The Widow's Second Chance: A 1940's Romance, #1

Portland, Oregon

April, 1946

In a restaurant patio overlooking the Willamette River, Robert McKenna drank his fifth cup of coffee and smoked his second cigarette in ten minutes. He’d driven all night to get here and regretted it now that he could hardly keep awake. But his to-do list was endless: meeting with Michael to get the keys to the guesthouse, visiting his mother, unloading all the junk from his truck and settling in. Maybe then he could sleep.

At least it was a nice day to sit outside. He’d forgotten the air here smelled fresher than muggy Boston. He didn’t miss that place one bit.

He briefly thought about her; Lila the free spirit who led him on with promises of a future but none of that had been true in the end. And now, six months after he was sure she was never coming back, it finally felt like he let go. He shook her out of his head and instead did his best to enjoy the view by the water. Downtown had more shops and seemed busier. Portland had its charms, he supposed. Growing up here had been quiet and comfortable for the most part. Yet by this point, most of his childhood friends had moved away, leaving only Michael who’d settled down. His widowed mother lived alone except for the occasional roomate, meaning his circle was small and coming home was more bittersweet in flavor.

Through the swirling cloud of smoke from his cigarette, Robert caught sight of Michael headed his way.

You’re a day early, Michael said and shook his hand.

Yeah, I was ready to get the drive over with. Robert motioned the waitress over. A cup of coffee for my friend here.

Right away, sir. She smiled, older thing she was, gray haired with a comforting vibe like a grandmother.

Cream, please. Michael added as he got comfortable in the chair. And extra sugar. I need some sweetening up today.

When the waitress returned with Michael’s coffee, the two friends got down to discussing the important matters that buddies who hadn’t seen each other in over a year would converse about: life and women.

So, your mom should be happy you’ve returned. Michael sipped on his coffee, overflowing with everything that made it not coffee. She missed you hard there for a spell.

She did.

Did you ever hear back from Lila?

No, Robert said, feeling that unsavory stab of rejection once again. Her letters were all sent back. But can you believe it? Broadway, of all things. As if she could possibly make enough to support her spending habits in such a business.

You’d be surprised. Don’t they get stuff for free?

Like what?

Hotel rooms and such. Michael dabbed a napkin on his top lip. Booze. Food.

Robert resisted the urge to light another cigarette. Honestly, he had quit smoking for a while and then only picked it back up just recently due to the stress from moving. Thanks for letting me stay with you and Vonda.

Michael smiled. Anytime, my friend. A pause. Enjoy the single life while you’re at it. Vonda’s pregnant and things are about to get serious.

Congratulations, Robert said, surprised at the news. That’s good news.

Yes, although she’s been a moody gal lately. Michael slipped on his glasses, black framed and trendy because he always needed to be in line with the current fashion, and peered through those thick lenses at the breakfast menu. When did they take the biscuits and gravy off the list? Are you kidding me?

Come on, they weren’t that great. No ordered them except you.

True. Although nothing else on here looks appetizing.

Robert sighed, shaking his head at Michael’s pickiness. Food was food, although Boston did have some amazing eats that he would fondly remember. Someday he’d go back. But not for a while. Not until the thought of that place stopped making him feel weird.

So Vonda will be at the house all day long, like always. Michael took off his glasses, wiping them meticulously with a fresh napkin. I forgot to bring the keys with me because I left in a hurry but she has them. Just make sure to tell her she looks lovely. That’s been a thing with her lately. Morning sickness and all that.

So she isn’t feeling so well?

No, the poor gal. She’ll be fine though. Say, we should get going. Michael glanced at his watch. Quarter ‘til. I’ll be late to the office if I don’t leave now. See you at the house tonight, buddy.

Robert nodded and stood up to give his friend a parting pat on the back. Hey, thanks again for putting me up. Just the thought of being at my mother’s—

Don’t mention it, Michael said. You know I’d never do that to you.

They parted ways, leaving Robert alone once again to mull over his situation. This fresh start was good for him. So Boston hadn’t been so hot after all. He tried. Things hadn’t gone according to plan but not much in life did. And here, he was as far away as he could be from the memory of Lila. The east coast was her end, and the west coast was his. An entire country between them. It was better this way.

There were many unfortunate side effects to having lost a husband. Chloe could go on all day listing them in her head: a lonely bed with no morning kisses, no night kisses, no midday phone calls to breakup the monotony of housework, Frankie left without a father, never seeing her beloved’s face again, etc. And those were just the obviously simple things. Her heart was in fragments. She didn’t have the money to pay the mortgage so the house had to be sold.

And that’s how she and Frankie had eventually ended up living with Vonda and Michael. Sure, there was the monthly government check. Those should’ve been enough, she kept hearing, but it wasn’t.

Her life now consisted of shut in days listening to the radio and gabbing with her sister Vonda, and occasionally being roped into things she didn’t feel like doing.

We’ve had reservations at Ray’s for two weeks now. Vonda complained from the sink as she filled a glass of water. And you already agreed to it.

I don’t recall having done so. Chloe had a pretty good memory, but she also didn’t want to accuse Vonda of manipulating the discussion in her favor.

Vonda shook her head and gulped down the water, rolling the cool glass across her forehead. Normally a chipper person full of vitality, the pregnancy had been hitting her body hard with malaise and so she was constantly on edge. It was to be expected. Well, we forget about our agreements sometimes.

Chloe adjusted the cross of her legs in her seat. You know I haven’t been in the most social of moods lately.

Vonda tisked. You’re blue again, aren’t you?

For being the younger sister she acted bossy and protective. About the only thing that remotely made them identifiable as sisters was that they both had their mother’s regal Spanish looks with the black hair, dark brown eyes and olive toned skin. They even wore the thick eyeliner and red lipstick the same. But they were different when it came to pretty much everything else.

Why don’t you try and get out of this house for once? And taking Frankie to music lessons doesn’t count. What you need is some fun. Some laughter. I think you’ll have a good time if you come.

With just the two of you?

Vonda laughed. Well, we might invite a friend from Michael’s work.

Chloe sighed. Who?

Don’t you worry about that. I promise it’s no one scary.

There wasn’t much arguing with her. Vonda always got what she wanted. Michael had bought her the biggest house he could find in northern Portland, complete with chandeliers in the dining and living rooms, cherry hardwood floors, red velvet curtains and the fanciest house supplies money could buy. Somehow, five bedrooms fit into a narrow yet elegantly styled Victorian home also equipped with a guest-house and luscious green yard.

It was ridiculously beautiful and extreme in every way. To top it off, the house had been built above the city in one of the most private of neighborhoods on the hills. And to think she and Vonda had basically come from nothing.

Well, I suppose I could ask Mina to watch her, Chloe said, sounding more resentful than she recognized was necessary. Frankie loves her so I suppose it’s a match made in heaven.

But as always, Vonda wouldn’t take no for an answer until she had at least tried ten more times to get her way. She thrust herself into a chair and slid forward, across the table to grab hold of Chloe’s arm. I miss the old days when I used to see you smile.

Chloe’s face froze for a moment, as did every muscle in her body. The sadness was terrible on most days but today it had been better.

I best get Frankie’s laundry prepped for tomorrow, she said quietly, and yanked her arm free. All I’ve been doing for the past twenty minutes is sitting here doing nothing when there are chores to be finished.

Chloe… Vonda’s smile vanished, leaving a frown in its place.

I’m fine.

Not sure if we always believe that.

No one did. Within their group of friends, Chloe never escape the poor-sad-widow stereotype. They had all been there in the beginning when she first received the news: Ginny, Susan, and Betty. They’d grown up together. Experienced childhood and adolescent troubles, gotten married and had children but still remained close. They’d even brought her and Frankie meals when she was too exhausted from crying to cook. Eventually though they’d disappeared, one by one, the situation proving too emotionally charged for their liking.

Needless to say, the life of a widow was an empty one.

Can I think about it? Chloe asked, drawing from her diminishing energy reserves. These sorts of conversations were draining and she avoided them at all costs. Didn’t always work though.

It’s only dinner. Vonda nodded, her voice gentle and understanding. We’ll be back in time for you to put Frankie to bed.

Chloe rarely had the heart to let her sister down, who was her best and only friend, after all. The single person in this world who held her after Nathan’s funeral, who always cared if she was happy or sad or needed a laugh. And so it was that she knew, right on the very surface of her heart, that she would skip the interview and go to Ray’s anyway, even if she didn’t like the uppity place. Fine, she said in surrender. I’ll go with you to Ray’s.

Vonda’s face lit up once again and a tiny giggle made its escape with her words. See? That wasn’t so hard now, was it? We’ll have fun.

Ma’am?

Mina the housemaid stood at the entrance to the kitchen and a man Chloe had never seen before stood behind her. Now, the maid herself was a short woman, mature in her years but not what one could yet consider old, with auburn hair slightly graying at the sides and a bit of weight in her middle. The top of her head came up to his shoulder, and the vibrancy of youth was noticeable in his face. He was a handsomely carved, dishwater blond and a boyish roughness clung to the edge of his eyes, which he narrowed and hooked right on Chloe. His gaze locked on hers for a moment and he grinned, faintly.

Vonda smiled in recognition. Robert. What a pleasure.

Chloe stared confusedly at her.

Then you were expecting this gentleman? Mina said, stepping back to better observe the situation. Mr. Michael never told me about anyone coming to stay in the guesthouse.

Go get it ready, Vonda said sweetly. Hurry, Mina. He’s driven a long way and must be very tired.

Mina nodded and hurried off, almost tripping over a corner of the carpet in the hallway. I’ll get it nice and cozy, she said, her voice trailing as she vanished around the wall.

In the meantime, spoke Vonda, as she led Robert towards the table. We can get you fed. You must be starving on top of exhausted.

Water will do fine, he said, taking a seat.

That’s it? Vonda questioned over her shoulder. I swear I just head your stomach growl from here.

Me, too. Chloe chimed in and introduced herself with a handshake.

He held her hand a little longer than most people would, his grip warm and firm and comforting enough to slightly disappoint her when he pulled it away. You must be the sister I’ve been told about.

She nodded, smiling just enough.

Vonda cleared her throat. Did you want a sandwich or what?

Cheese and mayo would be great. Robert sat back down and glanced around the kitchen with its fancy black fridge and turquoise cabinets. "By the