“I’m your husband. I come first.” Sam held Eloise at arm’s length.

Sam’s tone frightened Nora. She had been listening to them from the kitchen. Putting the last plate in the cabinet, she walked into the living room. Sam held Eloise by her shoulders.

“What’s happening?” Nora asked.

“Nothing. Your mother and I were having a discussion. Right, Eloise?” Sam released his grip.

“Its fine, Nora. Sam and I were talking about Lisa.” Eloise turned away from Nora. “I’ll think about what you said. You may be right.” Eloise tried to placate Sam.

“Good. I know I am.” Sam gave Eloise a hug.

Nora looked on. Warnings sounded loud and clear, but she didn’t say anything.

The next morning after Sam had left for his construction job, Nora confronted her mother at breakfast. “Mama, what happened last night? I didn’t like the looks of it.”

“Oh, it didn’t mean anything. Here, have some orange juice and make yourself some toast. You need to eat something before school. You know Sam isn’t fond of Lisa, and he didn’t want me to call her. No problem, I’ll just call her when he’s not around.”

“You should be able to call her anytime. Don’t let Sam bully you.”

“Please don’t start in on me. Sam has been wonderful these past months, and I want to keep it that way. He apologized to me last night, and said he didn’t mean to upset me. I believe him.”

“I don’t. If he ever hurts you again, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

“It’ll be fine. Now eat some toast. Here, have a piece of mine, I’ll make some more.”

Nora watched her mother closely and prayed to God she was right—but she wasn’t. The situation finally escalated on a hot night in July.

***

July, 1969

Nora picked up the phone, assuming it was her friend, Cheryl. “Oh. Hi Lisa. Hold on I’ll get Mama.”

Eloise lifted her index finger to her mouth, motioning for Nora to be quiet. She lifted the phone out of Nora’s hand and tiptoed into the kitchen. Eloise spoke softly to Lisa.

“Hi. Sam is here and it’s hard to talk. I should have told you to call before seven. Can you meet me tomorrow morning at eleven at Mender’s Flea market? I need to talk with you.”

“Sure, I can meet you. I won’t keep you. Hang in there.”

“Who was on the phone?” Sam asked as he entered the kitchen to get another beer.

“Lisa.”

“I thought you stopped seeing her. You know I don’t like her!”

“She called. It would be impolite not to speak to her.”

“Well, better to be rude since she’s a bad influence and always putting crazy ideas in your head!”