“Jami’s Dilemma
Chapter 1
Jamison Leslie was sitting at the kitchen
table quietly reading the morning paper, and drinking his second cup of coffee.
His tanned face broke into a broad smile, showing perfect teeth and the dimple
in his chin more prominent. He was reading an account of the graduation ceremonies
to be held in the high school auditorium in Byron, Georgia this evening,
Friday, May 22, 1925. He read……Jami Lei Peterson, daughter of Mr. J. L.
Peterson, will be delivering the valedictory
address. Was he this happy because his only daughter had earned this honor, or
was it because he once again had his name J. L. Peterson printed in the newspaper?
He was glad his only child had been a
girl. He had told his wife on learning of her pregnancy “I will never name a
son of mine Jamison Leslie.”
Hannah came into the kitchen and asked, “Sir
is there anything else I can get for you this morning?”
“Not at this time, Hannah,” J.L. replied.
“Then I think I will go upstairs and see if
Miss Jamie Lei needs any help in planning her day,” Hannah said to J.L.
J.L.
put the newspaper down, picked up his coffee cup and while sipping his coffee,
thought, what would I have done without Hannah?
She had helped him raise Jami Lei since her Mother’s death almost
eighteen years ago. She had died giving birth to Jamie Lei, and tonight she
will be graduating from high school. He walked to the bottom of the stairs and
loudly asked, “Hannah, will you come to the top of the stairs, I need to ask
you a question?”
Hannah,
upon hearing his voice hurried to the top of the stairs and answered, “Yes sir,
what may I help you with?”
He replied, “I just wanted to know if you
would accompany me to the graduation ceremonies tonight. You have played a
major part in her life, and I think you should be at the ceremony to share in
this achievement.”
“That would
make me happy, if you are sure you wouldn’t mind,” she answered, a smile
brightening her round face.
Hannah had
been in the employ of J.L. Peterson and his wife Bonnie Sue since the day they
were married. The two had been best friends, and since J.L’s business took him
away from home for long periods of time; Hannah took over the duties as housekeeper,
as well as company for Bonnie Sue. She had died during childbirth; her placenta
had torn away from the uterine wall resulting in her bleeding to death.
J.L. felt as though her death was his fault
and his personality changed right before her eyes. He was no longer the calm,
considerate man she had once known. He was now self-centered, cool,
calculating, and only thought of his possessions, and how he could get more.
“I will be
out most of the day Hannah. I have important business to take care of.
I am leaving money on the table. Buy yourself a nice
outfit to wear tonight. I want you looking your best,” J.L. spoke loudly to
ensure Hannah heard him.
“I
always do my best.” she replied, walking down the stairs.
“I
know you do. I don’t mean to sound so unappreciative. I have an important land
transaction to make this morning, and I am really uptight about it. I have a
meeting with Thomas Scott. I want to buy his acreage to the east of us,”
explained J.L.” Please make sure my grey suit is pressed and my black dress
shoes polished. If you don’t mind, lay out my clothing after you make my bed.
Please pick out my tie, socks and shirt. You have a knack for making me look
well dressed. The two of us will enjoy a nice relaxing meal after we drop Jami
Lei off at the school.”
Coming
over to stand beside him Hannah asked, “Aren’t you having a meeting with Mr. Tomkins
today?”
“I
will stop in and see him on my way to town. Thanks for reminding me.” He pulled
out his wallet and handed Hannah two more bills. “You may need more money in
the event Jami lei may need to purchase something. I depend on you so much, I
don’t know how I would ever manage without you,” and he patted her hand for
reassurance as he left for the day.
She
watched as he left the room. J.L. was a very handsome man. He was still in good
physical shape, medium height, and Hannah noticed his dark hair, which he
parted in the center, was showing a touch of grey. His blue eyes always had a
sad look in them, which the thick lashes could not hide.
Hannah walked
back upstairs to Jamie Lei’s room and knocked on the door saying, “Time to get
out of bed.”
“I am up. I
am just going over my speech in my mind,” She replied as she threw her arms
over her head, and extended her legs in a long stretch.
“Go wash your
hands and face, and comb your hair. Your breakfast is ready,” Hannah said to
her.
right down. Will you sit and have breakfast with me. I
hate to eat alone?” Jami Lei asked.
Hannah added
another place setting on the table and was glad Jami Lei had asked her to have
breakfast with her. It meant she wanted her advice about something. Jami Lei
had grown into a beautiful young lady. She bore a striking resemblance to her
mother, tall, nice figure, beautiful dark auburn hair, hazel eyes with long
curling lashes, and a smile that lit up her face.
She came
bounding down the stairs full of energy.
“I see you are wound up for the day,”
commented Hannah.
“Yes ma’am, I am. Today is a big day in my
life, and tomorrow a much bigger day,” answered Jami Lei.
“I
can understand today, but why tomorrow?” quizzed Hannah.
“Tomorrow will be the first day of my life as
an adult. Once I have graduated, I should be considered mature enough to make
my own decisions about life. Don’t you agree?” she asked
“Let’s enjoy
our breakfast, and plan our day,” suggested Hannah, not wanting to spoil Jami Lei’s
enthusiasm, knowing J.L. would never allow her to make important decisions. He
considered his ways and rulings law, no one else’s opinions mattered. “Have you
decided what dress you are wearing today?”
“Yes, I will wear the light blue organdy I
have just finished making. Last night after graduation practice Arlen gave me a
pair of blue ear clips that will look perfect with it,” she answered.
“Did you
show your father the ear clips last evening?” asked Hannah.
“No,” and
sadly explained, “Here I am almost eighteen years old, and father won’t even
let me date,” and continued with “You will keep my secret, won’t you? Arlen has
been such a friend to me. He hung around with me at school when no one else
would.”
“Honey, I
have no idea what you are talking about,” was her reply.
“Tomorrow
I am going to tell father I want to start living my own life and making my own
decisions. If he does not agree, on my eighteenth birthday, I will make a new
life for myself,” she went on to explain.
“Let’s
put all that aside and just live for today,” suggest Hannah.” I am flattered
that you value my opinion, and you can always tell me anything you want to.”
“Hannah,
you are the closest thing I have to a Mother or Grandmother. I love you dearly
and I do appreciate the support you have given me,” Jami Lei confessed
giggling.
“Then
what is so funny?” she asked.
“Can
you visualize my father telling me about the birds and the bees, and
particularly about getting my period,” Jami Lee whispered.
They both enjoyed a good laugh
and Hannah said, “You had better get moving. I don’t want you missing the
school bus today of all days.”
“We only have half a day today.
I will see you at lunch,” and with a hug for Hannah she rushed out the door to
catch the school bus.
Howard came into the kitchen
and said, “Mr. J.L. told me to report to you this morning. He said I was to
chauffer you, and offer any help you may need today. Martha has started
cleaning in the library today. She said to tell you if you need her for
anything, let one of us know.”
“Thank
you Howard. You and Martha have been in the employ of J.L. almost as long as I
have. I can remember when the two of you first came to work for him. He had
just purchased the acreage to the west and was in the process of building a
small cannery for the peach crop. Bonnie Sue had just told him she was
pregnant, and he wanted someone to help with the house work and you were
instrumental in making the cannery the success it is today. The three of us
became friends right from the start. He has certainly treated us fairly over
the years,” commented Hannah. “Give me an hour to get the kitchen cleaned and
then I will go shopping. Ask Martha if she wants to come along with us,” she Hannah.
“I’ll give Martha a helping
hand for a little while and then I will take you to the store,” he said, and
turned, walking out the door.
Hannah found herself humming as
she was bustling about the kitchen, then went upstairs and changed her dress.
As she was combing her hair, she realized she needed a haircut. Finally she
walked downstairs in the library where Howard had just moved J.R.’s heavy desk
for Martha.
“Howard, if you would be kind enough, just
drop me of in town and pick me up in front of the department store in two
hours,” Hannah said.
“I
will polish the floor under the desk, and when you return you can move the desk
back in place,” Martha said to Howard, “and you enjoy your shopping, Hannah.”
“Thank you, since you aren’t going, is
there anything I can get for you?” she inquired.
“No,
thank you. Howard will take me pay day,” was Martha’s answer.
Howard
and Hannah were on their way to town when he said, “Don’t let on to Martha that
I told you, but she doesn’t like riding in the car. She still prefers the horse
and buggy.”
“I
won’t say a word if you promise not to tell I am holding on to the door handle
with both hands,” Hannah assured him.
Here it is 1925. Look
how far we have advanced the past twenty five years. Makes a body wonder what
the year 1950 will be like,” he answered as he pulled the car up in front of
the store and stopped to let Hannah out.
“Don’t age me to fast,” suggested Hannah as
she stepped from the running board to the curb. “Pick me up here in two hours.”
Hannah first walked to the
beauty parlor. There were two women she didn’t know with rods in their hair
hooked up to a perm machine. Sarah was at the sink shampooing a customer’s
hair.
She looked up and said, “Good morning Hannah, I haven’t seen you in some
time. Do you need something done to your hair today?”
“I thought if you had time,
perhaps I could get a shampoo and haircut,” she replied.
“I really don’t have the time,
but we have a new hair stylist. Her name is Hazel. She will be able to fit you
in.”
At that time a very attractive female walked
in the door. “Hazel, your first customer of the day is here. Hazel, this is
Hannah.”
Hazel donned an apron and said,” Hannah, come
back to the sink, please.”
She walked back to the sink as instructed.
Hazel wrapped a towel around her neck, put an apron on her and said, “Now lay
your head back and just relax.”
Hannah did as she was
instructed and closed her eyes. She was enjoying the way Hazel massaged her
scalp. She had never had a shampoo like that.
“Now Hannah, just walk over to my station and
I will be right with you,” Hazel suggested.
She walked over to the only
vacant chair with a mirror and thought, “I hope this is Hazel’s station.”
Hazel came right over and asked, “Now what
would you like to have done today?”
“My hair needs trimming. Please leave my hair
long enough to wear in a knot,” requested Hannah.
“You have a beautiful head of
hair. If this is a special day, I could put your hair in a French knot. It
would be very becoming,” suggested Hazel.
“This is a very special day for
me. Pretend my hair belongs to you, and do whatever you like,” agreed Hannah.
The two were carrying on a
conversation, getting to know each other while Hazel perfected the hairstyle
she had in mind. Finally she handed Hannah a hand mirror to look at the back of
her head. She was very pleased with the way her hair was styled and asked,
“Will you have time to polish my nails? My hair looks so elegant, and my hands
look like they belong to someone else.”
“Of course, what shade of nail
polish do you have in mind,” asked Hazel.
“A color that would match with
an off white dress I will be wearing,” answered Hannah, realizing she would not
have time to go shopping. She had never worn this dress, and if Mr. J.R. was
wearing a grey suit, the color would be fine.
Hazel gave her a manicure and
Hannah left the beauty shop right on time as Howard had just arrived to pick
her up.
He got
out of the car and opened the car door for her. Once he was again in the car,
and on their way home Howard remarked, “I hope the man appreciates everything
you do for him. I am sure he will be pleased with your appearance tonight.”
Hannah
was taken back with his frankness and replied, “Howard, I thank you. I do need
you and Martha’s approval. It has been so long since a man has taken me out to
dinner, I am nervous, even if it just J.L.
“Your nervousness is probably
because it is Mr. J.L.; everyone knows he expects perfection in everyone and
everything. His life could be so full, if he would learn to relax and enjoy
what he has, “commented Howard.
“I didn’t realize you were a philosopher, but
you are so right,” agreed Hannah thinking, before he loses the one most
precious to him.
Once the car was again in
the drive way Hannah let out a sigh of relief. She had had a full and
interesting morning. The trust J.L. placed in her, the trust given her by Jamie
Lei, the comradely shared by Howard and Martha, and she felt like she had made
a new friend in Hazel.
Hannah went to the kitchen to
make a light lunch for Jamie Lei.
She was sitting at the table
with her head in her arms. She raised her head, her face was swollen and her
eyes red rimmed from crying.
“Now that you have it out of your system, do
you feel better, are would you like to talk about it,” Hannah asked.
“You
will never believe what happened at school today. Someone left a baby rattle on
my desk, and a bird house on Arlen’s desk. They tease him just because he is
pigeon toed. I know he was hurt, but he picked it up, smiled and went caw caw.
That gave me the courage to shake the baby rattle. My life is so frustrating. I feel like a baby.
All the girls in school have dates after the graduation ceremony, and I will
have my father waiting to drive me home. Everyone makes fun of me,” was her
explanation.
“Your father is old fashioned
and extremely strict. Here is a sheet of paper and a pencil. I want you to draw
a line down the center of the paper. On one side of the line, write down why
you are so unhappy. On the other side, count your blessings,” directed Hannah.
She placed a sandwich and a glass of milk in front of her and said, “I need to
go upstairs and press your father’s suit, iron his shirt and tie, polish his
shoes, and lay out his clothing. Please rinse out your glass and saucer and
place it in the sink.”
Jami lei showed Hannah the
paper. On the side marked Blessings, she had written, WE have Hannah. She
kissed Jami Lei on the cheek, and walked up the stairs with a song in her
heart, knowing she had a lot to be thankful for. She lived in a beautiful home,
didn’t need for anything, and had enough common sense to guide Jamie Lei in
what she felt like was the right direction.
Hannah went to the bathroom she
and Jamie Lei shared for a bath.
Jamie Lei walking to her room said
“Don’t let the water get too hot. The steam will take the curl out of your
hair.”
“Thank you, I didn’t know that.
I’ve never had my hair styled like this before,” she admitted.
“It is very becoming. Hannah
you are still a beautiful woman. Although you are middle-aged and busty, your
face has no wrinkles, and you carry yourself so proudly. Someday I will have my hair arranged in a
special way. It must be nice to be grown up and able to make all your own
decisions,” commented Jami Lei.
“It is like everything else,
there are advantages and disadvantages. Life flies bye to fast. We should all
slow down and enjoy it,” was her advice.
