“That’s why there are jobs. I intend to marry someone who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty, and who doesn’t mind working for his money. I have no intention of marrying someone who just spends all day spending the family inheritance, and doesn’t work a day in his life.”
I stood up from the table and looked at both my parents. “Please don’t expect me to marry him because I will always refuse.” I walked out of the room, collected my jacket and purse, and then started walking slowly to work.
Unfortunately, my slow walk to work didn’t go as planned. No sooner had I left the front path had Richard pulled up beside me. “Rose, let me give you a lift to work.”
I ignored him and carried on walking.
“Rose, please talk to me,” he begged as he jumped out of the stopped car and ran up to me. “I’m really sorry about last night. My father said something that made me do what I did.”
I sighed. “Richard, I’m sorry, too. I think it would be for the best if we don’t see each other again, for a while, that way your father won’t get the wrong idea about us.”
I walked past him and left him stunned behind me. Not long after, I heard his car screech away from the curb, obviously in a temper.
At the library, Mr. Young put me on the front desk, which could be even more boring than dusting shelves. Throughout the day, I helped around ten people.
It had just turned three when I looked up, having heard the door opening. I looked straight into Jacob’s eyes. I only just stopped myself from running into his arms.
I stood and asked Mary, who was close by, to watch the desk while I popped to the restroom. She nodded and I followed Jacob to the Philosophy section.
Jacob took hold of my face and pulled me to him for a soul-shattering kiss. “I hated sleeping on my own last night after having you in my bed.” He kept kissing all over my face and finally came back to my mouth, slipping his tongue between my lips.
“I can’t wait for us to be in Boston . . . to wake up with you every day and to eat our meals together. Oh, Jacob, I’m so excited.”
“My Rose.” He couldn’t stop kissing me. Not that I was complaining. “I better go. I’ll see you again soon. Remember, I love you,” he told me.
I just stood watching him walk away and out through the door.
The rest of the afternoon went really slow. All I wanted was to be with Jacob.
Finally, after a very long day, I left work and walked slowly home. I followed the path by instinct; my thoughts were completely on Jacob and what our life would be like in Boston.
I entered the house and both my parents greeted me. I stopped dead and looked from one to the other. “Rose, please come in here a minute, I have something to say,” Father said.
Dreading what my father was going to say, I followed my parents into the front parlor.
“I’ve spent most of the day thinking about what you said this morning.” He looked very ill at ease. “We really don’t want you to be unhappy, and I’m sorry if we gave you the impression your happiness doesn’t matter because it does. Richard seems to care for you, and he would be able to make sure you are well looked after. Even if he doesn’t do anything.” Did my father just smile? “Saying all that, we do want you to marry well, so please don’t get it in your head that anyone will do because they won’t.”
I wasn’t sure what they expected me to say to Father’s little speech. “Thank you. May I leave?” Father looked ready to continue speaking, but thought better of it and just nodded his head.
April 7, 1947
Oh my, I was introduced to a wall tonight…
As I was checking a book out for Mr. Willis, I looked up and saw Jayne walking into the library. She made me laugh as she looked around to make sure Mr. Young wasn’t lurking about anywhere. Something that she always did whenever she came into the library.
“Jayne, why aren’t you at work?” I asked, leaning on the desk toward her.
“I’m on an errand for one of the bosses. What’s going on with you? I have hardly seen you. You haven’t been to any of the local dances like you usually do. Are you seeing that, what’s his name, Jacob?”
I guess I didn’t hide my shock very well, and my face gave me away. JT always said I made a terrible liar.
“Are you out of your mind? What if your parents find out?”
My face fell. “I know what my parents are like, but I love him, Jayne. I don’t want anyone else. I’m going to be with Jacob whether or not they agree. I intend on telling them soon, but not yet.” I really hoped she wouldn’t tell anyone.
Not l
ong after Jayne left, a student from the local school came in asking if I would help him with a paper on George Washington. I’d no sooner said goodbye to the grateful student than Jacob walked in. He came straight over to my desk.