Another sunny day in NY with birds chirping and neighbors coming out of hibernation in this quiet neighborhood. I woke up today and that’s always a plus. Welcome to my world and Weekend Warrior Writers. Know this, my friends, I appreciate your critique of my new story. Every comment is important. Thank you all.
Continuing with my WIP She Never Said Yes. 15 and a half year old Joy Davison invites eighteen year old Danny Wilson to her club dinner dance. Sounds easy, right? He accepts and she’s thrilled. Mother wants to meet this senior boy after warning her only daughter saying boy’s will expect “privileges”, never telling innocent Joy what that means. She also wants to meet this possibly depraved boy so when he comes to the door to tell Joy a secret, Mother is there. And to Joy’s surprise , when Mother and Danny shake hands, her mother holds on too long to be polite and peers into Danny’s eyes like detectives do in the movies. A sign of the 40’s with Mama Bear protecting Baby Bear. Left alone at last, Joy is anxious to find out what Danny wants to tell her.
Excerpt in eight:
He shuffled his feet the way I’d seen him do when we walked home and I guessed he was uncomfortable and why not when he’s so sure of himself in school and my home is like foreign territory.
“You want to tell me something?” fingers crossed tight under my arms praying he didn’t plan to say he didn’t want to go out with me or even worse, he had another girlfriend.
His voice kind of choked and finally he spilled the beans, “Remember I said my dad was an immigrant from Russia and did you wonder why my last name is Wilson, not too Russian?”
Breathing a sigh of relief, I thought, not the date or another girl and fingers uncrossed, I leaned toward this adorable nervous boy to listen.
“Danny,” I touched his reindeer sweater so soft his mom must have washed it a million times, “I didn’t think about it but I betcha I’d have asked you, um, soon.”
He settled back against the stiff blue silk covered sofa, more comfortable since he’d started talking: “His family arrived at Ellis Island, do you know about Ellis Island?” I nodded. “The inspector asked Grandpa his name and Grandpa spoke a garbled Russian, the story goes, and said “Wolinsky” simplified by the man in charge to Wilson.”
“Danny, the same thing happened to my father’s family and that’s how the name Davidonivich became Davison.”
His freckled face looked so serious all of a sudden especially when he said, “Let’s pinky swear not to tell anyone else” and right then we locked pinky fingers, his large, mine small and shook them, our first pact.
for more snippets from talented writers:
Ah yes, the Ellis Island inspectors simplifying all of the original names and the families who hid their real too-ethnic surnames, very authentic and brings us right into the time-period. And I adore the young angst and bit of uncertainty. I find myself getting caught up with these two young people.
So happy you’re ‘caught up’ in the story, Chelle. That means so far, I’m on the right track. Yay!
What chelle says. Immediately identified since many names were “changed” to simpler ones at Ellis. Very nice touch and very good character insights provided in this 8 sentence snippet. Well done.
Hi Susan. As I wrote the beginning of the story, Ellis Island typed on to the computer by something inside me calling out that their names , where did they come from? A magical moment writers experience; the wonder of it all. Thank you..
Well, I had no idea about Ellis island, so I just learned something new 🙂 I have the feeling that Danny was just looking for a reason to speak to her- I mean, why was it so important he let her know his real last name? Especially when she already knew his father was an immigrant. Then again, maybe this was important in the time period and I’m misunderstanding. Still, I’m looking forward to more, Charmaine!
Important then. Yes. Last names indicated status and so much more. Bear with me, my friend.
I enjoyed that moment, even though it must have been hard for him to reveal. I always like it when characters reveal dark info about themselves. My uncle arrived at Ellis Island in 1964 from Ireland. Nice 8!
Thanks for stopping by, Frank. Danny’s revelation doesn’t seem dark today but back then, there was a thing about names. And even today, names tell a story.
I’ve read about Ellis Island–how they changed names to make them easier to spell or say, or just because they misheard and didn’t care enough to spend time getting it right. So many of those immigrants must have been confused by the whole thing…
They make a cute couple–paired in their awkwardness, and then by understanding. 🙂
Thanks, Caitlin. Just a couple of kids in 1948–no sophistication yet; on the brink of falling in love with a war coming soon.
Aww, I liked it, nice bond between the two of them and it speaks volumes to me that this is what he came to talk to her about. Excellent excerpt!
It’s about honesty right from the beginning and starting right. I’ve finished the first section but I so want critique and always I’m ready to make changes. Thanks, Veronica.
Ah, a lovely visual snippet of the two of them sharing secrets and taking an oath! i really enjoyed this.
Pinky swear. A vow not taken lightly. The innocence of it all in hindsight makes me weep.
Nice flow and interaction between these two. I wonder why Danny is so nervous about the name change- must be a lot of anti-immigrant sentiment where they are? I love that they have a shared secret now.
Everywhere in Chicago and I believe all over, last names told a story. Prejudice could rear an ugly head.
Nice and revealing to us older types.
Hey, Ms. Older Type, we’re still lookin’ good and writing up a storm.
Awe, such a simpler time. It sounds like he’s hooked on her already! Nice touch–dropping a little bit of history info while establishing a reason they can relate. 🙂 Nicely done. 🙂
A simpler time is what it’s all about. Virginity, mom’s at home, walking a long way to school, relatives living close by. Better times? Quite possibly. She Never Said Yes is a story of simpler times grown more complicated before too long.
Charmaine, I’m wondering if you are trying to write all the run-on sentences as if that’s how she’s thinking? For me it’s a bit distracting as a reader, but I think that’s what you’re doing, putting nervous girl thoughts down one right after the other, as if she wasn’t taking a mental breath.
I’ll reread and see what you’re referring to, Millie. Thanks for the comment. It might be because of the 8 sentence limit, I stretched a bit. If so, shame on me.
Oh, okay. It just seemed like a lot of ands for a writer of your abilities.
Very sweet encounter. I was expecting something dire. But I love that shared intimacy of their last names. Great detail.
Jenna, truly my fingers typed of their own volition and Danny’s big secret was revealed. How this happens is anyone’s guess. I call it magic. Then the writer decides whether to leave it in or delete. I left it in. If anyone has a thought about this, give me a shout out.
Thanks for the comment. Starts my day on a high.
That definitely happened to so many when they came through. Wonderful snippet. Such tension, and then the actual admission brought about a lovely closeness between them. Wonderful 8
Sarah, words can’t begin to express the joy your comment just brought to me. I considered deleting the scene and you saved it. Thanks is the best I can say right now.
I’m so happy my comment was able to save this scene. As the granddaughter of immigrants, I can understand where the characters are coming from. I’m also very glad I could bring joy to your day. 🙂 I’m glad my response day was delayed a few so that I could bring you joy mid-week 😀
I like the honestly between the two. And so true how people were much more intolerant of ethnic origins back then. A nice realistic touch. Ellis Island and census records have a lot of name changes. My x-hubby’s dad came over on the boat as they say from Italy as a boy. The Catholic school nuns changed their last name to Rogers. The one brother kept the Rogers last name the others switched it back when they were old enough. Fascinating stuff. Great character insight Charmaine.
Cindy, your comment ranks with the tops. I admire your writing and so appreciate your encouragement. On to the next part so tune in for the further adventures of love in bloom in a time of sweet innocence.