The Dear Jane Club - Chapters 1 and 2

Chapter 1 - Ada

Crape myrtles lined the roads in pink and white hues occasionally being swept by a gentle breeze that blanketed the ground with their soft tiny flowers.  Ada looked out of the taxi window and took in the lovely peaceful sights of the town. People were out on their front lawns mowing, picking up their papers, saying hello to each other. Ladies hung out crisp clean white sheets on the front porch fencing to dry in the warmth of the sun, the occasional pie sat in a window temping every neighborhood youngster to run away with it. Birds floated from one heavy laden crape myrtle tree to the next aiding in the making of a lovely carpet of flowers that fell. Ada laid her head back feeling a bit nauseous from all the travel, her hair blew in the breeze and everything about the neighborhood made her breath a sigh of relief. She closed her eyes and allowed all her other senses to take over. The sounds were happy, the smell was clean and free of smoke and ash, her skin felt the warmth of the sun and she couldn’t help but smile. Safe, that was the only word her mind could feel. She was safe at last.

The driver began to slow, turning slightly into a driveway. Ada hardly noticed the difference in the sound of the road, she was finally able to relax. “Ma’am? Ma’am” the driver hesitantly called out, afraid to startle her in case she was asleep.

Ada jolted forward abruptly sitting up in a panic, the sudden movement pulled her out of a dreamy state. She glanced around with alarm; her eyes wide with a strange fear and red with exhaustion.

“What?! “what’s happened?” She placed a hand on the back of the drivers seat and stared into his eyes in the mirror.

“its alright ma’am.” He spoke quickly and with assurance; somewhat confused by her response. “We just arrived. I didn’t want to frighten you, you looked so relaxed and all but……” he tapped the meter. “I don’t want you to pay more than you have to. I know times are tough right now.” He straightened his cap, not that it needed straightening just more of an awkward time filling thing that he seemed to do every time he spoke. A throw back to a time when life was a bit simpler.

“Oh yes, yes I understand.” Ada breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back into the seat with a thud; relaxing her tense muscles. “This is the right address?” she looked out the window and back down at the tiny piece of brown paper she had in her hand. Her new husband had scribbled down the address on a piece of a paper bag. “Don’t loose this.” She could hear Tom’s kind voice reverberating through her head like a bell that just wouldn’t stop. She held the paper so tightly and had for days now, opening it, reading and memorizing the address. She had opened it so often it was beginning to resemble a piece of tissue paper. “143 s. Myrtle street.” She repeated it over and over again unable to really memorize it. She shook her head frustrated with her foggy brain. “Why can’t I remember?” She looked up again at the house.

“Yes, Ma’am! This is the place.” A touch of excitement filtered through the air. The driver hopped out of his front seat and quickly opened the car door for Ada. She slowly stepped out, to the most beautiful little home she had ever seen. Not even the cottages by the sea back home in England looked as beautiful to her. The driver hurried about gathering her luggage; shuffling around like he had done this 1,000 times, smiling and whistling the whole time while Ada stood motionless. Time had stopped and she felt as theough the world turned around her. He placed the suitcase and other bags on the front porch then walked up to Ada waiting for his pay. He smiled and shuffled his feet a bit.Trying to be polite.  

“OH, Oh my goodness. I am terribly sorry.” Ada twisted open the latch to her small red leather purse and pulled a bundle of money from the popcket to give to him. Tom gave her the small roll of one dollar bills before he put her on the ship. She hadn’t touched it.  She looked at the money in her hand and for a moment couldn’t remember how much she owed or even what she was holding. “I, I don’t know what I owe you. And I am not used to this….” Her voice trailed off in a soft British accent. She held the money out to him. The driver smiled and took the roll from her. Pulling out just three one dollars bills he handed the rest back to her. “This is just fine.” He said holding up the money for her to see.  “Thank you ma’am.” He tipped his hat and walking around the vehicle slammed the trunk shut with a loud bang. Ada nearly dove onto the ground. She grabbed her hat with one hand and held her purse over her head with the other. As she bent over the entire contents of her purse spilled out onto the ground with a clatter. She didn’t speak a word or scream, just shuttered with eyes closed and lips pursed together.

“Ma’am?! You ok?” He moved quickly to her, placing one hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry,” he stooped down to help gather all of the little items from her purse. “I guess living here I just don’t realize that noises…. Can cause memories.” holding out his hands with her lipstick, hanky and a few other pieces.

“Oh, I’m quiet alright. I didn’t mean to act so foolishly.” Her hands were shacking as she reached for each of the items and placed them back in her purse. “I seem to be clumsy these days.” Ada tried hard to tamp down the emotions she was feeling. A week of travel across the Atlantic, a stay in New York for a night then a bus ride and finally this taxis to her new home. A tear trickled down her face as she tried desperately to catch it.

He handed her the last item that had fallen onto the ground. “I pick up a lot of soldiers returning home. Sometimes the noises are just to much.” Those air raids must be something terrible, he frowned with the thought. Glancing back at the house. “This is a wonderful home. You will be very happy here.”

Ada gathered herself and her emotions now distracted with what the driver might know about her new family. “Did you know the family who lived here?” she brushed a wayward strand of hair from her face and was able to catch one last tear with her hanky before the driver saw it.

He smiled knowingly. “I did. And what a great family that was.” He turned back to Ada who had a softer look on her face now. She sniffed once or twice. “When Tom went away to the war there was no family left to take care of the home. Most of the neighbors watched out for the place now.” A bit of resolve flickered through her eyes and she straightened a bit. “Small towns are special, they have their issues just like anywhere but when you are in need they fall in line with their casseroles, blankets and encouragement.” Ada smiled at the prospect of home and family even if not related. “you will be happy here……. and safe. Now I must get back to the station. I have a few other trips to make.” He reached out, squeezing her hand before getting back in the taxi and driving slowly back down the drive, waving as he drove toward the train station.

Happy and safe. It had been so long since those words had been used in the same sentence. She was convinced she couldn’t have both. Her father died in the war just a year ago. One of those wonder weapons from Germany. Her mother died just days later from shock. Tom was the only ray of light in the world it seemed. She wasn’t sure that she’d ever have a family again. But here she stood in front of the cutest little house she had ever seen. The yellow color of the wood planking invited her eyes to take a longer look. Roses lined the front little flowerbeds and there were even window boxes with marigolds growing in them. A breeze that smelled of fresh cut grass and laundry soap gently tugged at her dress. A stone walkway with beautiful cut grass between the stones stretched out from the drive to the front porch. Ada closed her eyes to take in the smells and sounds. Home. Ada took a deep breath and breathed out slowly making a soft whistling sound through her lips. She found herself walking up the steps to the front door. What if it didn’t open, what if he had written down the wrong address, what if he was lying and this wasn’t his home and this wasn’t her home and…… she grabbed the doorknob, hesitated for a moment. Her now steady hand took the key he had given her and unlocked the door.

The door groaned open. The hardwood floors creaked beneath her worn shoes. A tap was missing on one of them creating an offbeat musical sound every time she walked. She glanced around the front room. A small couch, chair, table and fireplace decorated the room. Books were scattered around, and the faint hint of aftershave lingered in the fabrics. Tobacco. She would know that smell anywhere. Tom loved a pipe and the warm rich tobacco smell made her smile. Small pictures of Tom’s family were resting on the mantle. Ada moved slowly around the room, absorbing every item from all angles. Her eyes came to rest on the window. The sun was streaming in through the windowpanes casting a bright light filled with speckles of dust. The curtains didn’t quit cover the entire window, but it was evident that someone had pulled them back to let in the light for the day. A chair sat nestled in the corner by the window. What a perfect little spot to read or watch the world from. How her father would have loved that little spot. Ada walked over to the window chair and placed her hand on the well warn arm rest. Small doilies rested on the end of both arms and the seat had a small green pillow nestled in one corner. She smiled to herself and glanced out the window just in time to see a wisp of red hair flash by. It startled Ada and she jumped back from the window. But curiosity got the better of her and she timidly looked out from behind the safety of the curtains to see two small children run giggling away from the front porch. Ada laughed sweetly as she sat down in the chair.

Her eyes trailed from the running children to the neighbor across the street. A tall thin women stood in the driveway having just picked up the mail, she stood with a cigarette dangling from her mouth. She riffled through the mail looking disgusted with each envelope. She was dressed in trousers and a beautiful blue blouse. Ada studied her form for a few moments when, as though the lady felt her looking, she turned and was eye to eye with Ada. For a moment they just stood, staring, the lady took her cigarette between her fingers flicking the end and then returning it to her mouth. Ada didn’t know quiet what to do. She sat up on the edge of the seat and raised on hand to wave. The lady turned to go back inside but before she took a step, she waved vigorously at Ada then turned and went back inside. It was clear that people had been talking, that news of tom’s wife was around town. Ada didn’t mind, in fact, it made it a little easier. They expected her and that was comforting. Ada breathed a heavy sigh and looked back to survey the house. Her stomach growled loudly, and she grabbed her dress, rubbing her hurting stomach. She hadn’t felt right since she left Hull and all the travel had her body sore. She wiped a small bead of sweat from her forehead and decided the kitchen was exactly where she needed to be. She left her purse in the chair and looked around for the door that might have a kitchen behind it. Next to the dinning room was a door that seemed to swing both ways.  She pushed open the door to the kitchen to reveal a beautiful, clean space. Light streamed in through the side door that led to a patio. All the white cabinets seemed to gleam in the light. None of them were covered in soot or stained with years of use. In the center of the room sat a Formica table that had the most beautiful blue she had ever seen. The oven was top of the line and her stomach growled again just thinking of all the  delicious meals that would be made in here. She closed her eyes and dreamed of her husband sitting at the table with his morning paper, cup of coffee and her with a crisp apron on standing by the stove, making eggs and toast. Ada couldn’t remember the last time she had either. Her stomach growled again, and it was definitely time to quiet that little beast. She pulled the stainless handle on the icebox and opened the door expecting to see empty shelves and have to wait till morning to shop. But to her surprise and relief the icebox was stuffed full of all sorts of items. Fresh milk, orange juice, a whole chicken, fresh eggs, butter, and some random vegetables. Ada could hardly believe her eyes. She began pulling out the items not sure where to start or what to cook first. It had been three days since she had a real meal other than a piece of bread and her excitement to eat a large dinner left when she realized how terribly sick she would be if she ate a proper meal now. She needed to ease into eating. Ada opted for bread, a tomato and butter. It was simple but her whole body was cramping, and her muscles felt tight. It was the right combination for a tired body and soul.

She sat at the little blue table alone and at peace. She watched as the sun began to fade from the kitchen. Ada could hardly keep her eyes open. She nodded off once but when her head jerked, she decided it was time to find a bed. She pushed opened the kitchen door, glancing around the twilight lit room. She walked slowly over to the front door where her small suitcase sat. the little red case had one of her father’s belts wrapped around it to hold it close. The handle was worn and barely hanging on. Ada smiled, realizing she felt the same way. Held together with a small thread, barely hanging on. She kicked her shoes off at the end of the staircase and walked slowly up the steps. Where there 2 bedrooms, 3? Maybe just one. She didn’t care, she picked the first room she came too and with a heavy sigh flopped down on to the covers. She breathed in deeply and smiled, even with her eyes closed she knew it was the right room. The covers smelled of him and she slept.

Chapter 2 – Lillian

Lillian swung open the screen door and walked out onto the porch of her modest home. Her father sat quietly in the rocker taking in the sights and sounds of the early afternoon. The rocker quietly creaked back and forth and he was nearly lulled to sleep with the sound. Lillian glanced at him and smiled. He was her biggest fan, she was the apple of his eye and he the greatest inspiration she had ever known. She moved to the front steps of the porch and sat down, her back against the railing post. She watched as he methodically rocked, his head bobbing slightly, probably thinking about her mom. Lillian was the last of 6 children and the only one who stayed around after her mom died. The rest of them were married, some were off fighting, one was living out in the Midwest and all of them seemed to have forgotten their father was still there. She watched him go to and from the mailbox daily hoping for a letter from one of them always, being disappointed and a bit lonelier when he found there were no letters. At least he wasn’t receiving letters that were certified, delivered by a depressed mailman or worse, by a casualty notification officer.  No, all the other children were just fine, but her dad, well he was a different story. He spent most days sitting in his rocker, just, waiting. It was difficult for Lillian to watch.

 She breathed a heavy sigh, closed her eyes and rested her head back on to the railing. The sun was warm and the air smelled clean. She loved the summer days right before they changed into fall. You could feel the air shifting and the smells were just slightly less humid. Her bright red curly hair swirled around her face, tickling her cheeks and nose. Pulling a handkerchief from her pocket, she twisted it a few times and tied it around her head to keep the wild tangles in place. Her father shuffled his feet on the wood planking of the porch and swatted at a fly buzzing around his head. He quietly drifted back into sleep.  He was a retired science teacher and somewhat of a genius. At least that is how Lillian felt. She spent many afternoons with him in the shed by the house experimenting with various objects, being a test subject for his classroom lessons. They would measure, cut, nail and saw random object until late into the night. Her mother often stood on the porch and call for them to come in. He always responded with a hearty “just a minute!,” then another 20 minutes or so would pass with him still engrossed in his projects.

He was somewhat of a chemist. He introduced her to the amazing properties of mercury. She would never forget the first time he placed a small speck of it in the palm of her hand. It was absolutely amazing! It formed a small ball that was so shiny she could see her reflection in it as she rolled it around in her hand mesmerized by its smooth liquid but also solid movement. Her father only let that last for a moment though, she could still hear his gentle voice saying, “ok, that’s enough Lilly, place it back in the test tube.” She would reluctantly watch it glide off of her hand and slip back into the glass tube. He encouraged her curiosity and fostered a passion for everything in and out of nature that took flight.

A flock of birds flew by just above the tree in the front yard. Lillian looked up at them shading her eyes with her hand. Every fiber of her being wanted to be up there, soaring among the clouds as high as she could go. She had been working hard learning how to fly with her father when he took a turn and wasn’t able to do many things. He couldn’t teach her anymore and the pressure to keep up a home, take care of her Father and try to pay bills took its toll. Her fiancé was off fighting in Europe somewhere and with him went the stability of a home and family that she thought would be possible. She lowered her gaze. Standing to her feet she walked over to her father who was sleeping soundly, his head leaned to one side, his chest rising and falling slowly. He used to be a pilot back when planes were made of spruce and fabric. He used to dust crops in the Midwest and later he would fly mail out to rural areas.  He did all those things and so much more until the accident. But now….. now he just waited.

Just then two of the neighborhood kids ran by giggling the whole way; Their bare feet slapping the sidewalk as they ran. These particular two belonged to Mrs. Evangeline Mitchel. Everyone in the neighborhood referred to her has Evi. She was the most kind, selfless individual ever, resembling a flesh and blood Melanie from Gone With The Wind. Her husband was off fighting in the war like pretty much everyone elses, father, brother, husband. His station was in the Pacific. Evi pretty much tended to everything herself, helping people who were sick on the street, keeping up her Victory Garden and teaching Sunday school, but those kids ran her ragged. Who knows what they were up to today. She did the best she could, probably better than anyone else in her shoes.

Lillian’s mind went back to her father and all he did for her and her 5 siblings after their mother passed. He just wore out. She was growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of interest her siblings showed and she felt forgotten. She felt it even more deeply when considering her dad.

He had a hint of a smile on his face as he slept. Lillian knew there must be a good memory passing through, maybe of mom. She grabbed a cigarette from a small table by the door. Lighting it she stepped off the porch and into the direct light of the afternoon. It was beautiful, peaceful and the warmth of the sun mixed with cooler air made her smile. She straightened her shirt and dusted off her trousers. Today, she would check the mail and hopefully spare him some frustrations. The disappointment was inevitable but staying clear of frustration was possible.

She walked down the sidewalk towards the mailbox just as a cab turned on the street and inched its way slowly along. Cabs or better this cab was always moving around the neighborhood. The town was situated near a rail station that was a hub for the county. Soldiers, sailors and everyone in between were constantly coming into town. Most stayed out of the neighborhoods as what they wanted was always near the station. But occasionally a cab pulled through looking for a house to return a soldier too or bring a visitor. She waited as this one pulled into the old Burrows home. Tom was the only living owner now. His mother and both sisters had died in a terrible accident years ago and his father unable to live with the pain of loss just left one day. Tom was around 15 when his dad left and never heard from him again. Tom kept the house up, and assumed ownership. But police and city officials came by one day to try and tell Tom that the house was too big a responsibility for him to maintain and he should probably sell and move into the downtown area or live with a family friend. Tom was adamant that he was more than capable of keeping the house and his life from then on became living proof that you can do what you set your mind too. He joined the war at age 25 knowing that he would leave his home and probably never return.  However, word had gotten around town that his new wife was coming to stay. It was a little exciting for sure as they all knew she was British , everyone was convinced that Tom was to much of an old soul to go off and do something so sudden without her beings something really special. 

The cab came to a stop in the drive way. Lillian wanted to watch for just a moment but She didn’t want to appear too nosey. She turned to open the mailbox and saw a stack of letters inside. Her heart jumped a bit thinking that maybe just maybe her Dad would get a letter this time or maybe Miles her fiancé had sent her a letter. She heard a commotion behind her at Tom’s house and turned to see the cab driver helping the girl pick up a few things from the grass. Lillian took the opportunity to study her. She was medium height with darker blonde hair and painfully thin. She looked as though a good home cooked meal was in order. Her gestures and the way she moved indicated she was timid and possibly a bit shy. Lillian wondered what he life must have been like.

Lillian turned her attention back to the stack of envelopes in her hand. For a few moments she shuffled through them, checking and double checking each piece. Her disappointment turned to frustration and she looked at each piece of mail, going through the stack twice just to make sure. Nothing! No letter from Miles, no letter asking about her Father. Nothing. She smacked the stack of envelopes on her hand. She looked up one last time at Tom’s house and saw his new wife staring out the window. Strange but predictable. Lillian waved to her new neighbor then started back towards the house.

“Lilly?” her Father called from the top step. At some point during Lillian’s frustration with the letters and fascination with the neighbor he had gotten up and was standing at the top of the steps. Lillian hurried up the steps and took his arm. He looked down at the envelopes and a twinge of sadness filtered through his eyes. She quickly put them behind her and slid them into her back pocket.

“you were sleeping so soundly that I didn’t want to wake you.” Lillian tried not to sound frustrated. He slowly turned and walked back towards the front door. The screen creaked open then slapped closed behind him. Lillian stood quietly on the front porch for a moment watching him, head hung, shuffling his feet to his highbacked arm chair. He fell back into the seat and breathed a sigh. Lillian’s anger had subsided just enough for sadness to creep in. She reached for the door determined to take his mind off of his own heavy heart. She threw her cigarette down and ground it into the porches wooden floor yanking the door open she stepped confidently into the living room.  

“Daddy? Daddy we haven’t talked about the pie bake off for the forth of July picnic at the church.” He didn’t seem to be paying attention, Lillian continued. “You know I can’t cook but YOU make a fantastic blueberry cobbler and we could bring that this Saturday.” She knew that the mention of a blue berry cobbler would irritate him some. He lifted his head from the back of the chair.

“Lillian, blue berry cobbler is not a pie.” He seemed almost insulted. Lillian smiled and took his hand.

“I realize, however, if you make it in a round dish no one will know.” She patted his hand smiled. He looked up at her and laughed gently.

“I’ll make the cobbler. I need a few things though. I’ll need you to run to Mr. Martin’s Farm tomorrow and get some blueberries. I’m pretty sure we are out of sugar so you might need to see if Mrs. Todd will trade some fresh eggs for sugar.” He patted Lillian’s hand as he spoke, measuring every word like the grains of sugar they used so sparingly. They barely had enough for coffee or tea. He loved his coffee though and try as he might he never was able to drink it black. Fresh milk and a dash of sugar was the only way for him.

Lillian stood and walked to towards the kitchen. She had almost forgotten the stack of letters in her back pocket. “Lily?” her father said gently.

“Yes, daddy?” Lillian continued into the kitchen to start dinner.

“Those envelopes, the ones in your back pocket. Nothing from Miles?” Lillian reached back and touched the envelopes protruding from her pocket. She closed her eyes and waiting for the storm cloud her father had fainting for her.

“Now Daddy, you know Miles is off fighting this war and doesn’t have much time to write. He’s very busy.” Lillian shook her head just out of sight of her father and sighed heavily. Her father could be heard in the other room puffing his lips in disgust. Lillian hated when he was disappointed in Miles. She was disappointed too. He always had time to write his mother but not her. He always had time to check in on others, but she felt like an afterthought. He wanted to be with her and start a family one day but acted like she was just a convenience. Lillian caught herself angrily stirring the stew. She paused as a tear trickled down her face. She quickly wiped it with her hand

. “not today.” She thought.