The Road Not Traveled

About a year ago I began writing for fun. It started as a way to encourage my students. If they saw me writing and going through the process they went through; they bought the concepts. As much I love to write, sharing is scary. I like my words, but what if others don't? So, I'm facing my fears and posting the first few pages of a story called, "The Road Not Traveled." Please be honest and tell me what you think.

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This is a historical romance based on the true accounts of my very own grandmother, Ethel (Polly) Elizabeth. She lived in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She worked at Tinker Airfields on the base where she met many young military men heading in and out of Germany during WWII. Polly kept her end of the bargain and did what she could to help "Our boys" overseas and that included spending many nights participating in the Bob Hope USO activities. Polly was gorgeous, young, and in love with the all American Dream.

She met many men, fell in love many times, had her heart broken, and then found the true love of her life. This story takes place in Oklahoma, during war time, and has the most romantic ending of all.

Enjoy my interpretations as I take on the role of my grandmother and describe one of the most important moments in her life.

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The Road Not Traveled

By Brandi L. Thomas

April 15, 2009

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,  
And sorry I could not travel both  
And be one traveler, long I stood  
And looked down one as far as I could  
To where it bent in the undergrowth;          
  
Then took the other, as just as fair,  
And having perhaps the better claim  
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;  
Though as for that, the passing there  
Had worn them really about the same,   
  
And both that morning equally lay  
In leaves no step had trodden black.  
Oh, I marked the first for another day!  
Yet knowing how way leads on to way  
I doubted if I should ever come back.  
  
I shall be telling this with a sigh  
Somewhere ages and ages hence:  
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,  
I took the one less traveled by,  
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

Preface

    “Oh, Polly, you didn’t!”

    His voice kept running through my head, the same words over and over again. The look of hurt and betrayal that bore into me will haunt me for the rest of my existence. This moment has imbedded into my soul so deeply that I don’t think it will ever leave me. I don’t know how long I had been leaned against the closed front door; I don’t know how long I had allowed the tears to fall from my eyes. I was grateful of the very empty house and lonely evening which awaited me. I could not allow Fred to see me this way. He must never know the events of today. With shaky legs I managed to stumble my way to the kitchen to poor a tumbler of Vodka into a class. There is no time to add the orange juice; I just need the warmth of the alcohol to make this pain go away. I glanced down in surprise when my full glass was too empty too soon. With wobbly hands I poured another glass; I wasn’t sure this was going to calm my nerves. Although the burn rolling down my throat did seem to exstinguish the fire tearing my heart apart. A few more sips would provide me exactly what I need right now…a chance to become unconscious and forget about the events of this afternoon. I couldn’t think about the fact that the love of my life, the one man I longed to complete me walked into my life nearly a year after I thought he was killed and 3 months after I had chosen to marry another man. I filled my glass once more while I thought about the slow crumble of my heart as he took one step after another from me pulling my soul along with him.. I drained the vodka savoring the bitterness of the flavor while I trudged the 28 wooden steps to the bedroom I shared with my new husband. As I met my desired location, I knew I had far too much on my mind to sleep.

As I sank back into the mountain of pillows on the king sized bed my husband’s family gave us as a wedding gift my head began to spin. Physically my red swollen eyes may be staring into the blackness of the night, but my mind and heart where in a completely different place. I felt the hot stream of tears begin, and the edges of my heart begin to burn once again. I closed my eyes and let the darkness fully take me. My body ached for this time.


Chapter 1

1940, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

        I hesitated for just an instant as I heard the familiar chime of the clock in the living room announcing it was 7:30 PM. I knew I only had a moment before Ailene would be here; I had just enough time for one more check in the mirror. The reflection did not disappointment. Gone were the confines of my work clothes, and replaced with a dress I was hoping would give the soldiers something to want to come home to.

    Glancing sideways, I checked my hair first. Perfectly in place with my mohageny hair pinned back with the delicate butterfly comb my father gave me for my last birthday. The curls fell thickly around my shoulders. I carefully puckered my lips to apply the new shade of red lipstick. I couldn’t help but smile wickedly as I rubbed my lips together thinking of the boys who passed by me this afternoon. The base was bustling with the soldiers just coming back from their last deployment. Their eyes displayed their eagerness for a good time. The soft burgundy fabric of my dress smoothed out against my body hitting just below my knees. I carefully slipped into my favorite black patent leather peep toed heels. My freshly painted toes matched the red on my lips. The butterflies of anticipation fluttered in my stomach just as I heard the familiar sound of Ailene’s car pull into the driveway. I quickly added a few essentials to my favorite black patent leather clutch and closed the front door behind me.

    As I made my way towards the car the excitement built up in me further. I waited all week for Friday nights, for a few hours where I could be the center of the universe for our nations heroes. Ailene is leaning forward using the rearview mirror to check her reflection.  Her brand new pearl colored 1940 Chevy purred in my driveway. I couldn't help myself. I allowed my hand to run along side passenger side touch the acrylic which felt like smooth silk. I settled into the the soft fabric in the front as Ailene abruptly placed the car in reverse as we headed down the street . By the time we were down at the stop sign we were both giggling and talking about the prospects from this afternoons officer return.

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