Patti Diener’s THE CLOCK TOWER OF MAPLE CREEK -Part Two / Read for FREE!

Hello lovely readers!

I have to be honest with you all that lately I’ve fallen victim of the depression called CABIN FEVER. It showed it’s ugly face later than most people have experienced, and I was pretty surprised when I realized that THAT was why I’d developed such a foul attitude. Huh… and I thought I was handling this whole Covid thing so well. I guess I’m human after all.

The only outings I’ve had have been my two days I’m allowed to work and going to the grocery store periodically. I must admit I feel good behind the wheel of my car, (Ruby is her name), with the solitude, music, and wind in my hair. But I guess lately that hasn’t felt like enough.

So what to do about it? I am doing what I always do and that is write. I promised to continue to share the story of my Kentucky town I call, Maple Creek, and all the fun characters that reside there. Since I cannot GO to Kentucky as I planned for this past April, I have been writing about it and will let you read the entire first chapter in sections.

Today we continue with Virginia and Albert’s story that took place fifty-seven years ago. If you have NOT read the beginning of this chapter, please click HERE, and read first. You can click the go back arrow after to continue onto this post. Don’t forget to leave a comment after reading these posts so I can get feedback on the story. Remember, this has NOT been edited yet so nothing is set in stone. I’m simply sharing with you all the beginning of the story to contribute something positive during this quarantined time. I truly hope you enjoy it.

Happy Reading!

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Four days to go. The Jubilee was Saturday and on that Wednesday before, Albert waited at Parker’s Soda Shop for Virginia to come in and bump into him. She was working at the courthouse for the summer and he was taking his lunch break from working on the clock. With any luck, he’d have the intricate machine running by Thursday night, maybe Friday. It was starting to finally look more promising. He smiled to himself as he poked at his fries on the plate while sitting at the counter.

The glass door dinged with the entrance of a beautiful girl wearing a red, poka-dot dress and lipstick. Virginia’s eyes sparkled as she spotted him sitting in his coveralls and ball cap. He knew he should feel unworthy sitting in blue collar work clothes, but he didn’t care. She wanted to be with him just as he was, and knowing that made pride swell up in his chest. He smiled back, putting a fry into his mouth.

“Hey Virginia. You come for the office lunch order, honey?” Mable called out from behind the counter, her pink uniform fully filled out, plump brown cheeks smiling wide.

“Hey Mable. Yes, I know I’m early. Thought I’d grab a malt while I waited if that’s ok,” she sat down on the stool next to him.

“Don’t you look purty,” he said quietly, never losing eye contact with her sky baby blues.

“Well Albert James,” she pretended to be surprised. “I guess y’all are still working on our town hall clock. How’s that comin’?”

Nearly laughing at her performance, Albert nodded. “It’s going well, Virginia. I believe by tomorra night or Friday mornin’ I will have it runnin’. When I give it a test run you should hear it chime throughout the town.”

From a booth near the back of the shop, a voice came mocking, and petty.

“I’m bettin’ you don’t. I’m bettin’ you are just a hick from the sticks that’s trying to impress the Mayor so you can get to his daughta.”

Albert and Virginia both snapped their heads around. Suddenly a stuffed shirt and tie stood up from the red vinyl seat, jacket swung over the shoulder, he started their way. Theo sported a smug smile underneath his derby hat. Virginia exhaled dramatically.

“Oh geez, Theo! What would you know about clocks anyway? Albert is a genius. He will have it runnin’ in time for the Jubilee and at high noon he’s going to reveal it to the whole town with its twelve chimes. Saturday’s celebration will go long into the night and with the whole town square lit up and decorated, our beautiful clock tower will be the center piece, finally working again. Isn’t that right Albert?”

She put a reassuring hand on his shoulder but Albert was locking horns with Theo in their stares. Who would look away first? Albert put another fry into his mouth and raised an eyebrow. Theo continued his evil smile and tipped his hat to them both.

“I’m bettin’ ole Albert here is in way over his head. Anyway, don’t put too much hope into it runnin’, Virginia sweetheart. Your daddy will have to hire someone professional from out of town, no doubt. But for the town’s sake, I hope you are right. Would be embarrassin’ if the thang failed on the day of Jubilee. Right Albert?”

“Well I’d ask for your help Theo, but I wouldn’t want you to get your suit dirty. Might get strangled by that tie if it got caught in the teeth of the gears. Dangerous business,” Albert turned to face him directly, smiling back, hands on his thighs.

“Here’s your malt, Virginia honey. Strawberry, your favorite.”

Mable set the glass down and eyed the group and hesitated, first eyeing Theo then Albert, before slowly walking away to fill the coffee cups of the other customers.

“Y’all have a nice day,” Theo said shaking his head and walking outside, doorbell dinging as he left.

“I swear!” Virginia said.

“Oh don’t pay him any mind,” Albert said. He could easily let Theo boil his blood but he chose to focus on how beautiful Virginia looked sitting next to him. “He’s all hat and no cattle. Did I tell you what a purty dress that is?”

She laughed and they turned to face each other on the bar stools. Virginia grabbed her malt and sipped from the straw, never taking her eyes off of Albert. The red from her lipstick leaving a print on her straw made him ache to be that straw. To feel her soft lips on his again, just like they were in the alley between the Maple Creek Hotel and the bank. They’d ducked under the cover of trees when it started to rain, warm, windy, and humid.

Mable placed a large paper sack on the counter. “Here’s the office order, sweetie. I put some ketchup packs in for the Mayor’s hamburger. I know he likes extra. Miss Brittany’s turkey on rye has extra mayo too. The only other order was your Club Sandwich. I will put it all on the tab.”

Virginia finished up her malt and turned to Mable. “Thank you, Mable. It was good to see you. I’m also glad to catch up with Albert, here. He has been working so hard for our town lately, put his meal on the courthouse tab too. I will tell Daddy. It’s the least we can do.”

“Uh, no Mable. Thank ya, Virginia, but no. I pay my own way. It will all come out in my bill to the city. I appreciate it though,” he put a hand over her hand on the counter.

Mable watched him touch Virginia’s hand and she smirked, her shiny brown cheeks curling into a knowing grin as she sashayed away.  

“Guess you gotta go now huh?” he leaned in closer to whisper. “When am I gonna see you again. I can’t keep this up much longa, Virginia. I wanna kiss you right now!”

She giggled and touched her flaxen hair. Looking around at the nearly full counter and half full booths, he knew she was surveying the people in there that might talk to her father.

“I will call you tonight. Say nine o’clock? You think you will be home by then?” she asked.

“I’m gonna work as late as I can on the clock so make it ten. But don’t forget. I’m goin’ crazy not being with ya.”

“You gotta take a break for dinner right? I get off at five,” she looked around smiling and stood slowly. “I parked on the corner of The Square. Wait for me by the bank and I will see you thera as I’m walking to my car,” she was smiling and whispering threw her teeth. He had to laugh at how bad she was at this charade. Then suddenly she loudly said, “Ok, well it was so nice getting caught up Albert. Great to see y’all again. Bye Mable!”

He watched her leave as he cleaned his plate of the last fry. He finished his Coke and left money on the counter for Mable. One day, and he hoped it would be soon, he would be able to walk out with Virginia, holding her hand. But if she wanted him to wait for the clock tower reveal to tell her father, then he guessed he could wait a few more days.

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 The day drug on as Virginia watched the time move slower and slower, waiting to see Albert again. When five o’clock rolled around, her father and most of the staff had gone because of a last minute firework show emergency. They all went to Lexington to meet with the pyrotechnics to make sure they’d be able to shoot off the fireworks on Saturday’s event. Only Virginia and the secretaries Brittany, and Rose remained.

 Maple Creek’s rock, and lead secretary, Rose, sat at the entryway desk grabbing for her purse and smiled as Virginia walked to the huge double doors to leave. The clicking of her heals on the marble floors echoed so loudly that Virginia felt completely conspicuous in the two story foyer of the courthouse.

“Have a good evening sweetheart,” Rose called to her. “It is so good having you work here with your daddy this summer. Your momma would be so proud. I guess you will be moving this fall for school won’t you?”

Rose was like part of her family. She lived in Maple Creek her whole life, knew both Virginia’s parents before she was even born, and when her mother died she was a great comfort to Virginia. This made it difficult to lie to her about Albert. But she knew he was waiting for her and Virginia just wanted to get going and not get into a lengthy discussion about her future.

“I guess so. Well, I will see you tomorrow. Have a good evening Rose. Bye!” and she squeezed through the double doors before Rose could even respond.

Guilt was weighing heavily. Her head swung back and forth, eyes darting, as she walked the sidewalks of The Town Square nervously. Walking first left, then at the corner, she crossed Court Street right, onto Green Street, towards the beautiful Maple Creek Hotel, established in 1886. It stood four stories high and came just before the Maple Creek Bank. Her eyes shifting around looking for Albert. Many people were on the streets now, just leaving work. She made it to the hotel and still no sign of him. As she neared the alley between the hotel and the bank she heard footsteps behind her growing closer. Turning around there he was and she let out a small yelp.

“Easy there beautiful,” he said. He’d taken off his coveralls and wore jeans and a short sleeved button up shirt. His soft, deep voice made her legs feel weak.

“Whera?…whera did you come from?” she looked around a minute then walked over like she was headed to the bank, even though it was closing.

“I was at the hotel. I went inside and looked around a bit. When I saw you through the winda I walked outside.”

He leaned against a post on the sidewalk outside the bank and she leaned against the building, close but not so close they were touching. She wanted to touch him though. Her breathing was rapid. Anxiety mixed with excitement. She was losing control of the façade. A sexy smile across his face, hair hanging down in his eyes, it was apparent that Albert could care less about what others thought. But Virginia just needed to keep their secret a few more days. She had to find a way to convince her father of Albert’s worthiness to be part of their family. Of course she knew he was far more suitable than Theo, but her father had such strong opinions, it scared her to think of what he’d say or do. And despite how difficult she knew her father could be, Virginia loved him very much.

“What are we doin’ Virginia?” Albert stared at her with a coy, teasing smile. His eyes seduced her right there on the street and she was certain anyone walking by would be able to see how badly she wanted to be with him.

She walked into the alley. He slowly followed, she walked the length of the buildings and turned to walk behind the bank and stopped. There was nobody out there. An empty field was behind the buildings, the distance of a full block until Second Street ran parallel behind a row of thickly lined trees. Birds chirped in the summer air. Shadows ran along the back side of the buildings from the trees, and then Albert appeared around the corner. Virginia grabbed his shirt and pressed her lips to his, hard and fast.  

They stood against the wall kissing and holding each other, desperate to feel every touch, and knowing the moment wouldn’t last.

“What will you do, Virginia? How will this change once the Jubliee is over? Will you tell your fatha about us?” he asked her between kissing her mouth and ears, and neck.

She couldn’t think. Their kissing had never been so passionate. She dropped her purse, moved her hands through his hair and up and down his chest. The height of him towered above her as she pressed her back against the warmth of the building. He wanted an answer.

“I’m in love with ya Virginia. I want to marry ya.”

She stopped. Her head snapped up to look into his onyx eyes with their dark lashes. His full lips, red with her lipstick and moist from their kisses, said again what she thought she heard the first time.

“I mean it Virginia. I love ya. I want to marry ya. So you’d betta find a way to tell your fatha, before I do it myself.”

And just like that. He handed her back her purse she dropped and walked away from her, wiping her lipstick off his mouth with the back of his hand, then walked back up the alley and onto the street.

When she fixed her dress and hair, Virginia walked back up the alley and over to her car that was on Green Street, just down from the bank. When she got inside, she looked at herself in the rearview mirror. Her lipstick gone, a smile spread across her entire face.

“I love ya too Albert,” she said to herself.

As she pulled out onto the street and drove away, she had no idea that across the street, in the Town Green standing by the fountain, Theo had been watching. He’d seen first Albert walk up the alley alone and watched him turn the corner, back up towards the Town Hall. Then looking back, Theo saw a girl in a red polka-dot dress walking up the same alley. Virginia.

Theo pursed his lips, squinted his eyes, and adjusted his hat. Then turning slowly, he looked up at the clock tower, exhaling smoke from his mouth while teeth clenched his cigarette.

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OK FOLKS… that’s the second post on Chapter One from THE CLOCK TOWER OF MAPLE CREEK. I will continue to post the entire first chapter in segments over the next few weeks. Don’t forget to leave a comment and share on your social media accounts so I can get more feedback.

Stay safe, stay well, and thanks for reading.