Not a romance novel love story

Let’s talk about it…

At the age of sixteen, April wanted more from life besides helping her mother with the household chores and taking care of her younger siblings. April hated being the oldest child, because it came with a great deal of responsibility. Although she is an “A” student with a 4.0 GPA each time April would talk with her mother about joining an after-school curriculum such as band, track or cheerleader, her mother would minimize the activity by telling April it has no substance or add no value to your life. April was known as a social misfit among her classmates.  April grew up in the era when computers was not a household name, she would often tell her mother, she needed to research for a school project or paper. April was allowed to go to the local library for approximately 90 minutes after school. April would go to the library two to three times a week. She would use her time at the library to read romance novels. April would often fantasize about dating a guy just like the person in the novel.

After graduating high school, April got a part-time job at the library while attending community college. Her mother still forbids any activity outside of work and school. April knew the only way she would be able to experience life is to move out her mother’s home. At age nineteen she got a second part-time job as a cashier in a book store. April found a studio apartment near school. Her jobs were within walking distance of her apartment. April was mesmerized by this guy who would come to the book store at least once a week. He fits the profile of the person she would fantasize about while reading romance novels. Without any self-control, April would stare at the fantasy guy each time he enters the store. One day after clocking out to go home, April noticed her fantasy guy was still in the store. She did not want to leave but had no other choice because her shift was up and she did not want her co-workers to question why she was hanging around.  As she heads for the door, she noticed in her peripheral vision someone approaching her.  Upon exiting the store, she hears from a near, “excuse me miss, but do I know you? You look familiar.” As she turns around, April notice it is her fantasy man. She was so nervous she could hardly speak. She was trying to get the words out without stuttering. The fantasy man could tell she was startle by his presence; so, he begins to apologize. As he turns to walk away, April shouted “No, please do not go. Hi my name is April.” “Hi April, my name is Leo.” Leo begins to explain to April, that he had noticed each time he comes into the store, she would stare at him which led him to wonder if they had previously met. According to Leo, he did not want to appear rule because of poor memory. April could not say to him that he looks like the person in her fantasy; instead, she tells him that he looks like someone she once knew. She hated lying to him but did not want him to think she was weird. Leo looked at her ring finger before asking her if she had a boyfriend. Blushing, April says no. Leo asked April if he could take her to dinner. Inside April thoughts were shouting to the top of the mountain Yes! What came out was a soft melody; yes. April’s first date with Leo was at a $10.99 all-you-could-eat buffet on the other side of town. April did not care; she was so happy to be with Leo. As they ate, Leo asked April about herself. The more April spoke the less nervous she felt.

Leo and April have been talking over the phone for nearly five months, with an occasional dinner at the all-you-could-eat buffet. April suddenly realizes that she did not have his phone number and each time he called her, he called from a private number; also, he did not speak above a whisper or talk longer than five to ten minutes. Leo behavior reminds April of when she lived with her mother and was under her mother’s control. Therefore, she did not want to make him uncomfortable by questioning him about his home life. One evening, rather than take April to dinner, Leo brought pizza over to April’s place for dinner. After a quick dinner, they began to make out sexually. April was made a woman that evening. She did not know how to process the emotions felt. She thought to herself, this must be what they call love. She loved what she was feeling and wanted more. She wanted Leo to wrap his arms around her afterwards and hold her. Instead, he got up went to the bathroom before heading home. Although she wanted more of him, she did not voice it verbally because she understood living in a controlled home environment, the need to return home by a certain time. Leo no longer took April on the other side of town for dinner. The routine had changed to Leo bringing pizza for dinner once a week to April’s place; with him leaving immediately after they have sex.

One month before April’s graduation from community college, she finds out she is pregnant. Also, she had applied for a full-time administration job at the college and was waiting to hear back the results of her interview. She was hoping for good news so that she could tell Leo all the good news at once. When Leo called her that evening for their brief ten-minute conversation, she asked him could they do something special to celebrate her graduation. “What would you like to do asked Leo?” “I would like to go to a fancy restaurant for dinner replied April.” Okay, there is an Apple Bees on the other side of town near the buffet restaurant. April was excited. The next day, she was offered the position as an Administration Clerk at the college. She could now quit both her part-time jobs for a position with benefits that pays triple the amount of both part-time jobs combined. The evening after graduation, April and Leo is enjoying dinner at Apple Bees when April shares the good news with him. She started the conversation by telling him about her new position. Leo was so proud of her and expressed it to her. However, when she told him the good news of them becoming parents because she was pregnant, he almost fell out his seat. He begins to choke on his drink. Everyone in the restaurant looked in their direction as April pats him on the back trying to help the liquid pass through his system without further complications. Once he finishes coughing, April asked him if he was okay. “Hell no, shouted Leo.” April was taken back by his changed in tone and attitude. As she asked him what I did; he was shouting check please. Leo pays the bill then heads for the door without saying anything to April. She runs to keep up with him. Both were silent in the car ride home. Leo tells April to get out when he arrives at her place. April refused to get out the car until Leo tells her what she did wrong. “You got pregnant, that is what you did wrong, shouts Leo. I am married with kids; I do not need any more kids or another baby mama.” April was in shock. She did not know what to say or how to think. This was not how the stories went in the romance novels she read. Leo never called April anymore after that evening.

Eight months later, April gives birth to a daughter. She vowed to love and care for her daughter the best she could. Leo being her first and only, she still has love for him. She named her daughter Leona. On Leona’s fifth birthday April take her to an amusement park. Heading home from the amusement park, April and Leona stop to pick up cupcakes and ice cream. As they were leaving the ice cream store, they bump into Leo. April and Leo stood facing each other without words. Leona broke the silence by asking her mother who is the man you staring at. No one Leona, let’s go home. Leo gently grabs April by her arm. Wait, he shouts in a soft tone. This is my daughter? “Mom, why this man asked if I am his daughter?” “I will talk to you about it at home Leona, after we have our cake and ice cream.” April pulled away from Leo as her and Leona walked to the car. Leo called April several times that evening. “Mama, answer your phone. Why are you not answering your phone?” Aprils go to the bathroom without answering her daughter. When the phone rings again, Leona answers it. Leo, asked who is this on the phone. “My name is Leona; what is your name?” “My name is Leo; I am your father.” “My father; why haven’t I seen you before today? My mother did not tell me I had a father” “I am sorry Leona; it is my fault you have not seen me. I want to make it up to you by asking your mother if I could come see you. Can you let your mother know that I am on the phone and I want to speak to her?” “Okay, hold on.” Leona shouts through the bathroom door. “Mom, my dad Leo is on the phone, he wants to talk to you.” “Tell him I am not home and I don’t want to talk to him.” Leo hears April telling Leona what to say. He stops her before she has a chance to repeat what her mother said. “Leona, tell your mother I will call her back another day. Bye baby, daddy is looking forward to seeing you one day soon.” “Bye, states Leona before hanging up.” April found herself crying all night as the following lyrics played in her ear.

Somebody tell me; What has this man got; He makes me cry; When I don’t want to cry; Somebody tell me; What has this man got; He makes me lie; When I don’t want to lie; He calls me up; And I tell them to say that I’m not home; Then I cry all night; If he doesn’t call again; I’m slowly losing my ground; Slowly sinking down; Trapped by this thing they call love.

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Thank you to all who have purchased my book title “A Thirst That Never Ceases” on Amazon. Please be so kind to leave a review on Amazon; hopefully five stars 😀

Judy Owens