Staying in the right frame of mind has been something I’ve struggled with most of my life. I am good for quite a while then BOOM! Disappointment strikes and I used to fall flat on my face, (or into a tub of ice cream, or a bottle of wine). These days, I’m different.
Being a middle aged person has it’s benefits. I’ve learned so much over the years and the biggest lesson I think I’ve learned is to not be too obsessed over expected outcomes. It’s hard to put that into practice sometimes. But the first four decades of my life when I would cling so tightly to a scenerio in my mind for how things were supposed to be, always left me disheartened.
The saying, “Life is what happens when you are busy making plans,” is so true. We can have a plan and move towards that goal, but when things don’t go according to that plan it’s so important that we are flexible and able to pivot. At the very least, re-evaluate your approach. I am getting better at this.
In my search for the perfect agent to represent my work, I’ve gotten close and then fallen short. Like the ocean that ebbs and flows, I’ve moved forward and back many times with people having some interest and then it not being a good fit. This dance in the publishing industry is not one for the anxious or impatient. I’ve learned to be hopeful, put myself out there, and then let it go.
TRUST THE UNIVERSE.
So, as to not obsess. I put in the work, I query agents, and I’m still writing (lately two different novels). I’m not sitting around and wringing my hands praying day in, day out, that I will get an agent. I believe in divine timing. I have so many interests and many reasons to be joyful.
I love to travel!
I have a daily practice of gratitude. I really mean that too. I have to PRACTICE it. The more I practice the more joyful I become and it’s now an easier thing for me to do. One of the things I’m very grateful for is travel.
We weren’t able to do it during the pandemic and I missed it tremendously. Also I’ve only ever traveled within the United States, so when Covid hit, I was alarmed. HOLY CRAP! I never went to Europe! These thoughts made me promise myself that after everything opened back up, that I would go.
Even though I am still hunting for just the right agent, I am doing a lot of other things that make me happy. I’ve been photographing the gorgeous spring we are having here in Northern California. I’m going to England for the first time with a dear friend soon. I’ll be celebrating my birthday shortly (turning 55), and the 2nd anniversary of my podcast, Beautiful Second Act, in May. I also just recently hosted an in-person event for Beautiful Second Act at a lovely new shop that just opened in my community.
Me at Flickerstix Candle Co.where we held the event.
So, regardless of the fact that yes, I wish I had an agent to help sell my books, I am still loving my life just as it is every single day. Yes, it is my dream to be traditionally published, even though I have already successfully self-published. I know I can do that again if I wanted to so I have options. But I’m not dismayed or crestfallen because my hopes of being traditionally published hasn’t happened yet.
I still enjoy every day!
There have been times where I get disappointed. Somedays are harder than others to bounce back into my happy place. But I’ve learned the tools that help me to re-set faster than I used to and I know what a blessing life is. I just don’t want to waste a moment taking the beauty of this life for granted.
So, I’ll continue the hunt. I will continue to write. And if you are of a mind to, send up some good vibe thoughts to God, The Universe, or Spirit…however you talk to your Higher Power, with the intention for my books to be represented and published. I’d love the support.
In the meantime, keep reading, and get out there and embrace your life with gratitude!
What Early Retirement Has Been Like For This Writer
In March of 2020, when the world stopped turning, I began to spin a scenario in my mind of what my life could look like. When we were all forced to stay home and try to be productive in ways none of us were accustomed to, I decided to dive deep inside of myself to find a new path. One I truly desired. That’s when I realized I would apply for early retirement.
At only fifty-thee years old, early retirement seemed rather rash in the eyes of some of my friends and family. It wasn’t what some viewed as responsible, or advised. After all, who was I to think I could retire when most people worked in their fields until at least sixty-two? I hadn’t paid my dues yet.
Before I could retire, I knew I had many ducks I had to get into their neat little rows. I was working in public education, a school librarian and only in that position for eleven years. My writing had been for the past decade done on weekends, evenings and vacation. I’d managed to publish a book working those hours, but it took me four years of hard determination. Imagine, I thought, what I could accomplish if I wrote full time!
So in the fall of 2020, when public education was dealing with at-home-studies, or hybrid schooling, I worked along those brave enough to go in and do the job, (masks, vaccines, isolation, and angry parents), full well knowing it would be my last school year. Early retirement might not have looked attainable to some, but for me it was the only way I’d survive. The job had become suffocating, soul sucking.
With each month moving along like molasses in January, I soothed myself with the notion that it was the last November, or the last December, I’d ever have to work there. It gave me hope and excitement for my future as a full-time writer. Writing was what I’d dreamed of since I was ten years old, in the fifth grade, when I read my first novel and wrote my first essay in school.
So fast forward to August of 2021, I had to start off the school year, but I got to pass the baton onto a new and more energetic librarian. Someone who wasn’t burned out by the public education bureaucracy. On September 1, 2021, I became a free woman. I was scared, but I was elated by the prospects of living the life I wanted. I became a full-time writer.
Last days in the library.
The end of anything can be somewhat sad, but I only shed a few tears. In the first few days of my early retirement I felt a bit guilty. It’s like that when you no longer have to do something. I still got up early, although not nearly as early as my 5:30am wake up I used to do. Having my coffee and writing in the quietness of the morning felt indulgent. At first I wasn’t very productive because I didn’t quite know what to do with myself. After setting some goals, I got the hang of it.
Now I travel when I want, I write every day, and I finished my second novel, The Clock Tower of Maple Creek. I’m currently querying agents for representation on this one because I’ve decided that traditionally publishing is the path I want to go. I see a future with a team of folks in the publishing industry in my corner. Although I self-published successfully with my first novel, After The Fire, (buy link here), it was a lonely and difficult road.
In addition to writing, I dove into another line of work. Podcasting has become a great love of mine and this May, 2022 will be the first anniversary of my show, Beautiful Second Act. You can listen from anywhere you get your podcasts but the most popular are Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, or IHeartRadio. It’s about living in midlife or beyond, striving to live our best life in the second half of life. I plan to build on it in this second year. I currently have two seasons. It’s very exciting to interview like minded people who help me to grow, motivate me, and inspire us all. I also have many solo episodes where I share all I’ve learned along the way towards living a more authentic life. I hope you’ll check it out.
The main thing I’d like to share today about early retirement is that THIS IS YOUR LIFE. If you love your job, great. But if you don’t…if you wake each day wondering what the hell you are doing and are stressed beyond your limits, then make a change. You are the only one who can steer your ship. If you feel in the deepest part of your soul that you are meant to be doing something else, then by God, DO IT! Do it now before too much time passes. You cannot put a price on happiness. A bigger payout in retirement won’t buy you back the years you loose in suffering. Do what it is that brings you the greatest joy! You won’t regret it.
It’s been a full month since I last posted and I cannot tell a lie. I have been feeling anxious and overwhelmed. My dogs are the only ones that see how much it upsets me. I try to cover up my emotions and move on, because that’s what strong people do, (right?). All the news and terrible reports daily on the state of our country has put me in a funk. Has this happened to you?
I decided to turn over a new leaf. Ok, well it’s not ALL THAT NEW, but I’m actually implementing some better habits that I always start and have failed to keep going with in the past. I’m putting myself first!
Yes, I know that sounds like something a very selfish person would do, but truly, I am no good to my husband or family if I am a wreck. That means, I am waking up and NOT turning on the news. I am eating better, taking supplements to better my immune system, and reading books that promote positive thinking to begin my day, and set me on a path of feeling good.
I apologize for the delay at giving y’all the next scene in Chapter One, of my new novel, THE CLOCK TOWER OF MAPLE CREEK. It is finally here for you today. But before we dive in, I just want to say, that if you have been like me, and have been overly affected by our current situation, you are not alone. Reach out to friends, family, or pick up a self help book that appeals to you. Get outside when it’s cool, remember all that you have to be grateful for, and for heaven sake, limit your screen time. Like, set a timer! Because it can really be counterproductive to your health if all you expose yourself to is negativity.
My new journal
I recently started to journal again. This one by Debbie Macomber, is just the ticket to staying positive. I find myself more relaxed and simply happier, when I write down thoughts of joy and inspiration.
ALRIGHT!…without further ado, I am happy to give you the third installment of Chapter One, of THE CLOCK TOWER OF MAPLE CREEK. Now as I said before, this is unedited. I have not gone back and changed anything since writing this, and I am now on Chapter Thirteen. If you leave a comment, I just wanted you to know that in advance-so please be kind. (Ha! Ha!) If you have NOT read the first two posts of the chapter, then please follow these instructions to start from the beginning.
CLICK HERE to take you to the beginning. After reading you can click the GO BACK arrow to bring you back here.CLICK HERE to take you to Part Two, and click the go back button to bring you to this post for Part Three. The reason for this is my website posts my most recent posts first. Yeah…that’s technology.
Thank you for reading and here is PART THREE!
It worked! All the gears, bearings, pendulum, and strike train were all functioning as Albert thought they should. The escapement imparting energy to the pendulum, back and forth, Albert lay inside the tower listening, eyes closed. Concentrating on the sound it made as the whir of the strike train sounded the hour that Friday afternoon at one o’clock for his test run. As the huge clock chimed loudly and clearly a single gong, Albert could faintly hear the gasps and cheers from people on the streets and within the Town Square. The Fourth of July Jubilee decorating committee, was swarming The Square. They were the first to bear witness that Albert had succeeded in keeping his promise to Mayor Jonathan Kemp, and the people of Maple Creek. Now it just had to work again at noon the next day, for the big reveal.
He fixed it so the clock would not chime again until he reset it to do so. Tomorrow, on Saturday at eleven-thirty in the morning, he’d set it up to start sounding the hour, every hour beginning at noon, and for each hour forever after. Albert would become the clock keeper and lying inside the tower now, he felt a kinship with the precious machine. He felt an intimate relationship with the over seventy-five year old time piece. Anyone to care for it would require enormous patience and have a keen ear. It would be impossible now for him to imagine anyone else caring for it. He would climb up the steps every week to wind it, check the speed, clean the face, and oil the gears. Sitting inside the tower now, he nodded his approval and laughed out loud.
When he walked out onto the street, people were walking towards him in droves. Patting him on the back, his Uncle Zeke came out from the jewelry store just a few shops away to congratulate him.
“I am so proud. You did it! I knew if anyone around Maple Creek was capable, it was you. That was some undertaking, Son. Guess it’s fair to say that you can fix damn near anything now.”
“Thanks Uncle Zeke. But I still have the reveal tomorra.”
“That’s right Albert,” Mayor Kemp was walking up, cigar in his mouth. “I trust everathang is going according ta plan?”
“Yes, Sir. It will work. You can count on it. And I’d like ta stay on as the Maple Creek Clock Keeper if ya don’t mind.”
Folks were coming out of Parker’s Soda Shop, even Mable. They poured onto the sidewalk, curious, watching the Mayor and Albert speak. People walked closer from The Green, stopping at the street but standing at the edge of the lawn to listen. Albert was confident, looking the Mayor right in the eyes.
“Son, if that thang works as well as you say it does, we can talk.”
From behind the Mayor, Virginia stepped out to grab Albert by the hand and congratulated him. Her pink, fitted dress and heals making her look ever the part of City Hall assistant secretary.
“Oh Daddy isn’t it wonderful what Albert has done? I thank we should have him to suppa or somethin’. I’m just so pleased we will finally have a working clock tower in City Hall! It’s like he’s brought a piece of our town back to life,” she gushed.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Virginia. The boy still has to fulfill his end of the bargain before I’m convinced. I will say, it’s looking quite optimistic though,” he puffed his cigar and smoothed his suit vest. “We’ll see.”
He walked away with city council in tow, including Teddy Gilbert, Theo’s dad. Virginia stood a minute longer and opened her mouth to speak when the mayor bellowed.
“Virginia? Come along Sweet Pea, we have more work ta do before tomorra.”
“Move along Sweet Pea,” Albert whispered in a tease then winked at her. She was adorable and as she quickly trotted off in her white high heels, Albert turned to watch her.
The people slowly returned to their day. Mable and Mr. Parker went back inside Parker’s Soda Shop, the decorating committee went back to The Green to work on the gazebo, and his Uncle Zeke gave him a thumbs up and walked back over to his store. All along The Square, he could see folks return to their business and Albert decided to go home for the day. He’d finally done it!
But as Albert walked with his tools to his beat up 1945 Ford pickup with the dent in the door, Theo Gilbert stopped working on the lights for the gazebo to watch him. Then staring up at the clock tower, Theo rubbed his chin, raised an eyebrow, and smiled.
************
It was show time! The thick July air of Kentucky shrouded the day in humidity, but the streets were full nonetheless. The citizens of Maple Creek came out in droves adorn with red, white, and blue attire. Music came from the gazebo out on The Green, where a local band played patriotic tunes, and there were hotdogs, snow cones, and cotton candy selling near the fountain. On the sidewalks of The Square, folks mingled and weaved in and out of all the open doors of the town businesses.
Albert’s hands were sweating and he knew it wasn’t from the early heat of the day. It was 11:35am when he descended the clock tower from setting the great machine to start its first of hopefully years to come, hourly chimes, to begin at high noon.
As he stepped out onto the sidewalk, the door to the tower failed to shut all the way behind him. Albert was so deep in thought of finding Virginia, he failed to notice Theo slip quickly through the door and creep up the stairs.
Scouring the streets with his eyes, Albert couldn’t see any sign of Virginia. Where was she? He hoped she’d be with him for the reveal. He walked around aimlessly, hands in and out of his pockets, fidgeting with his tie.
By 11:45am Theo stuck his head out of the door to the clock tower, looking this way then that, quickly snuck back onto the street and firmly shut the door behind him, walking away from the crowd.
11:50 am Albert’s parents and his Uncle Zeke, were standing in front of the jewelry store, waiting like the rest of the community to hear the old time piece chime back to life. Albert paced and wrung his hands. Walking back towards City Hall, he spotted the mayor coming his way with Teddy Gilbert. Both men wore white starched shirts with red ties, but the mayor wore a royal blue vest with his. Looking at his own rumpled shirt, Albert quickly straightened his tie and extended his hand to the mayor.
“Mayor Kemp, I wanted ta thank ya for this opportunity ta be the one ta get the clock tower back up and running. It’s been a great honor, Sir.”
The creases of his eyes smiled, as the mayor held his cigar within his teeth. He shook Albert’s hand, but then pulled him closer to say, “I truly hope you’ve pulled this off, Son. There are a lot of people hera that thank I was crazy ta let a young man of your age take a crack at it. My Virginia swears that you are some kind of genius though. I hope she’s right.”
Albert ran his hand through his hair looking around and then at his watch. 11:53am. “Yes, Virginia. Well I was hoping she’d be hera for this. Have you seen her?”
Teddy patted the mayor on the back then, “I believe she’s with my Theo. We just saw them a second ago standing around the corner of the court house entry. They seemed like they wanted some privacy though since they were whipserin’ an all,” and Teddy smiled, nudged Albert with an elbow.
A knot formed in Albert’s stomach as he quickly excused himself to go find her and get her away from that weasel Theo. “Thank ya gentlemen. Happy Fourth of July, Sir.”
Maneuvering the sea of people on the sidewalk like a salmon swimming up-stream, Albert glanced at his watch just before he reached the court house, 11:58am. He didn’t find anyone at the doors of the courthouse. It was locked solid for the day’s festivities. Where wasshe?
Then he remembered Teddy said around the corner. Just past the building was a little alcove between the courthouse and the title company. Nobody was over there because all the festivities were going the other way.
Albert turned the corner and felt like someone knocked the air out of him. As if someone punched him in the stomach, he found he couldn’t breathe. Virginia was in a red dress and white shoes, and Theo was holding her face with both hands and kissing her.
“I swear, Virginia!” was all that came out.
She pulled away from Theo and pushed his chest to stumble towards Albert. It looked to him that she took a bit too long to protest though, and Albert spun around to walk back towards the crowd.
“Albert, wait! It’s not what ya thank. Albert!” she tried to catch up to him but he was hot with anger and prideful jealousy. His long legs pumped faster.
It was noon.
The first chime was more of a clank. The next one sounded like someone plucking a mouth harp… then silence. Albert froze. Then he looked around and everyone within the town seemed to stop and stare upward. The paralyzing dread within him seemed to stop time, as he realized that now, everyone in the whole town was looking right at him.
He turned to go back towards the clock tower but Virginia was there breathless and begging for him to listen to her. He turned back the other way and came face to face with the mayor.
“I thought you told me it was working, boy! What the hell was that? You failed!”
“I… It was fine. I don’t understand,” he stammered.
“Neither do I. I don’t understand how I could have been so stupid to let a kid work on something so important. You made a fool out of me!” the mayor clenched his cigar, face beet red, and he looked like a dog baring his teeth.
“No Daddy! Albert really is a genius. Something must have gone terribly wrong because yesterday we all heard…”
“Oh stay out of this Virginia, darlin’. I know you meant well supportin’ this friend of yours but your misguided advice has cost me terrible embarrassment!” and he stormed off with Teddy close behind.
Albert ran both hands threw his hair, shaking his head. Then Virginia’s hand was on his arm. He pulled it away like it was a hot poker. Slowly, he turned to look at her questioningly, with pain in his eyes. Before she could explain, Theo was there behind her.
“I told y’all that this guy was in way over his head. He’s no genius, Virginia. He was just trying to impress you and get the mayor to like him but he can’t fix that clock tower any more than he can fly to the moon. Face it honey. Albert James just isn’t in your league,” and Theo draped an arm around Virginia’s shoulder. She swat it away and tried to grab Albert’s hand but he pulled away from her, feeling the stares from everyone in town.
What the hell happened? The world seemed to be moving in slow motion and Albert felt the eyes of every single person burning into him. He couldn’t trust himself. He was so sure of everything just yesterday. Now on the street below the clock tower, he felt like an alien in a foreign world. He didn’t belong. He had to get away.
As he walked across to the far right of The Square, he made his way between some buildings to find his truck parked on the next block, on Third Street. He jumped inside and fired up the engine. Albert left that day feeling betrayed, confused, and very much alone.
For weeks Virginia tried to call him, but he refused her calls. He stopped working in his uncle’s shop, because he didn’t want to be seen in town, and although he felt cowardly, his broken heart weighed him down the most.
Before long, he’d heard Virginia left for school, Theo went off to Princeton, and Albert packed his bags as well. But he didn’t leave for school. Albert just moved away. He needed a new town, with different people, and different opportunities. Someplace where every time he turned a corner, he wouldn’t think of Virginia Kemp.
************
Ok, you fabulous readers! That’s it! That’s all of the beginning of THECLOCK TOWER OF MAPLE CREEK, ya’ll are going to get until I publish. But follow along to get tidbits, hints, and news of my progress. I’m hoping to have the book finished by the end of the summer, edited by the end of November, and we will see after that. I think I might try my hand at TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING again, instead of self-publishing. If you’ve read my posts on self-pub, you know it’s a hole HELLUVA lotta work! But I’m not going to sweat it. I’ll let the Universe lead the way.
Sending loads of love your way. Thank you for reading, and you are all in my thoughts and prayers during this weird-ass time we are in.
I have to be honest with you all that lately I’ve fallen victim of the depression called CABIN FEVER. It showed it’s ugly face later than most people have experienced, and I was pretty surprised when I realized that THAT was why I’d developed such a foul attitude. Huh… and I thought I was handling this whole Covid thing so well. I guess I’m human after all.
The only outings I’ve had have been my two days I’m allowed to work and going to the grocery store periodically. I must admit I feel good behind the wheel of my car, (Ruby is her name), with the solitude, music, and wind in my hair. But I guess lately that hasn’t felt like enough.
So what to do about it? I am doing what I always do and that is write. I promised to continue to share the story of my Kentucky town I call, Maple Creek, and all the fun characters that reside there. Since I cannot GO to Kentucky as I planned for this past April, I have been writing about it and will let you read the entire first chapter in sections.
Today we continue with Virginia and Albert’s story that took place fifty-seven years ago. If you have NOT read the beginning of this chapter, please click HERE, and read first. You can click the go back arrow after to continue onto this post. Don’t forget to leave a comment after reading these posts so I can get feedback on the story. Remember, this has NOT been edited yet so nothing is set in stone. I’m simply sharing with you all the beginning of the story to contribute something positive during this quarantined time. I truly hope you enjoy it.
Happy Reading!
************
Four days to go. The Jubilee was Saturday and on that Wednesday before, Albert waited at Parker’s Soda Shop for Virginia to come in and bump into him. She was working at the courthouse for the summer and he was taking his lunch break from working on the clock. With any luck, he’d have the intricate machine running by Thursday night, maybe Friday. It was starting to finally look more promising. He smiled to himself as he poked at his fries on the plate while sitting at the counter.
The glass door dinged with the entrance of a beautiful girl wearing a red, poka-dot dress and lipstick. Virginia’s eyes sparkled as she spotted him sitting in his coveralls and ball cap. He knew he should feel unworthy sitting in blue collar work clothes, but he didn’t care. She wanted to be with him just as he was, and knowing that made pride swell up in his chest. He smiled back, putting a fry into his mouth.
“Hey Virginia. You come for the office lunch order, honey?” Mable called out from behind the counter, her pink uniform fully filled out, plump brown cheeks smiling wide.
“Hey Mable. Yes, I know I’m early. Thought I’d grab a malt while I waited if that’s ok,” she sat down on the stool next to him.
“Don’t you look purty,” he said quietly, never losing eye contact with her sky baby blues.
“Well Albert James,” she pretended to be surprised. “I guess y’all are still working on our town hall clock. How’s that comin’?”
Nearly laughing at her performance, Albert nodded. “It’s going well, Virginia. I believe by tomorra night or Friday mornin’ I will have it runnin’. When I give it a test run you should hear it chime throughout the town.”
From a booth near the back of the shop, a voice came mocking, and petty.
“I’m bettin’ you don’t. I’m bettin’ you are just a hick from the sticks that’s trying to impress the Mayor so you can get to his daughta.”
Albert and Virginia both snapped their heads around. Suddenly a stuffed shirt and tie stood up from the red vinyl seat, jacket swung over the shoulder, he started their way. Theo sported a smug smile underneath his derby hat. Virginia exhaled dramatically.
“Oh geez, Theo! What would you know about clocks anyway? Albert is a genius. He will have it runnin’ in time for the Jubilee and at high noon he’s going to reveal it to the whole town with its twelve chimes. Saturday’s celebration will go long into the night and with the whole town square lit up and decorated, our beautiful clock tower will be the center piece, finally working again. Isn’t that right Albert?”
She put a reassuring hand on his shoulder but Albert was locking horns with Theo in their stares. Who would look away first? Albert put another fry into his mouth and raised an eyebrow. Theo continued his evil smile and tipped his hat to them both.
“I’m bettin’ ole Albert here is in way over his head. Anyway, don’t put too much hope into it runnin’, Virginia sweetheart. Your daddy will have to hire someone professional from out of town, no doubt. But for the town’s sake, I hope you are right. Would be embarrassin’ if the thang failed on the day of Jubilee. Right Albert?”
“Well I’d ask for your help Theo, but I wouldn’t want you to get your suit dirty. Might get strangled by that tie if it got caught in the teeth of the gears. Dangerous business,” Albert turned to face him directly, smiling back, hands on his thighs.
“Here’s your malt, Virginia honey. Strawberry, your favorite.”
Mable set the glass down and eyed the group and hesitated, first eyeing Theo then Albert, before slowly walking away to fill the coffee cups of the other customers.
“Y’all have a nice day,” Theo said shaking his head and walking outside, doorbell dinging as he left.
“I swear!” Virginia said.
“Oh don’t pay him any mind,” Albert said. He could easily let Theo boil his blood but he chose to focus on how beautiful Virginia looked sitting next to him. “He’s all hat and no cattle. Did I tell you what a purty dress that is?”
She laughed and they turned to face each other on the bar stools. Virginia grabbed her malt and sipped from the straw, never taking her eyes off of Albert. The red from her lipstick leaving a print on her straw made him ache to be that straw. To feel her soft lips on his again, just like they were in the alley between the Maple Creek Hotel and the bank. They’d ducked under the cover of trees when it started to rain, warm, windy, and humid.
Mable placed a large paper sack on the counter. “Here’s the office order, sweetie. I put some ketchup packs in for the Mayor’s hamburger. I know he likes extra. Miss Brittany’s turkey on rye has extra mayo too. The only other order was your Club Sandwich. I will put it all on the tab.”
Virginia finished up her malt and turned to Mable. “Thank you, Mable. It was good to see you. I’m also glad to catch up with Albert, here. He has been working so hard for our town lately, put his meal on the courthouse tab too. I will tell Daddy. It’s the least we can do.”
“Uh, no Mable. Thank ya, Virginia, but no. I pay my own way. It will all come out in my bill to the city. I appreciate it though,” he put a hand over her hand on the counter.
Mable watched him touch Virginia’s hand and she smirked, her shiny brown cheeks curling into a knowing grin as she sashayed away.
“Guess you gotta go now huh?” he leaned in closer to whisper. “When am I gonna see you again. I can’t keep this up much longa, Virginia. I wanna kiss you right now!”
She giggled and touched her flaxen hair. Looking around at the nearly full counter and half full booths, he knew she was surveying the people in there that might talk to her father.
“I will call you tonight. Say nine o’clock? You think you will be home by then?” she asked.
“I’m gonna work as late as I can on the clock so make it ten. But don’t forget. I’m goin’ crazy not being with ya.”
“You gotta take a break for dinner right? I get off at five,” she looked around smiling and stood slowly. “I parked on the corner of The Square. Wait for me by the bank and I will see you thera as I’m walking to my car,” she was smiling and whispering threw her teeth. He had to laugh at how bad she was at this charade. Then suddenly she loudly said, “Ok, well it was so nice getting caught up Albert. Great to see y’all again. Bye Mable!”
He watched her leave as he cleaned his plate of the last fry. He finished his Coke and left money on the counter for Mable. One day, and he hoped it would be soon, he would be able to walk out with Virginia, holding her hand. But if she wanted him to wait for the clock tower reveal to tell her father, then he guessed he could wait a few more days.
************
The day drug on as Virginia watched the time move slower and slower, waiting to see Albert again. When five o’clock rolled around, her father and most of the staff had gone because of a last minute firework show emergency. They all went to Lexington to meet with the pyrotechnics to make sure they’d be able to shoot off the fireworks on Saturday’s event. Only Virginia and the secretaries Brittany, and Rose remained.
Maple Creek’s rock, and lead secretary, Rose, sat at the entryway desk grabbing for her purse and smiled as Virginia walked to the huge double doors to leave. The clicking of her heals on the marble floors echoed so loudly that Virginia felt completely conspicuous in the two story foyer of the courthouse.
“Have a good evening sweetheart,” Rose called to her. “It is so good having you work here with your daddy this summer. Your momma would be so proud. I guess you will be moving this fall for school won’t you?”
Rose was like part of her family. She lived in Maple Creek her whole life, knew both Virginia’s parents before she was even born, and when her mother died she was a great comfort to Virginia. This made it difficult to lie to her about Albert. But she knew he was waiting for her and Virginia just wanted to get going and not get into a lengthy discussion about her future.
“I guess so. Well, I will see you tomorrow. Have a good evening Rose. Bye!” and she squeezed through the double doors before Rose could even respond.
Guilt was weighing heavily. Her head swung back and forth, eyes darting, as she walked the sidewalks of The Town Square nervously. Walking first left, then at the corner, she crossed Court Street right, onto Green Street, towards the beautiful Maple Creek Hotel, established in 1886. It stood four stories high and came just before the Maple Creek Bank. Her eyes shifting around looking for Albert. Many people were on the streets now, just leaving work. She made it to the hotel and still no sign of him. As she neared the alley between the hotel and the bank she heard footsteps behind her growing closer. Turning around there he was and she let out a small yelp.
“Easy there beautiful,” he said. He’d taken off his coveralls and wore jeans and a short sleeved button up shirt. His soft, deep voice made her legs feel weak.
“Whera?…whera did you come from?” she looked around a minute then walked over like she was headed to the bank, even though it was closing.
“I was at the hotel. I went inside and looked around a bit. When I saw you through the winda I walked outside.”
He leaned against a post on the sidewalk outside the bank and she leaned against the building, close but not so close they were touching. She wanted to touch him though. Her breathing was rapid. Anxiety mixed with excitement. She was losing control of the façade. A sexy smile across his face, hair hanging down in his eyes, it was apparent that Albert could care less about what others thought. But Virginia just needed to keep their secret a few more days. She had to find a way to convince her father of Albert’s worthiness to be part of their family. Of course she knew he was far more suitable than Theo, but her father had such strong opinions, it scared her to think of what he’d say or do. And despite how difficult she knew her father could be, Virginia loved him very much.
“What are we doin’ Virginia?” Albert stared at her with a coy, teasing smile. His eyes seduced her right there on the street and she was certain anyone walking by would be able to see how badly she wanted to be with him.
She walked into the alley. He slowly followed, she walked the length of the buildings and turned to walk behind the bank and stopped. There was nobody out there. An empty field was behind the buildings, the distance of a full block until Second Street ran parallel behind a row of thickly lined trees. Birds chirped in the summer air. Shadows ran along the back side of the buildings from the trees, and then Albert appeared around the corner. Virginia grabbed his shirt and pressed her lips to his, hard and fast.
They stood against the wall kissing and holding each other, desperate to feel every touch, and knowing the moment wouldn’t last.
“What will you do, Virginia? How will this change once the Jubliee is over? Will you tell your fatha about us?” he asked her between kissing her mouth and ears, and neck.
She couldn’t think. Their kissing had never been so passionate. She dropped her purse, moved her hands through his hair and up and down his chest. The height of him towered above her as she pressed her back against the warmth of the building. He wanted an answer.
“I’m in love with ya Virginia. I want to marry ya.”
She stopped. Her head snapped up to look into his onyx eyes with their dark lashes. His full lips, red with her lipstick and moist from their kisses, said again what she thought she heard the first time.
“I mean it Virginia. I love ya. I want to marry ya. So you’d betta find a way to tell your fatha, before I do it myself.”
And just like that. He handed her back her purse she dropped and walked away from her, wiping her lipstick off his mouth with the back of his hand, then walked back up the alley and onto the street.
When she fixed her dress and hair, Virginia walked back up the alley and over to her car that was on Green Street, just down from the bank. When she got inside, she looked at herself in the rearview mirror. Her lipstick gone, a smile spread across her entire face.
“I love ya too Albert,” she said to herself.
As she pulled out onto the street and drove away, she had no idea that across the street, in the Town Green standing by the fountain, Theo had been watching. He’d seen first Albert walk up the alley alone and watched him turn the corner, back up towards the Town Hall. Then looking back, Theo saw a girl in a red polka-dot dress walking up the same alley. Virginia.
Theo pursed his lips, squinted his eyes, and adjusted his hat. Then turning slowly, he looked up at the clock tower, exhaling smoke from his mouth while teeth clenched his cigarette.
************
OK FOLKS… that’s the second post on Chapter One from THE CLOCK TOWER OF MAPLE CREEK. I will continue to post the entire first chapter in segments over the next few weeks. Don’t forget to leave a comment and share on your social media accounts so I can get more feedback.
Hey there everyone. If you are just now finding me, I’m Patti Diener, public school librarian, and romance novelist. My debut novel, AFTER THE FIRE (click the link), is available on Amazon in paperback or eBook, and FREE on Kindle Unlimited. But today’s blog is about something new.
As I promised, I am going to allow you all to take a look at the beginning of my new book that I am calling THE CLOCK TOWER OF MAPLE CREEK. Of course you understand that nothing is set in stone at this point. I am currently just starting chapter six and only about a quarter of the way into this first draft of the novel. There is much to edit! But considering these unusual circumstances with all of us on basic house arrest, I thought I’d lend to your reading material.
For starters, you will want to know what it’s about. I’ve written the summary only once or twice and not even all the way through but I’ll give it a go here, knowing I will need to tweak this as well, and trim it up. Howerver, I trust you readers to understand all this. Work in progress you know.
Working on the next chapter
So first the summary then below I will add the first few pages to the opening scene of Chapter One. Hope you enjoy.
Summary: Lost loves and new beginnings. Two couples from different generations share one thing. They love the small Kentucky town of Maple Creek.
Fifty-seven years ago, Albert James was an average, eighteen year old, blue collar Kentucky boy, and he was in love with Virginia Kemp. She was smart, funny, and beautiful, but she also happened to be the town mayor’s daughter. They were keeping their love a secret until Albert could prove to be worthy of Virginia by repairing the town’s clock tower in time for the Fourth of July Jubilee.
Virginia hoped Albert would be the hero of Maple Creek, by restoring the iconic landmark to its former glory. But when things didn’t work out as planned, and there was a huge misunderstanding, Albert left town before Virginia could make things right between them, and she never had the chance to tell her father about him.
Years later in Maple Creek, the now widowed Virginia, has a granddaughter Paris Holloway, who is the mayor and running for her second term. Beloved by all, Paris has campaigned on refurbishing the Town Square to its late nineteenth century charm. This includes fixing the still non-functioning clock tower. With pressure mounting in her campaign, she knows she will have to call on friends to help her. Her grandmother thinks handsome Oliver Wick, is just the guy. He’s handy with restoration and a very popular contractor. He reminds Virginia of a young man she knew long ago.
Oliver has worked closely with Paris over the years and although they are old schoolmates, he’s grown fonder of her than he’d like to admit. When Paris’ ex-fiancé shows back up on the scene with a promised business deal that will help her campaign, Oliver worries the pompous lawyer will try to win Paris back. And although he is a wonderful rehab contractor, Oliver knows nothing about the workings of clocks. But in a nearby town, a reclusive, old gentleman is rumored to still live, who once worked on the time piece. Can Oliver convince the secluded man to help him out and return to Maple Creek?
Ok folks! That’s the summary. I know it needs work but the beauty of that is I have LOADS OF TIME NOW… Without further ado, I give you the first scene in Chapter One, of THE CLOCK TOWER OF MAPLE CREEK.
PART ONE
57 YEARS AGO
CHAPTER ONE
Love’s Inception
Trickles of sweat came down both sides of Albert’s face, feeling like the light legs of spiders inching their way down from his brow to his cheeks. Grease on both hands, he couldn’t even wipe it away in the humid night air. The tight quarters of the clock tower gave little room to work in, and the light from his head lamp was dimming. He was running out of time.
Albert James had been handy with anything mechanical since the day he was born. Inquisitive, he took toys apart just to put them back together again as a child. All through his teenage years, he fixed people’s cars, and worked on tractors, but what he really loved was making clocks. He’d gotten a job working at his uncle’s jewelry store one summer, and found that repairing customer’s watches and clocks, was his favorite part of the job. He eventually bought kits to create clocks for walls, tabletops, and he’d gone to people’s homes to repair their handsome, heirloom grandfather clocks.
His senior year of high school, Albert fell in love with Virginia Kemp. She was confident, smart, extremely beautiful, and also the town mayor’s daughter. Maple Creek, Kentucky, was a lovely town to grow up in, but Virginia came from high society and politicians, while Albert’s family, from the proverbial, other side of the tracks, was the blue collar, paycheck to paycheck sort of folks. Never afraid of hard work, Albert was proud, and always found ways to make money. No trust funds in the James family for him to count on. But he didn’t care. Albert was happy in his work and his life.
Virginia had secretly seen Albert, for months. Since they’d just graduated, he knew she’d be off to some fancy, all girl’s university in the fall, something planned for her since birth, while he would attend community college nearby for business. Community college was just fine for Albert, but it was clear that he would have to dazzle the mayor if he were ever to date his daughter openly. Dazzle him, was exactly what Albert was going to do once he got this clock tower running again. But his promise to bring the town’s dead time piece back to life in time for the Fourth of July Jubilee, was beginning to look grim. He only had a week left, and now laying upside-down inside the tower, in the Kentucky summer humidity, he questioned his sanity for even suggesting he could do it.
Voices from below in The Town Square, brought Albert to a sitting position. Grabbing the rag out of his jeans pocket, he dabbed the moisture from his brow, upper lip, and neck. It was a couple from his high school, running across the lawn of The Town Green, where they snuck into the gazebo, giggling and hiding within the shadows of the structure. Smiling now, he remembered sitting with Virginia on the bench of that turret shaped building, just months ago. It was where he first held her hand. Of course the moment only lasted a few minutes, both fearing someone might see, but the memory of that first touch he knew would last him a lifetime. Electrifying.
Flipping around again, break was over, and Albert was back to the task of trying to fix what others mutilated. Not realizing the damage that would be done to such an intricate machine, someone tried to modernize the clock with electricity. The weighted system was impaired, but Albert was sure he could bring it back. At least, that was his hope since he’d promised it to the mayor. His name and word were hanging in the balance. Not to mention his relationship with Virginia. How he adored her.
As he worked tirelessly, Albert was motivated by the thought of Virginia’s laugh. How the corners of her eyes and nose crinkled as she did. He loved making her laugh. Once he proved himself worthy to the mayor, and gained the trust of the town’s people, Albert would get his business degree and run his own store. Maybe he’d take over his uncle’s jewelry shop, where he’d make and repair clocks, as well as sell and fix jewelry. He’d marry Virginia and they’d raise children in Maple Creek.
The Victorian era being its heyday, Maple Creek was a town of about eight thousand and was splendid for raising kids. It had a wonderfully thriving business district that was picture perfect, and just thirty minutes outside of Lexington, was attracting more families. It had tree lined streets, with lovely homes flanked with flowering shrubs, and lawns in every yard. White picketed fences abounded, and in the winter, snow and lovely Christmas lights all around. Kids on bikes, playing near the creek beds, or filling the soda shop, made it perfect as any Norman Rockwell painting. He loved his town. He wanted a life in Maple Creek with Virginia.
Once Albert restored the clock, he also understood he’d be the one to become the town’s clock-keeper, something commendable for certain, but mostly he just wanted to make sure nobody ever tried to electrify the damn thing again! He’d had to look for all the old parts just to start the project, the anchor, the pendulum, the weights, were all found in the basement. He also didn’t want to have to count on anyone else to show up every week, at the same time, to wind, oil, and inspect the clock. It would be a commitment Albert would not only find pleasing, but be proud to do. If he could just get the damn thing working again.
************
“Virginia? Can you please come in hera and give me a hand, Sweet Pea?”
Her father, Mayor Jonathan Kemp, was busy at their dining room table with papers spread all across it. The Fourth of July Jubilee was only a week away and there was much to do. Since her mother died when she was ten, her father leaned on Virginia for a woman’s touch, and female advice when it came to certain planning of intimate parties at their grand home, or ceremonial celebrations in town. Even though he had people for that, Mayor Kemp always asked for Virginia’s input.
“Daddy, I’m sure whatever you have come up with will be wonderful,” she said descending the fabulous, sweeping staircase of their Southern Colonial Mansion that sat just outside of town.
As she entered the formal dining room, complete with heavy drapery, and dark, ornate, mahogany furniture, her father had large scrolls of papers that the whole town square was drawn out on. It indicated where certain booths would be, and where all the flags, bows, and red, white and blue bunting would go, decorating each point of interest. In particular, the gazebo and fountain would be decorated within The Town Green, right in the center of The Square, and the most elaborately decorated area would be the Town Hall Clock Tower. It had huge bunting around the bottom of the four faces, and strung white lights to run vertically, up and down the entire length of the tall tower.
Virginia nodded her blonde head in approval as she saw what was drawn. “Daddy this is wonderful. Everyone will agree. But is there a way to light up the gazebo as well?”
“Marvelous idea, Sweet Pea! I’ll ask Teddy, if he can look into that.”
Teddy, was her father’s oldest friend and a city councilman. Whenever Mayor Kemp needed something, Teddy, Theodore Gilbert, was there to help him look good. Teddy was also the father of Theodore Gilbert Junior, Theo.
Since they were children, Virginia’s family and Theo’s joked about how wonderful it would be if the two kids grew up and got married. Theo graduated in Virginia’s class and was headed to Princeton in the fall. Teddy was grooming Theo for politics since birth. He wore a tie, sport jacket, and slacks nearly every day their senior year, until the weather warmed too much to warrant the jacket. Still he carried it over his shoulder like a prop. He was the president of their class all four years of high school, head of the debate team, and undefeated champion of The Chess Club… and Virginia couldn’t stand him.
Arrogance in a person was a trait Virginia despised! He had wholesome good looks, perfectly combed hair, and a winning smile, but it was too showy for her. Basically fake. He was also a fabulous liar. From elementary school on, Virginia had witnessed his denial of so many things he’d done, charming the teachers with feigned politeness, blaming others that lacked his skill for deceit. Theo could get away with murder, but Virginia always saw right through him. For this, he tried extra hard to impress her. Not because Theo actually liked Virginia, but mostly she knew he just hated that she didn’t swoon all over him, or fall for his charms. Things usually came easy for Theo, but he never could win over Virginia.
Albert James was different. She’d always known Albert, but during their senior year, they had several classes together and she began watching him. His strong build, unpretentious clothes, and quiet ways, intrigued her. But when he asked to sit next to her in Government Class, his voice was deep and smooth as silk. His slightly shaggy, black hair combed back with the front falling into his onyx dark eyes was alluring like James Dean. He looked into her eyes, but it felt like he could see right down into her soul. She nodded weakly at him to take a seat.
They had lunch together that day under the large Oak in the courtyard of the school and that was that. Virginia was hooked. But because Theo mocked them and reminded Virginia how The Mayor, would expect more for his daughter than a poor, handyman, she suggested they see each other secretly.
“Are you ashamed of me, Virginia?” he asked in his thick, southern drawl. “I’m not beneath your family or that Theo’s for that matta. Just because my family doesn’t come from money, we work hard for what we have. I’m going to own my own stora someday, and I will have a nice house in town too. I might not become some fancy lawya, like Theo, but not because I couldn’t. I just have otha ideas for a life that suits me. I was hoping you’d be in it.”
When Albert said those things, Virginia could see his passion and it made her like him even more. She was drawn to Albert and didn’t ever want him to think she could be ashamed of him. She grabbed his hand, and kissed his knuckles, smiled up at his serious, wrinkled brow.
“Oh, Albert. I could never be ashamed of you. I only want to be with ya. Don’t worry about Theo. Let me deal with him. But he is right about one thang. My daddy is very insistent that I attend college before I marry. He doesn’t want me to date because he’s worried it will derail my plans. We have to keep this quiet until I can thank of a way to persuade Daddy that my seeing you is a good thang. Just for now…can we please see each utha secretly? Please Albert?”
And he’d agreed. She flashed her best smile at him and it worked. Albert’s face softened and he pulled her into a hug. That day was five months ago, and still Virginia knew her father wasn’t keen on Albert James yet.
************
OK…. That’s the first scene. You can leave a comment to let me know what you think so far. I will post more of this first chapter on the next blog post. If you like my content, it would be great if you’d click the share button to your social media accounts to spread the word. I could use all the feedback I can get. Remember, I am still in the wirting process. I will edit it all when I am done with the book.
Thank you for reading today. I wish you all a stress free quarantine. Stay well, get outside for fresh air when you can. Hope to hear from you soon.
