An Excerpt

It’s been a long time since I posted an excerpt from my manuscript, so here’s a treat for you! Work on book two is still underway, and we’re halfway through the month. Check facebook for updates and potential rants.

This part is very “Mickey Mouse Club,” but make no mistake–things are far from perfect.

“May I have this dance, Miss Owens?” John playfully held out his hand as the sweet sounds of Jo Stafford came on the radio in the living room of Pearl’s house. They danced to “You Belong to Me” while her mother finished cleaning up from dinner in the kitchen. Pearl was so happy John was over again. She would love to visit Swanpoint, but his Aunt Daisy was always so ill and needed rest.

She loved Halloween and watching all the kids come around in their costumes. Earlier she’d helped her little brother Jackie finish his costume and John had helped him carve a jack o’lantern. He was out with the other kids wreaking havoc on the neighborhood. They’d handed out treats together as her father sat in his recliner smoking his pipe and reading the newspaper.

 “John, promise you’ll always love me,” she sighed, laying her head on his shoulder. He held her closer, not wanting to let go.

 “Forever and more, Dollface.”

He planted a kiss on the top of her head and they danced in silence until the doorbell rang. Pearl and John were brought back to reality, and she separated herself from his wonderful arms.

“I’ll get it, Mother,” Pearl called. She opened the door, but no one was there. Pearl figured some kids were just playing a prank. It was Halloween, after all. The last few kids should be stopping by, but it was almost time for Jackie to come home. When she turned around, John’s face was stark white.

 “John, what’s wrong?” Pearl asked as he went to the door.

 “I’m so sorry, Pearl, but I have to go. I– I don’t feel well.” He kissed her forehead sloppily this time, without looking at her, grabbed his jacket, and left the house before she could say anything else.

 “John won’t be joining us for candy apples, Mother. I’m sorry,” Pearl said, trying not to burst into tears. She sat down at the kitchen table, her hands on her face. Her mother came and sat with her and put a loving hand on her shoulder.

“What happened, dear? You can tell me. Did you and John have a fight?”

Pearl shook her head no, sniffling. “He just abruptly said he had to leave when we answered the door and no one was there. It was probably just some dumb kids playing a prank, but he acted as if he’d seen a ghost.”

Her mother laughed softly and stroked her hair. “Oh my little darling, don’t worry. Teenage boys are interesting. No matter what age you are, you’ll never understand them. You’ll learn that one day when you have children of your own, and you’ll be just as confused.”

Pearl hugged her mother. “Thank you, Mother. You’re so wonderful. I hope someday I’ll be half as good a mother as you are.”

She sat at the table and spoke with her mother some more as her mother stirred the candy for candy apples. Jackie came in, the burned cork rubbing off from his hobo costume.

“Great haul this year!” he shouted, flinging his pillowcase onto the table. Mother scolded him, telling him not to shout. He pulled out his earnings and offered a popcorn ball to Pearl. She smiled and took it, giving him a hug and a kiss on his cheek. He grimaced and wiped his cheek, which made her laugh.

The telephone rang.

“Why don’t you go answer that, Pearl, hmm? It might be a teenage boy wanting to apologize to his sweetheart.”

Pearl stood up from the table and went out to the living room, answering the telephone.

“Hello, Owens Residence.”

“Pearl? Is that you?” It was John. Pearl wondered how her mother knew. Then again, sometimes teenage boys could also be very predictable.

“Yes, John, it’s me. How may I help you?” Pearl couldn’t help the touch of frost on her voice. After all, he’d just bolted out of the house, barely saying goodbye.

“Pearl, Dollface, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I can’t explain what happened, but I want you to know it had nothing to do with you, and you are perfect in every way. I had to go home. I’m sorry, I can’t tell you why, but you didn’t do anything. Please stop crying,” he pleaded. She wiped tears off her cheeks.

“I’m– not– crying,” she sniffled.

“Honey, you sound like you came down with a monumental head cold, and I only saw you thirty minutes ago.” She couldn’t help laughing a little. John really was a great guy, even if he was dumb sometimes.

“I love you, Pearl Owens.”

“I love you too, John Thompson.”

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