’am, the boy said.

Georgia picked up the receiver. Hello. This is Georgia.

Ma’am, we have a case up here for you, Gerard, a local cop that was a friend of Georgia’s society, said.

The particulars, please.

Yes, ma’am. It’s a male about sixteen years old.

Good, okay. I can use another brute!

She paused the meeting and went out to the porch of the large, two-story house. When the state trooper pulled up, he opened the door and pulled out a boy in handcuffs. Some of the kids ran out of the house to rush the cop car.

Why no lights today? one of them asked.

It’s not that time of the month yet, Gerard said. Once a month, when Georgia paid her bill to the police department for everything they did for her orphanage, Gerard would show up to flash his siren lights.

Gerard, Georgia said, stepping off the porch. You can probably take the handcuffs off now, don’t you think?

Yes, ma’am. The officer unlocked the cuffs.

I thank you, the boy said to Georgia. He had a sturdy build, skin tan from the sun.

Don’t thank me yet, boy. What is your name by the way?

Donald Derek Sanderson, but peoples call me DD.

Peoples? Georgia replied.

Ya, peoples, you guys.

Oh, okay.

Nora, one orphan that lived there, came up behind Georgia.

Nora, Georgia said, could you show DD to the staff quarters, please?

What? Nora said.

You heard me. This isn’t a Keirstin Mary entrant thing, okay?

Fine, Nora said. She motioned to DD. Come this way. I am Nora. Nice to meet you.

Georgia held up a hand. Also, Nora, when you’re done showing him to his room, come on back and let’s finish this meeting that we didn’t get to start. You should sit in on it.

Her creole accent was heavy that day, so Nora stared at her a moment, trying to decode the words.

If you heard me, Georgia added, but didn’t understand what I said, just ask and I will say it again, okay? No use staring at me. She turned to DD and spoke to him and any other children within range. Also, I must say, you children are at the Tennessee Children’s Home Society out of no fault of your own. We here understand that it does not give you the right to act out. We are all scared here, so find a friend and we will unearth those values you already possess that need to be brought to the surface. Values like integrity, honesty, helping others, and being polite, especially holding the door for those older than you.

Georgia adjusted her glasses and continued. Just be an all-around good person. That is what I expect of you, and so will your new parents if you make it that far. And if not, we will have given you enough to be successful as an adult after you’ve turned seventeen. Do you ladies and gentlemen understand what I just told you?

Yes, Miss Georgia, Nora and some other children said. DD nodded.

Good, that is what I like to hear, loud exuberance from my kids!

Nora turned back to DD. So, what’s your name?

DD shrugged. You heard it when they uncuffed me. Its Donald Derek Sanderson, but peoples call me DD for short.

How did you come to this place? Nora asked, voice sweet like honey.

Well, my friends and I were cutting class because it’s boring and weren’t learning anything, anyway. So, we were messing around in a field of tall grass really not doing nothing wrong when the cops saw us, and we started running to get away and they caught me because it seemed they were only after me. When they caught me, they asked if I was Donald Derek Sanderson. I nodded even though it was a stupid question. They were yelling my name while they chased me. Well, they said they needed to take me to the coroners, I asked what that is? No answer!! After that, they took me here. I didn’t have any say about it since my parents are dead. DD blinked away some tears. He’d already cried in the squad car and didn’t want anyone else to see him do it.

Nora gave DD a great big hug. Sorry to hear that. How did they die?

Car crash while driving home from work. And what’s the hug for? DD asked.

You need this, Nora said. A friendly hug and nice thoughts from me.

Thank you.

You don’t have any relatives.

Not that I know. They checked and said I have to live here at least a year until I’m old enough to be an adult. This is supposed to be a learning experience and help me become a man. That’s what Gerard told me at the funeral.

I think we can for sure help with that, Nora said, motioning for DD to follow her into the house. She sighed. Nora knew that older children rarely got adopted. Georgia used them to run certain parts of her operation. She looked DD up and down as they walked. He was a large kid and Georgia would probably use him for protection. Or other things. She kept a lot of secrets.

Nora and the captains knew nothing about anything. Even Keirstin Mary didn’t know much besides the fact that the children would be there one day and gone the next. She was in charge of a storage room full of Bunny Bear Co booster seats. They were given as a gift to parents who adopted so they can take the infant away safely. Sometimes Keirstin Mary only knew when a baby was gone because there was one less booster seat in storage.

Nora gave DD a quick tour of the house and then showed him to his room. Unpack and I’ll see you later, she said.

When she returned to the downstairs meeting room, everyone was already there listening to Georgia go over some information for the week. She had an expert eye for talent and always picked girls to be her captains. They tended to be insubordinate, though. She didn’t like that one bit, so when she had her eye on a prospective captain, she found a controlling method to keep her in line.

Girls and blacks were considered lower class at that time. Georgia wanted to help by teaching the girls confidence so they could start fresh as adults with strong skills and be job ready. She also wanted to prepare them for a world ruled by men.

Nora glanced around the table. All the captains had sad stories like she did. Keirstin’s mother and father were killed in a plane crash that took not only their lives but several hundred others. Donna’s father was killed in action in the first days of the war. Sue’s parents were still alive, but they were terrible drunks and drug addicts, so the state troopers took her away.

Nora’s mother passed away suddenly at home, and her daddy didn’t feel as if he could handle working and dealing with a child.

Georgia often liked to talk to the captains about their troubled pasts. We all need to remember why we are here doing what we’re doing, she would say.

After going over everyone’s duties for the week, Georgia added, Now ladies, along with our new person DD, we will have visitors daily for the time being and the foreseeable future. Be ready to help in any way you can. That’s all for today.

Nora left the room wondering who the visitors would be and how DD would fit in with the other kids. Lots of things were changing.

Chapter Two

As time passed, DD settled in nicely. Some children in the home liked him, and some didn’t for various reasons. Mostly, he was mean and overbearing to the younger kids (no physical harm). DD tried to tease and joke with Nora at times, but she wasn’t having any of it.

He was also shopped out a couple times—sent to homes because a couple showed interest in adopting him. But they always sent him back.

They don’t like me, he told Georgia.

I’ve seen this before, she said. They needed you to work for them and wanted some free labor.

But I don’t want to work all day long, go home, sleep, and do it all over again! Would you?

That’s part of being an adult.

He eventually settled into the routine, though, and found a friend outside his window ledge in the form of a corvid bird. He left shelled peanuts out on the ledge and Tinky (what he named the bird) would fly in and take them one at a time to his nest. The next day, he’d return to thank DD with a twig or something else as payment for the peanuts.

Since DD was an older teen and there were several older teenage girls at the orphanage, there were flirtations that happened when Georgia wasn’t looking. One evening, he was finally able to get one of the older girls, Wendy, to bed with him, but he couldn’t get it up to complete the deed. Wendy eventually laughed and ran out of the room.

The next morning, DD huffed and puffed around the house not wanting to talk to anyone.

Wendy whispered to Nora about the incident. Honestly, she said, I thought it would be more exciting since he’s tried to bed me so many times. He lost his chance.

I admire his diligence, Nora said.

Nora had dreams of her own. When she first arrived at the house, she had rags for clothes. Then she saw the wonderful clothing that was donated to the children and she knew she had to have first choice of everything, including hats, glasses, and dresses. She was 15 going on 16 and had found an interest in fashion.

She begged Georgia to be the captain of clothing. She wanted to learn from Georgia because she believed that Georgia really wanted to help girls. Georgia didn’t like man folk all that much and seemed inspired to support strong women.

Many kids became orphans back then because of war. There were a lot of dead soldiers with families left behind, and the widows didn’t think they could do it on their own. It went from one epidemic to another, war also getting these children out of the orphanage and placing them in forever homes.

Nora felt proud to distribute the clothing and sundries and carry out other duties, like showing the new older kids to their dorm rooms. She was doing her part to help her country.

After her talk with Wendy, Nora went about her daily chores, dreaming about being an actress or model and wearing beautiful dresses. Thanks to Georgia making her clothes captain, she already had quite a wardrobe of hats, shoes, and outfits.

Other kids liked to tease her and tell her she couldn’t be an actress because she didn’t live in California.

That is where the studios for making movies are at, they said.

That is where I will be someday, she replied.

But Nora still had a year or two to go at the home, so she was stuck for the time being. When she did leave, she would have working skills to back her up in the outside world.

DD was coming out of his funk and started bothering Nora as she did chores.

When you and I sneak away at night, it’ll be better than any of the other girls, he said.

Nora frowned. I like you a lot but not like that yet. Do you understand me? I don’t mind kissing on you, but that is it until further notice!

Yes, ma’am DD said, stealing a kiss and then running away to do his own chores.

Life in the orphanage wasn’t all fun. Georgia often sent kids out on special trips to do manual labor on people’s farms. She, of course, got paid for it without having to raise a finger. It was all part of her getting rich scheme. Every now and again, a farmer would be pleased with the output of work from the kids, so he would send the kids home with pickings. One day, it was several crates of peaches.

After a long day of work, DD invited Nora to enjoy some peaches with him on the house porch.

Nora tucked her dress under her legs and sat down. What kind are they? she said.

DD took a bite, juices flowing down his fingers. I think they are Rockford peaches, he said.

They sure are good. Nora took a small nibble and smiled.

Yeah, they are.

After DD told Nora about himself, the tallish, slender, butter-faced girl gave him a peck on the cheek. The two of them were hitting it off nicely, even though Nora wouldn’t give it up so easily.

***

The next day, the kids were going about their business—going to school, eating, working doing chores—when Georgia called for a morning meeting of the captains. The captains arrived first, like they normally did, and played their favorite game.

Oh, you will not like this one, Keirstin giggled.

The rest of the girls waited until a gross smell hit their nostrils. Nora reacted first and made a face, then everyone laughed. The game was to fart silently to see who would react first and lose. The best reactions were when someone gagged. On this morning, more than one of them was ripe. The entire room stunk with a heavy odor.

Georgia entered. What in the world is going on here? Did somebody relieve themselves at the table?

No, ma’am, they all said with a slight snicker.

Well, it smells like rotten fruit. I hope you are happy with that. She sighed. Let’s move on. We have many things to talk about. You all remember when you first got selected to this post, and you were told that what is talked about here stays here, correct?

Yes, ma’am, they exclaimed.

Good, now listen up, especially you, Nora, on this next item.

A report had come back from the Florida highway patrol on the deaths of Donald and Amanda Sanderson. It was a preliminary set of findings, but evidence was looking strong that the couple was there in Florida when they died. Donald was on business and Amanda was there to relax and take in the sun.

Well, Georgia said as she continued to brief the girls, I guess what they are saying is they died not from a car accident but from something else. While Amanda was out laying by the water, a Russian submarine beached itself and became stuck very near to her. As people congregated, Amanda got scared and tried to leave. Donald rushed down to make sure she was okay. Sailors came out of the sub. Everyone ran except those two who were captured. The Russian sailors took some people into a house nearby that they had broken into. When it got dark, they then took those people to the cliff and made them drive their cars into the ocean. Amanda and Donald were one of those who were forced to commit suicide.

Nora gasped. You are kidding, right now?

Georgia shook her head. That is what the document says. She passed the paper around the table so everyone could read it. Nora felt ready to cry. Poor DD.

Now does anyone need to see the doctor? Georgia said.

No, they all said. Why do you ask?

She could see her girls were sad, and it was time to lighten the mood. Because somebody in here stinks to high heaven and needs to have that looked at.

The girls gave weak smiles with small snickers under their breath.

C

hapter Three

Time is passing, and it has been a couple months since DD came to town. The captains were gathered for yet another meeting.

Ladies, Georgia started, the agenda for the day is as follows, and it’s pretty busy. Within an hour or two of each other, the Honorable Camille Kelley will grace us with her presence to look at our home. She will be accompanied by myself and Keirstin. Nora, you will wait for Dorothy Kilgallen, a reporter who will write a story on us. She will also speak to Mrs. Kelley. She glanced around the room at the doe-eyed young women. What I want to see is courtesy and promptness. We will all meet for lunch in the large dining room. Our cooks have a plan, so I’m sure we’re in for a treat. Donna, you go about your daily business. You are doing great with your teachers and staff as well as with the kids. They say you are their favorite.

Thank you, ma’am, Donna said, blushing.

Finally, Sue, I will need you and your people to go to the garage where all those lovely boxes of peaches are. Have your kids peel and slice them, put them in pickle jars for canning and leave some out for the cooks. Also, leave two jars for the guests we will have today.

Yes, Miss Georgia, Sue said. Consider it done.

Georgia beamed. I know I can count on all my captains. Do you have anything for me?

No, ma’am. They all said in unison.

Then this meeting is adjourned.

While the captains and younger kids completed chores during the day, the older boys did a lot of night work for Georgia. These tasks were of a sensitive nature and had to be done in secret. Some included thieving, some talking to younger kids sternly. The older boys were also security for the kids that slept at night in their rooms. Besides keeping them safe by watching for fires or other abnormalities, they sounded alarms if any kids tried to run away, which did happen often.

Among the night workers, only a chosen few were recruited to do Georgia’s most secretive dirty work—shipping off infants to their new forever home. When any of her night boys got out of line, she offered drugs. They slept during the day, so Georgia supplied them with Laudanum, something that kept them awake in the middle of the night and on the job.

Georgia was trusting DD more and more, so he would soon be put in this special night group.

After the meeting, Nora found DD on the porch. He was looking out at the road and the blue sky. Ever since she found out how his parents died, she kept it to herself. But she couldn’t hold it in any longer.

She sat down next to him and tucked her dress under her knees. DD, I have to tell you something, she said. Then she told him the story she heard about his parent’s deaths. When she was done, he remained quiet for a long time.

Well, he finally said, I knew they were more in the hero category than not. He touched her hand. Thanks for telling me this, Nora. I won’t tell anybody that I know because I am happy you told me. I know some people don’t want me to know, so this is our little secret.

She squeezed his hand. It’s a relief to have it off my chest.

What are your plans for the day? DD said.

I’m waiting for a woman named Dorothy Kilgallan, a reporter, very fashion conscious. She wants to learn more about what we do here and talk to the Honorable Camille Kelley. She’s coming by, too.

Just then, a squad car pulled up, sirens blaring. Kids rushed outside to see the lights.

Sorry, looks like I have to go, Nora told DD.

DD shrugged.

Georgia appeared on the porch nearby and Nora walked to her. It looks like officer Gerard is here, Miss Georgia. Do you need someone to take the suitcase out to them?

Sure, that would be wonderful.

Nora went to retrieve the bags.

Gerard stepped out of the car and was immediately swarmed by all the younger kids. He handed out as many lollipops as he could, a treat he often brought them. As if on cue, Donna appeared to corral the kids back up after they received their treat from the officer.

Georgia, Donna said, the Honorable Camille Kelley is driving up as we speak.

Looks like the entire gang is here except Miss Kilgallan, Georgia said. She turned around to yell inside the house at Keirstin. Miss Kelley is here. Go greet her and find out if she wants some refreshments.

Yes ma’am, I will, Keirstin said. She rushed to the car to open the door for the Judge. Welcome, ma’am.

Thank you, Camille said, white dress flowing around her full figure and a flower hat perched on her curled hair.

As Keirstin greeted Camille, Nora took the monthly suitcase of cash to Gerard. He nodded and got back in his squad car. As the trooper drove away, a taxicab pulled up to the plantation house to drop off another visitor. A tall, slender woman hopped out. Her brown hair was tucked under her designer Bollman hat, Oliver Goldsmith eye glasses glinting in the sunlight.

Nora waved. Miss Kilgallan, is that you?

Yes, it is, dear, Dorothy said. You, my lady, are looking quite dapper.

Thank you, ma’am, Nora said. "I’m Nora and I appreciate that compliment. Are those Oliver