An Even Exchange - Softcover

Tomalin, Christine F.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 149171462X ISBN 13: 9781491714621

Verlag: iUniverse, 2014

Inhaltsangabe

Beri Baines is ready for a change. When the independent Trenton State College student is selected to study abroad in England in the 1970s, she boards a plane headed toward her home for the next five months-Portsmouth City College of Education-without any idea that her experience is about to bring about a true exchange of permanent outcomes. Colin, a British student, is beginning his fourth year at Portsmouth and is confused about whether he should continue his plans for a traditional life when he meets his match in Beri Baines. Although Beri feels a serious relationship will hamper her career goals, she cannot deny her attraction to Colin, who is already secretly plotting to win her heart. But just as the couple realizes they have a genuine connection, unforeseen events intervene and transform their future. As Beri flies home to deal with a family emergency, she is seated next to Hal Spencer, who befriends her and makes a tempting offer. In this unique tale of hopes, dreams, and anticipated endings, an ambitious young woman embarks on a comingofage journey that leads her from America to Britain and back again, as her life comes full circle and she comes to realize the implications of all her choices.

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AN EVEN EXCHANGE

By Christine F. Tomalin

iUniverse LLC

Copyright © 2014 Christine F. Tomalin
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4917-1462-1

CHAPTER 1

The British racing green '64 "Bug Eye" Austin Healy took the turn with ease. Colin Chapman pulled onto the M1 toward London. His sense of excitement filled the sports car as he traveled to college for this his fourth year. His dad surprised him with a racing green Austin, a gift of thanks. This special "thank you" expressed the appreciation his father felt for Colin after his decision to enroll in college. But this Austin wasn't just any auto. It represented so much more than that to Colin and his father. Mr. Chapman watched him flounder for two years in assorted menial jobs. His father never thought the day would come when Colin would decide to choose a career that required advanced learning.

It would be extraordinary to have his own sports car and the freedom it would bring, especially knowing the commitment he made to himself and his father. He was returning to college and the new flat he just rented with his mates. Colin wouldn't need to live in halls of residence this year. Now he would be able to travel from his campus on the southern coast in Portsmouth to London at will. This sense of freedom was very appealing to him. London in the early 70's was everything a university student could want: theatre, art and music filled the city. He would take advantage of any excuse to spend time there. His younger brother, Sean, was doing his second year at the London School of Economics. They were more than brothers; they were each other's best friend. Now they had ever so much in common. Handsome, charming and available – they were prepared to overcome any challenge the future might bring.

* * *

Beri Baines' seat looked out across the 93 foot long wing span of the new Boeing 737 Jet. Could this dream finally be coming true? It was last spring whenProfessorLogan'sletterarrivedfromTrentonStateCollegecongratulating her on being one of four students selected to participate in the exchange program to study in England. What a perfect way to begin her senior year of college. The day was finally here. She was going abroad.

"Don't let her get on that plane," her mom, never a traveler, cautioned her dad as she prepared to board. It came as a surprise that her mom came out to JFK Airport, always tethered to home in the care of Charolette her younger sister. Charolette seemed to be no different from any other baby until she was three. Some time after her sixth birthday two different doctors declared her "mentally retarded" after she stopped trying to communicate, failing to speak or make eye contact with anyone. This was not an uncommon diagnosis in the 50's from the medical profession. Her mom dedicated her time to Charolette's care from that day on. Beri's dad tried to help as much as possible though his attempts were discouraged.

Tall and younger looking than his years, her dad doted on Beri afraid she was ignored by her mom. They had a special relationship. A few weeks prior to her leaving they spent the day together, just the two of them. She remembered him saying to her, "Don't you let your mom's lack of enthusiasm discourage you, Beri. She never enjoyed traveling or trying new things. Ever since you were little you, on the other hand, sought adventure. Go and do all you can to experience life at its best. Bring me home great stories of seeing new places and tasting new bites of life."

To have inherited her dad's wanderlust, above average height and hazel eyes delighted Beri. He always encouraged her to travel and try new things. Escaping her middle class town of Thomasville, New Jersey, would be wonderful.

* * *

The brief summer respite brought Colin into a romantic relationship that now needed some space. He breathed a sigh of relief to be leaving Coventry for his last year at college. Thoughts of Ellen, the wonderful older woman he met through friends whilst on summer break, filled his head as he traveled. On the plus side, she was bright and quite attractive. On the minus side was the young child she mothered out of wedlock. The magnetism he felt for children could not be denied. Nurturing instincts filled his inner soul. It wasn't that he wouldn't welcome being a father. His dreams were of fathering children of his own, however.

Colin had taken two years to work between finishing grammar school and beginning university studies. Working at menial jobs taught him the importance of an education. Naturally, he faced life with a maturity those around him lacked. He knew after experimenting in poor paying jobs that his life's work should be in education. He believed "School should be warm and welcoming to develop a newly forming mind. One should provide encouragement not negative criticism," he shared with his father. To head a school that mirrored this philosophy was his dream and ambition. Completing his degree would make this dream a reality and give his life purpose.

When he was chosen amongst his peers to be in the selective fourth year program, his professors confirmed his potential for leadership. An advanced degree would give him an edge over the regular Teacher's Certificate for an assistant headship in a Ministry of Education School anywhere in the country. This last year could be nothing short of wonderful for him.

He handled the steering wheel of the Austin with the confidence and skill he inherited from his father. London was less than a few hours away; the campus his final destination.

* * *

"I am really excited, Dad. I wish you were able to come and visit me while I'm there. We would have so much fun exploring London, wouldn't we? I am keeping a journal to make notes of everything. I'm going to save every souvenir so I can remember every moment of this experience."

"We sure would have fun together. Seems like it was just yesterday that I left home and went to Hawaii. I was your age, Beri. I had my chance to travel because of the war. Of course, the circumstances were different. I went to help the US Navy rebuild their fleet. But I still learned so much about the people and the culture. This is your chance to go and see. Being away from home is an experience all young people should have. I am so proud of you for doing this. You worked hard to get the money together to study abroad and to travel while you are there. Make the most of it and don't let your mom make you feel guilty or overly cautious about doing this."

Walking to the gate Beri asked her dad, "Will you reassure mom that I'll be OK? I won't be alone. I'm with a well- chaperoned group from the college. Anyway, I will really miss you."

He rested his hand on her neck while they walked to the ticketing desk. His big smile always made her feel safe and loved.

As the crew prepared the jet for departure while Beri watched with envy. Here she was sitting in a plane for the first time ever. She didn't dare to blink, afraid it would all disappear. Becoming a teacher was her childhood goal. From the time she was little Beri loved being with children and played teacher with the neighborhood children for hours. It seemed natural for her to major in education at Trenton State College. Fear, not her mom's nor her own, would not stop her from studying education abroad. She did start to think that the life of a stewardess might be exciting. To be paid to travel to different parts of the world might be fun.

* * *

Colin guided the Austin Healy up to the curb just outside Sean's flat on the Crescent Way.

It was a stroke of luck to find a spot so near. Traffic in London...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: iUniverse
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2014
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 149171462X
• ISBN 13: 9781491714621
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 136
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: preigu GmbH & Co. KG; mail@preigu.de; ; Lengericher Landstr. 19; Osnabrück; Niedersachsen; 49078; Deutschland