Love at the Soda Fountain

Rose Ash was raised in Connecticut, studied at the University of Connecticut and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and has a background in pharmacy. She currently lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This is her first book of historical fiction. Brenda got out of her bright red Chevy Impala convertible that she loved driving with the top down. She wondered what was for dinner. She was tired and hungry. She’d had a late night at the cinema with her best friend Eva Marie and had been tired at work all day.

No one was around in the family room. Her dad was usually sitting there watching the evening news. Brenda popped her head around the corner and looked around the kitchen. To Brenda’s surprise there was no sign of food anywhere and nothing was cooking on the stove. Where was everyone? She spotted a note on the fridge. ‘Your mom isn’t feeling good. Took her to Milltown Hospital Emergency Room. Dylan took off somewhere with Teddy. When he comes back cook some hot dogs for dinner. I think your mom will be fine so just stay there. Love, Dad.’

What the heck is going on? And where was Sarah? She was usually home by now. Maybe she’s working. Brenda picked up the phone and dialed the pharmacy.

“Hi Laura. This is Brenda. Is my sister up there working tonight?”

“No, she’s not. Dylan’s here though. Want to talk to him?”

“Sure.” Brenda twirled the phone cord while she waited for Dylan to come to the phone.

“Hey, sis.”

“What are you doing up there? What’s going on? Dad left a note saying he took Mom to the emergency room. Do you know what’s wrong?”

“Oh no. She told me she was fine. She went to lie down. The news really shook her up.”

“What news?”

“Did the note say anything else?”

“No.”

“Okay, I’ll be right there.” Dylan hung up before Brenda could ask him any more questions. She hoped their mom was okay. Maybe she would go to the hospital and take Dylan with her. She poured some Pepsi into a glass and sat down at the table.

After about ten minutes, Dylan rushed in with Teddy.

“Dylan, Teddy, what on earth’s going on?”

“Wait until you hear this. Sarah and Robert are eloping.” Dylan watched his sister’s face closely. She looked shocked.

“What? She wouldn’t elope without telling me. Are you pulling my leg?”

“No, he isn’t. They didn’t even know about it at the pharmacy,” Teddy said.

“I can’t believe she’s done this to me. She’s my sister. Why didn’t she tell me?”

“What’s going on with Mom? She said she was going to lie down when I left.”

“Why did you leave her?”

“She said she was fine,” Dylan replied.

“She always says she’s fine. Did Sarah even consider how this would impact Mom? Sometimes she’s so selfish.” Brenda pulled out the phone book.

“I’m calling the hospital to see if I can find out how she’s doing. Go tell Teddy’s mom what’s going on. Give me some space.”

Brenda knew Dylan and Teddy got a little scared of her when she was annoyed. They rushed out the back door. Brenda was glad they were gone. She was having a difficult time processing everything. She found the main number for the hospital and dialed it. “Milltown Hospital, can I help you?”

“Hi. Yes. My name is Brenda Jones and my dad Eugene Jones brought my mother Elizabeth Jones to the emergency room recently. Can you possibly connect me so I can see how she’s doing?”

“I can. Hold on please.” Brenda heard the phone click and ring at another line.

“Emergency room. Can I help you?”

“Yes, my name is Brenda Jones. My dad Eugene Jones is there with my mom. Is there any way I can speak to him?”

“Okay. Let me put you on hold and see if I can find him.” Brenda sat down and waited. Suddenly she heard her dad’s voice on the other end of the phone. “Dad, is that you?”

“Brenda. Don’t worry. They say your mom’s going to be fine. They think that stress caused her blood pressure to skyrocket but it’s come down. They gave her a minor tranquilizer. We’ll be heading home in a few minutes.”