Free The Day Steam Died by Dick Brown Page B

lady.”
    “Momma please, you’re embarrassing Jerry. We need to get going. We’ll be home by eleven.”
    “Be sure you wear a heavy coat and boots. It’s cold out!” She hadn’t been treating Ann much like a little girl since the move, but perhaps it was seeing her dating again that brought that motherly aspect out again.
    “Yes, Momma. Don’t let little Rickie stay up too late. In bed by seven, okay?”
    “You act like I’ve never raised a child before,” Alice chided. “You two go on and have a good time. Stay out as late as you like. I can take care of things here.”
    Once outside, Jerry took Ann by the arm and led her to his truck. He opened the door for her and shut it after she’d climbed inside, a big grin on his face.
    Ann felt warmth in her chest thinking about him. He’d seemed to have some genuine affection for Ricky even in that brief moment, which made her feel safe around him. She’d allowed herself to grow fonder of Jerry than she realized and was beginning to move on with her life without Rick.
    “That wasn’t so bad, was it? I mean going out with me, not the movie,” Jerry joked as they crossed the theater’s parking lot toward his pickup truck.
    The windows steamed up on the inside from their warm breath until the truck’s heater dispatched the frost. It felt a little odd having their first conversation away from the office and not talking about work.
    “It was a great movie,” Ann said, breaking the silence. “I seldom listen to popular music on the radio anymore. Rock and roll is changing so fast. The music is so loud you can’t hear or understand the singer. I guess I’m kind of square for liking musical soundtracks and folk music, especially the Kingston Trio.”
    “Not at all. I feel the same way,” Jerry said. “I have a huge record collection of all the great early fifties music. You’ll have to come over and check it out sometime.”
    “I’d like that.”
    The cab was cozy on the drive home. By the time they’d decided the growing popularity of folk music was superior to the new rock and roll, they arrived at Ann’s house.
    “I had a good time tonight,” Ann confided when they reached the front door. Jerry was standing a bit close, so he probably wanted to kiss her. But that was rushing her too much. “See you Monday.” She gave Jerry a soft peck on the cheek before he could make his move then slipped inside.
    She leaned against the door with her eyes closed. That final night with Rick flashed back into her mind, but it wasn’t painful anymore. It was a fading memory losing its hold on her. She wanted Jerry to kiss her and went to sleep knowing there would be another chance. It would be different next time.

Chapter 12
    “Traveling by train was the only way to travel in comfort and safety before there were Interstate highways and airlines.”
    March 1961
    The warehouse office was a warm retreat from the icy rain that made hanging off the side of a boxcar almost unbearable as it crept up to the loading dock.
    “Whooee, it’s cold out there.” Jerry shook off the cold water as a wet dog would. “Reminds me of those days in Inchon Harbor.” He pulled his rain gear off and stood as close to the heater as he could without scorching his clothes.
    From his collection of NASCAR cups, Ann held out a steaming mug. “Maybe some hot coffee will help.”
    “Winter is hanging on way too long. March is truly going out like a Lion, so we should have some pretty weather coming up in April and May.”
    It seemed like the weather and little Ricky was all he could ever find to talk about with Ann. Even though they’d been dating for a year, Ann still wasn’t ready to make a serious commitment.
    “Hey, our first anniversary is coming up this weekend,” Jerry said. “How about we go to Liberoni’s for dinner to celebrate? And before you say you have to check with your mother, I already have, and she says it’s fine with her to keep Ricky.”
    “Well, aren’t you the