Book Twelve by Diane Williams Doyle

Author:Diane Williams Doyle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Berkinsville, Diane Williams Doylt, The Gossip, The BETS Project, Road to Fess Up
Publisher: Diane Williams Doyle
Published: 2023-05-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Saturday Morning, February 18, 1967

Janet heard a loud knocking on her door. Struggling awake she managed, "Come in."

Molly entered. "I heard your clock alarming for a long time. When it stopped I decided to see if you were up."

Janet struggled, more awake, "Oh, did I sleep through it again?"

Molly, "I didn't know if you had something planned or not."

Janet, "Just chores but I don't want to sleep late. Have you already had breakfast?"

Molly, "Just heading down now. You can join us."

Janet thanked her and got up. She remembered her dream, dancing with Donald. She took a deep breath, opened the blinds. The bright light drove memories of the dream away. Then she remembered, no more dates with Donald — and John had arranged it. The memory was stunning. She began dressing. Things seemed different in daylight. She was getting everything she wanted and suddenly it was coming easily. Yet the emotion of ending the Donald portion of her life was a deep loss. With Ron, it was more intellectual. But dancing with Donald — there were no words for that. Yet she couldn't and wouldn't change a thing. It was the cost of getting what she really wanted.

She went downstairs where her father was just getting to the table with his morning paper. She poured coffee for him and took her place at the table. He said, "Thank you, Darling Daughter, and good morning."

Janet, "Oh, good morning. Sorry, I guess I was deep in thought."

Molly, "Deep into contentment. She even sleeps more soundly."

Janet, "I was thinking about last night. Donald and I agreed it was to be our last dance date."

Her father put down his paper and made a mark in the air. "That's 3: Steve, Ronald, and now Donald. Let's see now, that leaves how many?"

Janet ignored the question. "The interesting thing is he waited until the last dance to bring it up. He offered, I accepted, we cried, he brought me home and it's over."

Molly came over and hugged her. "Oh, Janet, I know how much all that has meant to the both of you."

Grumpy Father, "Seems like a pattern has developed."

Janet, "And I found out how. John said he was going to work on a plan to end what Father calls my excess boyfriends without causing resentments. Donald can't keep a secret. I found out John met with Ron the day before he broke off with me. Then he met with Donald and his girl last Tuesday. He's telling them to make it easy on me by offering to break off our dating."

Grumpy Father, "Talk about salesmanship!"

Molly smiled. "Are you OK with that?"

Janet, "Strangely I am. I feel like the most important people in my life are taking care of me. After this thing with Steve, I can't expect John to continue being tolerant. The excess dating has to stop. He's making it easy for me. And if I hadn't pressed Donald I might never have found out about it."

Grumpy Father, "If he hasn't talked to Tom yet, ask John if I can go along for that one.

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