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#Post#: 2647--------------------------------------------------
It Happened One Summer
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: April 23, 2013, 12:18 pm
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Surrrprise! :D
*Author's Note: I'm merely borrowing the lovely town of Castle
Rock and Mr. Merrill from the awesome Stephen King. I'm also
borrowing the lovely Lottie from the awesome Wolfy. I hope I do
both authors justice with their lovely characters. I own nothing
expect mere ideas presented and Maggie. Please don't post
anywhere else without my permission. If you ask I shall give. :)
*
HTML http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh628/mcohen3/Stand-By-Me-26_zps02639563.jpg
HTML http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh628/mcohen3/SBMbanner_zpsfc77b0db.jpg
John "Ace" Merrill - Would be town hood of Castle Rock Maine and
leader of the Cobras. Most think he's up to no good but truth be
told he's a tough with a soft heart and eyes for one girl in
town, Maggie Noonan. She's brought out something in him that
not many people in town knew he had, a soft side. If that little
pipsqueak LeChance got a look at him when Maggie was around his
little head would spin.
George "Geordie" Harrison - Ace's right hand man and fellow car
enthusiast, also part of Ace's gang the Cobras. He's the quiet
one with a shy smile and eyes for a certain Chalmer's girl. He's
just too shy to admit it to her. If only she'd give him the time
of day. Lottie goes for the linebacker type, something he's
clearly not. A guy can dream though and dream he does. He's also
been known to leave flowers on her front steps.
Margaret Sue "Maggie" Noonan - Part of the town goody two shoes
duo. From a working class Irish catholic family with very
staunch morals that could very well get her into hot water some
day. It was that same set of morals that made her see the good
side of Ace Merrill, and even love him although she'll never
admit it to him or anyone else for that matter.
Charlotte Louise "Lottie" Chalmers - The other part of the town
goody two shoes duo and Maggie's best friend. From the same
background as Maggie and her next door neighbor. She's the
spunky one of the two and speaks her mind. Rumor has it that
she's got a thing for the Harrison boy but won't admit it to
him. She knows that she's not his type of girl but hey, a girl
can dream right? She still hasn't figured out who leaves her
fresh wildflowers each morning.
Clothing visuals
HTML http://www.polyvore.com/castle_rock/collection?id=2326098
The Playlist:
The Stroll - The Diamonds
Not Fade Away - Buddy Holly
Blueberry Hill - Chubby Checker
Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
The Man Who Plays the Mandolino - Dean Martin
I'm Sorry ( I Ran All The Way Home) - The Impalas
Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
Willy and the Hand Jive - Johnny Otis
Suzy Q - Dale Hawkins
Little Bitty Pretty One - Thurston Lewis
Hey! Little Girl - Del Shannon
The Twist - Chubby Checker
Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley (Geordie and Lottie's song)
In The Still of the Night - The Five Satins (Ace and Maggie's
song)
Rockin' Robin - Bobby Day
Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
Mashed Potato Time - Dee Dee Sharp
The Lion Sleeps Tonight - The Tokens
The Wanderer - Dion and the Belmonts
Young Love - Sonny James
Book of Love - The Monotones
Hey Baby - Del Shannon
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - The Platters
Since I Don't Have You - The Skyliners
Summary :
Maggie Noonan and Ace Merrill got off on the wrong foot one
summer day at the Blue Point Diner. An apology date ends in near
disaster and results in the two of them being the talk of the
town. His half assed apology is met with a slap and slice of
Nan Cooke's famous blueberry pie to the face. At what lengths
will he go to prove to her he's not a complete hood with one
thing on his mind? She knows he's got a reputation with the
ladies but she knows it's all talk anyway. Deep down they both
know they're made for one another, he brings out her care free
side and she balances out his temper. Meanwhile Lottie Chalmers
and Geordie Harrison are doing the dance of courtship quite
well. Perhaps there will be two new couples seen around the tiny
town of Castle Rock?
#Post#: 2648--------------------------------------------------
Re: It Happened One Summer
DIR By: Wolfy
Date: April 25, 2013, 8:10 am
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I believe I am still fangirling pretty hard over that playlist
you have there! classic oldies are the best thing in the world
and I just had a little dance off with myself as I went through
the list, aha. I love half those tracks and definitely can't
wait for this story to begin. Also, thank you kindly for the
mention in your authors note. You're free to use Lottie whenever
you wish. I love both banners, your character descriptions and
your summary! I'm really looking forward to this :3
#Post#: 2649--------------------------------------------------
Re: It Happened One Summer
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: April 25, 2013, 7:44 pm
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Aww thank you! You're most welcome, I only thought it was right
that I ask and give you your dues for her :D The same goes for
you if you ever wish to use Maggie. I'm so glad you loved the
playlist, banners, and descriptions. That darn playlist has been
playing for some time now and I dare say my muse is quite
enjoying himself over here. I'm so so glad you're looking
forward to this because I'm having a blast writing it. :D
#Post#: 2652--------------------------------------------------
Re: It Happened One Summer
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: April 28, 2013, 11:33 pm
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Blue Point Diner June 1959 Castle Rock Maine
It was a scorcher of a day in the tiny town of Castle Rock, the
thermometer read ninety degrees and it wasn't even noon yet. The
weatherman said to expect a real cranker of a storm later on
today but as of yet no wind or clouds came roaring through. The
jukebox droned on with the strains of Chubby Checker's Pony
Time, a song I usually loved in my off time made me want to
climb the walls. I was nearly at the end of my rope as I
cleared down the counter and changed out the coffee for the
third time since I started my shift. My hair was going limp and
I'm sure my pony tail had started to droop a bit as I wiped the
sweat from my brow before I cleaned down one of the tables that
a few of the regulars had clearly made themselves at homes at.
"Aww, c'mon Mags put on a smile. It's Friday and you know what
that means, it's pay day!"
Lottie said as she reapplied her fire engine red lipstick and
checked her reflection in one of the napkin dispensers at the
counter before coming over to me and giving me a bump with her
hip.
"C'mon...c'mon...you can do it, Mags. Wanna go over to the Five
and Dime and pick through the nail polishes after we're out of
here? That'll put a smile on your face, guaranteed."
I finished stacking plates and coke glasses and sighed. My
mother had wanted me to stay home tonight while she went over to
Derry to visit my Grandad, she'd be back on Monday she'd said
. Although an unscheduled stop with Lottie wouldn't get me into
hot water. I had my key and my mother knew I could be trusted, I
was nineteen after all, but in a small town like Castle Rock age
never really mattered when everyone knew everyone else's
business better then their own. I smiled in spite of how the
heat was making me feel and agreed.
"You've got yourself a deal, Lottie."
Lottie let out a squeal of glee and went about wiping down the
rest of the tables and refilling the sugar bowls as I ran the
the plates into the kitchen. The bell over the door let out it's
usual cheery little ring as the song on the Juke changed to a
rather familiar Buddy Holly tune. Fuzzy Bracowicz, Charlie
Hogan, Eyeball Chambers, and Geordie Harrison sauntered in like
they owned the place. Around town they were known as the Cobras,
why I'll never know. But I noticed they were without their
fearless leader, Ace Merrill. I'd just come from the kitchen
loaded down with fresh flatware and napkins to wrap them in, yet
another job that never seemed to end at the diner, no matter if
Lottie and I cut every corner to get it over with. To be honest
it was a job that I couldn't stand more then anything in the
world but it had to be done.
"I'll be right with you."
I called from my spot behind the lunch counter as I grabbed the
rather motley crew their complimentary glasses of ice water and
a few menus.
"Just a head's up, there's some pies in the back and we're
offering up slices half price today. Judgeson's Orchard has a
bumper crop of blueberries coming in and we've got to make room
for the blueberry pies pretty soon."
Fuzzy Bracowicz let out a whoop of joy as he rubbed his hands
together and then threw his straw wrapper at Charlie Hogan who
gave him a look of certain doom.
"What kind, Maggie?"
After two years of working at the Blue Point and logging many
hours in the kitchen I was able to recite the seasonal pies we
kept in stock. Lottie had left that job up to me after she got
so sick of looking at pumpkin pies the previous year when we
were blitzed by the Autumn out of towners putting in orders for
"homemade" pies.
"Rhubarb, Strawberry, and Lemon Meringue . Yell when you're
ready to put in your order."
I had just settled in behind the counter and started to roll
silverware into near bundles when Fuzzy flagged me down to
order.
"Four chocolate shakes and four burger baskets, Maggie."
Charlie Hogan's beady little eyes lit up as Lottie brought out
the pies and put them in the display case but not before she
scowled at each of them.
"And four slices of strawberry pie."
I made a note and sent the order back. For some reason the
thought of having to witness three out of those four guys eat
made me a bit queasy. Geordie was always the conscientious one
of the group and he chewed with his mouth closed. I looked over
at Lottie who was staring dreamily at Geordie off in her own
little world and shook my head. If a guy in Castle Rock ever
made me look like that I'm sure it was a sign of the end of days
for sure. The short order cook, Arnie Swenson rang the bell
before barking at me.
"Order's up, Margie!"
I absolutely hated being called anything but Maggie and Arnie
knew it. I silently asked God why my parents had settled on the
name Margaret anyway. I'd been told that I was named after my
Father's mother although I'd never met her my Father always
talked about how sweet and loving she was. I look back on him
now and seem to think of him in the same way. He was always a
constant in my life, so was my Mother but for some reason I had
this insane notion that if I didn't think of him at least once a
day I'd forget what he looked like. I'd had a panic attack when
I'd found that his scent had gone from his clothes as Mom packed
them up for good will a few months ago. I looked over at the
calender that was hanging on the wall and noticed it'd be a year
next month that he'd been gone. He'd been having what he thought
was indigestion and told my mother and I not to worry about it,
just to say a quick prayer for him. Two days later he'd told us
that he was feeling better, "It must have been all that praying"
and that he was going to go to the later service so he could
stay home and get yard work done. We came home from morning mass
to find him face down in the backyard clutching his stomach, his
eyes totally glassy and he was cold to the touch. We'd been told
he'd had a severe peptic ulcer and the stress from work, he'd
worked over at Hennessy Brothers Textile as a shift manager,
hadn't helped him one bit. I still hadn't quite come to terms
with that lost topsy turvy feeling I'd been saddled with just
yet. Tears threatened to spring up and I quickly willed myself
to suck them back in before I made a spectacle of myself in
front of everyone. Arnie's voice cut through the chills I'd
been overcome with, dare I say that it was almost welcome.
"Order's up! Hop to it little lady!"
I was snapped out of my memory as I grabbed the baskets and
loaded them onto the serving tray along with the milkshakes and
pie slices. I gave Arnie a dirty look at he stared at my chest
and gave me a lecherous smile. I rolled my eyes and sighed in
disgust as I picked up the tray and made my way over to the
table. Lottie had disappeared into the back stock room to take
inventory and I was left with a hungry pack of Cobras at table
four. Just as I rounded the lunch counter I heard screams coming
down the street. I saw the blurry forms of Vern Tessio, Gordie
LeChance, Chris Chambers, and Teddy Duchamp come running into
the diner and scatter every which way but not before they
stopped by the Juke Box and the sounds of the Impalas filled the
diner. They each took a seat at the counter as I put menus in
front of them and gave them a smile. They were good kids and
Lottie and I had come to think of them as our little brothers. I
had a feeling that Chris Chambers was sweet on Lottie because
every time she wasn't scheduled he'd always stop in and ask
about her. I made my way over to the Cobra's table.
The door swung open a third time that afternoon and Ace Merrill
came sauntering in and plopped down in the booth next to Geordie
and stretched his legs out as I came over, trying to get my
attention or so it seemed.
"Way to wait for me, fellas. Bunch a jerks is what you guys are.
Damn near thought that Plymouth Fury was going to fall on me
while I was still under it. You four were supposed to be
spotting me, damn lift's on the blink again."
As I reached the table and started to dole out their orders I
felt a hand snake it's way up my waist and stay there. I looked
over at Ace and gave him a look of certain death.
"Aww, c'mon. You Catholic girls are all too highly strung on a
tight chord. You need to walk on on the wild side, I could show
ya how, babe. You really should get away from those rosary beads
sometime and let your hair down. I've seen ya over at Irby's a
few times and boy can you dance."
I rolled my eyes and removed his hand.
"Sorry, not interested, Ace. Can I get you anything before I run
screaming for the hills?"
Ace thought for a moment and grinned at me.
"Yeah, you in the backseat of my Ford."
I scowled and then walked off toward the counter, there was no
use feeding into his banter.
"Man, I didn't know she was such a touchy Daddy's girl..."
Ace crowed causing the table's banter to fall silent. I stood
there behind the counter totally frozen except for the tears
that had welled up in my eyes, I had to hand it to him, Ace
really had some timing on touchy subjects. He'd opened a fresh
wound and I had all I could do to keep my composure. I wasn't
about to give someone like him the satisfaction of seeing me
cry. I'd never cry in front of a man, let alone one like Ace
Merrill.
"Not cool, Ace. Not cool. Her Dad's dead, man."
Something changed in Ace's face and I could have sworn I'd seen
regret and maybe a smattering of sympathy. I turned to the boys
as they rummaged through their pockets for change to go halves
on the bill. I did my best to slap on a smile as I waited for a
second and then went back to rolling silverware.
"Alright guys, how about some pie on the house? Just pay for
your milk this time around?"
You'd think I would have promised to catch the Easter Bunny and
Santa Claus all in one by the looks on their faces as I came out
of the kitchen with the boys' preferred pie slices, ultimately
cleaning the stock out and a carton of milk and four jelly
glasses and left them to it. I went back to wrapping silverware
and listening to the steady whir of the overhead fan pushing the
hot air around the diner. Arnie had gone out back to probably
get half in the bag and Lottie was busy finishing stock work in
the back. Ace and his gang were busy discussing their newest
automotive venture, a rather quirky '58 Plymouth Fury with a
custom Ford red paint job. The boys had finished their pie and
milk and were preparing to leave but not before they each said
thank you. From somewhere deep within Nan's store room we each
heard a strangled scream anda the familiar sound of breaking
glass as poor Lottie came out covered in what looked like a
mixture of cob webs, dust, and oddly enough, Nan's famous tomato
sauce.
" I saw a spider and then the bulb burned out on me. I told Nan
to get that damn bulb fixed! Now look at me, I've covered from
head to toe in her sauce, she's going to murder me! I've got to
go home and get cleaned up. If she sees me like this she's going
to fire me for sure."
Poor Lottie looked like she was on the verge of tears as she
punched herself out for her lunch break and got her things ready
so she could head home and clean herself up. As she walked past
Geordie stopped her and offered her a lift.
"I'm going past your place anyway, I've clocked in an early day
from the garage so I could help my Dad out anyway."
Lottie turned a rather adorable shade of pink as she looked at
him and then at her feet before agreeing.
"Hey Maggie, can we have the check while Romeo over here woos
Lottie?"
Charlie Hogan called as I waved him off as I went about grabbing
the broom and dust bin.
"Five bucks even, Hogan. You guys should know this you all order
the same thing every time you're in here."
The guys each rolled their eyes at me before splitting the bill
and each heading their own ways back to Cunningham's Garage and
Lottie and Geordie cutting a quick exit from the group as they
made a bee line for Geordie's Mercury that was parked on the
side lot of the diner. It was only after I'd cleaned up the mess
in the store room and washed my hands that I noticed that only
Ace remained at the Cobra's former table, casually puffing away
on a cigarette and thinking something over to himself. It wasn't
until then that I'd noticed that Ace hadn't ordered anything and
was probably starving, by the looks of him, smudged with grease
and oil, he'd had as rough a day as I'd had if not worse. Back
in the corner of my mind I could hear a small voice whisper
"He's not all that bad you know. He's just a bit misunderstood.
That piggish attitude is just a front you know that. Everyone in
town knows what he puts up with at home. A Father that's hardly
ever home and a Mother that's running around with every Tom and
Harry from here to Little Tall." With a twinge of guilt I
slipped five dollars into the till and ventured back into the
kitchen to put together a sandwich from the left over cold cuts
Arnie had in the ice box and found a fresh batch of fries in the
fryer. I came back out to find Ace in the same position that I'd
left him in and went about grabbing a coke from the machine over
in the corner before making my way over and setting his food in
front of him. He seemed to be snapped out of his thoughts
momentarily enough to give me a wary look from behind his hazy
curtain of smoke.
"I didn't order anything..."
I leaned over and picked up the discarded dishes from his
friends before answering.
"I know, but I figured you'd be hungry after the morning you've
had. Contrary to popular belief customers can be heard over the
music you know."
With a look that was a mixture of amusement and wonder he
reached for his wallet and I stopped him.
"Save it, I've already put it in the till, Ace."
I finished clearing and cleaning off the table and took a
breather for a second, the air in the diner was getting heavier
and heavier as the storm got closer. The steady whir of the fan
and faltered for a second and the lights flickered, a sure sign
that we would surly lose power later on tonight. We always did
when we had a summer storm like this. The momentary silence was
cut by Ace as he shook out some ketchup for his fries.
"I'm sorry...for what I said before...and how I acted. I didn't
know about your old man, Maggie."
Ace Merrill was apologizing? To me? Praise Jesus and glory be! I
had to do a double take to make sure Satan himself wasn't
throwing snowballs or skating down the main drag of town. Nope,
not a snowball or red man with a bifurcated tail and pitchfork
on skates to be seen.
"It's ok, really. Not many people knew, besides it's not like he
was sick for a long time."
"But still, I was a complete jerk. I saw the look on your face,
Maggie. Then here you are paying for my damn lunch. Can I take
you out next Friday? Nothing fancy just a movie or something,
like an apology date or a proper thank you?"
I smiled in spite of myself and nodded as he finished the last
of his fries and downed the rest of coke.
"Alright, sounds like a plan. How's seven sound?"
"Sounds like a date then to me."
He was gone as quickly as he'd sauntered in and I was left a
giddy mess chuckling to myself as I rinsed off the last of the
day's dishes. I had a date with Ace Merrill next Friday. I
wasn't sure if I should laugh, cry, or scream. I was sure
somewhere far far below the Earth that Hell and gone and frozen
over and Satan was trying to get used to those brand new shiny
ice skates of his while I tried to plan what I was going to wear
a week ahead of time. Perhaps a planning session with Lottie was
in order.
#Post#: 2653--------------------------------------------------
Re: It Happened One Summer
DIR By: Wolfy
Date: April 29, 2013, 6:00 am
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D'aww! all those boys are a right laugh to read about and you've
written them so very well. I love how you're portraying Ace by
the way; I think, had we seen more of him in the film, we'd have
seen a lot of him acting that way. And I agree that he is simply
misunderstood. I have to confess though, I was laughing when
Lottie wound up covered in that sauce! I can't imagine how
horrible that must have been for her, aha. All in all, this is
excellent so far! :3 and I can't wait for an update!
#Post#: 2654--------------------------------------------------
Re: It Happened One Summer
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: May 2, 2013, 1:10 am
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I'm so so so sorry I didn't reply to this my dear! Aww thank you
so much! I'm so happy you agree that Ace is just misunderstood
and you're right, had we seen more of him in the film he may
have acted this way. There's got to be a shred of good in
everyone, including him. I felt horrible when I went back and
re-read that bit about poor Lottie. I'm still working away on
this one and Ace seems quite content to stay at the moment.
(knock on wood for me!) Thank you so so so much for the awesome
review my dear. Oh, by the way, how's dear George?
#Post#: 2655--------------------------------------------------
Re: It Happened One Summer
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: May 3, 2013, 1:47 am
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I just say your post on Tumblr in which you tagged me, you made
me cry you lovely lady! If I could hug you I would! I do have to
apologize for this being so short but there's more on the way :)
Cutler's Woolworth and Five and Dime (Later that Day)
"You've got a date with Ace Merrill?!"
Lottie all but sputtered as we perused the aisles of the local
Woolworth's a look of complete shock etched into her face.
"Lottie, you're letting in flies dear. Why are you so surprised?
He was genuinely sorry for how he acted earlier, which you
missed by the way because you were busy braving Nan's
storeroom."
Poor Lottie's face went into a momentary scowl as she set down
the Bay Harbor pink nail polish she was holding and looked at
me.
"Ahh! Darn it! I always miss all the good things because of that
stupid storeroom. I swear to the Lord above that Nan just makes
me go back there so she put me out of the social loop. Oh, and
since you ask why I'm so surprised let me see here. Hmm.
Because it's Ace Merrill, Maggie! Y'know that guy back in high
school that was always sitting outside the principal’s office?
That guy that always set off the sprinkler's by smoking in the
boys bathroom?"
I dug out a piece of Wrigley’s from the pocket of my skirt and
raised an eyebrow at her and chewed away merrily before I
thought of a retort.
"You mean the guy with the best friend that you've got the hots
for, Lottie?"
Lottie went back to trying to decide which nail polish she liked
better and answered.
"Exactly...wait! No! Yes! I don't know! I've got a date with him
tomorrow before I decide anything. Now, help me out here, Mags.
Am I a Cherries in the Snow or a Bar Harbor kind of girl?"
It was a little known fact that one of Lottie's favorite colors
was red followed very closely by all shades of purple. I smiled
as I shook my head.
"Why not change it up and go for the Bar Harbor pink? They've
got the lipstick that matches it."
Lottie raised an eyebrow and thought it over before putting her
newest shade of nail polish into her shopping basket. She looked
at me with wide dark brown eyes and smiled.
"Take your own advice, Mags. Why not spice things up and go for
that Fire and Ice shade? I think it'd do you good to try
something besides baby or frosted pink for a change."
I knew Lottie was right, she was after all a licensed beautician
and well on her way to building her own business in our tiny
sleepy town.
"Alright, but if I don't like it you get first dibs. So, where
are two headed on your big date tomorrow?"
Lottie grinned as we each paid for our purchases and walked down
the block to where my car was parked. Lottie looked at it with
admiration and I still looked at it with sadness, it was last
"big thing" my father bought back in 1955 when he'd gotten his
last raise. Given the fact that it was still new, or like new I
should say, I kept it top condition just as he would have
wanted. I think deep down, my mother was still pretty ticked
because my father had ordered it in a custom color, Thunderbird
Blue and she abhorred that vibrant shade of blue and always
thought that the cream color interior would stain something
awful. My mother wasn't the world's best driver and after my
father passed away she all but threw the keys at me and told me
to keep the "Damn Thunderbird beast." She wanted no part of the
Ford Thunderbird because she'd said that it had stalled once in
town and embarrassed herself. I'd found out later from Sheriff
Bannerman that she'd clipped a parking meter outside the post
office. I'd offered to take her out on one of the many back
roads that dotted our little town and show her how to shift
correctly but she politely declined and went back to her
knitting, something she'd been doing a lot of since my father's
passing. I'd even offered to give her a lift up to Derry to
Grandad's but she'd told me that Uncle Rory was on his way. No
matter how hard I tried to make myself available to her, she
always seemed to push me away. After a while I just stopped
trying and we more or less just two people living under the same
roof and living separate lives.
"We're supposed to see that new Elizabeth Taylor movie over at
the drive in."
"Oooh, nice! Just don't let him get all handsy with ya, Lot. You
want a lift home? I don't want you out walking in this heat,
Lottie. I'll even put the top down for you."
Lottie chuckled and her eyes glinted for a moment at the
prospect and then she nodded as we made our way over and hopped
into the broiling car.
"Alright, watch your head, I wouldn't want to scalp you before
your big date with Geordie."
I turned the ignition and slipped on my sunglasses before I
flipped the switch to put the top down as Lottie grabbed a
lollipop from the glove compartment with glee.
"No, please don't. You think you could give me a hand with my
hair tomorrow? I'll come over early and you can tell me what you
think of the outfits I'm caught between."
I turned down Crowley street and onto Lancing as Lottie fiddled
with the radio and the car was filled with the newest song from
the Gene Vincent.
"Ofcourse! Have I ever steered you wrong before? You just have
to promise me that you'll help me out when my number comes up
next Friday."
Lottie popped the lollipop into her mouth and drummed along with
the song.
"You bet your boots, Mags. Maybe you'll even let me do your
makeup this time around?"
We pulled up to the stop light in front of Cunningham's where
true to form Ace was tinkering away under the famous red Fury
getting himself thoroughly dirty with grease. He held up his
hand in a wave and I honked in response before waving at him.
"Why not? I may just let you go hog wild and trim my hair,
Lottie."
Lottie let out a low whistle as she shook her head at me.
"Well, breath fire and save matches! You've got it baaaad, Mags
and with a capital b indeed. What'll you do if he gets handsy
with you?"
I snorted as I waited for the light to change. Never in a
million years would Ace Merrill ever try to get handsy with me.
"I suppose I'd have to break his fingers."
Lottie rolled her eyes as we made our way down the tree lined
eastern side of town we called home.
"Uhuh, sure you will, Mags."
I pulled up into the driveway and turned the car off before
playfully smacking Lottie as she let out a yelp.
"What was that for?! I'm just telling you the truth!"
She yelped as she got out of the car and all but ran for the
safety of her front porch and then stuck her tongue out at me in
a cheeky fashion.
"Well, I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't keep your hands
away from Geordie."
I said as I drew out his name in a dreamy sigh and batted my
eyes before letting out a yelp of my own as Lottie came after me
looking like a bull ready to charge.
"Oh cool your jets! I'm only joshin' ya. Now, since your parents
aren't home yet would you like to come over for dinner or not,
Chalmers?"
Lottie flashed me a sunny grin and all but skipped over at the
mere mention of food.
"Well, that depends. What's for dinner, Noonan?"
I did a quick run through of my keys and found my copy of the
house key before unlocking the door.
"Whatever Mom left in the fridge."
Lottie followed me into the house which since most of the
housework fell on me these days, was as neat as pin. It seemed
that most days my mother couldn't be bothered to do much of
anything, she wouldn't clean, she wouldn't talk to me, hell if I
hadn't made breakfast and dinner for her she'd probably forget
to eat. We ventured into the cavernous kitchen and over to the
Frigidaire and looked into it's deep recesses.
"What in the blue bleeding blazes has she done to me?! She's
cleaned out the damned fridge!"
I shrieked as I slammed the heavy door shut with a heavy thud
that made poor Lottie jump at least a foot out of her skin.
"Maybe she thought she was just doing you a favor?"
Lottie rationalized as I paced the kitchen and held my head in
my hands. I was on the verge of tears or anger and I hadn't
quite made up my mind which to go with just yet. A thought
struck me as I ran upstairs to see if she'd had the sense to
pack a suitcase. I yanked open her closet and found that she'd
cleaned out her closet. Downstairs the phone rang in the front
room and I ran pell mell to answer it.
"Hello?"
The voice of my ancient granddad came over the line accented
only by the slight crackle of the phone line.
"Maggie you there?"
"Yeah, Granddad, I'm here. Is Mom with you and Uncle Rory? She
said that Uncle Rory was coming to pick her up while I was at
work."
My heart hammered in my chest and I swear I could hear my own
pulse beating it's own rhythm in my veins. I heard Grandad clear
his throat in that way that drove me absolutely bonkers and I
wanted to scream at him.
"That's the reason I'm callin' ya, Maggie. She's not here."
That time I let out a strangled mix of sobs and shrieks.
"What the hell do you mean she's not there?! She...she packed
her bags her closet's bare, her suitcases are gone. Why didn't
you call me earlier?!"
Granddad took the defensive on this one and tried to calm me
down.
"You know I don't have a house phone here, Maggie. I'm over at
the McCausland's place and I only just got back from town with
your Uncle Rory. We've out lookin' for your Ma for damned near
the entire day."
I was almost truly at the end of my normally very very very long
tether as I all but collapsed on the couch, willing myself not
to break down in sobs.
"Well, what do you want me to do? It takes forty-eight hours to
even file a missing person's report, Granddad. Do I just sit
here and twiddle my thumbs?"
Granddad let out a low sigh and told me to "keep a stiff uppa
lip and wait it out."
I gently placed the phone back in it's cradle and looked at
Lottie who had perched herself on one of the chairs and was
looking back at me with concern and worry.
"I think my Ma's gone ape, Lottie. What the hell do I do if she
doesn't come home?"
Tears that had threatened to spill when I was on the phone
finally overcame me and gushed down my cheeks like Niagara
Falls. Outside the wind had picked up and the first rumbles of
thunder sounded in the distance signaling the first of the
myriad of summer storms that were sure to grace us as the lazy
days went by. I had never been so terrified in my entire life,
not so much for myself but for my mother and what it would mean
if she never came back. I'd be all alone and on my own for the
first time in my life and that scared me worse than anything.
#Post#: 2656--------------------------------------------------
Re: It Happened One Summer
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: May 6, 2013, 2:38 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Two Weeks Later Blue Point Diner (After Hours Thursday)
Two weeks had gone by and I hadn't heard anything from my
Mother, neither had my Uncle or Granddad. I'd gotten in touch
with Sheriff Bannerman two days after Mother had left and he
said he's pull a few strings for me but even he came up empty
handed. Sitting in the sweltering Castle Rock police station
filling out form after form made my head spin. I was on the
verge of tears at many points and Bannerman leaned over his desk
and passed me a tissue.
"She wasn't acting strange at all?"
I sniffled as I dabbed my eyes and then blew my nose before
throwing it out and looking Bannerman in the eye. Thankfully he
couldn't read my mind.
My mother was far from normal, Bannerman. Even you know that.
The woman practically lived over at Saint David's Church for
cripes sake.
"No, it's just that. She wouldn't have said a word to me anyway,
she hasn't said all of two words to me since my Father passed.
Sure, small talk like "oh look at that rain." or Hey, could you
run down to the store for me? But otherwise no, Sheriff
Bannerman."
Bannerman thought it over before he went over to the huge
expanse of his desk and sat himself down behind it and then
looked at me with those eyes that always reminded me of some
sort of friendly old hound. He gave me a reassuring smile and a
pat on the hand before he sat back in his office chair.
"Now, I know you've got a good head on your shoulders, Margret."
Maggie! I was never a Margaret!
"Just keep going about your day to day and I'll keep checking
for you. I'm going to make a promise to you that I'll find her
one way or another. Do you have anyone you can stay with?"
I gave him a weak smile before trying to form an answer.
"No, I don't. My Granddad is all the way over in Derry and
that's a long haul. Besides, I've got a full time job over at
the Blue Point and I usually keep an eye on the Porter kids
while their Mother is at work after my shift. Mr. Bannerman I
can't just pick up and leave."
Bannerman looked at me with a thoughtful look and then asked me
point blank what I intended to do with the house if my mother
never did come back. I answered him just as candidly as he'd
asked me.
"I'll find a way come hell or high water. My Dad left me some
money and a few bonds after he passed and Mother transferred the
house in my name not long after that. She'd said something about
a just in case measure. We'd never expected Dad to go like he
did and Mom wanted me to be provided for either way. To be
honest Mr. Bannerman I've been taking care of my Mother ever
since we found my Father in the backyard a year ago. She
couldn't cope with life and she needed me and I intend to stay
just in case she comes back, It'd be cruel to her if I didn't."
Where the hell else would I go? Certainly not over to Derry
that's for sure.
Bannerman looked at me with those hound dog of his and sighed.
"You realize that people in town are going to start talking,
Maggie."
I wiped my forehead with my now ringing wet handkerchief and
sighed before looking him right back in the eye.
"I know, but don't you think if I leave they'll talk even more?
I was born here and I intend to die here. Half the town was
talking about my Mother anyway and I ignored it. Let them talk
about me, I honestly don't care. Please do what you can and
please let me be the first person you call. Not the Castle Rock
Gazette."
I collected my purse and quietly excused myself from Bannerman's
office just in time to hear the church bells sound. I ended up
doing something I'd never done before in my entire life, I
stopped saying silent prayers for Mother. The day slipped past
me like sand in an hour glass and I found myself trying to put
on a brave face to go out into the world, some days were harder
than others but I needed to work. Today was like any other day,
well unless you took into account of how ungodly hot it actually
was. My thoughts slipped back to the house and how nice a cold
shower would be.
My thoughts were soon interrupted by the whistling of Arnie back
in the kitchen. Here it was past five on a Thursday and the main
drag of town was all but dead. Lottie was out with Geordie and I
thought it was quite sweet that he'd stopped by from the garage,
still in his coveralls and a bouquet clenched in his hands and a
smile on his face. Nan was over in Bangor visiting her cousins
and with the Founder's Day celebration coming up had given
Lottie and I an early weekend with Friday off. I ended up
letting Lottie go two hours early because the diner was all but
dead, with the exception of the few regular customers we always
seemed to have. Arnie had opted to stay and even offered to
clean out the freezers for the new meat shipment that was due in
on Monday. I still had pies to finish off all thanks to that
bumper crop of blueberries from the orchard and was planning on
letting Arnie go in the next ten minutes. I was elbow deep in
pie crust dough and listening to the steady whirring of the fans
and sighed. The diner was officially deserted, the tables were
still waiting to be cleaned down and I had the dessert case to
clean out before things turned.
"Alright Arnie, pack it in. The freezer's as clean as it it's
ever going to get, do me a favor and take your pick of whatever
you like from the dessert case and go on home and have a nice
weekend will you? Tell Wilma and Polly I said hey."
Arnie looked at me and gave me a slight smile as he punched out
and grabbed one of the lemon meringues from the case and told me
to take it easy. I sent him off with a wave and asked that he
flip the sign to closed for me. In his haste to get out of the
sweltering diner he must not have heard me and left me to the
quiet din that pretty much summed up my life, both at home and
at work. As I finished off thickening the filling I let out a
sigh that seemed to be bone deep. It took damn near thirty
minutes for the filling to finally come together as the crusts
baked off. This particular batch of blueberry pies were for the
eating contest that was to be held tomorrow as part of the
founders day celebration, to me it was just an extra bit of work
to be done and the only highlight for me about tomorrow was my
up and coming date with Ace. Part of me was kept awake at night
thinking that perhaps he'd stand me up or something. Lottie had
gone over my closet with a fine tooth comb and had picked out
something I never once thought I'd wear in my entire life. I
was sitting in front of one of the larger box fans with my hair
set in can curlers waving my hands about to attempt to make my
tacky nail polish dry a bit faster as Lottie laid out my outfit
with a grin. For some reason Lottie thought it would a barrel
of laughs if I were to go out on this so called "casual date" in
jeans and a tee shirt, topped off by my newest pair of Keds.
"You'll set a trend, Mags. Besides he said it wasn't going to be
anything fancy. You'll probably end up going to the drive in and
then going off the look at the river or something."
I sighed as I checked my nails and looked at her with a raised
brow.
"Alright, but I swear if something happens I'm holding you
solely responsible."
Lottie gave me a cheeky grin as she fiddled with the radio dial
and the song changed from Pat Boone to Elvis's latest tune. She
sauntered over and unwound my hair from the can curlers checking
to see how much body my hair had retained.
"Well, if anything happens name it after me will ya?"
My jaw dropped and gave Lottie a swat with the rolled up True
Stories back issue that was sitting on my vanity.
"That's most certainly not going to happen and you know it!
That's all I need, the town's already talking about me as it is
let's not add insult to injury shall we?"
My thoughts drifted back to the pies as I finished filling them
and returning them to the oven. I glanced around the diner and
went about cleaning down the tables one final time and refilling
the sugar dispensers. By the time I'd finished dusk had just
settled upon the main drag and the street lights were coming on.
The buzzer went off in the kitchen and I carefully took each pie
from the oven and put them in the center of the huge work table
that dominated the far corner of the kitchen. I did one cursory
look around the kitchen to find that everything was spic and
span and I was finally able to clear out the desert case and
leave for the night. It was well after eight when I went back to
the tiny locker room and got changed out of my uniform and back
into my pedal pushers and smock top, given how deserted the main
part of town was I didn't give my outfit of choice much thought.
I had just finished locking up when I heard a familiar voice
behind me.
"Shouldn't all the good girls like you be home safe and sound by
now?"
I turned to see Ace leaning against the lamp post casually
puffing away at his Winston cigarette. I gave him a weary smile.
"Well, even us good girls need to work, Ace. Don't you have a
car over in Harlow to boost or something?"
Ace gave me a playfully wounded look as he moved closer to me
and studied me for a minute or two.
"Nah, not tonight. I'm too busy trying to get a good girl to
like me. I can't tell if my Merrill charm's working or not."
I found myself blushing and momentarily tongue tied before I
could even think of an answer. Ace was mere inches from my face
and I could see the five o'clock shadow that outlined his
jawline and smell the strange heady mixture of his cologne the
lingering scent of engine oil and the Brylcreem he used in his
hair. I was toast and I knew it, stick a fork in me I was so
done. God, were those eyes always that clear and blue? Was that
smirking smile always so impishly cute?
"Well, if you and I are thinking about the same so called good
girl I'd like to tell you that it's working."
Ace gave me an easy smile as he brushed a lock of hair away from
my face, my heart nearly stopped when his fingertips brushed
against my skin sending sparks all over my poor body.
Get a grip on yourself, Margret! Oh God you just called yourself
Margaret! What's he doing to you?!
The little inner voice commanded as we just stood there staring
at each other in the lamp light as the crickets chirped and the
muffled strains of In The Still Of The Night came drifting down
the street from Irby's Billiards Hall. I felt a hand slink
across the waist and before I knew it I was being pulled closer
and closer to him. I was toast and I knew it, stick a fork in
me I was so done. My goose was cooked and I didn't care. God,
were those eyes always that clear and blue? Was that smirking
smile always so impishly cute? That little inner voice was
trying to send signals to me to pull back but I was blocking it
out. Lips came down on my own and I was sure that I was going to
burst into flame right there and crumble in a pile of ashes at
his feet. Nothing would be left of me expect my crucifix and
class ring. My knees had officially turned to jelly and I was
leaning a bit deeper into that kiss and before I knew it my
fingertips were roaming through Ace's hair. The need for air
became apparent for the two of us and we were both left
breathless.
"Well, that's a first."
Ace muttered before looking down at the pavement and apologizing
to me. He seemed a bit jittery and very unlike himself. Like he
had the shakes or something. I may have just given Ace Merrill,
Castle Rock's toughest guy the shakes. Score one for Noonan!
"What are you sorry for? I could have stopped if I'd wanted to
but I didn't."
It was only then that I'd noticed that all the roaming my hands
had done had left his normally flawless Duck's Arse hairstyle in
blond shambles. I felt myself blush again and apologize to him.
"What? Oh, don't worry about it, babe."
Shouts were heard within Irby's, Ace's gang was calling and he
gave me a soft look before touching my cheek. Those damn sparks
were back, not that I minded.
Did he just call me babe? Babe?! Oh dear lord!
"I'll see you tomorrow at seven? You live over on Tilmoore
right?"
I nodded and gave him a shy smile, now why I'd gone shy all of
the sudden was anyone's guess.
"Yeah, I'm the third house on the right. Just look for the only
house with the closed in porch."
We went our separate ways giving each other an all but longing
look as he disappeared back into the smokey haze that was Irby's
and I found myself all but floating as I made my way over to the
car that was parked right across the street. It was only when I
got home and let the quietness of the house envelope me that the
empty feeling settled down upon me and I found myself pining for
Ace's touch once again. Friday couldn't come fast enough for me
and if I let Lottie in on my newly emerging feelings she'd go
stark raving on me and never let me live it down. But did I
really care? Not one bit. I was officially head over heels for
Ace Merrill and I didn't care who knew it. The town was bound to
talk about me either way, why not let myself actually be happy
for once?
#Post#: 2657--------------------------------------------------
Re: It Happened One Summer
DIR By: Wolfy
Date: May 7, 2013, 10:37 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Ooft!
That was some beautiful writing, love. I don't really know where
to begin this time around. I love how you described how Maggie
was feeling when Ace approached her, pulled her closer to him
and kissed her! I was fangirling myself as I was reading, aha.
But I am feeling so very sad for her where her mother is
concerned. I don't know what I'd do with myself if my mother
went missing for weeks on end and didn't even once try to
contact me. Gah, it's all very sad D: but at least Maggie has a
little happiness to keep her going! can't wait for the next
update :D
#Post#: 2660--------------------------------------------------
Re: It Happened One Summer
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: May 7, 2013, 10:11 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Aww why thank you my dear! I've got to admit that I was
fangirling pretty hard myself over here after I re-read it, I
kind of felt like Maggie just took over on that one, does that
sound nutty? I'm the same way, I think I would go bananas if my
Mom up and left me like Maggie's did. Hopefully she'll find
peace and her answer as to where in the world her Mother is.
Meanwhile I dare say that she'll be having a wee bit of fun with
the lovely Mr. Merrill there. I just wanted to thank you for
taking the time to read and reply, you truly feed the muse and
help inspire. You truly are awesome my dear! I'm still working
on this one so we'll have to see where the muse AKA Ace/Kiefer
lookalike leads me. :D
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