Small Town Girl

[Coopsgirl]

I know I was going to post a different story next but I actually finished this one a while back and completely forgot about it. It's based around a movie, Small Town Girl (1937) starring Janet Gaynor and Robert Taylor.

Small Town Girl

Kay swept the sidewalk in front of the grocery store where she worked as the college kids drove by on their way to the big football game between Harvard and Yale. She couldn’t help but envy their happiness as they hooped and hollered excitedly when they passed by. When the traffic light stopped them, one of the young men hopped out of his car and gave Kay a balloon telling her she was the cutest thing he’d ever seen. She could tell he’d had a few drinks but his joy was contagious and she took the balloon as she walked back into the store. “Where’d you get that?” her friend Emily who also worked in the store along with her husband George who owned it, asked her. “One of the guys on his way to the game gave it to me” she said smiling. “I always hate it when football season rolls around every year. Those guys make too much racket when they come through” George chimed in.

Their sleepy little town wasn’t used to this kind of excitement and most people felt the same way George did. Kay however, longed for something different. She wanted excitement and she dreamed of moving to a city like Boston or New York one day. She was day dreaming about it when George asked her to run to the post office to mail some letters for him. She put on her coat, grabbed her balloon and began walking down the street.

“Kay, wait a minute!” she heard Elmer shout. Elmer Clampett worked for the phone company and he had quite a crush on her. She stopped and waited for him to climb down from the telephone pole. “Where are you headed?” Elmer asked as he walked along beside her. “Just to the post office” she replied as she continued to watch the football traffic go by. “They sure do make a commotion” Elmer said. “Kay, would you like to go for ride in my new car this evening?” “It’s too cold for that Elmer” she said. “We could stop somewhere and get some dinner.” She didn’t answer him so he stopped and put his hand on her shoulder. “Kay, I’m trying to ask you out on a date” he said. “You know I like you Elmer, you’re very sweet and a good friend.” “Oh, just a friend” he said a little disappointed. “Yeah” she said. “Well if you change your mind you know where to find me, just look up” he said joking as he let her continue on.

That evening at home, everything was the same as every day before. She helped her mother cook dinner then afterwards her dad read the paper and she cleaned the dishes while her mother worked on her embroidery projects. After her parents went to sleep, she decided to take a walk just to get away from it all for a moment. The streets of town were quiet as everyone was tucked away in their homes probably going through the same routines as Kay and her family. The silence was suddenly broken when the crowds from the football game passed by again on their way out of town. Kay was startled when a bright yellow Duesenberg, the fanciest and flashiest car she’d ever seen, pulled up beside her and stopped.





“Hey Sweetness, can you tell me how to get to Buck’s Tavern?” said the man behind the wheel. At first Kay was at a loss for words as the very handsome young man smiled at her. “Just go up two more blocks, turn right and then go three blocks and turn right again then follow that road for about two miles and you can’t miss it” she said smiling back. “Are you coming from the game?” “You got it Sweetness. Now what were those directions again?” Kay began to explain them a second time but he cut her off. “I think it would be easier if you just come with me” he said as he jumped out and opened the passenger door for her. “Oh, I couldn’t” she said. “Why not?” “It’s late and I’ve never actually been inside there before.” “Well there’s a first time for everything” he said still holding the door open. Kay was not the kind to do things on the spur of the moment, but there was something about this man’s easy going and jovial manner that she couldn’t resist. He also had the prettiest blue eyes she’d ever seen so against her better judgment she went with him. Within a few
minutes they pulled up to the tavern and went inside.

[Coopsgirl]

There were streamers and balloons hanging from the rafters and everyone was laughing and dancing and having the time of their lives. “Hi, Dr. Dakin!” the bartender shouted out over the crowd as he recognized the man with Kay. “Hey Bill. Can we get a table?” the doc asked. “Sure” Bill said as he weaved through the crowd and showed them to an empty table. “So you’re a doctor?” Kay asked as they sat down. “Dr. Sam Dakin – surgeon extraordinaire” he said smiling as he put his hand out for her to shake. “Kay Brannan – plain old grocery clerk” she said as they both laughed and shook hands.

Not long after they had ordered their food a group of about eight people came in and sat at the table next to them. Sam recognized some of them as friends from his college days and to his delight one of the couples announced they had just gotten engaged. Sam and Kay joined them and Kay was having a wonderful time as everyone laughed and drank champagne. She’d never had champagne before and it didn’t take long before she had had too much. Sam was a little tipsy as well when the party ended and they got in his car.

“My parents are never gonna believe that I stayed out all night. It’s just not like me” she said slurring her words and hiccupping. Sam, who was still mostly in control of his faculties, laughed at her sweet innocence and joked back with her that her parents probably wouldn’t be too happy. “They’re sound asleep and probably haven’t even noticed that I’m gone” she said as she rested her head on the back of the seat. As they drove along, Sam got lost. He stopped when he saw what he thought was just another house. As it turned out, it was the house of the local justice of the peace who had a sign out front stating his position. “Your parents wouldn’t be mad if you stayed out all night with your husband” he said as he stopped the car. “Don’t be silly, I don’t have a husband” she said. “You would if we got married” he said getting more and more excited about the idea. “You’re crazy” she said not taking him seriously at all. “Come on Sweetness, let’s just do it” he said taking her hands in his and smiling at her.

The next thing they knew, they were man and wife. It was very early in the morning and they were both tired so they cuddled up together in Sam’s car and went to sleep. When they woke up a few hours later, the champagne buzz had worn off leaving only headaches and confusion in its wake. “Where are we and who are you again?” Sam asked as he rubbed his temples. “I’m Kay, we met last night. I think we went to Buck’s Tavern but I don’t remember much after that” she said equally confused. Sam put his hand in his coat pocket to get a cigarette and instead he pulled out a piece of paper. “What the…” he mumbled and he looked it over. “What is it?” Kay asked. “It’s our marriage certificate” he said stunned. “We’re not married” she said but she had hardly finished her sentence when the night’s events began to come back to her. “Oh wait, you did ask me to marry you, remember?” “I can’t be married to you. I’m engaged to someone else” he said with a little meanness in his voice. “You’re engaged?” she said surprised. “Then why were you flirting with me?” “We had a fight and we broke up a few days ago. But I love her and I want to marry her, not some grocery clerk.” Kay was glad that he had remembered a little about her but was also quite upset at his hateful, demeaning words. “Would you just take me back home please” she said as she shivered a little in the cold. “No, I’m taking you to Boston with me. My dad will know what to do” he said as they got on their way again.

[Coopsgirl]

Sam and his parents lived in a grand old stately home in one of the best parts of the city. Kay had never seen anything like this outside of the movies and she forgot about her predicament for a few moments as she marveled at the beautiful homes. Sam left Kay in the sitting room and went to find his parents who were just finishing up their breakfast. In his somewhat clumsy way, Sam explained to them what had happened. His father was quite disappointed in him. Not because he married beneath his social class, but because he took advantage of an innocent girl and now had put them both in an awkward position.

“I’m sorry Dad, I just wasn’t thinking. You know I don’t drink much and I guess it just got to me. Could you arrange to get it annulled?” he asked pitifully. “If you want it annulled you’ll have to do it yourself. You’re a grown man now and it’s time for you to take care of your own problems.” “I don’t have the connections you do Dad; you could get it annulled quietly” Sam said stunned by his father’s refusal to help. “Sam, this is something you’re going to have to handle yourself. Being our only child we’ve always tried to give you everything you wanted and maybe we spoiled you too much. You’ve got to stand on your own two feet now” his father said. “I certainly can’t stay married to her and if I file for divorce now I’ll look like a fool.” “Yes you probably will. Here’s my advice, stay married for a while and then file for divorce” his father suggested. “How long is a while?” Sam asked very flustered. “Six months, a year maybe.” Sam was sure he couldn’t possibly stay married to a complete stranger for that long but he didn’t know what else to do. “Why don’t you invite her in so we can meet her” his mother said kindly. Sam brought Kay into the dining room and to their happy surprise his parents liked her right away. She had a shy, sweet demeanor and Sam’s mother definitely preferred her over his fiancée, the very spoiled and shallow Priscilla Lark.

His father called the newspapers and told them of his son’s elopement with a little white lie about how she and Sam had known each other for a couple of months and that his engagement to Miss Lark had ended before they met. While Kay went to one of the guest rooms to call her parents and explain what had happened, Sam was left to deal with Priscilla who had rushed over after he spoke to her on the phone.

“What’s going on Sam?” she said in a whiny voice as she sat down on the settee and removed her hat and gloves. “It’s all just a big misunderstanding” he explained. “You know I love you and as soon as I’m divorced we’ll get married.” “How long is that going to be?” she said becoming even more whiny and speaking in a babyish voice. “At least six months” he said as he moved closer to her and held her in his arms. “I think I’ll go abroad then until you’re free” she said after a moment. “Okay, as long as you don’t fall in love with anyone else” he said joking with her.

“How did Miss Lark take the news?” Kay asked him after she had left. “She’s fine. She’s going to Europe and she’ll come back when we’re divorced. What about your family?” “They’re not happy about it but they’ll go along and tell everyone that we’re happily married.” “Good. My father is making the arrangements for our honeymoon cruise and Mother is going to take you to get a trousseau. Make sure you let her pick out the clothes” he said throwing another insult her way. Kay didn’t have a chance to say anything about all this as he left the room and slammed the door behind him.

“I like you Kay. I know we just met but I think you’re a sweet girl who just got caught up in the moment and couldn’t say no. My son can be quite charming when he wants to be” Mrs. Dakin said as they were shopping. “Thank you. I like you and Mr. Dakin too. I feel so stupid though. I’ve never had champagne before and I never would have done anything like this sober.” “Do you like my son?” she asked. “I thought I liked him when I met him last night. I understand that he loves another girl and doesn’t want to be married to me and that’s fine, but he’s been so rude.” “Please don’t take it personally. If I know my son, he’s just angry at himself and not you. If he treats you like that anymore then you give it right back to him. It might do him some good” she said with a smile.

[Coopsgirl]

The next morning Kay and Sam were driven to the dock and Kay was again amazed when she saw the yacht they would be sailing on. “This is really your family’s boat?” she said as they walked up onto the deck. “Yes it is” he said not really paying her any attention. “Glad to have you and your wife aboard Doctor” the captain said as the two men shook hands. “Look at how shiny all the brass is! Do you polish it yourself?” Kay asked the captain. He just looked back at her somewhat perplexed. Sam took her hand and led her to their cabins so she wouldn’t have a chance to ask any more embarrassing questions.

She happily unpacked her trunk as Sam was trying to explain to her the names of the crew and what each one did so she would have a better idea of what sailing was like. “Your mother picked out some beautiful clothes, don’t you think?” she said as she laid them out. “She picked a nice ring too” she said looking at how much the diamond sparkled in the light. “Are you listening to me Kay?” he asked frustrated. “Yes I heard you. I know this isn’t how either one of us pictured a honeymoon, but I’m going to enjoy myself anyway if you don’t mind. If you want to keep acting sour, then just go right ahead” she said with a smile as she continued to unpack. “I’m not sour. I’ve got a lot of work to do on some journal articles and that’ll keep me busy and you can do whatever you like” he said as he went to his room that adjoined hers.

They didn’t see much of each other for the first couple of days except at meals and even then they didn’t speak much. Kay had been planning the menu every day and she chose foods like baked Alaska and smoked salmon; things she had never tried before. One night she picked a dish that did not set too well in her stomach. Add that to the rough seas they were going through, and it caused her to rush out of the dining room and back to her cabin before dinner was done. “Can I come in?” Sam asked as he softly knocked on the door. “No, go away” she whimpered. “You probably just need some fresh air” he said through the door. “I said go away!” she managed to say a little louder. Feeling sorry for her, he came in and scooped her up blankets and all, then carried her outside and sat her down in one of the deck chairs. “Now just take a few deep breaths and you’ll feel better” he said sternly. To her relief, it worked and she could feel her stomach settling down. “Thank you” she said hesitantly. “You’re welcome” he said and he went back to his cabin.

The next morning the boat docked in Havana where they were going to spend two weeks. “I want to go sight-seeing” Kay said over breakfast. “Then go” Sam said coldly. “I don’t want to go by myself.” “You’ll be alright. This city is full of tourists; you’ll fit right in.” “What’s the crew gonna think if we spend our honeymoon apart?” “I don’t care what they think” he muttered. Kay was scared to go off by herself in a strange country so she spent the day onboard. “You read that rot?” Sam asked later that afternoon finding Kay sitting out on the deck reading a movie magazine. “I like the movies, don’t you?” “Sure, but I don’t want to read about them.” “Well I do. If you don’t have anything important to say, then be quiet and leave me alone.” He went back to his cabin and she finished reading her article about Gary Cooper. He was one of her favorite actors and part of her initial attraction to Sam was his physical similarity to Gary. Unfortunately his manner was not as sweet or as pleasant as Gary’s seemed to be.

The next day Sam told Kay he would go sight-seeing with her. He’d been to Havana before and it was a beautiful city. As they were getting ready to go Kay snapped a picture of Sam on deck. “What did you do that for?” he asked a bit perturbed.



“People will probably think it’s strange if we don’t bring back some pictures of each other.” “Well next time warn me before you do that.” Once off the boat they walked and along Sam pointed out the interesting and historical sights to Kay and she took lots of pictures. That evening they had dinner together in what otherwise would have been a very romantic setting. They made some pleasant chit-chit as they ate and then went back to the yacht. The next day Kay felt more comfortable going out on her own and she spent the rest of their time there exploring by herself and with guided tour services. Sam spent many hours walking along the beach alone and thinking.

[Coopsgirl]

After a “blissful” honeymoon, they returned to Boston and set up home in a large apartment. Sam’s parents picked it out while they were away and also had it smartly furnished and decorated. They figured the less people around the better, so they did not have a live in cook or maid, which was typically standard for someone of Sam’s status. Kay was glad about this as she knew she would feel uncomfortable having people wait on her. Although she was looking forward to getting a break from housework as they were having someone come in twice a week to do the cleaning and laundry.

A couple of days after their return, the Dakin’s threw a party for Sam and Kay mainly at the insistence of his friends who wanted to meet Sam’s new wife and find out why he had never said anything about her before. Mrs. Dakin planned the whole thing and it was held in their home. She helped Kay pick out a dress suitable for the occasion and also gave her a crash course in formal party etiquette.



When Sam and Kay arrived she was so nervous she could feel her stomach doing flips. “Are you going to make it?” Sam joked as they walked up the steps. “Sure, I’m fine” she said meekly. “Remember, just let me do all the talking” he said still talking down to her but at least now it was in a somewhat nicer tone.

Sam joked that the writers for the society pages must be falling asleep on the job as he explained to the guests that he and Miss Lark had been broken up for some time before he met Kay on a trip to one of the ball games. He was able to get away with this lie as he had been too busy over the past couple of months to go out much so he and Priscilla spent most of their time together at her apartment or at his home. Whenever anyone would begin to get too nosy Sam would simply say he saw someone else he wanted to introduce Kay to and in that fashion they made their way around the party. Later on one of the guests asked Sam if Kay was as good a singer as Priscilla who would often favor party guests with a song or two. “Sure she is” Sam said not really sure at all, “but it’s getting late and we should probably be going.” “Nonsense, the night is still young my boy” the older gentleman said as he insisted that Kay sing them a song. Sam held his breath as Kay began to sing while her father-in-law played the piano. He let it out again when he heard the lovely voice coming from her sweet face.

“Well it looks like we pulled it off” Sam said in the car on the way home. “Yeah, I guess we did” Kay said relieved. “I had no idea if you could sing or not.” “I sang in my church choir.” “You did good and you didn’t mess up too bad” he said remembering back to how she grabbed the wrong fork once and mispronounced one of the guest’s name. “You know what?” Kay said getting upset as they walked into their apartment. “What?” “I’m tired of all the backhanded compliments and thinly veiled insults from you! You want your mother to pick out my clothes, you don’t want me to talk.” “I was just trying to protect you” Sam said. “From what?” “From being embarrassed, and I distinctly remember you saying you liked the clothes she picked.” “I did but what bothers me is that you didn’t think I had brains enough to pick them out for myself!” “Look at what you were wearing when I met you!” he shouted back. “It wasn’t exactly the kind of thing a girl I would date would wear.” “Maybe your precious Priscilla sits around the house in the latest couture but us regular people have work to do and you can’t exactly worry about spoiling fancy clothes when your bagging up someone’s groceries or washing the supper dishes!!” “I don’t know what I saw in you that night” he said through clinched teeth as he walked past Kay and into his bedroom. It took a minute to sink in how much that last remark hurt her. She walked over to his door and shouted through it, “I don’t know what I saw in you either!” She knew she was just a small town girl and maybe she was in over her head in the city, but she refused to be treated in such a rude manner. Of course, she knew they had both gotten themselves in this mess and she would stick with her end of the bargain and pretend to be a dutiful, loving wife even if it made her stomach turn.

[Coopsgirl]

The next morning Kay cooked breakfast and sat down a plate for Sam just as he was coming into the dining room. He knew he had let his temper and pride get the best of him the night before and he tried to act as if nothing had happened. “Smells good” he said with a smile. Kay didn’t reply as she went back to the kitchen to eat. He knew he had the silent treatment coming so he didn’t try and stop her. “Kay,” Sam said as he came into the kitchen when he’d finished, “some of the other doctors have been asking when they’re going to get to meet you. I forgot to tell you last night that some of them and their wives want to take us out to dinner tonight.” Kay looked up and Sam tried to flash the same charming smile she had been smitten with the night they met but this time she met it with a cold stare. “Alright, what time?” she said flatly. “Be ready around seven. I’m sorry about last night Kay. I didn’t mean what I said.” “Yes you did. And I meant what I said. But I’m willing to keep going with this because you have a bright future ahead of you and you’ll help a lot of people and I know you don’t want a personal scandal to get in the way. Just don’t forget, I’m doing this for them and not for you” she said calmly as she went back to eating.

The next day Sam’s colleagues complimented him on his excellent choice in picking Kay as his bride. “To be perfectly honest, I didn’t think Miss Lark was right for you Sam” said one of the more experienced doctors on staff. “You didn’t huh?” he said trying to not laugh or get upset over this. “No, she’s phony, all style and no substance. Kay seems like a more genuine person, the kind who understands if you can’t make it home for dinner because of an emergency. That’s the kind of wife a doctor needs, someone who’s level-headed, calm, and understanding.” “I’m glad you like her” he said as he walked back to his office relieved that they had made it over another hurdle.

They continued on in this fashion for the next few months, appearing together occasionally at parties or going to the theater and nice restaurants. Kay had become quite fond of Mr. and Mrs. Dakin, especially since she missed her own family so much. Her parents came to visit a couple of times but she hadn’t gone back home since they got married because she was afraid if she did, she wouldn’t want to leave again. She and Sam were now civil to one another and actually shared their meals and would talk about how their day had gone. Then they would usually retire to their separate bedrooms and spend the rest of the evening alone.



One night when Sam came home he was very excited over how well an operation had gone that day. He found Kay in the kitchen cooking supper and he forgot the chilliness between them as he explained how the new procedure had worked and how proud his superiors were of how fast he learned the technique. She was happy for him too and as they sat down to eat they discussed it further. “That’s just wonderful. I’m proud of you” she said sincerely. Despite the rough sledding in the early weeks of their so-called marriage, she could see he was really a good guy and she could imagine herself with a man like him if the circumstances were different. “You don’t have to say that” Sam said guessing she was only trying to be nice. “I mean it. I admit, I didn’t understand a lot of the technical parts of it, but it sounds good and a great step up in your career too.” “Thanks. You know it’s been five months now” he said referring to their deal to stay together for at least six months. “Where has the time gone?” she said joking as she cleaned up the kitchen. “Be serious for a minute. If we’re going to file for divorce in the near future, I guess we’ve got to start looking like we’re having problems.” “That’ll be easy. You just insult my clothes and I’ll whine about how you’re never home and voila, divorce court here we come.”

[Coopsgirl]

Sam began to make some comments at work and to his friends that Kay was unhappy when he had to work long hours and that she felt lonely especially as she was away from her family. He continued to do this for several weeks and then Kay suggested it was time to file the petition for divorce. “I think it would be better if we did a trial separation first” Sam said at dinner. “Why? Why not just go ahead and get it over with?” she asked. “It won’t look very good if after just a few weeks of problems we give up and go right for the divorce” he explained. She thought about this for a minute and then said, “How much longer should we wait?” “Maybe a couple more months.” “I guess I can go a little bit longer if you can” she said.

Kay filed for the separation the next day and Sam moved back into his parent’s home as she kept their apartment. He sent a telegram to Priscilla in Rome letting her know it would be a little bit longer and she and her friends decided to spend the rest of the time in Paris.

Sam’s coworkers were sad to hear of his and Kay’s separation and he explained that while they did love each other they had probably not waited long enough before they got married. The older doctors understood the impetuousness of youth and hoped they could work out their differences. One day about seven weeks after they separated Sam went to see Kay at her request. “I think it’s been long enough now. If it’s okay with you I’m going to go ahead and file for divorce.” “Yeah, I suppose it’s okay” Sam said in a way that made Kay think he was having second thoughts. “I want to go back home and I know you’ll be happy to see Priscilla again” she said as they ate dinner. “I don’t think so. I know you wanted out of that town and I don’t think you’ll be happy going back. And I’m not sure I want to see Priscilla again either.” They couldn’t explain or understand how it happened, but amidst all the private squabbles and silent treatments, they had developed real feelings for each other. “Don’t say things like that Sam” Kay said as she looked down at her food not wanting to look him in the eye. “Why not? Would it be so bad if we were to stick it out a little longer?” he asked as he got up and knelt down beside her. When she finally looked into those perfect blue eyes, she saw the man she had first been attracted to again. She took his handsome face in her hands and bent down to kiss him. He picked her up and carried her into her bedroom closing the door behind them.

[Coopsgirl]

When Kay awoke the next morning, Sam had already left for work but he left her a note on his pillow. He wanted her to come to the office and have lunch with him and he jokingly said she could wear whatever she wanted. She made an appointment to get her hair and nails done and she felt like a million bucks when she knocked on his office door and went inside. The look on Sam’s face however now made her feel like about ten cents.

“Hi” he said nervously and walked towards her and kissed her cheek. “Hi, is something wrong?” she asked as she sat down. “Priscilla is back and I just talked to her this morning.” “Oh” Kay said hesitantly. “Last night was a mistake and I’m sure you feel the same way” he said bumbling over the words. “I love Priscilla and I still want to marry her. You can go ahead and file for divorce, use any grounds you want” he said sitting back down behind his desk. Kay sat motionless for a minute but pulled herself together and spoke up. “You’re right; we let our hormones get the best of our heads. I really do hope you’ll be happy with Priscilla” she said forcing a smile. She didn’t cry until she got back home. After it was out of her system, she starting packing. When she realized nothing there was really hers, she stopped and after she made a few calls she flagged down a taxi to take her to the train station.

For the rest of the day Sam felt like the biggest heel in the world. Once he spoke to Priscilla on the phone he became very confused over his feelings for both women. Whether it was out of some misplaced sense of pride or simply a lack of faith in his own judgment, he had decided it would be better to stick with their plan and give Kay back her freedom. He stopped by their apartment after work to check on her but she was gone. He walked to her room and saw her suitcase half filled with clothes sitting on her bed. He could see she had taken the things from her bathroom so he knew she was gone. He sat down beside her suitcase and remembered how happy she was with those beautiful dresses when they went on their honeymoon. Clearly she didn’t want them anymore and he also assumed she had meant what she told him earlier, and that she didn’t want him anymore either. He looked over and saw her wedding ring on the night table. He put it in his pocket and then he carefully packed the clothes and took them back to his house where Priscilla was waiting.

“Darling, how I’ve missed you!” Priscilla said as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “How was your trip?” “It was absolutely dreadful without you” she cooed in a babyish voice that he used to find adorable but now seemed quite annoying. “I hope you haven’t been too miserable with that little shop girl” she said twirling a bit of his hair in her fingers. “It wasn’t too bad. I guess I could have treated her a little better though.” “What do you mean? I’m sure you treated her better than what’s she used to.” “Maybe I gave her nicer things but no, I didn’t treat her very well. I was rude and cold and just not very nice” he said regretfully. “That doesn’t matter. I’m sure she’ll get over it and I’m also sure she’ll take your alimony and not think twice about it.” Priscilla leaned in to kiss him and he kissed her back trying to push thoughts of Kay out of his head and his heart.

[Coopsgirl]

“Thanks again for taking me in Martha. Hopefully it won’t be too long and I can find my own place” Kay said to her new roommate who was the older sister of one of her friends back home who now lived in New York. “It’s no trouble at all. I’ve got the extra room and it’ll be nice to have some company” Martha said with a smile as she left Kay alone to put away the new clothes and things she had bought that afternoon. She had her mother wire her the savings she had in her bank account but she knew it wouldn’t last long and first thing tomorrow, she was going out to look for a job. Sam was at work when he received the divorce papers and the other doctors were saddened to learn they had not been able to work out their problems. A few weeks later they were both in court to begin the proceedings and when Kay saw Sam it nearly broke her heart again. “Are you sure you don’t want any alimony?” Sam asked her just before their case was heard. “I’m sure. I’ll be fine” was all she said. She wanted to completely sever all ties with him. She felt that she had been used and tossed away and she never wanted to feel that way again.

Kay went back to New York and to her job in one of the fancy boutiques along 5th Avenue. She was really thriving in this urban jungle and despite her regret over Sam, she was happy to be starting a new chapter in her life. One morning Kay found a customer waiting for her that she did not expect. Priscilla and her mother had come to the city to pick out a wedding dress for her pending nuptials. They were keeping their reengagement a secret until a suitable length of time had passed after the divorce was final so she didn’t want to do her shopping in Boston. As the shop’s bridal gowns were their most expensive items and came with the biggest commissions, Kay put her disdain aside and helped her pick one out. Priscilla, surprised to see her future husband’s current wife, bragged about how many guests would be at the lavish wedding and how she and Sam were going to take a three month honeymoon to Spain, Italy, and France; places Kay would love to visit. “I’ll give your regards to Sam” Priscilla said as she was leaving. “Please don’t bother” Kay said politely as she went back to work.

“Did you find a dress?” Sam asked as he met with Priscilla that evening at her apartment. “I did darling and it’s beautiful. We went in six places before I finally found the right one at Nina’s. You’ll never guess what else I found in there.” “What?” he asked. “Your soon to be ex-wife; she sold me the dress. I told her I’d give you her regards but she said I needn’t bother. Even drunk I’ll never understand what you saw in her. She has no class whatsoever.” “She has more class in her cute little ears than you do in your whole body” Sam said calmly and reflectively. “What?” she asked angrily. “You heard me. I’m sorry Priscilla but I don’t love you and I haven’t in a long time. You don’t really love me either. If you did you would have been a lot more upset that I had married someone else in a drunken stupor. Instead you happily went on vacation.” She knew he was right and she didn’t argue. “Are you going back to her?” “If she’ll take me back” he said with a bit of a chuckle knowing it was a long shot. “I hope you’ll find somebody else. I’ve gotta go” he said as he left.

[Coopsgirl]

The next morning he was walking down 5th Avenue looking for the right shop. “Is there a Kay Dakin working here?” Sam asked one of the clerks after he found Nina’s. “No sir, but there is a Kay Brannan.” “That’s her. May I see her?” “She’s out to lunch.” “Do you know when she’ll be back?” “Probably 20 minutes” the woman said looking at her watch. “Thanks!” he said with a smile as he went outside and paced in front of the shop as the minutes dragged by. Even though his back was to her when she turned the corner, she recognized his tall, lanky frame. “Sam, what are you doing here?” she asked as she got closer. He turned around and smiled at her. “I’m sorry Kay, for everything. You deserved much better than what I gave you” he said with very heartfelt words. “You didn’t need to come all the way here to tell me that. We’re through and we’ve both moved on. Now I have to go back to work, excuse me” she said as she went inside. “I want to talk to you Kay” he said following her. “Are you trying to get me fired?” she asked in a low voice as she saw her boss coming out of the back. “I’ll act like I’m shopping if you’ll talk to me” he said. “Okay, just keep your voice down.” She showed him some of their ties while he continued.

“I miss you. I’ve been miserable since you left.” “More miserable than when we were together?” she asked sharply. “I’m serious Kay. I know I acted like an ass sometimes but you weren’t exactly little Miss Manners either.” “Would you just get to the point.” “The point is when Priscilla told me she saw you here my first thought was to swallow my pride and coming running back to you, which as you can see, is what I did.” “You want to know how I felt that morning after we made love? I’ve never been that happy in my whole life. Then you know how I felt when you told me you were going back to her? You made me feel cheap and used and I don’t think I can ever forgive you for that.” Sam couldn’t bear to see the hurt look in her eyes so he softly mumbled “I’m very sorry Kay” then turned and walked away.

When Kay got home that evening she put her hat and coat up and sat down on her couch and tried to relax and clear her mind of all the thoughts racing through it. She was just getting up to get something to drink when someone knocked at her door. “Please just leave me alone!” she shouted seeing Sam standing there. “No, you’re going to listen to me and let me explain” he said pushing his way inside. “How did you find me?” “I followed you. Now sit down and listen” he said forcefully as he took her arm and walked to the couch and sat her down. “The night we spent together was wonderful and it was the happiest I’d ever been too. When I got to the office the next morning Priscilla called and I know it was stupid but I got confused and didn’t know what to do. We didn’t exactly talk much that night and I didn’t know if you felt the same as I did. I was too scared and unsure to just come out and say it but I love you Kay, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you.” Kay got up and walked around for a minute before she responded. “You didn’t know how I felt? Do you think I’m the kind of person who will make love with a man twice just because he flashes me a charming smile? That again just shows how little you think of me. When the divorce papers come please sign them as quickly as possible. Now if you don’t mind I’d like you to leave” she said coldly as she opened the door. Sam said no more and he left. As he was walking back to the train station however he hatched a plan.

[Coopsgirl]

Two days later the final divorce papers arrived. Kay signed them and sent them back to the attorney in Boston but after another two weeks Sam had still not signed them. He was waiting for her outside Nina’s one evening as she left for home and although she tried to walk fast enough to get away from him he easily kept pace with her. “Shouldn’t you be home instead of pestering me” she said. “I left Boston. I have a job here now at St. Joseph’s Hospital. I wanted to be closer to you.” “That was a stupid thing to do. I don’t want you here.” If he thought she really felt that way he would have left her alone but he could tell she loved him as much as he loved her and she was still just too hurt to admit it. He lost her amongst the crowds in the subway but he was certainly not about to give up.

“These roses came for you Kay” Kate, one of her coworkers, said when she came back from her lunch break. She was putting her purse and hat away in the break room when she took the card from the vase and read it. “You can have them if you want” she told Kate as she threw the card in the trash. “You don’t want them?” “No.” “Who are they from?” she asked curiously. “Someone I’d rather forget” was all she said.

For two more weeks Sam continued to send her flowers and candy. Each time she gave the gifts away. Kay wasn’t the kind to hold a grudge but she had been hurt so deeply she just couldn’t let it go. She did love Sam but she didn’t feel she could trust him. He latched on to her just after his break-up with Priscilla and then once they made a real connection he left her as soon as Priscilla was back in the picture. What if they reconciled and he left her again when someone else came along? She was running all this through her head one evening after work when her doorbell rang. “Did you like the orchids?” Sam asked with a smile without even saying hello. “I gave them to my neighbor and she liked them. You really shouldn’t keep wasting your money.” “Can I come in, please?” She opened the door wider and walked towards the couch and sat down. He came in and closed the door behind him. “I didn’t say you could sit down” she said as he was about to sit beside her.

“I really am sorry Kay. I’m sorry for everything-for all the insults, the arguments, and most importantly for making you feel used and cheap” he said very sincerely as he stood before her hat in hand. “You keep saying you’re sorry but those are just words” she said looking up at him. “There is something I’m not sorry about. I’m not sorry that we met or that we got married. And I’m not a bit sorry that we spent that night together.” “Then why did you leave me?” she asked sadly. “I already told you” he said as he sat down on the other end of the couch. “I didn’t really love Priscilla. I thought I did but then when I started to have feelings for you it was different, and much better.” He was surprised to see Kay let a little smile form on her lips. “I never gave you much reason to do that before” he said gesturing at her smiling face. “You did once” she said smiling even bigger now.

“If you can honestly tell me that you want me to go I will and I’ll sign the papers too” he said. Kay thought for a moment and then said, “I don’t want you to go.” She reached over to hold his hand and he scooted closer to her. “I’m sorry I’ve been so hard on you” she said. “I had it coming” he replied with a chuckle. “Did you really mean it when you said you loved me?” she asked. “I did. I never told you this but the other doctors at work in Boston were happy that we got married. They told me they didn’t like Priscilla and thought she was phony. It took me a long time to see it but they were right. She wasn’t even that upset when I told her it was over. I’ve missed you so much” he said as he leaned towards her and they kissed. After a bit Kay pulled away and said, “I do love you too but I don’t think we can just pick up where we left off.” “Well, what should we do?” he asked happily smiling. “Why don’t we go out to dinner and have a nice date.” “You got it!” “Give me a few minutes to freshen up” she said and he waited for her to return.

[Coopsgirl]

They talked as they waited for their food to be served. “Do you like your new job?” Kay asked. “I do. It’s a good hospital and I like the other doctors too.” “Do they know about our situation?” “I told them I was married but we were separated. I also told them it was all my fault, that I worked too much and neglected you.” “You didn’t have to do that” she said tenderly. “I didn’t mind. How do you like New York?” he asked. “I love it. There’s so much to do and the other people in my building and where I work are nice. Boy are they going to be surprised when I tell them about you.” “You didn’t tell anybody you were married?” “No. I thought it was over and I just wanted to move on.” After dinner Sam took Kay back to her apartment and they made a date to have lunch the next day. Sam promised that he wouldn’t cancel their date this time.

Kay got turned around in the hospital and she stopped at one of the nurse’s stations to ask how to get to Dr. Dakin’s office. One of the other doctors who was also a gastroenterologist and worked with Sam heard her ask for directions and he offered to show her the way. “I don’t want to put you out” she said. “It’s no trouble I’m heading that way anyway. Don’t be surprised that he’s a young man; he’s a very capable and skilled surgeon” the older man said thinking she was a first-time patient. “You don’t have to sell me on him; he’s my husband.” “Oh, it’s nice to meet you Kay. I’m Peter Conniff. I’ve been kind of like Sam’s mentor since he came here. I know he’ll be happy to see you. He talks about you a lot. It may be none of my business but I hope you can work things out” he said kindly. “I think we’re going to. He’s been taking all the blame but I could have been more understanding.” “Here we are. You want to play a little game with him?” Dr. Conniff said with a mischievous grin. “Sure, what are we gonna do?” “I’ll go in and start talking and just see how long it takes for him to try and get rid of me.” “Okay” Kay said trying not to laugh.
Dr. Conniff left the door open a bit and Kay listened outside as he told Sam about his latest golf game in great detail. Sam looked at his watch a couple of times and when it got to ten minutes after twelve, he finally spoke up. “I’m sorry Peter but my wife is coming and I’m going to take her to lunch. She should have been here by now.” “Oh, I saw a young woman back at the nurse’s station and she was asking how to get to your office. I told her you were busy the rest of the day and you didn’t want any visitors so she left.” “What?!” Sam said visibly upset. He got up and hurriedly left his office and he didn’t stop until he heard a familiar voice. “Hey, I thought we had a lunch date” Kay said and he stopped and turned, very relieved to see her. “It was his idea” she said as he Peter had now come out and was standing beside her. They all had a laugh and then Sam and Kay went to lunch.

For the next few weeks Kay and Sam continued to go on dates and get to know each other better. Even though they had lived together for several months as man and wife, there was a lot they didn’t know about each other. One Saturday they went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and spent the day looking at the paintings and other art exhibits. Kay had been wanting to visit the museum but just hadn’t gotten around to it yet. When they found the ballerina paintings by Degas, Kay said that she had taken ballet lessons from the age of 4 through 18. “I bet you made a beautiful ballerina” Sam said with a smile. “I loved it. We’d have a recital every year and that was always fun. What kind of things did you do in school?” “I was in the drama club.” “Really?” she asked surprised. “Yeah, I was in it in college too. It was fun. I liked the dramatic plays and I usually played one of the leads.” “I’m impressed” she said as they continued to walk through the expansive museum holding each other’s hand.

“Look at that; it’s beautiful” she said seeing a painting of a garden. “I like impressionist paintings. The paint is so thick and you can see every brush stroke. They have so much depth” Kay said as they got a closer look.



(Celia Thaxter's garden, Isle of Shoales in Maine by Childe Hassam, 1890)


Next they walked into a large room with statues and other carved figures. “What on earth is that?” Kay asked seeing a very strange creature standing before them.



“It’s from ancient Assyria. They’re called lamassu figures. They’d usually be in the big entrance ways of palaces and places like that” Sam explained. They walked over to it and read the details from the sign on the wall beside the figure. “Wow, it’s from 883-859 B.C. It looks practically brand new” Kay said. “This one is in great shape. Come here” he said and they moved to stand in front of the beast. “See here it looks like it’s standing with its feet together. Now come over here.” They moved over to look at it from the side and Sam said, “Now from here you can see all four legs and it looks like it’s moving forward.”



“That’s neat. I wonder they made them like that” “This way as people were walking into the palace it looked like the lamassus were walking in with them. Then once they were inside and looking back, it’s like they were stopped and standing guard.” “How do you know all that?” she asked curiously. “History was one of my favorite subjects” he said proudly.

The next room was filled with tapestries from the Middle Ages and Kay was especially struck by one in particular.



“I’ve seen a picture of this one before. I didn’t know it was here.” She let go of Sam’s hand as she walked up to the tapestry depicting a unicorn sitting inside a small fence. He walked up beside her and put his arm around her waist. “I’ve always loved unicorns. Back home I’ve got a whole collection of figurines of them. I’ve been collecting them since I was a kid.” They stood quietly for several minutes as Kay studied all the details of the beautiful and intricately woven design.

In the gift shop Sam found a figural version of the tapestry and he bought it for Kay. As soon as they got back to her apartment she took it out of the box and put it on top of the dresser in her bedroom. “It’s beautiful; thank you” she said kissing his cheek. They went into the kitchen and Sam sat at the table while Kay got them something to drink.

“You know our first anniversary is in two months” he said sipping his lemonade. “It is, isn’t it?” she said as she did the math quickly in her head. “I had an idea I wanted to run by you” he said hopefully. “What is it?” “I thought we could have a real wedding on our anniversary.” Kay smiled and said, “Let’s do it!” Sam reached into the inside pocket of his blazer and pulled out Kay’s wedding ring. “We’ve got to make this official. Kay Brannan, will you marry me again?” “Yes” she said and he put the ring back on her finger.

[Coopsgirl]

Sam wanted Kay to move into his apartment right away but Kay thought it would be better to wait until after their vow renewal ceremony. He reluctantly agreed and they began planning for the event. They were going to have both the ceremony and the honeymoon at a resort in the Catskill Mountains. Sam’s parents were so happy that he and Kay had actually fallen in love and were staying together that they agreed to pay for practically the whole wedding and also for the guests to stay a couple of nights at the resort. After the rehearsal for the ceremony everyone gathered to have dinner in the same ballroom where they would be having the reception the next day. After everyone had finished eating Sam stood up to make a speech.

“As you all know, tomorrow will be my and Kay’s first anniversary,” he paused while the guests clapped and then he continued, “but there was a time when I didn’t think we’d make it here. We got married after not having known each other very long and at times we struggled even going so far as legally separating. Being a young doctor I let my career and ambition blind me to what was most important” he said fibbing just a bit as that was the excuse they used to explain their problems. “I couldn’t see what was right in front of me the whole time—a wonderful woman who for some reason loved me through it all” Sam said with a chuckle and the guests laughed too. He turned to Kay who was seated beside him and took her hand. “There are two things I know for sure in this world; that small town girl I met one day after leaving the football game is the woman I was meant to be with and I’ll never take her for granted again.”

The next day Kay’s father walked her down the aisle in the resort’s chapel and gave her away to the man she loved. She wore a simple, but lovely dress and every one enjoyed the lovely ceremony.





After the wedding as they danced during their reception party Sam and Kay felt like the happiest two people on Earth. “You look beautiful” he said to his bride. “Thanks. You look beautiful too” she replied with a big smile. They danced for hours and their friends and family were glad to see the young couple so genuinely happy.

The End