The Constant Heart is the story of Nancy Miller. Follow this attractive; popular; bright effervescent young lady as she experiences love in the strict social mores of the 40's and 50's. Endure the pressures imposed on her; revel in her successes in overcoming adversities; share her joys in trusting God in all things and feel her satisfaction in making prudent decisions.

The Constant Heart

Through the years the human heart remains receptive to love By M. Aline Bethke

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 M. Aline Bethke
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4772-4007-6

Chapter One

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the heart" author unknown

It all began in high school biology class. She noticed a cute boy sitting two rows behind her. She would smile making direct eye contact when papers were passed back or forth. He always replied to her attention with a most enticing wink. Such simple gestures seemed to convey mutual feelings of attraction After a week of such flirting, he came up behind her as they were leaving class and asked," May I walk with you to your next class, Nancy?" Those words were to set her life on a new, uncharted course.

As he reached to take the textbooks she carried he said, "You're going to Latin in 105." It was more a statement than a question.

"Yes, I am. How did you know, Joe?"

"I've been tailing you all week to see where you go."

"I'm very flattered. You're a real gentleman for carrying my books. Thanks." Add this to his being handsome and charming," she thought." I see you on the soccer field while I'm at field hockey practice."

"I've noticed you playing center half—back. You're all over the field. You're a really good hockey player."

"Thanks for the compliment. I like the position because you play both offense and defense," she replied.

"Now that I know you're watching me at soccer practice, I'll play harder to impress both you and the coach. Several guys from my neighborhood are on the team. We've played together for four years and get along well."

"We're at my class already. Mrs. Peterson frowns on her students "lolly-gagging" in the hallway. She expects us to be in our seats reviewing the translation for the day. Joe, where's your fourth period class?"

"I have mechanical drawing with Mr. Davis. See you tomorrow." He handed her the books and was gone in a rush.

Knowing the traffic pattern in the hallways and the class location, she knew he'd likely be tardy. She mentioned this the next day. "I feel badly that you risk a tardy so you can walk with me."

"Don't worry. You are worth it." His sweet reply touched her.

Nancy did a mental calculation of why she was attracted to Joe. He was very handsome with blonde curly hair, vivid blue eyes, a winsome smile, and a flirting wink. He had good manners and was soft spoken. He listened very attentively. This new relationship was looking especially nice with real possibilities of continuing on a steady basis.

Nancy and Joe continued meeting in the hallway following third period class and enjoying a short five minute time together. He asked for her phone number and started calling her at seven o'clock every evening. It became an anticipated time of exchanging events of the day, special thoughts, family news and plans for the upcoming weekend. This telephone time was limited to ten minutes. Nancy's Dad was a mortician and the line had to be available for business calls. Since Joe was calling from his job at a gas station, conversations were sometimes cut short when a customer drove in. The attendant was expected to give full service, which included more than merely pumping gas for the patron. Service included washing the windshield, checking the tire pressure and raising the hood to look at the oil level in the oil pan and the water level in the radiator.

It was on a Friday morning as Joe was walking her to class that he leaned close to her and asked, "Will you be at the canteen tomorrow night?"

Nancy had never seen Joe there and figured it must be his first time. "Will you be coming?"

"Yes. I'll be waiting for you in the tunnel leading into the gym."

The Saturday night canteen was a popular place. The darkened gym allowed the guys and girls to dance closely and to hold hands between dances without the watchful eyes of teachers and proctors. There was recorded music with slow and jitterbug numbers. This Saturday she would have someone as a steady partner. She knew Joe would be a great dancer and she'd be the envy of all the wallflowers.

Preparation for Saturday evening began at six o'clock when she got home from working as a salesgirl at Sears, Roebuck and Company. After shampooing her hair, she would sit under the 150 watt bulb of the floor lamp so the warmth could dry her hair. This gave time for consideration of what she would wear. Her green sweater with short sleeves would go well with her full, plaid skirt. flat shoes with leather soles for dancing would complete her outfit. The anticipation of the best canteen ever with a great guy had her "walking on air."

There he was as promised standing at the entrance to the gym tunnel wearing a wide grin. His blue eyes sparkled with his greeting of "Hi beautiful." That special greeting would be his salutation each time they met and would one day be a treasured memory. He fell in step along side her, lacing his fingers through hers. "I've been looking forward to this evening with you."

"The hands on the clock never seemed to move. I thought quitting time would never come," she replied adding her radiant smile.

Joe was light on his feet and led her smoothly across the dance floor. Before long they were dancing cheek to cheek enjoying the closeness of their bodies as they moved in rhythm with the music. The slow dances went well and she wondered how the jitterbugging would work. Not to worry. He put such excellent moves into the dance that in a few minutes time, the other kids had formed a circle around them watching them move perfectly to the music. Any fears she had of following his lead vanished with the pure joy of the dancing experience.

"I'm having an absolutely wonderful time, Joe. Hands down you're the best dancer in the whole school. You've spoiled me now that I've danced with you. No other partner could measure up to you."

"Thanks for the compliments. You always have nice things to say. You're a great dancer yourself. It's fun to have you as my partner."

They enjoyed every dance together and all too soon "Good Night Sweetheart "was playing, signaling the end of the canteen. Looking directly into her eyes he asked, "May I walk you home?"

Returning his gaze she replied, "I'd be very disappointed if you didn't"

They held hands as they walked the three blocks to her house finding that conversation came easily. "This was the best canteen ever. I've had a great time with you. Let's do this again next Saturday, Nancy."

"I'd love to, Joe."

By the time they reached her front door, the bus was already approaching just a couple of blocks away. A quick peck on the cheek and a squeeze of her hand was all he could manage before dashing across the street to catch his ride home. This was the first leg of the bus ride across town. He'd have to make a connection in the center of Trenton. If he missed the last bus at eleven o'clock he would have a long walk of at least sixteen blocks. This night the connection worked ending an evening of memories on a high note.

Nancy's face glowed with a radiance that indicated to her Mother she'd had an exceptional time at the canteen. "Obviously something special happened tonight."

"Oh, Mom I had the most glorious time! A guy named Joe from my biology class met me at the canteen, we danced every number together and he walked me home."

"Why didn't he come in to meet your Father and me? You know we want to meet your friends."

"His bus was coming and he had to make a connection at State and Broad."

Without hesitation her Mother did a mental calculation. "This...