Here is a little AU fic, I know I could have gone into much more detail but I wanted to keep it short, I hope you like it here is the first post


Summer 1970. Washington DC

Her mother always told her the best kept secrets were of the culinary kind that mother passed down to daughter, generation after generation. Personally she didn’t agree with that however good a cook she was.

She knew that the best kept secret was one that was never told in the first place. She had once carried a secret round with her until it became burdensome and hard to bear, she had been stronger than she thought she was, but it had been an unfair, unjust reason to keep such a secret hidden for so long, and she could only thank the man who she loved unconditionally for helping her to see that, to believe in herself and be the person she was today.

Her life had changed twenty years ago today when she was sent to live with a relation in small town, Wisconsin………..

I curious as to what happen. Good start...can't wait to read more.

Rosa you totally have my attention after just one post! I'm trying to figure out who it is and what the secret is .... ..... I dont have enough yet so you have to post more!!

Excited that you're posting this -- confused about who it is...hoping for more soon!

kav

Oh boy! I see so many possibilities with this one.
thanks
Terie

oh rosa i''m so happy you are starting a new story

Ok Rosa,

I'm hooked already!

Sam

and me, didn't expect it to be posted yet, you must have been typing quicvckly

cath

i am all ears, okay eyes keep going

Rosa, you totally grabbed my attention with the first post and now I absolutely cannot wait for more! Is the lady Sue and is she going to meet Jack in Wisconsin??

Thank you very much for your encouraging comments

Summer 1950. Wisconsin

She stood in the hallway of her new home it was dark and she felt a little frightened. Her Aunt Mary a short woman kept smiling at her and she couldn’t help but wonder why. Everything felt strange, different and not all of it good.

Sue was led upstairs to what would be her new room, it held old faded flowery wallpaper on the walls which was peeling in the corners. The bed felt hard and uncomfortable, the best thing was the view, across the fields. Having a childhood in the city, this was a pleasant change, one that she could easily adapt to unlike the other reasons.

Her Aunt Mary at tea, sat opposite her and told her, what she expected of her thirteen year old orphaned niece. It would do her community status no good at all if they knew she had a deaf niece and so her Aunt insisted that she tell no one her burdensome secret as it would ruin her Aunt’s life.

Sue tried to cry herself to sleep but the tears would not come. Her parents although upset to learn their only daughter was deaf had done everything in their power to help her speak, talk like ‘normal’ people did, she also learnt ASL and attended the same school as her brothers, none of it was easy but she had achieved far more than the doctors said she would and was a very bright student. Sue had three older brothers who had been farmed out to another relation, the truth was no one else wanted Sue and this Aunt had taken her only as she didn’t want it known that a relative of hers was in a state orphanage.

isn't that just the sweetest reason

Hmm, this is Wisconsin, you say???? Maybe Jack can make her feel all better!!

So glad you started this one Rosa!!!

Jen

Gulp....and we're traveling back in time with every post....intereting.

kav

well aren't they all nice

Oh dear! How could anyone not want Sue in their family.
thanks,
Terie

Three days later she was introduced to the girl who lived next door, her name was Tara and she was very friendly which eased the pain a little. Tara took her to the local ice cream parlour where she was meeting her friends and Sue’s heart sank, she didn’t do well in big groups where everyone talked at once. Tara introduced Sue to Lucy, and Lucy’s elder sister Connie and a slightly older girl called Jessica who was waiting for her ‘real’ friends to arrive so that they could all go to the movies together. Sue managed to follow the conversation, well most of it, but kept very quiet, she was always like that when she met new people and sometimes beyond.

The small group became much larger when three young men and one girl turned up. The girl called Jessica fluttered her eyes at the dark haired boy who didn’t even bat an eyelash in return. Sue also noticed that the girl who had come in with them did the same but he didn‘t look at her with much interest either, despite the fact boy and girl held hands.

They all squashed into the half moon seat and it wasn‘t until they were all seated that the tall one asked Tara “Who‘s your friend?”

“This is Sue, she‘s just moved next door“

“Mary Thomas has moved?” asked the girl

“No, Sue has moved in with her, she’s her niece“ explained Tara. “Sue, these are from the end, Bobby, Myles, Allie and Jack“

Sue smiled and said “Hi“ wondering how she was going to manage if they all started to talk at once, hopefully they would as most people did think, she was just very shy. She took an opportunity to glance at them, one after the other, they were arguing over something, she couldn’t quite get the gist of what they were all saying, as she looked past the guy named Jack he unexpectedly caught her eye and smiled at her, embarrassed beyond belief she lowered her gaze. The smile did not go unnoticed by Allie or Jessica who both seethed with jealousy that he could do that to the new girl who was barely a teenager and far to young in their opinion for Jack, who was eighteen.

What a loving family!

I can see trouble coming from those two girls, don't worry Sue Jack will rather have you always than those two (or else! )


Sam

Hmmm - this is getting very interesting. Adolescent youth and Jack's women all together at the same time!

kav

he knows a good thing when he sees it

Young love? I can't wait!!!!!!

Em

Can't wait for more,
thanks,
Terie

wow this is fab

cath

Hmm, Jack is 18, and Sue is barely a teenager. This could cause extra problems if Jack is still as moral and courteous as ever. Great post Rosa, I love it!!!

Jen

Sue found everyday a living nightmare, the days passed slowly, one week, two passed and she still had not received a letter from any of her brothers. She was not only isolated, she was alone. Tara and Lucy were friendly, but she got the impression that they didn’t understand her, they told everyone they met that she was just shy, but they continued to include her and invite her to hang out with them, so Sue supposed they did genuinely like her.

One sunny day, her Aunt had gone into town shopping Sue walked across the fields that beckoned to her from her bedroom window continuing until she was exhausted and flopped down in the shade of a vast barn, shutting her eyes to pass some time.

The next thing she was conscious of, was fur, opening her eyes she discovered a friendly golden retriever who it seemed liked nothing better than to be made a fuss of. He was so beautiful she actually found herself confiding in him……..

“You’re really friendly” she began stroking his shining coat and he laid beside her in the shadow of the barn. “I wish I could take you home with me, I don’t think Aunt Mary would approve though. I wish I still lived with my Mom and Dad and my three brothers, even if we did fight. I wish they hadn’t died and we were sent away, I wish that we could have all stayed together. I wish that someone wanted me. No one ever wants me” she paused and wiped a hand across the tears which fell like rain down her cheeks, giving in for the first time to her pain, not aware that the dog wasn’t the only audience she had.

“I wish that Aunt Mary wanted me to live with her, she just wants it known that she took me in when no one else wanted to and she makes me feel like I’m nothing. I can see, I feel as much as anyone else, I just can’t hear them, but you know what? She said that I wasn’t to tell anyone, she thinks if people know I have a 'defect' she will lose her friends or something. I’m not stupid, I got straight A’s last term, it’s not fair. I want my Mom and Dad back, I want to be home and I want to be with people who love and want me too” She stopped again and sniffed suddenly aware of a pair of feet clad in work boots. Her gaze travelled up jean clad legs, a checked shirt covered torso, and up until they reached the face of the guy from the ice-cream parlour.

He sat beside her regarding her intently “Sue isn’t it?” he said his eyes soft and deep. She nodded, she wanted to burst into a new flood of tears and she didn’t think he would want a girl like her to cry on him. But he stretched out his hand and touched her on the arm, as he added “It’s okay to cry”

“How much did you hear?”

“Enough to share your secret”

It might have been a little awkward she couldn’t remember as he moved and drew her into his arms and she cried and he let her, running his hands through her long silky hair.

isn't jack sweet?

cath

just caught up!! great start rosa!!


poor sue!! ..

he is sweet and also very cute when he is in his teen years!! i think they are going to make very good friends..if jessica and allie don't intrude...


can't wait for more!!

I love it that she confided in Levi and I'm glad Jack is there for her to lean on...

What a fantabulous post!!! Hmm, teenage Jack is soo mmmmmmmmm!!!

As for Jessica and Aliie, can't they end up fighting for Jack, and they both either die or go live in say, Iceland????

I love that Jack is there to share her secret with her.

Jen

even the young jack is a sweety pie.....i so love the fact sue opened up, even though it was to levi....at least jack now knows to

So sweet!


Em

How painful for a blossoming young lady to go through. So glad Jack was there to comfort her.
thanks,
Terie

Thanks, a little bit more

She had washed her face in the brook that Jack had led her too and she joined him on a fallen log.

“Sorry” she said

“Don’t be sorry, there’s nothing wrong with crying and it kind of helps the pain, even if it doesn’t make the situation go away, it helps the healing, that‘s what Gran always says” he said with a shrug and a smile

She smiled feeling naïve and inexperienced in his presence despite being used to guys his age, as she guessed he was probably as old as her eldest brother, Paul.

“You live up there?” she asked waving her hand in the direction of the farm

“Yeah, family business, not that I will be joining it. But I think Allie would like it if I stayed”

“Your girlfriend”

He laughed and said “Allie and me, it’s complicated.”

“Com …what?” she asked forgetting she was supposed to pretend she could lip read every word

“It’s difficult…Allie and I grew up together, we kind of fell into dating. I think it’s a far more serious relationship for her than it is for me. I’m going to college in the fall, she’ll meet someone else, she’ll get over it….me. She loves me like I am ‘the one‘. I like her, a lot, I even love her a bit but I don’t think she’s the one for me”

“Oh, I see” she replied

They sat in companionable silence for a while lost in their own thoughts until he turned to her and said “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure”

“Before, when you talked to Levi, my dog. You said you were deaf, are you?”

“Yes, completely”

“But how do you know what I’m saying and, I wouldn’t have guessed, ever”

“I lip read, I can sign too but I don’t think there is anyone in this small town to sign with”

“Sign? What’s that?”

“American sign language, where we use signs, like this for words instead of speaking”

“Wow, what did you just say?”

“Jack, I fingerspelt Jack”

“Why didn’t you say the other day, Bobby said you were the shyest girl he’s ever met, but it wasn’t that was it?”

“I thought you overheard my conversation to your dog, my aunt doesn’t want people to know about me, thinks it will harm her reputation. You have to promise me, you won’t tell anyone either, not Bobby or Allie, no one ever”

“But Sue….people should know. You think people would think less of you if they knew”

“Some do”

“Well I don’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t and they should accept you for who you are. I don‘t know you hardly at all but I think you‘re clever and courageous and pretty”

“What am I?…. I know what I am Jack and if my Aunt doesn’t want anyone to know…I don’t want to lose this home, it’s here or a children’s home or orphanage and I couldn’t stand that. Promise Jack, promise you won‘t tell anyone, ever”

He sighed a very big sigh and said “Okay I promise, but Sue you gotta know you can be anything you want to be, don‘t let anyone or anything stand in your way, ever”

And she nodded in response not quite believing in herself the way in which he seemed to believe in her.
^^^^^

They met frequently after that, every couple of days, they would either sit in the sun by the brook , others, in the shade behind the barn and she would teach him sign language. They would talk about their childhoods. They would talk about their hopes, aspirations and dreams, until the day he left for college to study to become a lawyer and they both wondered if their paths would ever cross again………..

Wonderful story, Rosa!

Such a lovely friendship.
thanks,
Terie

i'm melting here, he is so wonderful

wondering what she will do now he's left

cath

oh i can't wait untill they are going to see each other again, how sweet was younger jack.

Rosa, I just caught up and this is wonderful! i love having the whole team there... though i wonder if D's gonna show up. Dare I hope? I guess he'd already be done with college and maybe married by now...But i'll wait ever so impatiently to find out.....
great job!

~Cristy

...well, of course they'll meet again! and I can't wait!!!
kav

oh they will meet again alright!!! is jack really gonna become a lawyer ?!?!?!?


can't wait for more!!!

Oh that was just sweet!

Please post somemore Rosa.

Sam

I've just had a hilarious thought ( I know, scary, me thinking!!! ) They could have lots of adventures in Wisconsin, get up to some tricks. Ooh, were binoculars invented in this era, if so, lot's of possible things there!!!

Great post Rosa, I loved it!!!!

Jen

oh just wonderful



that guy says the sweetest things

Some more as requested. I won't have time to update tomorrow, I have to work all day then out for a leaving party. I will try to post Wednesday but also very busy, so might not be back until Thursday evening. Sorry.

Summer 1960 Wisconsin

It was the perfect day for an outside wedding, the bride looked glorious and her love shone through her eyes to the man standing at her side, solid, strong. This was the moment she had been waiting for since she first laid eyes on the man before her when she was no more than five years old.

Sue stood behind the bride and groom sharing a smile with Lucy who herself was sporting a rather pretty diamond engagement ring. Sue wondered if she would ever, get married that was highly unlikely, here she was at twenty three years old and still had never been kissed.

After the official ceremony was over a late comer arrived, he was older naturally and the boyish charm was replaced with the handsome man he had become. He scanned the garden, picking out the bride and groom..

“Bobby! Tara! Congratulations! Sorry I’m so late, my flight was delayed” he said in offer of explanation.

They both knew him well enough to know that this was not a fabrication of the truth.

“Jack, we’re so glad you could make it”

“Eventually” added Tara

“Everyone you used to know are here, grab a drink and enjoy, we’ll catch up with you later mate” Bobby said slapping him on the back and he almost lost his footing.

With a glass of sparkling wine in his hand he gazed at the sea of faces and was drawn into one crowd, which included Allie and Jessica, after almost an hour of their company he grew restless and began to look a round again. There in the corner a blond woman sat, watching the dancing and he was drawn to her not sure if his eyes were telling him she was who he thought.

“What you looking at her for?” said Allie scathingly

He turned then and looked at Allie long and hard, his eyes unreadable but not friendly.

“Why not, she’s beautiful”

“She may be beautiful” said Jessica “But she’s odd”

“Sue’s not odd she’s just shy” said Tara arriving with Bobby and sticking up for one of her best friends

“Please” Jessica added “You call her down the street and she doesn’t even turn to acknowledge you, it’s happened to me it’s happened to all of us”

“I think” said Bobby “She’s just caught up in what’s she’s doing”

“All the time?” added Allie with a shake of her head

“She’s a good friend” protested Lucy

“I think” said Jack slowly “That you all need to think, hard as to why she’s like that, search here” he said his fist over his heart “Why does she not respond when you call her and she can’t see you? But if you see her and you are walking towards her she will probably stop and say hello”

“That’s true if you are walking towards her she will always stop” commented Myles

“Well think on it then, I’m sure if you all are as intelligent as you proclaim to be you will find the answer, now if you’ll excuse me”

He turned then and walked in the direction of Sue leaving them to come to the obvious conclusion and they all wondered why they hadn‘t realised sooner and why and how Jack had known, each one felt ashamed and guilty of unwillingly and willingly hurting the blonde young woman who would always help anyone who needed it.

Jack touched her shoulder gently she looked up surprise and recognition registering on her face simultaneously.

“Is this seat taken?” he asked, when she shook her head he sat down beside her.

“You’re looking……..good, well..” she stammered with a smile

“You look beautiful” he replied. She shot him a look which said she didn’t quite believe him “Don’t you trust me?” he asked

“I guess. It’s been a long time Jack”

“Ten years, it’s funny our paths never crossed when I came back to visit”

“An era”

“You still live around here?”

“Oh yes, there’s not much out there for someone like me”

“What?” he asked amazed “Don’t you listen to anything anyone tells you?”

“I can’t hear remember”

“You know what I mean and I’m sorry I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s okay. You are the talk of the town, big shot city lawyer that you are”

“I wouldn’t call myself that…yet anyway” he replied with a grin.

“You were right about one thing” she said thoughtfully

“What?”

“Allie and marriage”

“Yeah I heard, what she on her third Mr Right now?”

“I believe so. Did you find ‘the one’?”

“I don’t know” he said his eyes boring into hers and for a fleeting moment thought, knew, that he just had. Changing the subject he asked “So how do you spend you working hours?”

“I teach, it’s not quite what I wanted but as I said…”

“Sue” he said taking her hand in his and feeling the stirrings of attraction deep within his soul “You can still do whatever you set your mind to, you just have to believe in yourself, I know you can do it whatever it is. What is it?”

She bit her lip and glanced about, people were looking at them now, he had been talking with her for so long that people had begun to notice that the ‘odd Sue’ was engaged still in conversation with the infamous Jackson Hudson.

“Sue” he repeated taking her chin with his finger to make her focus on him and not everyone else and their prejudiced notions.

“I wanted to teach ASL to hearing people or English in a school for the deaf, but I’m a home tutor instead, kids who need extra schooling, one to one kind of thing. I haven’t signed for so long, I think I might have forgotten all I learnt”

“I think that if you had the opportunity you would find you remembered far more than you give yourself credit for….Sue dance with me?”

“I can’t hear the music” she protested

“I don’t think that matters, if you’re worried about making a fool of yourself let me warn you I have two left feet, please, for me?”

jack loves sue....jack loves sue...jack loves sue sings law in a sing song voice

Oh my! What a beautiful reunion.
thanks,
Terie

oh be still my heart

Is it wrong that I just want to yell "In your face!" at Allie and Jessica?

Em

i'm totally mushified right now

cath

I think it's about time that gang will figure it out...in the mean time I will enjoy the fuzzies...