They met every day and even though it
was difficult keeping the secret from her father she had never been happier
than when she was with Geoff. She fell in love with him almost immediately and
was sure that he felt the same even though he kept reminding her of their
social differences. The plans they made together had filled her with excitement.
Once they had finished college they would embark on a life together that would
be nothing short of incredible. What could possibly go wrong now that they had
found each other and were so much in love?
But now, as she stood beside the car she was worried. “It must have taken all
of your money that you saved for college to pay for it.”
“It did,” he said, “but I need a car to get to work at the factory. Without a
job there will be no college next year.”
Jenny knew he was right. Only students with rich, well to do parents or
a scholarship could afford the privilege of college education. The country they
loved was supposed to be a classless society, but, like every other nation of
the world, money still created divisions between people. The only avenue open
to him was to pay his own way.
“It’s important I go to college,” Geoff said, “then we can tell your Dad that
we are in love. I’m sick of all this sneaking around.”
“Oh, Geoff, I hope so. I do love you.”
They drove along the road that ran parallel to the river, singing along to the
music on the radio, it seemed they had nothing to fear. They were so in love
and the worrying future seemed so far away. After a while Geoff stopped the car
by the side of the river. It was their favorite spot and where Jenny had fallen
in love with Geoff.
The sun was starting to dip behind the hills on the far side of the river and
the rays were bouncing off the ripples on the water. Jenny found it so romantic.
They laid a blanket on the grass riverbank and sat quietly, holding each other
as they enjoyed the last warmth of the day’s sun and the evening birdsong.
She suddenly asked. “Why do we have to wait so long to tell my father?”
“Because I know his kind,” Geoff said. “I know he’s you father and he is
probably the most kind-hearted person in the world to you, but he is known for
his dislike of people of my standing. Can’t you hear what he would say now? He
would forbid us to see each other.”
Geoff didn’t have to say anymore. Jenny knew he was right. Although her father
was fair and honest in court, in his private life he was a snob and could be
cold, almost cruel. Certainly, a boy like Geoff, without money and coming from
a poor family would have no chance with him. They wouldn’t have a future
together if her father discovered their friendship.
“We’ll wait, darling,” she said, “but it will be so long.”
“I know, Jenny, but it will be worth waiting. Our love is true and it will find
a way. In years to come we will look at this time as just a blip in our lives.
When I’m in college studying for my degree, you’re father won’t have so much to
disapprove of.”
They kissed and clung to each other, drawing courage from each kiss and finding
hope in each whispered word. But things were about to change. Fate and poor
decisions were about to ruin everything they had and soon they would have
nothing.
Chapter 3
GEOFF LOOKED AT his watch. “Hey, it’s six-thirty. My shift at the
factory starts at seven o’clock.”
“Let me drive us there, Geoff,” Jenny said, suddenly. “Then I can take the
was difficult keeping the secret from her father she had never been happier
than when she was with Geoff. She fell in love with him almost immediately and
was sure that he felt the same even though he kept reminding her of their
social differences. The plans they made together had filled her with excitement.
Once they had finished college they would embark on a life together that would
be nothing short of incredible. What could possibly go wrong now that they had
found each other and were so much in love?
But now, as she stood beside the car she was worried. “It must have taken all
of your money that you saved for college to pay for it.”
“It did,” he said, “but I need a car to get to work at the factory. Without a
job there will be no college next year.”
Jenny knew he was right. Only students with rich, well to do parents or
a scholarship could afford the privilege of college education. The country they
loved was supposed to be a classless society, but, like every other nation of
the world, money still created divisions between people. The only avenue open
to him was to pay his own way.
“It’s important I go to college,” Geoff said, “then we can tell your Dad that
we are in love. I’m sick of all this sneaking around.”
“Oh, Geoff, I hope so. I do love you.”
They drove along the road that ran parallel to the river, singing along to the
music on the radio, it seemed they had nothing to fear. They were so in love
and the worrying future seemed so far away. After a while Geoff stopped the car
by the side of the river. It was their favorite spot and where Jenny had fallen
in love with Geoff.
The sun was starting to dip behind the hills on the far side of the river and
the rays were bouncing off the ripples on the water. Jenny found it so romantic.
They laid a blanket on the grass riverbank and sat quietly, holding each other
as they enjoyed the last warmth of the day’s sun and the evening birdsong.
She suddenly asked. “Why do we have to wait so long to tell my father?”
“Because I know his kind,” Geoff said. “I know he’s you father and he is
probably the most kind-hearted person in the world to you, but he is known for
his dislike of people of my standing. Can’t you hear what he would say now? He
would forbid us to see each other.”
Geoff didn’t have to say anymore. Jenny knew he was right. Although her father
was fair and honest in court, in his private life he was a snob and could be
cold, almost cruel. Certainly, a boy like Geoff, without money and coming from
a poor family would have no chance with him. They wouldn’t have a future
together if her father discovered their friendship.
“We’ll wait, darling,” she said, “but it will be so long.”
“I know, Jenny, but it will be worth waiting. Our love is true and it will find
a way. In years to come we will look at this time as just a blip in our lives.
When I’m in college studying for my degree, you’re father won’t have so much to
disapprove of.”
They kissed and clung to each other, drawing courage from each kiss and finding
hope in each whispered word. But things were about to change. Fate and poor
decisions were about to ruin everything they had and soon they would have
nothing.
Chapter 3
GEOFF LOOKED AT his watch. “Hey, it’s six-thirty. My shift at the
factory starts at seven o’clock.”
“Let me drive us there, Geoff,” Jenny said, suddenly. “Then I can take the
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