Rose and Jacob

His behavior was odd. After what Jayne had told me yesterday, I still found it hard to believe. He seemed so genuine when he said it was his father making him ask me to marry him. Now I really didn’t know what to think.

“Rose, can you come into my office for a minute, please?” Mr. Young asked, taking my mind off Richard.

“Yes.” I walked into his office.

After he cleared his throat a few times—horrid—he looked at me. “Take a seat.” I sat down. “Rose, I’m afraid I have to cut your hours. The library isn’t as busy so I can’t justify having as many staff.”

He just sat staring at me. I wasn’t sure what he wanted me to say. “Okay. From when will the new hours start?”

He seemed relieved. “From May 6th.”

I would be gone by then. I felt like telling him what to do with his job, but I wouldn’t give Father the satisfaction of knowing I’d given my job up.

Only four more days to go! I feel so apprehensive, but exci

ted, for my new life with Jacob.

Before going to bed, I played cards with JT, who was so infuriating. He cheated—all the time.

I really wished I could take my brother with me. I would miss him more than anyone.

April 11, 1947

A delightful discovery…

I was sick again this morning. Could I possibly be pregnant? I didn’t have any experience with this kind of thing and couldn’t exactly ask Mother. Heaven forbid. I had some toast for breakfast again, which seemed to help calm my stomach.

I was meeting Jacob this evening with some of my things. I love him so much and couldn’t wait to see him. Before I left for work, I packed as much as I could into my travel bag, then stuffed it into the back of my wardrobe and just prayed it wasn’t discovered while I was at work.

How I got through the day, I will never know. Mr. Young had a bee in his bonnet and did nothing but fuss the whole day. I actually felt like a wet lettuce leaf as I walked home. He had us running around, doing this, that and the other. Nothing was right, and as soon it was time to close Mary, Emma, and I stopped what we were doing to retrieve our jackets and purses, and left.

Dinner with my parents was a silent affair. JT had been in trouble again. Not sure why this time, but no one spoke. It was pretty horrid really. Excusing myself, I dashed up to my room and retrieved my travel bag.

Luckily, my bedroom overlooked the back garden and Mother’s rose bushes so I stuck my head out of the window to check that the coast was clear and dropped my bag. I prayed it didn’t land in the middle of the roses!

I slipped out of the house, having snuck down the kitchen stairs, and retrieved my bag. The roses were intact. Thank goodness.

I walked to the end of the drive and found Jacob there waiting for me. I dropped my bag and threw myself into his arms. “I’ve missed you,” I whispered.

His lips met mine. The kiss lingered. He tasted divine.

We were breathing heavily when we finally parted, and Jacob took my hand while we walked into town. I should have been bothered about my parents seeing us, but I wasn’t. In town, Jacob pulled me into a photography studio.

“What are we doing in here?” I asked.

He smiled at me. “I want a photograph of us both. We’ll get two copies so you can give one to your brother.”

I had tears in my eyes as I followed the photographer through to the back of the shop. Jacob stood behind me with his hands wrapped around my waist. I cuddled into him as the photographer snapped our moment in time. He used one of the new Polaroid Land Cameras, which could produce our photographs in minutes like magic.

With two copies of the photograph safely in his pocket, we continued on to his apartment. Jacob placed my bag down by the side of the chair in the living room.

He turned and cupped my face between his palms, then proceeded to kiss me. He pulled away, and placed tender kisses over my eyes, cheeks, the tip of my nose and then back to my lips again.

“Make love to me.” I didn’t hesitate as I took him by the hand and led him into his bedroom.

He undressed me in slow, sweeping caresses and laid me on his bed. He started to remove his clothes, which I found delightful as I watched his muscular frame appear. He had an amazing body.

He lay down next to me. “I want to touch you,” I whispered softly.