Dovetail: A Novel(52)

Alice and John in love? A raw, ugly feeling rose from within her, and she found herself seething. Unfair. It was so unfair! How could it be that Alice was the one he chose, when Alice didn’t even care about such things?

Pearl had yearned for a love affair of her own for years: she’d pored over movie magazines, envying the pictured couples, lain in bed imaging herself in the arms of a handsome beau as he declared his love, and mentally put herself in the place of actresses in the romantic scenes. She’d been sure that out of the two oldest sisters, she would be the first to fall in love—so sure, in fact, that she’d already planned the words she’d use to console Alice.

Don’t worry, Alice, it will be your turn soon enough.

You’ll meet someone soon.

Any man would be lucky to have you on his arm.

She knew Alice would understand that Pearl was the prettier sister, and more lively too. That men were just drawn to her like moths to a flame. This, she knew, was true. So why didn’t John realize it as well?

Not that John was such a catch. He was a student, his family had no property or money, and he took so long to answer a question that she often wondered if he had a brain in his head. No, her father was wrong. John wasn’t the one for Alice, not even for the summer.

If anyone else had seen them coming out of the woods, Alice with that foolish grin, John looking like the cat that swallowed the canary, it would be scandalous. They were fortunate Pearl was the one who spotted them and no one else. Next time they might not be so lucky.

She dropped the curtain, unsure what to do next but certain that she couldn’t, wouldn’t let this romance between John and Alice go any further. It just wasn’t right.





CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE





1916


My dearest Alice (if I may),

I am glad you have entrusted me with your secret hiding spot. I hope that by tucking this letter underneath your box you find it in good shape and entirely legible.

When I knew I was going to be spending the summer months in Pullman, Wisconsin, working in a feed mill, my greatest hope was that I would earn enough money to cover my tuition for the year. I knew the work would be tiring, and that the accommodations would not be luxurious, but it didn’t matter. I am no stranger to hardship.

What I did not anticipate, what I never could have anticipated, even in my wildest dreams, was that I would meet a girl like you. There have been so many things I have longed to say to you these past few weeks, but your busy household made it difficult to find a quiet moment when I could speak only to you. I was also a little hesitant to speak of matters of the heart, for fear you would find me too bold and not share my feelings. I have discovered that I find it easier to write such things than to speak them aloud, and so I am glad to be able to write this all down in a letter.

I do not know how best to say how important you have become to me. Seeing your beautiful face each day has become my greatest pleasure. Hearing you sing is all the music I will ever need. Your laughter is tonic for my soul. You have a keen intelligence, and I enjoy hearing your opinions after reading the newspaper.

I just read what I wrote above, and it all sounds insufficient. None of it quite conveys the sentiment of my heart. I think what I mean to say is that I think I am growing in love with you a little more each day.

Forever yours,

John





CHAPTER THIRTY





1916


Dear John, Rest assured that when I retrieved your letter, it was just as you had left it and quite readable.

You said that you think you are growing in love with me a little more each day. Your use of the word “think” troubles me, as I do not want to have this kind of conversation with a man who is not entirely sure. When you know for certain that you are growing in love with me, we can continue this discourse.

Sincerely, Alice





CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE





1916


The next day when no one else was in sight, John strode out to Alice’s hiding place in the trees, reached up, and pulled out a sheet of paper anchored by the metal box. His hands shook with anticipation as he unfolded her letter, and then, upon reading her words, he burst out laughing.

She was clever, so clever. What other girl in the entire world would have caught the ambiguity in his sentence? Alice was unlike anyone else he’d ever met, smart as a whip but also caring, always happy, and ultimately surprising.

As for his letter, he’d only phrased it that way so as not to overwhelm her. He smiled, thinking how she’d turned the words back at him. Never mind. It was easy enough to set things straight.

He went back to the barn and got his writing things out of his trunk. Dipping the nub of his pen in his inkwell, he added his correction below her words.

Dearest Alice,

I am certain I am growing in love with you more each passing day. Please tell me you feel the same way.

Yours forever,

John





CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO





1983


Joe and Kathleen began spending more time together in the evenings after the store closed and at lunchtime after his conveniently timed deliveries to the store. She’d made it known, however, that she had no interest in dating him. Upon hearing this, he pulled a sad face and said, “And here I thought Doris was going to be my biggest challenge this summer.”