I have finally moved into my little cottage … had delays … lost cable/phone and internet for thirty-six hours and was at peace with my books and the radio. How spoiled are we with our over stimulated communications?
As my endless lists of chores grow with each new day, I will try to catch up on blog posts, emails, and my current WIP. Today it’s Part Two of What Dreams Do You Keep?
Part Two … Carmela had entered her bedroom to fold laundry …
She remembered another day when snow came down, mixed with ice and rain. A dreary morning four months before her ninth birthday and her last day in school. She stood shivering in her thin jacket and looked at the rows of children in their seats, hers at the end of the third row.
Her older brother stood behind her with a note. “This is a note from my mother. Carmela will not be returning to school. I came to get her books.”
Of course, the teacher had not asked questions. It was a common enough event, though few came to announce taking a child out school. Children would disappear off her roster and later she’d find out they were working in a factory or family business.
Carmela hugged her books and fought back tears. She pointed to a stack of old books in the corner of the room. “Can I have one of those old math books, Mrs. Rubin?”
That was the first. The second time she followed a girl into the school and when no one was looking stole into the library and took another old book, leaving behind a precious silver quarter.
She haunted second-hand bookstores, collected magazines and begged her brother for pads and pencils. Each day she worked in the cigar factory next to her sister, and each night she slipped into the front parlor of her cousin’s house and read until she fell off.
Years later, while married to Frank Gallucci, she had the courage to visit a bookstore in the city. It was there she questioned a young man behind the counter. “Where is the section for bookkeeping?”
Excited, she rushed through the door. “Frank, I can learn this. If my brother lends us the down payment, we can open the business. I’ll keep the books.”
Later that night, behind the French doors of their bedroom, Carmela went to her lingerie drawer and slipped out a newly pressed pale blue double satin ribbon. She let the soft satin slide slowly over Frank’s cheek.
He drew her to him and unraveled her long braid. “I know who the little one takes after.”
She held his face in the palms of her hands, loving the feel of his smooth skin. She kissed him, a tease, a promise. Then laughed, threw her head back and went to take her bath.
Frank composed himself and sat down to read. Their bedroom was modest, and told who they were. It held a bed and nightstand, one long dresser, a wardrobe, and a desk and chair. Lined across the side wall were bookshelves crammed with books they both read.
On one side were English and Italian books Frank read and used to teach his children. On the other side were Carmela’s books, magazines and her journals, dating back to her youth.
Frank thought about his wife, and the secrets she held deep inside where she thought no one could travel. He was a man who had traveled half-way around the world, but enjoyed more this journey he took with his wife.
He watched as she sat afternoons, her food in the oven, her wash hanging on the line, and her head bent over her journal. He knew it was in the pages of her books Carmela found respite, and in the writings of her life … the terrible cold days, and the warm days since they met … she found hope.
He smiled. “What dreams do you keep, my wife?” Frank adjusted his reading glasses and opened his book.
Later, they curled into each other and huddled against the fierce cold. Carmela stroked his face gently and smiled. “And someday, we’ll have steam heat.”
“Yes, Carmela, this too we shall have.”
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I hope you enjoyed my little sojourn, my means of filling in the blanks of my blog, whilst moving madness cracks my last nerve.
In these snippets from Sunset Park, a tease of characters and settings, I might have told the true story of my parents and the life we shared in Brooklyn.
Sal, the dandy candy man, always wanted his own business. Mary, the dreamer, longed to own a house with steam heat and a small garden.
Antoinette? Well she might have been me … or my best friend through grade school. I’ll never tell and she can’t unless I give her a dialogue tag.
What they have become are the characters in a mystery trilogy. Odd you say?
Oh, so very odd. But so much fun to play with … better than jacks or stickball, better than the fountain strawberry ice cream sodas my brother bought me once a month.
For the next two or three weeks, I’d like to catch up on several long over-due thanks for awards given, for free books sent with love, for the generous gift of my three loving BETA readers and … most of all of the work I am doing now. Better … where I am doing that work.
It is the dream that I kept for so long the memory seems to have no beginning. The dream of having my own little cottage, a small slice of heaven … or if I might borrow from her ageless wisdom … a room of my own.
And at long last I have my own designated space, an actual office where I can open or close the door and never worry about four or two-legged beings needing my tender, loving care. Fine, maybe not so tender.
However, not even a houseplant will darken my doorsteps and guests are by invitation only or they enter at their own risk.
What dreams do you keep?
And can anyone tell me what to do with four, six-foot Christmas trees?
So glad to hear you settled in your little cottage, Florence! Enjoy every second. Now, catch up on your writing!
Laura … thanks for all the encouragement. I’ll settle in and get both of them working soon !!
I am so happy for you. To realize this dream will magic your whole life. And keep writing; you are good.
Lindsay, I appreciate your comments … and yes … it so much like magic
A-a-ah. Enjoy.
Shelley … To be sure … I will enjoy
It sounds as if you’re living your dream, Florence, and that lifts my spirits. You deserve it.
Yes Patt, it is a dream come true
Oh, I forgot to say that I loved this post, as well as Part I. Your writing allows me to really see these people in my mind as well as their surroundings. You have a literary gift.
Thanks so much, Patti … I love playing with these images
Again, Florence, a wonderful post. Your characters really come alive. Thank you for sharing. As for the trees… lol
Appreciate you kind words, Vicki … who knows what will happen to my trees … Oh well
Congrats on having your “Virginia Woolf room” of your own! Lovely writing.
Yeah, ain’t that something, Anne … a Virginia thing for sure. Glad you enjoyed the piece
You have a room! With a door!
Congratulations on surviving the move, a stressful time in life, but also an enjoyable one as you settle in, open boxes to discover long-forgotten treasures, and ultimately begin turning strangers into friends as you meet your neighbors.
As I can’t stop by to give you a housewarming gift, I’ll leave you with my best wishes for you and your new home.
Christi Corbett
Yes Christi, a room with a door. An entire cottage with two doors !!
I’ve already started to unearth some incredible memories. One neighbor already waved and welcomed me.
I am so lucky to have friends to help me unpack … thanks for the good wishes
Finally, you are there. Yay! I hope you’ll one day share photoes of your cottage or your office.
As to those 4 Christmas trees, give them to one of your local charities so they can pass them on to a needy family. Take care and thanks for more of your characters and their story. I so enjoyed them!
Hopefully, I can get some photos loaded soon. That is were the extra trees will go … or to a couple of single moms I know.
Thanks so much, Sheila … glad you enjoyed my little snippet
Florence,
I’m behind on commenting on your posts. Yay, you’re in your new place: a little cottage, your own writing space, perfect. Thanks for sharing bits of your stories & characters. I can’t wait to read more, about them nd your writing sanctuary
Christi … it took decades but I finally have a small place of my own … what a great feeling.
Appreciate your comments and I’m glad you enjoyed the small sample of my characters. Thanks
I’m so glad you’re settling into your cottage, Florence. I loved this excerpt. It shows Carmela’s softer, more vulnerable side.
Yes Pat, Carmela has a very deep soft side for a tough lady
Thanks for your kind words. I will settle into my new home and hopefully get used to “dreams that come true.”
Congrats on surviving your move, Florence! I’ve loved this short and evocative sojourn into Brooklyn and look forward to more…
Thanks, Debra. Glad you enjoyed the snippet. I might do more in the weeks ahead. First, I need to settle in and get back to my novel
I’m tickled silly to see characters dance from the past and fly across the blog. Might I recognize a few of them? I’m so happy you’re in your very own castle and most of all–when someone arrives, they are an invited guest. As Tom loves to say, if our doorbell rings–they are either lost or we are expecting them. I adore the picture of your cottage – it’ll certainly be cottage living at its finest. And yes, Florence, dreams do come true for those of us that are patient enough to wait.
Sheri … these are the characters from “Framed” when Toni was a girl. Glad you enjoyed the piece
As for my castle, yes indeed, by invitation only. I’m so darn happy, I can’t stand myself !!
Get rid of the Christmas trees–or at least 3 of them.
I had a dream that I’d be a published writer. As of now, I’ve 6 published. So I’m working on my dream of having a decent readership/sell lots of books to people who love what I write.
About the six-foot trees, I am donating at least two and keeping my fav for the patio. I also own twenty two-to-three foot trees, I decorate and sell. I’ll keep two of those. Not to mention my ceramic tree my mother made for me and a fiber optics that goes into my office. I am nutty with Christmas stuff … but since I am revising my bizzz, all the extra wreathes and decorations get sold.
Casey, you work is sublime and a great dream to live each and every day
So is your work, Patti. The part about being so busy that I feel sad about is not having as much time to read…
Sorry Florence, for writing Patti when I was thinking Florence. I’ll blame it on being up for 30 hours and counting…
Lovely phrasing, Florence . . . enjoy your domain! My dream? To write something people enjoy reading . . . and then write more of it. To find my ‘soul mate’. Nah, I don’t ask for much.
Liz, I know you will achieve your dream … you’re focused and talented … the two traits that make for a good writer. I’m glad you enjoyed my little snippets. And you bet I am going to enjoy my domain
[...] Florence Fois, who many of you know as Ramblings from the Left, is one of most avid commenters here at WITS. It makes me smile whenever I see her name come across my screen. She’ll have the effect on you too, I promise. [...]
Ah thanks … since WITS is my fav group I take great pride in being a consistent commenter
Congratulations on getting into your cabin. I hope you soon feel settled.
Thanks, Keli … I hope the conference was a major success
Very nice. I enjoyed reading this.
Glad you enjoyed, D