Hammock Bound

Introduction

The day was warm and sunny and the yard was bright green from the afternoon rains. This was the summer pattern, with storms rolling in from the bay. The mornings were the best time to be outside, as there were fewer bugs and the air was not as muggy. Marjorie was at her home, where her babies were born, her husband had passed, and where she learned to be a farmer’s wife.

Looking down, Marjorie examined the wrinkles that had appeared on her hands. They used to be so soft, smooth, and lily white. How they had changed through the years. She leaned back in the swing as it began to rock, and she took in a deep breath. There was a slight breeze blowing, bringing the smell of the orange blossoms into her lungs. The moss swayed gently from the branches of the old oak trees. She closed her eyes and smiled. She could hear her old friend, the big old owl, hooting in a tree nearby. Her mind drifted to the day she first smelled the sweet blossoms, the day when she first saw her true love—the day her life path changed.

CHAPTER 1 - Minneapolis-1912

The day seemed as if it would never end. Marjorie looked out the window to the pond she had skated on the day previous. She could feel the soft breeze blowing on her face and the gentle sound of the wind in the tree branches.

Marjorie…Marjorie, she heard her boss calling her name.

Yes, Mr. Benz, she replied.

Marjorie, can you finish tallying these numbers for me today? he asked.

Yes, Mr. Benz. Right away. Marjorie picked up the recorder book with a sigh and flipped through the pages. She thought about how boring her life was becoming and wondered if this was how it was going to be forever.

Marjorie was an accountant for Dayton's Department Store in Minneapolis. She worked full time to help her mother and her brother Archie pay the bills. Her mother took on sewing and alterations for the neighbors. She saved every piece of thread, button, and material to reuse. Waste not, want not, was her mother's favorite saying.

Archie, on the other hand, was privileged. He was going to dental school at the university. Marjorie longed to be able to go to college, but her momma said, Respectable girls do not go to college. They belong in the home. Marjorie was already working in a man's job as a bookkeeper.

Marjorie had an older sister named Fannie. She lived in Fargo, North Dakota. She had two boys, Charles and Marshall. Walter was her oldest brother. He lived downtown and was married to a blustery woman named Helga. Archie and Marjorie were the only ones living at home with her momma.

The big clock on the wall finally struck 5:00. It was time to go. Marjorie gave a sigh of relief as she gathered her wrap. She threw it over her shoulders, picked up her basket and began the long trudge home.

As she wandered along the slushy 7th Street, she heard a familiar voice, Good day to you my dear. How have you been? It was General Grant and his wife. He was the commander of the Old Vermont Brigade. They lived next door and often ate lunch with Marjorie in the park.

Oh, I'm fine, just a little melancholy, she said as she gave a curtsey.

Now that's not like you, General Grant said in his deep voice. You seem to always be busy or going somewhere most times I see you.

I am meeting some friends for a picnic tomorrow. My apologies, I guess I'm just tired from the day’s work, Marjorie replied.

Sounds like you need a little excitement in your life, the general said. You make the choices for your path child, whether they are good or bad. Marjorie nodded in agreement. The General always had very wise advice, and he liked to challenge her with new ideas. Have you heard about the land available from the Railroad down in Florida?

No, Marjorie replied.

The general continued speaking without taking a breath, I heard there is so much good fertile land available, and they are giving it away. Towns are being developed along the railroad path. I heard your Grandma Robinson is going down there this summer. I know her husband is going to the Bahamas to bring medicine to the Islanders, and I thought I heard her say she was going to stay in Tampa while he's gone. The General stroked his beard as he continued to talk, If you want an adventure, you might see if you could go with her as a companion. The General chuckled and his long white beard wiggled from his laugh. He could tell he had sparked her interest, as her eyes lit up. He loved to see her come alive with curiosity. She was so young and petite. Her long dark hair and her china-doll skin made a stunning sight.

Grandma Robinson is going to Tampa? She never said anything to me. Oh I must talk with her, she exclaimed. Pardon me if I run, and thank you for letting me know. Marjorie hugged her wrap closer as the wind had a bitter chill. She gave a little curtsey and walked swiftly towards home. Her mind was racing. This could be so exciting. Florida…I might get to see the ocean. Marjorie’s curiosity was getting the better of her.

As she turned onto Portland Avenue, she saw Mr. Fish. Oh, she thought to herself. Good day to you sir, Marjorie said as she curtseyed. She knew he was going to ask for her hand soon, and she just was not sure he was the one for her. He was handsome and would make a good provider for her. Lord knew Archie loved him, but it was probably because of the root beer he made. She shook her head, knowing it wasn’t. He was a good man, but there was just something missing. And the name…I would be called Marjorie Butter-Fish. It just didn’t sit right.

Mr. Fish asked, Are you going to the picnic tomorrow?

Yes, she replied. We're meeting at nine in the morning. Are you going?

Yes, he replied. I can't wait to spend the day with you.

Marjorie froze at the thought, as there would be other boys there she wanted to talk with. She was gracious as she always was. That's just dandy, I'll see you in the morning. She curtseyed again as he tipped his hat. She hurried home as fast as she could to avoid any other encounters.

Whew, that was a long walk, Marjorie said as she sat next to the fire and warmed her hands and feet. The winter chill is still with us. When will it ever warm up?

Archie laughed, Marjorie, you haven’t any meat on your bones to keep you warm. You would blow away in a light wind.

Marjorie pouted, I'll have you know I'm up to 90 pounds now.

Well, get closer to the fire, I don't want you catching the consumption like Daddy and Grandpa did. Marjorie’s checks glowed from the warmth of the fire and she sat very still, letting the heat flow through her skin. She knew the story all too well. Grandpa tried to move the family to St. Louis, but caught the consumption helping another family on the boat. Sally went on to St. Louis, but her grandma and sister returned to Minneapolis to stay with the family. Her daddy had also caught the consumption, and he was in heaven too. He had had a foundry but had to sell it when he became ill. A man named Deer had liked the side-release plow he made, but nothing came of it. That plow would have provided so much. Momma would not have to take on sewing jobs and work so hard. Oh, well, she thought, Daddy made so many nice stoves and it's comforting to see his workmanship around town.

She could feel Archie's eyes staring at her.

What? she asked.

When are you going to get married, Girlie? You are going to be an old maid. Archie tried to act as if he were joking, but the sting of his words pierced right through her.

That's for me to know, she replied.

Are you going to accept Mr. Fish? Archie asked He's a good man.

I don't know…I just don't feel the spark. There should be a spark, shouldn't there? Marjorie said.

Sometimes the spark grows with time, Archie said. His eyes felt as if spears had been thrown at her. He did name that orange flower after you.

I know, that was very nice, Marjorie said, but he doesn’t entertain me, and I do so like to be entertained.

Archie was holding his mandolin and he handed Marjorie her guitar.

Play with me tonight, he said.

Marjorie rested the guitar on her lap and began to play with Archie: Blue Bells of Scotland, A Russian Love Song, Blue Ribbon Polka, and Sweet Flowers of Spring. Marjorie sighed and laid her guitar next to her chair.

I'm heading to bed now as I can’t keep my eyes open anymore. Sleep tight. She leaned over to give him a kiss on his forehead.

Don't blow out the thunder pot tonight like you did last night, Archie said, shaking his head and laughing.

Marjorie gave him a look that could kill but then grinned. She dearly loved Archie, but sometimes he would go too far. She stood and saw her momma in the kitchen next to the stove. She was rocking in her favorite wooden chair, still mending some socks. Night Momma, I love you, she said as she gave her a big hug.

Love you too, my precious. Sleep tight and don't let the bed-bugs bite, Momma said, giving her a big hug and kiss.

See you in the morning, Marjorie replied. She climbed up the steep stairs, put on her nightclothes, and fell into her soft featherbed. She pulled the thick comforter