PRECARIOUS by Robert F. Clifton (ebook reader macos .TXT) 📖

Chapter One

Late the next day, Sunday morning Sayer knocked on the dormitory room door of Dan Miller.

"Come In", said Miller in a loud voice.

Robert entered the room and said, "I need some information".

"Shoot", said Miller.

 "Your date last night. Is there anything serious going on between the both of you?"

"Serious? No way. Why?"

 "To tell you the truth, I'm interested in her, but I don't want to be stepping on your toes."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRECARIOUS

by

Robert F. Clifton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Precarious

Copyright 2016 by Robert F. Clifton

 

All right reserved. No part of this book may be reproduce or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission form the author.

 

The reader is advised that this is a work of fiction. Any similarity to names, persons, places or events is

purely coincidental.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dedicated To

Debra  A.  Garrigus

A Special Friend

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The first step to empathy and compassion is realizing the similarities between yourself and those that are suffering;

the first step to forgiveness is realizing that we’re all human and we all share the same capacity for fallibility.”

Oli Anderson...Personal Revolution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table Of Contents

 

Chapter One....The Dance

Chapter Two.... War

Chapter Three..Playing House

Chapter Four....Barbara

Chapter Five.....Cummings And Blankfield Vs Wilson

Chapter Six.......Jane

Chapter Seven...Helen

Chapter Eight....Divorce

Chapter Nine.....Doctor Mano

Chapter Ten.......Fort Lauderdale

 

 

 

Credits...Song Lyrics : Time Out For Tears...Berman And

Schiff

Down Like Rain....Jesse Cook

 

 

 

Chapter One

The Dance

 

Robert Sayer moved expertly through the crowded dance floor gently guiding the girl he held close to him and at the same time kept moving in time to the music. As he did, the rotating mirror ball in the ceiling cast a shower of light stars throughout the semi-dark, ballroom, creating an ambiance and aura made up of different colors. The university Naval, R.O.T.C. was about to graduate its senior members. On this Saturday night of May 14, 1949 Robert Sayer was about to graduate and at the same time receive his commission as an ensign in the United States Navy Reserves. To celebrate, the potential, reserve officer midshipmen, soon to be graduates held a dance.

When the orchestra stopped playing he released his dance partner and applauded in appreciation with the other couples on the floor. The music began almost immediately, this time the tune was the popular, “Harbor Lights.” Sayer turned to his date,

Kay Parker and said, “This is a great song to dance to. Do you still want to dance or take a break?”

“Let’s dance,” said Kay.

He took Kay in his arms again and led her again in time to the music. As they danced they moved past other couples. He caught the scent of mixed perfumes carried in the air, all different aromas applied and worn by the young women at the dance. He saw the different color corsages tied with ribbons on petite wrists or pinned to the dresses of the girls. Robert smiled and nodded to the other dancers on the floor. Then, he saw her. Saw her in the arms of her date. When he did he knew instantly that he wanted to meet her, had to know her. He wanted to hear the sound of her voice, the feel of her in his arms, smell the aroma of her perfume, know her likes, her dislikes. For the rest of the evening he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She was of a slight build. He judged her to be about five foot six, or seven inches tall. She wore her brunet hair in a page boy cut which then drew ones attention to it and then to her face, a face that was more then attractive. To him it was a beautiful face, an innocent face.

When she took to the floor to dance, Sayer did the same and as he danced he moved Kay closer and closer to where the young woman was with her partner. He moved closer and spoke to Dan Miller, the woman’s date. “Great graduating dance Dan”.

“Hey, yes, glad you’re enjoying it,” said Miller.

Sayer heard the man’s words but he saw only the face of the woman in the other man’s arms as he gazed long at her. She looked back at him with deep, dark, brown eyes and smiled. Then, Miller danced her away and he lost sight of her in the crowd of dancers. When he did, as a gentleman he turned all of his attention to Kay Parker for the rest of the evening. Still, he couldn’t get the girl who had been Miler’s date and dance partner out of his mind.

Late the next day, Sunday morning, Sayer knocked on the dormitory room door of Dan Miller. “Come In!”, said Miller in a loud voice.

Robert entered the room and said, “I need some information.”

“Shoot,” Miller replied.

“Your date with you last night. Is there anything serious going on between you?”

“Serious? No way. Why?” asked Miller.

“To tell you the truth I’m interested in her, but I don’t want to be stepping on your toes.”

“Hey, help yourself and good luck,” Miller responded.

“What’s her name?”

“Janet Campbell and while we’re at it I’ll give you all that I know. She is a Liberal Arts Major. She’ll graduate at the same time as we do. As far as I know she’s virtuous. I didn’t try anything if that’s what you want to know,” offered Miller.

“No, but I’m glad you told me.”

“Hey, by the look on your face you seem to have been smitten by her last night,” said Miller.

“Smitten? I don’t know about that. All I know is I can’t get her out of my mind. Do you know how I can get to meet her?”, asked Sayer.

“Sure, she’s in my French class. The course will be ending this week. If you want, I’ll introduce you to her,” said Miller.

“No, that won’t be necessary. Where’s the classroom?”

“Voorhees, room 105.”

“What time?”

“One forty-five Monday.”

“Thanks.”

“Think nothing of it. Oh, and by the way, you’re smitten.”

At two-thirty that afternoon the college students attending the French class began filing out of the classroom. As they did Robert Sayer stood anxiously waiting for Janet Campbell to exit the room and walk towards him. Then, he saw her.

“Janet?”, he said as she neared him.

“Yes?”, she answered.

“You don’t know me. I saw you briefly Saturday night at the dance. I would like to introduce myself to you,” said Robert

“O.K. introduce yourself.”

“I’m Robert Sayer. I’m currently studying pre-law and as you know I’m also a member of N.R.O.T.C.”

“So, you’re going to be an officer and a gentleman,” she said.

“I’ll be an officer. I’m already a gentleman,” he replied.

“I know. Dan Miller told me how you made certain that there wasn’t anything going on between the two of us. That was very nice of you.”

“I don’t know how nice it was, but I’m glad to finally get to meet you.”

“Let me ask you something. What would you have done if there was something going on between Dan and me?”

“I’d still wanted to have met you.”

“Well, now that you have, what do you have in mind?”

“Oh, my dear lady. Long walks, longer talks, dinners, dances, plays, movies and anything else you would like to do, just as long as it’s with me.”

Janet laughed. “My you certainly come right to the point don’t you?”

“Life is short. Now, which of those things that I have mentioned would you like to start with?”

“I’d say dinner.”

“And I’d say what time shall I see you at your dorm?’

“Is seven alright?”

“Seven is fine. Next question. Where would you like to dine American, Italian or French cuisine?”

“American. The other two use too much garlic.”

At seven thirty that evening Robert sat gazing at Janet as she looked over the menu. “What are you having?, she asked.

“This is one of the best restaurants in New Brunswick, so to ease your mind, everything is good. However, since you asked, I’m having the halibut and wild clams.”

“Very well, I think I’ll have the prosciutto wrapped chicken breast”, said Janet.

“Now that you made that decision, suppose you tell me all about yourself,” said Robert.

“Well, let’s see. To start, I’m one of four children. I have one sister and two brothers. I’m sort of being the middle child. My one brother and sister are older than me and I’m older than my youngest brother. I like good books, good music, good food and good friends. As you probably know, I’m enrolled in the Liberal Arts Program here at the university and after graduation have no idea at all of what I’m going to do with my life. That about sums it up. My mother is a housewife. My father is a local politician. Now, what about you?”

“Me? I’m an only child. I plan and hope to become a lawyer, become successful, marry and raise a family, the typical American dream thing,” Sayer answered.

“Sounds good. Some lucky woman will have it made.”

“Do you think so?”

“Why not? People do it all the time.”

“Does that include you?”, he asked.

“Oh yes, eventually.”

“Anyone in mind?”

“Not at the moment.”

“So, what are you plans for the summer, now that you’re a college graduate?” he asked, changing the subject.

“Actually getting a great tan on the beach in Wildwood.”

“Is that where you’re from?”

“Yes. And what are your plans for the summer?”

“Work, make money. I still have two years of law school I have to pay for ahead of me,” he replied.

“You haven’t told me where you’re from?,” she asked.

“Atlantic City, my Mom is a telephone operator and my father is a bus driver.”

“Really?”

“You seemed surprised.”

“ No, except that we’re both from beach town resorts. It’s sort of a coincidence.”

“I’m hoping it’s a preindication.’

“Of what?”, she asked.

“Of seeing you on regular bases.”

“That’s what, a forty or fifty-mile commute?”

“ Nothing to it. Can I see you over the summer?”

“Yes.”

Robert smiled.

“Why are you smiling?”, she asked.

“Your answer just made this dinner even better.

*****************

Throughout the summer of 1949, Robert Sayer worked two jobs, one as a laborer in a lumber yard, the other as a dishwasher in the evening at a local restaurant. He saw Janet on Sundays. On those days they walked the beach or boardwalk,

laid in the sun on a blanket on the beach and had long conversations. At times they listened to the top hit musical tunes of the day on her portable radio. Those talks were about everyday things, but as time went by the conversation turn to speaking about each other. By Labor Day, Robert Sayer was deeply in love. He told her so and she went willingly into his arms accepting that fact. Then, little by little, day after day his love began to turn into an obsession. Nothing else or anyone mattered. All that did was being with her and to him, there weren't enough hours in the day when they were together.

The hot days of summer passed quickly and in early September Robert Sayer began riding the commuter train that ran from Atlantic City to Philadelphia. Each weekday morning he got off at the Camden station and walked to the university law classroom where he sat listening intently to the professors.

He took notes, got engaged in questions and answers, but all the while in the back of his mind he thought of her. He wondered what she was doing, what she was going to do that day and whatever it was, he wanted to do it with her.

The ability to ride the train put less strain on the black, 1939, Ford, Deluxe sedan he drove. Still, he drove the fifty-two miles each way at least two times a week. When he wasn’t with her they had long conversations on the telephone. What he was saving on the price of gasoline he was paying for in long distant telephone calls, but he didn’t care. He wanted to hear her voice and when he did it took the place of not being with her.

About the same time Janet, through the political influence of her father took a position as a Public Relations Specialist at city hall. She immediately began dedicating her time to enhance the beach resort