Our Lost Years (eBook)

Patricia Clifton (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
308 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3178-0238-7 (ISBN)

Infos

Lily Mae is an intelligent young girl, born into a family of displaced field workers trying to make a living in the San Joaquin Valley. Lily reads and understands the changing times in agriculture in the valley, but her family only knows their way of doing things. He insightful way of thinking gives her an opportunity to move to Georgia north of Savannah. Lily understood the opportunities and the reason why her mother had to let her go with the lady to her fine home as a companion to her daughter. She enjoyed a life much different than what she would have had with her family. She was with this family, but felt alone, so when Ralph the delivery guy showered her a little attention, she became smitten and withing a short time was ready to become his wife. Their marriage was short lived because as soon as Ralph began to abuse her, she felt unwanted and uncared for. Ralph was cheating his customers and his fate was eventually reached an end. Lily had met a kind gentleman and platonic friend at the Piggly Wiggly while shopping for groceries. Her friend, knowing what has happened to Ralph, advises her to go back to California and stay with her mother and he would contact her later. She stayed with her mother and had many advances at her job working in the city library. After 35 years she had a chance to go back to Georgia. There she thought the answers to things she didn't understand would come. Through a mutual friend, she was reunited with her friend William. They reestablished their relationship and Lily found out William had not lived the rich man's life, but became entangled in Ralphs fate and was used as a scapegoat and punished for the wrongs Ralph had committed.

The author grew up in the 60's in south Georgia. She writes stories set in that time forward to current times. Her stories follow the trends and culture of that same era. She usually writes stories of women caught in abusive situations. Her female characters get out of their deadly snares and move on to a second chance in life. Her stories are sad at time, but are written with hope in mind.

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Lily Mae is a smart young girl, born into a family of agricultural field workers from the Texas pan handle, in search of jobs in the San Joaquin Valley. She reads books and news papers and is up to date on farming in the valley. She tried to advise her family on the needs for water conservation and farm machinery use within the valley, but her family is reluctant to change from their old ways. Lily had an opportunity to move to Georgia with a socially elite family and have a better education and a more proper upbringing than if she stay with her family in California. The family was reluctant to let her go, but they saw how Lily would have a better chance in life. The wealthy lady wanted Lily to move back to their home and be a companion to her young daughter. Her education and life experiences were much better than what she would have with her family. She was included as a member of this family but felt alone without her family and now what seemed to her, living with this temporary family. She wanted a dear friend and he came along as Ralph, the delivery guy. Lily was smitten by this self assured man, who paid her a lot of attention. Within a short while they were married and both were elated, but for separate reasons. Lily's commitment to the marriage soon ended as soon as Ralph abused her and eventually beat her. At the Piggly Wiggly, Lily accidentally met William, a kind gentleman. They developed a friendship while discussing recipes to use for the things they bought. Their friendship was platonic and uplifting to Lily's deflated womanly ego. Ralph eventually heard about their meetings at the grocery store, but what he heard was inflated, but he became fighting mad. Ralph was also shorting his customers of their illegal liquor and got caught. He wronged the wrong one and The Big Boss outed him. Because William was visiting with Ralph's wife in the Piggly Wiggly, then he was used as the scapegoat made to appear as the one who outed Ralph and fell accused. Willian could see what was happening and advised Lily to go back to California to her mothers and stay. He said he would contact her later. Lily never forgot her admiration for William and even though she had many successful achievements, she never became committed to this lifestyle and always dreamed of her home near Savannah. After staying for 35 years, fate and her savings gave her the opportunity to move back to the place she called home, Ellabell, located near Savannah. She thought if she could just get back the unanswered questions from her past would be answered. Through a mutual friend, William's name was mentioned. He had moved back not long ago. Lily imagined him to be rich and not plain like her, so she tried to put William aside and concentrate on getting her life in order. With encouragement from Jim, she met with William and it became an enlightening opportunity to reconnect but this time their meeting was not just relegated to Tuesday afternoons at the Piggly Wiggly. Their friendship blossomed into one speaking of a future together. Also Jim's granddaughter was going through times with her abusive husband and Lily who was living near was aware of what was happening. With Jim's assistance and concern for Susan, he is given the credit for saving her emotional life when he took her to his family farm to live in peaceful contentment. The peacefulness of the farm gave her a chance to heal. As she grew well she became an integral part of the farming operation. She grew to love the horses and was encouraged to ride and was often taken out on trail rides around the farm to learn about it's crops. A kind barn worker named Tony was instrumental in these rides and telling her in depth information about the crops. The trust between them leads to a strong concern for each other, but their concern is interrupted when Tony has to go away, for seven weeks, to Guard Duty .

Textauszug

3

Lily Mae

That first night Lily went to bed in the lovely home of her new dwelling near Savannah on the east coast of Georgia, her eyes became wet as she thought of her previous home in California and this new adventure in this strange new location. Her bedroom was next to Olivia’s bedroom, and they left the door open between their rooms and talked with excitement about the new playhouse they would build. It wasn’t long before Olivia became warm and comfortable, and mumbled her good night.

Lily found it difficult to go to sleep. She thought of her family and being so far away and how nervous she was on the plane. “I don’t know which way to go to get back home to see my mother. I don’t know where I am, so I can tell her, good night and I love you,” she whispered.

She quietly whispered, “In a way, I’m glad to be here, but shy about the wealthy lady wanting me to live in her country home near Savannah and be a companion to her young daughter. I feel a bit upset about leaving my family, but I know it took me out of my painful family situation with my brother and hopefully living here will educate me in the finer things of life. I’m only eleven and have time to learn as well as enjoy life in a different location.” After such an exhausting day, Lily’s tired body drifted into a restful sleep.

Lily Mae woke with a bright smile. The sun was shining in the east window of her room. She looked around and admired the beautiful wallpaper and furnishings. Things she was too sleepy to recognize the night before.

Ms. Elizabeth greeted the girls with a sweet good morning wish, and to say breakfast was almost ready. She said their play clothes were laying on the chaise.

Olivia talked as they dressed and guessed what the cook made for their breakfast, while Lily was interested in this unfamiliar word, chaise and what it exactly means.

While looking into the oval mirror of her Victorian dresser, she saw herself dressed in lovely new clothing and having a silver handle brush to style her unruly hair. Lily whispered to herself, “As I teach, and play as a companion to my young friend, I will take in everything I can learn. I must treasure this opportunity and when I get weary, I will remember what life would be like if I had stayed in California.”

Lily felt a hunger pain and a flash back to what she might have for breakfast if she were back home. A vision of a leftover piece of cold fish rolled in a tortilla came into her thoughts. She came back to reality as she heard Olivia call her name.

“Lily, did you hear me, do you think the cook has warm pancakes and syrup, with strawberries and whipped cream. Maybe some bacon or ham!”

“Oh yes, I hope so! I’m dressed and can I help you.”

As Olivia got older, she spent more time with the governess in classes on social etiquette, and Lily was older and required to spend time with the tutor with lessons. Lily needed to concentrate more on her education, so she could finish high school. The girls had less time to play with paper dolls and explore.

Lily often met with the tutor in the grand library and office of Mr. McIntosh’s home. She enjoyed looking at the shelves lined with all those books while admiring the leather bindings and the gold imprinted titles. She wondered about all those words in all those books. She also looked forward to Sunday afternoon when Mr. McIntosh played the piano and they sang hymns from a book. Family members and friends often dropped by to take part in this time of joyfulness.

Lily was a conscientious student who studied her lessons and worked hard to achieve the praise of her teacher. The tutor was always pleased with her interest and encouraged her to continue with her curiosity in reading and writing. She enjoyed watching Mr. McIntosh play the piano and he agreed to hire a lady to come to the house and give her lessons. He felt Lily’s enjoyment of music would influence Olivia’s desire to learn to play the piano. He knew the joy of having his daughter follow in his footsteps.

As an older teenager, Lily was learning the ways of the early sixties. Much to the dismay of Ms. Elizabeth, she let her straight hair grow long and was often frowned upon for wanting to wear bell bottom jeans. Lily began to distance herself from the McIntosh family and gained acquaintance with many employed members of the household. She enjoyed spending time with some of the young ladies in their attic apartments. Many workers were transitory, but a few became lasting friends. They often gave her tips on what to expect and who to know best in the house. They suggested she get to know the night cook because she would gladly offer you extra sweet treats.

She also met Johnny, a young man on the gardening staff, who often let her pick certain flowers and occasionally brought her houseplants to sit on her windowsill. There was also a delivery guy who came weekly in the evenings and brought several cardboard boxes of something in glass jars and tall bottles. He teased her sometimes about helping him unload this ‘bad stuff.’

“I have no idea of what he is speaking of, but I enjoy his wistful conversations and the way he looks at me,” she whispered to the walls as she hurried to her room.

By the time Lily turned seventeen, with light brown hair and a lovely smile, Ralph, the delivery guy, wanted more than her help to unload his bottles of refreshments bought for the upcoming spring parties. Ralph dreamed of Lily and her sweet kindness and hoped to make her his, one day soon.

He eventually asked her out, and on his day off, they went for a picnic. They spread their quilt beside a small stream which flowed into the lake located on the farm grounds. The night cook put together a small basket of chicken salad and a loaf of raisin bread. For dessert she packed slices of carrot cake. She included a quart thermos of tea and cups.

Ralph and Lily enjoyed the occasional times they could spend together. On one occasion they left the estate and went to a movie. On the evening of her birthday, they went to a friend’s house for a small dinner and a gathering of friends from town. That was the first night Ralph spoke of marriage and how he thought Lily would be easy to live with. When Ralph finally asked her to marry him, she was excited and ready to become his wife.

That night, Lily danced in her bedroom as she spoke to her shadow. “After being harassed for such a long time by my brother while living with my family in California and living here and trying to be a part of this family through my younger years, I honestly feel left out and alone. I long for a pleasant peaceful home of my own. I want to be with someone I can give myself too, in a warm loving way. I also look forward to having someone to care for me and be concerned for my wellbeing. I value this thought of feeling secure, found by living in my own home, and for the regard Ralph shows for me.”

The next afternoon, as Lily walked from her bedroom to Olivia’s sitting room for their reading class, she whispered to the roses on the wallpaper. “Ralph evidently sees me as a gentle girl to make his own because I’m not bossy or outgoing. I think he recognizes I’m quiet and reserved.”

She took a deep breath and whispered, “He must be a good worker because I’ve known him for almost a year as the delivery guy, and he makes me feel like a queen. Soon, I think we will set a date for our marriage. I know Ms. Elizabeth has talked of me going away to college. College is supposed to make me the best at something, but I think I’ve had the best training at being a wife and a good caretaker of my household.”

“My companion duties, I think are complete because Olivia is spending most of the day with her governess and I don’t care to take other jobs in the household as a maid or whatever. It feels like my time here is short.” Lily often spoke from her heart as she strolled through this hallway. During these long daily walks, she poured out her heart. “If these walls could talk, is a true description for me at this time in my life. These walls know my life.”

Ms. Elizabeth blessed our marriage, and she helped to have a simple gathering of mainly household employees. Each one prepared the food or arranged the garden into a lovely wedding look. Johnny, the gardener, brought a bouquet of lovely blooms from his personal flower garden. He looked into Lily’s eyes with sincerity and a somewhat broken heart, presented her with the flowers for her to carry. In silence he had always admired Lily.

His fingers touched hers and he said, “Miss Lily, I’ve known you for all the years you have been here. As you got older, I saw in you a special lady. A lady I wanted to know, but with being a humble man, I thought I was not worthy of speaking with you. I wish you the best. I will go now.”

Lily accepted the lovely bouquet, “Thank you and please Johnny, I would love for you to stay for the ceremony. You’re a kind man, and all these years I observed your talents in the gardens with the beautiful flowers you grow. The ceremony will be in two hours, so if you don’t have things to do, then please come back.”

She took his hand as he said, “I will.”

Johnny returned to the venue by way of the garden and spotted Ralph, speaking with the...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 23.5.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen
• ISBN-13: 979-8-3178-0238-7 / 9798317802387