-1-
Center Lovell 1957
The summer of 1952, Elizabeth’s stay with grandmother had ended on a bad note. Uncle Gus threw her clothes in the trunk of the car, clenched his teeth and said, “Dammit to hell, you’re done here, you’re comin’ with me.”
Driving the two-miles from her uncle’s marina to grandmother’s farmhouse, the awful memory came back. Elizabeth’s heart pounded. She gripped the steering wheel, pulled over, and closed her eyes.
Early morning on the gravel lakefront road, grandmother had driven me to my cleaning job at Aunt Dot and Uncle Gus’s lodge. She had fumed about me slacking off on farmyard chores, and had screamed. “You’re nothin’ but a lazy good-for-nothin’ kid.” (Not her favorite 13-year-old grandchild). She had been in a vile mood, but…I had asked,“Gee whiz, grandma, why don’t you like me?” Grandmother slammed on the brakes, and glared at me. She slapped me across the face and punched me. I cringed away from the blows, flung the door open, jumped out and ran. Grandmother stomped on the gas pedal and chased after me. I heard the car coming closer, but I didn’t look back. I ran faster and made it to the lodge. Uncle Gus found me sobbing, crouched on the kitchen floor. His face turned red, and he yelled, “What in god’s name happened to you?”
Elizabeth shook the images out of her head, drove the last mile, and parked in the driveway. Paint had peeled off the Colonial house and the adjacent two-story. Her grandmother fell on hard times after she sold the beachfront resort, Sunset Inn. Elizabeth rubbed a hand across her forehead. Uppermost in her mind, if grandmother’s mood took a dive too, she’d have to deal with her, alone.
Earlier, when she called Elizabeth, she soundedher straight to the point, old self. “Heard you’re here for the summer before nursing school. Stop by, I’m home.” Elizabeth had said, “Sure, grandma.” Not asking why after so many years?
She stepped out of the car, thankful the scent of pine trees hadn’t changed. She smoothed long brown hair away from her face, set Cat-Eye sunglasses on top of her head, and walked to the front door.
Gray-haired, plump, grandmother greeted her as if nothing had ever happened between them. “Look at you all grown up. It’s been a long time.”
No hug or hand shake, she turned and walked through the living room. Elizabeth followed. A stark contrast to the sun-filled day, dark, overstuffed Victorian furniture and embroidered pillows cluttered the room. Knickknacks and books filled the side tables. A Hammond organ took up the far wall.
Grandmother’s voice trailed behind her. “I want you to know sometimes when people get old they do things they’re sorry for.”
Elizabeth paused mid-step. She held her tongue. If she made a remark the visit would not end well. Grandmother’s off-hand sorry (for scaring the bejesus out of her)had to be enough.
In the dining room, she stood in front of grandmother seated on a velvet-cushioned chair aside the oak table. She cleared her throat. “Nice to see you, too.”
Grandmother pulled up her flowered housedress to the knees. “Now, take a look at my legs. Tell me what you think.”
Elizabeth bent down and slid a hand over her swollen legs. “How long have they been like this?”
“A few months.” She pointed to The 1951 Family Physicianbook on the table. “That says it’s the way my heart pumps.”
“Dad takes a water pill for blood pressure. We could ask him.”
“I don’t want anyone to know. You find out, seeing as you’ll be a nurse.”
Elizabeth smiled, amazed she asked for help. She put her hand on grandmother’s shoulder. “Okay, I’ll find out for you.”
Grandmother didn’t resist the touch. She looked up at Elizabeth. “Well, good! Now, I’ve got more to say, Elizabeth. I’ll make tea, and I baked those brownies you liked so much. Never know though, maybe you don’t eat em’ since you’re a model. Karl sent me the picture of you posing on a billboard, always a pretty girl.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened. The compliment and warm welcome a surprise first. She followed grandmother into the kitchen. “Thanks. Nice you and Dad keep in touch.”
“Sit down. I’ve got to get something.” She turned on the stove burner under the teakettle, and disappeared into a small office off the dining room.
Grandmother came back with a folded white lace handkerchief in her hand.
“I remember that in your jewelry box years ago. You grabbed it from me.”
“Ah ha, now you’re older. I’m not living much longer, and I’m giving you your grandfather’s gold pocket watch. Don’t tell the family about it.” Grandmother put the watch into Elizabeth’s outstretched hand.
Sunset Inn is a book based on real and fictional characters
There are twists and turns, crises, romance (sighs) and travel in the story. The final draft manuscript is in my editor’s hands! Next phase, rewriting. Last phase, publishing!
I asked this question last year. It took me that long to finish the research and put it together.
I’m pushing my luck, but I’ve got to ask,
“Would you ever read more than three pages?” (crosses fingers)
Update…update…
It’s a lucky, 6/21/18 Summer Solstice day! An encouraging text message from son Ted that he read the “First Three Pages” and it is a job well done. (big smile) When will page four and five show up? (Hmm…maybe an excerpt?)
Not to get over the top happy, (jumping with joy) but he also read the “About Me,” a job well done too. (Yay, yippee!)
Your Friend, Elizabeth
I told you I would turn the page – I did, and I’m glad I did. Good luck with the middle.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dan, you are a man of your word! Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I hope the middle doesn’t end up a muddle. (fingers crossed again) Christine
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are strong characters, Christine, and I definitely want to know more about them. The dialogue is almost poetic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Robert, thank you. What a inspiring comment. The characters and dialogue drive the story. Elizabeth and her grandmother are real characters. Starting with them was a good choice. I’ve written poetry, and I work with a screenwriter! Believe me a poem and a script are very similar to create. Christine
LikeLiked by 2 people
Poem and script ARE very similar. Absolutely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s something I never thought of! Great idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Remembering that saved me from overwriting dialogue in a novel. Duh! Screenwriters rock at dialogue! 🙄😉😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now I need to know who the picture in the watch is. Very clear clean writing style in my opinion. Don’t know how many know what a “woodie” is!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Greg! That’s great you think the writing is clean and clear. I doubt many would know that type of station wagon. It’s just wood paneled. My grandmother had a Sunset Inn sign painted on the sides of the front doors. Very classy. Some of the words and fashions in the book come out of the 40s, 50s and 60s. Fun to go back there and write about those times. Christine
LikeLike
It is always better to write about what you know about, and easier too, rather than aliens from Venus!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, the woman’s identity is revealed in the last part of the book already written. Building suspense and surprise in the final chapters.
LikeLike
Can’t reveal the secret on page 4!!! Make for a short piece!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Thanks for sharing more! Now I do want even more 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jodi, Thank you! I hoped that would happen! After many beginnings, I think the three pages stays as the “hook.” Maybe I’ll post a few excerpts posted along the way to keep the interest! ☺️Christine
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, of course I’d keep reading. I need to find out what grandma has to say! And why it has to be kept a secret. Great hook, Christine. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Diana! After many starts I think it’s the best “hook.” Not an easy task. Just a few hints. Elizabeth gets an earful, more than she hoped for about her famous, dead grandfather. Elizabeth is a nurse and her “beau” a German doctor, and they unravel the “secret” in Germany (in Act III). ☺️ Christine
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀 Isn’t it fun to work through these stories? Happy Writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! Even more fun editing and finding new ways to bring a story forward. Happy Writing back, Diana! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
What you’ve done with this is marvelous, Christine. Hugs!
LikeLike
Teagan, thank you! I appreciate your visit and encouraging comment! The beginnings are so hard to get right. Let’s hope this one stays and fits! Christine
LikeLike
Okay, I’m hooked!! Do put more out…got to know!!
P.S. thanks for the like on (nimslake)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for commenting “you’re hooked” on the blog post. Yep, it might be good to post more, maybe excerpts from other chapters. There’s a romance in the last third of the book. First kiss and the such! Not too racy, it’s PG sweet! Christine
LikeLike
Excellent! Happy blogging, writing and sharing…cruising around giving my brain a break. 😁
LikeLike
Happy you cruised around the blog site. Thank you for commenting again on the First Three Pages. It’s been a long time since I posted any personal writing. Christine
LikeLike
Very descriptive and with strong characters, Christine. I love a well-written dynamic mystery. When will you be publishing? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tina, Thanks so much for your read and encouraging comment on First Three Pages. I hoped it had a mystery theme, even though not the thriller type. When I started writing the story, I thought it a dark hidden mystery when on his death bed, famous grandfather said, “No one is to look into my life. That history dies with me.” My imagination took over and I went for it. The plan is to have a first draft by summer (60,000 words), then professionally edited. Structure and story flow important. Happy Writing! Christine
LikeLike
I love the idea of this setting–a quiet world with its own secrets. Already, I see engaging characters, Christine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jacqui, thank you so much for your visit and comment. Excited to know the characters stand out for you. The relationship with grandmother was rocky for many of Elizabeth’s younger years. The change when she gets older is a surprising, happy arc. Christine
LikeLike
I love it Christine! I would efinitely read more. I adore grandmother stories. Nicely done!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much Cheryl. I’m encouraged to persevere and get to the end! 💖 Christine
LikeLike