ROSEMARY’S GRANDAUGHTER
by Ivory

Rosemary Blair Thomas was a product of her time. She was born in 1929, a time when the country came under the grip of the Great Depression, to a large family who lived in a small Ohio town. She learned from the beginning that life was not easy, as she and her family struggled for their livelihood, but it was that strife that forged within her a strong, independent spirit. Once when her father was laid off work, she helped her mother take in laundry. She promised herself as she did each load, with a spirit that would have made Scarlett O'Hara proud, that when she grew up it would be different.

Rosemary married at the age of twenty-one when George Thomas, a local banker, swept her off her feet. He was charming, handsome, wealthy; the most eligible bachelor in town. She thought he had a character to match. She was devastated when ten years later he left her and their two young sons, Paul and Edward, for another woman.

Rosemary never remarried. A few men had tried to win her heart, but they found that the wall that she built up was impenetrable. She chose to only trust two men in her life, Paul and Edward.

As her sons grew, she had faced the prospect that they would marry with dismay. It wasn’t that she didn’t want them to marry exactly. She had seen a few great marriages, including the marriage of one of her sister’s, but her own experience with marriage made her dread the fact that they would both probably marry. She worried that her boys would be not be able to have successful marriages of their own, given the fact that their father had not been a role model of what a good marriage should look like.

She did not have the chance to see what kind of a husband her son Paul might be. He was killed serving his county in the Vietnam conflict. Her son, Edward, married Carla Dalton, his high school sweetheart. Despite the negativity that had been projected to him regarding all things matrimonial, their marriage took.

In due time, Carla and Edward presented Rosemary with four grandchildren. She treated her three grandsons with the appropriate degree of warmth, but it was her granddaughter, Susan Rosemary Thomas, who managed to break through her guarded veneer to connect with the heart of the woman almost from the day she was born.

Rosemary had not approved when her family began calling Susan by the nickname Sue. In her opinion nicknames were a falderal. People should use their full names and be done with it. Therefore, she always addressed her favorite grandchild as Susan.

She had allowed herself to cry when she learned that Sue was diagnosed as being deaf at the age of three. From that point on she was constantly at odds with her daughter-in-law. In a most unusual twist from her usual way of thinking, she believed that Carla was taking a hard a line with Sue. She and Carla had words many times about the best way to raise her. Carla felt that if her daughter was going to survive in a hearing world, that she had to learn to be strong. It was Rosemary and Edward who provided the warmth that nurtured Sue’s gentle, compassionate spirit. Carla provided the passion and drive that fostered her tenacity and drive to succeed. Eventually the tension between Rosemary and Carla gentled into an uneasy peace as Sue reached adulthood.

Rosemary had approved when Sue announced that she was moving to D.C. to work with the FBI. She would miss her granddaughter deeply, but was proud of her independent spirit. She wouldn’t have admitted it to Carla, but she had come to think that maybe Carla’s passionate drive to see Sue succeed had not been all negative.

She watched Sue struggle to find her place within two worlds, the hearing and the deaf. Her amazing granddaughter had achieved so much, but those achievements came with great determination and even personal sacrifice. Her granddaughter could be tenacious, and Rosemary wondered if she inherited that from her or Carla.

She would never forget how happy and self-assured Sue seemed the day she came to tell her that she planned to move to D.C. to work for the F.B.I.

Now, four years after Sue moved to D.C., Rosemary was seated in front of her fireplace reading a letter that she had received from Sue. The light of the fire reflected off her face, revealing that at the age of seventy-eight, her appearance was still striking. She had the classic look of the matriarch of a family, and she dressed the part. She appeared like she would be completely comfortable taking afternoon tea with the Queen in a Victorian parlor all decorated with ruby-red walls, ornate furnishings, and rich fabric.

She raised a hand to her head to check that her pure white hair was still properly contained in its French twist. Satisfied that it was, she walked over to her desk and set the letter down. Susan has been in Washington D.C. for four years now. It is high time that I go and visit her, she thought. I shall call her and arrange a time to come for a visit. It is time that I meet this young man named Jackson that she talks about when she calls or visits. He had best prepare himself to come under scrutiny. Carla and Edward have met him before and say he is a remarkable young man, but I shall make my own assessment. If this man breaks her heart, he will have to answer to me.

I heard that song the other day - what a great idea for a story!

How cool! It didn't dawn on me where Rosemary came from until I ready duckfan's post. I have a feeling we are in for quite a treat.

Kim

Ivory.. LOVED all the background on Rosemary. I feel like I have some insight now on how she views things, especially relationships, and I have a feeling it will come into play as we get further into what I know will be a wonderful tale. Thanks for joining the challange!

Tina

Another fall challenge story! I like Rosemary....she's my kind of lady! Our histories are similar.

I have a feeling she is going to take Sue and Jack (and us) on a whirlwind ride that will thrill us and, hopefully, give us lots of nice fuzzies! I eagerly look forward to this ride, Ivory.

I'm with you Kim, I didn't realize where the title came from either until Duckfan's post and I googled it. As soon as the list of websites came up...I felt really foolish.

Whenever my granddaughter spends the night and we watch ST episodes, she never lets me fast-forward thru the song and we both sing-a-long. How embarrassing I didn't pick up on it!

Lynn

Ivory, I'm so excited that you're writing a challenge story! What a great start! The background really drew me in. You made Rosemary's character already seem very three-dimensional. Can't wait for more.

great start

cath

As soon as I saw the title I started singing the song. I can't wait to read the rest and how she gives Jack a kick in the pants to get him to admit his feelings for Sue. Go Grandma!

You're off to a fascinating start! I'm totally hooked.


gracie

Ivory, you made my morning when I saw that you have joined the challenge!! I love Rosemary already and I feel pretty sure that Jack doesn't stand a chance!!!

Another delightful surprise this morning - I had forgotten just how wonderful the word "falderal" is!!!

Joy

And that is how a Grandma should be!

Em

fantastic start looking forward to more
Lin

Love the title Great start. Looking forward to what this fiesty grandmother is up to

Love the idea Ivory. I can't wait for the next post. I think Rosemary is going to give Jackson a run for his money

oh i'm going to love this story...and i bet jack can win her heart over, but i think he will have to work for it, and promise allot for it, and make all of the promisses come true,well atleast the most of them.

It looks like grandma rosemary is going to be tough on Jack.

I enjoyed all of your wonderful replies. Thank you so much.


The small jewelry store, located in a quiet Georgetown street, was a family-owned business. They had earned a reputation through the years of being reputable and honest. Their good credentials had reached the ears of the man whom Rosemary now wished to meet, a man who was decidedly in the market to purchase a diamond ring for the woman who had come to mean the world to him in so many ways. He had taken a lunch break to complete his special errand since the girls they worked with had commandeered her for a lunch date.

He entered the shop and was impressed with the pleasant, welcoming atmosphere. It seemed so different from the cold-looking stores he had often passed by when in a mall. He noticed that a man, perhaps the owner himself, was assisting another customer, so he began browsing through the cases of rings. He didn’t have to wait long before a young woman came out from the back of the store and approached him. Jack thought he noticed a family resemblance and guessed that she was the owner’s daughter.

“Hello. May I help you?” she asked. Wow, is he ever good looking. I wonder if he is as nice as he is cute?

“Yes...please...I am shopping for an engagement ring, and I would like to see what you have,” he responded.

She swallowed hard and tried to focus on her job. She gestured to a nearby chair and invited him to have a seat. He took it. His new position, sitting at the counter facing her, was not making it any easier for her to be businesslike. His deep, expressive eyes and amazing good looks were a distraction. She cleared her throat as she told herself to focus.

He had kept a rock collection as a boy, but he had no idea how complicated it would be to purchase a diamond engagement ring. Terms like cut, clarity, color and carat were spinning through his mind like rocks in a tumbler. She brought out a small pouch of diamonds and guided him as he made his selection, a brilliant, round-cut diamond and the yellow gold setting that would house it.

He gave her one of his girlfriend’s rings so that the correct size could be determined. He smiled as he thought of his ingenuity in securing the ring. He knew that his girl’s roommate, Lucy Dotson, would find it difficult to keep it a secret if he took her into his confidence since they lived together. He chose to ask their coworker, Tara Williams. She would find it easier to keep the secret, so he asked her to borrow a ring for him the last time she was over to Sue and Lucy’s apartment for a girl’s night in. If he thought about it, he could still hear her whoops of delight at being given such a mission. He just hoped to get the ring back before it was missed.

Jack Hudson took out his check book, wrote out a check for the purchase, and handed it to the lady jeweler along with his ID. She glanced down at the name on the check. “Thank you for your purchase, Mr...Hudson. I think you have made an excellent selection. Your ring should be mounted, sized and ready for you to pick up tomorrow. You said the woman whom you are buying this for is a classic beauty, and I would say that this ring conveys just that sentiment.”

As Jack took his leave of the store, the shop owner's daughter let out a sigh. That is one lucky lady who will be getting that ring.

Jack stepped out onto the busy street. Now he just had to get back to the bull pen and pick up Sue so that they could drive on over to Dulles International to pick up her grandmother, who was coming for a visit.

Jack wasn’t sure why it was that he had chosen that day to buy Sue’s ring. He just knew it seemed to be the right time. Now he would pray that he would know just the perfect time and the best way to ask her. Well, when the time is right, I’m prepared, he told himself. He was more than ready to wear the “old ball and chain” as his best mate, Bobby Manning, liked to teasingly call being married.

I have a feeling Rosemary may just provide Jack the right time to propose. This is a great story, Ivory.

Kim

Ah, Jack is ahead of the game this time! I'm sure Rosemary will still have to size him up, but the fact that he's no longer hemming and hawing around will hopefully impress her. (And the girl in the jewelry store has good taste! )

Tina

Such an exquisite ring for an exquisite lady. And I loved the way Jack didn't trust Lucy to keep the secret so he enlisted Tara's help. I can just see Tara "whooping" with delight at being a co-conspiritor. She has to feel honored that Jack would ask her.

If I were the shop owner's daughter I would have swooned over Jack too.

Now, I'm not sure how to interpret Jack's thoughts about why he bought the ring today, the day Rosemary comes to visit. Are you trying to give us a little hint that somehow the proposal will not go as smoothly for Jack as he thinks?

Lynn

It sounds like where we bought our wedding and my engagement ring - little downtown shop, family run, they wouldn't sell you a diamond without teaching you all about the C's.

Looking forward to more!

So happy you've entered the challenge, Ivory!
Wonderful start!
Rosemary is a great character!
And Jack's bought a ring!!!! Woohoo!
Looking forward to more!

Tracy

beautiful post

cath

wonderful post loved it
Lin

I think I shall do the broccoli Happy Dance. Jack's buying Sue an engagement ring. That's definately something to celebrate!

And I can't wait for Rosemary to meet Jack. She might not be willing to like him because of her past, but no woman, of any age, can resist those chocolate brown eyes.

I'm glad that Jack is moving right along in your story, Ivory!! But is he going to hit a little stumbling block in Rosemary?? I wonder if he's going to let her in on the fact that he has already bought the ring???

I love that Jack picked out the diamond and setting - he virtually designed the ring himself!! Sue will like that!!!

Joy

I just found this story and it sound fabulous! I can't wait for more!

Jack bought a ring!!!

Em

Yep!!!! And the setting sounds elegent as Sue herself!!!!

Rosemary’s granddaughter sat at her desk at work finishing up a report that was due to be turned into the Vice-President of Building Services, Randy Pitts. She removed her hands from the keyboard and stretched her arms out to her sides. Turning her neck from side to side, and then flexing her shoulders, she tried to ease out the stiffness in her muscles. She was about to sign off on the finished report when her service dog, Levi, suddenly got her attention by placing a paw on her thigh. When she looked up to see who wanted her, she encountered the expressive, dark eyes of Jack Hudson.

“Sue, I just finished with my errand. Are you ready to go to the airport?”

“I sure am.” She opened a desk drawer to retrieve her purse. “I though I would never get this report finished today. There were so many interruptions.”

“Did I cause some of those interruptions?” Jack quipped.

“You are a distraction, definitely...but an interruption, never!”

Jack beamed. “Thank you.” He would have kissed her if they were alone in the bullpen.

Sue stood up. “I hope we have allowed for plenty of time to pick up my grandmother. The traffic over to Dulles can be pretty bad this time of day.”

He took her hand. “Well, we better get going then. We wouldn’t want to keep your grandmother waiting.”

The building was fairly quiet as they made their way to the elevator bay and on to the parking lot. They had made plans for Sue to carpool with Lucy that morning, so they took Jack’s car to the airport. He opened the door while she and Levi got comfortably settled in the car. Jack entered the car from the driver’s side and was about to turn the key when he felt Sue’s hand on his shoulder.

“Jack, thank you for going with me to pick my grandmother up. I really appreciate it. It means a lot.” Sue showed him her appreciation with a heartfelt kiss.

“You’re welcome. You know, you have told me a lot about her. I feel like I know her already. Besides, girlfriend, now that we are dating, I find I want to take every opportunity I can find to be with you,” he told her with a gleam in his eyes. And to take you in my arms and kiss you and... . Her gentle voice broke into his thoughts.

“I’m glad, Jack. I feel that way too. We have been spending a lot of time together, she mused. He is so wonderful. I get the feeling that he may be ready to make a move in our relationship. Oh, I hope and pray that he is.

He took her hand in his and placed their hands on his thigh. His thumb began to gently caress her hand.

Arriving at the airport, Jack parked the car. They made their way to the baggage claim area while talking about her grandmother.

“I love my grandmother dearly, but just remember that I warned you that she can be a handful at times. She can be quite outspoken and opinionated.”

“So noted.”

It was Sue who saw her grandmother first. She rushed over to her and hugged her.

“Hello Grandmother. I’m glad you’re here. It’s good to see you. How was your trip?”

“Hello Susan. How are you child? It’s good to see you, too. The trip was long and tiring. They just don’t provide service on planes like they used to. They don’t even serve meals anymore. It is deplorable.” Rosemary’s eyes finally drifted to the handsome young man who was standing next to her granddaughter.

Sue made her introductions. “Grandmother, I would like to present Jackson Hudson. Jack, this is my grandmother, Rosemary Thomas.”

“Hello Mrs. Thomas. It is nice to meet you.”

“I am pleased to meet you as well, young man. I have heard Susan speak of you often.”

“Why don’t you show me your suitcase, and I’ll get it from the conveyer.” As Jack retrieved her luggage, his every instinct told him that he was being scrutinized by an expert.

About forty-five minutes later, they all were sitting in Sue and Lucy’s living room having coffee and Sue’s famous ice cream dessert..

At one point, Rosemary turned to Jack. “Jackson, I have something on my mind and I have found that it is usually the most productive to get right to the point when one has a question about something. Do you agree?

“Yes, ma’am. I do.”

“Very well then, I shall ask my question. Just what are your intentions toward my granddaughter?”

Well Jack...we know what your intentions are...how are you going to tell Rosemary without spoiling the surprise for Sue?

Im with Ria there so please dont keep us to long please pretty please
Lin

Is he going to tell her about his plan to propse? I loe it! Can't wait for more.

Oops. Tread carefully Jack, this is tricky...

Tina

So does that mean Jack is going to propose right that second?!

Looking forward to finding out!
Wonderful post, Ivory!

Tracy

good grief, she sure is to the point

hope she doesn't make jack reveal more about his plans and spoil the surprise for sue

cath

Why do I think he was expecting that question and will already have a suitable answer? Oh, yeah, because he's Jack and he usually thinks of everything... notice I said "usually".

I may not get the chance to post tonight, so I thought I would post early. I hope you enjoy it.


Jack was glad that he didn’t have any coffee in his hand at the time. That could have been disastrous. Even all of his training in interrogation hadn’t quite prepared him for this one. He looked over at Sue and then he took her hand in his. He gave it a squeeze as he gathered his thoughts. My intentions are to marry this lovely woman one day soon, if she’ll have me, he thought. He turned back, focusing his expressive brown eyes on Rosemary’s older steel blue ones. “With all due respect, Mrs. Thomas, I believe that my feelings and intentions toward Sue are between your lovely granddaughter and me for the moment. I hope you will understand.”

Rosemarie sat up straighter while slowly setting her coffee cup down on the end table. “I see. But it does appear then that there is a serious relationship here between the two of you. Young man, I have to say that I am not sure that I approve. I have seen Sue have her heart broken by men in the past, and she doesn’t need to have her heart broken again. My concern is that you will be like the others, tire of the relationship, and walk away from her.” She looked deeply into Jack’s eyes. She decided to probe further. “What if someone who you think is prettier or more exciting comes along? What if you get tired of having to adapt to her needs? Would you walk away and desert her?” Desert her like my husband did me.

“No, I would be a fool if I did!” Jack almost shouted the words. He gazed over at Sue. “Sue is the most amazing woman I have ever met. She is incredibly beautiful both inside and out. She has a gentle, compassionate spirit that touches everyone she meets, including me. Her faith inspires me. Her tender heart is something to cherish and protect, not throw away. She is also brave and courageous...traits which I believe she may have inherited from you.” Jack took a deep breath. “I will tell you this; I am in love with your granddaughter, Mrs. Thomas.”

Rosemary was about to respond, but Sue could take it no longer. “Grandmother, I can’t believe you asked that question. You don’t know Jack like I do, but he is a wonderful man. I know the kind of heart he has. He would never intentionally hurt me. I trust him completely.” She looked at Jack and felt her eyes mist. “I love him.” Sue felt like she might start crying. She blinked the tears away. Then she felt herself bristle. “I know you mean well, but I think you have interrogated Jack quite enough for one evening.”

“My dear, I am sorry if it seemed that I was interrogating or crossed the line into meddling. Perhaps I was amiss not to ask the question of Jack privately, but I didn't want to say anything behind your back. Jackson, I apologize if I have offended you. Thank you for answering my question. I will say that I was impressed with your answer.”

She may be impressed, but convinced... probably not, Jack thought. He smiled and responded, “No apology is necessary. I know you are only looking out for Sue’s best interest.”

Lucy Dotson had been listening with rapt amazement at the conversation that had just occurred. After a few moments of silence, she thought it may be a good time to change the topic. “I think Sue told you that we invited my Gram to come for dinner tomorrow night along with another good friend of ours , an older gentleman named Charlie Adams. I hope you like meatloaf”

“Yes, Susan told me. I will look forward to meeting them and yes, I do like meatloaf, Lucy.”

Sue was suddenly interrupted by a paw on her thigh. “It looks like Levi is ready to go out. Why don’t you make yourself comfortable in my room while I walk him?”

“Thank you Susan. It was a long trip and I am beginning to get tired. Not like you youngsters who can keep all hours. You are making me feel most welcome.”

Jack made his exit. “I’ll say goodnight, Mrs. Hudson. I will help Sue walk Levi and then be on my way. See you tomorrow. Good night, Lucy.”

“Good night, Jackson. Again, I am pleased to meet you.”

The couple who walked in the park together a few moments later exchanged gentle words of love. It was a beautiful, moonlit night, a night poets write about.

“Jack, about what you said to my grandmother...”

“I meant every word of it.”

“I could tell, sweetheart. You were wonderful. She doesn't mean to be so..."

"I know." He took her in his arms. "Now, what I want to do is kiss her granddaughter." He did. “I have wanted to do that all evening. The way you look in the moonlight is taking my breath away.” He kissed her again. “I am glad for you that your grandmother is here for a visit, but I have to tell you that it is going to be hard not spending as much time with you.”

“Then I guess I should try to make it up to you somehow.” Her look turned impish. “I wonder how I might go about doing that,” she teased.

“Come here, you.” He led her to what looked to be a secluded spot. He drew her back into his arms where she proceeded to start to pay him back with her whole heart.

Boy, Rosemary doesn't beat around the bush, does she?? I think she should have known Jack a little longer before asking him that question!! Jack handled it very well though and I think his answer was perfect!!!

Joy

that was wonderful just hope sues grandmother loves jack as much as sue does more soon please pretty please
Lin

10/24 Post #30 - I love it! Rosemary is right, of course, nothing like getting to the point! Can't wait to read Jack's reaction and response! Or is Sue going to interrupt before Jack has a chance to answer?

10/25 Post #39 - I had to leave for a luncheon engagement and I see I forgot to post my response (above) from this morning. Now I get to find out the answer to my question. Reading..... It looks like you were right Linny. Jack was prepared.

Reading on.... Perfect answers Jack! *****Swooning***** But Rosemary sure was persistent! And Sue's interruption was very timely as was Lucy's change of subject. Now, Ivory, is Jack going to take advantage of this "beautiful, moonlit night, a night poets write about", to get down on his knee and propose?

The timing could not be any better! Jack, are you listening? No, of course not; you're too busy kissing Sue!

A simply devine post Ivory...but, I want Jack to propose!

Lynn

PS. Oh, with anticipation of the next post I almost forgot....Grams and Charlie are coming tomorrow night for a visit and they're fixing Charlie's favorite meal, which Rosemary happens to like too! Do I detect a little secondary romance about to take place here?

Pay back time! Sigh. Ivory, I'm thrilled that you've entered the challenge and I love this story so far. That Jack has already picked out the engagement ring is a bonus and I'm relieved he didn't blurt that out when Rosemary was interrogating him. I think he'll find the perfect time without being pushed into it. Of course, we'll get to be there, won't we, Ivory?

kav

beautiful answers from jack but i'm glad sue stepped in before grandma went too far

cath

Well, it was Jack doing the talking Joy! How could the answer be anything but? Prejudice? Me?

Glad Jack stood up to Rosemary; I think she might appreciate that in the long run more than anything. No doubt she would find it difficult to believe in a man making promises of forever, but Jack will convince her, in time, that he's nothing like her two-timing husband.

Hey, they should invite Helga to tomorrow night's dinner too!

Tina

Loved it! Reminds me of my dad though....

Ivory...what a beautiful story!
I really like Rosemary...honest, straight-forward but caring!
And the least I can say, not afraid to speak up her mind.
Really exciting to see how Jack will propose and I love how he replied to Rosemary's questions
Josy

Lucy doesn't have a window view of the street, does she? For some reason, and please do NOT hit me for this, but for some reason the "secluded spot" has me kind of... well, worried. And not in that, ooh-a-bad-gauy's-lurking-in-the-shadows kind of way, but a ooh-grandmother's-watching-and-has-suspicions-about-Jack's-moral-character kind of way.

By the way, I loved Jack's answer! Perfect and precise, just like I'd hoped it would be.

Nicely done Jack! And I must say, I can't really blame Rosemary. After all, she's just trying to keep Sue from going through the same heartache she went throught. But trust me when I say this, Rosemary, you've got nothing to worry about.

Kim

I agree!
A wonderful post, Ivory!
Looking forward to more!

Tracy