Stories
Love At First Sight
by Joe Collins

Chapter I

Captain Jack Conley, U.S. N. (retired)

A cold and dank night met “America II” as it crept into dock. Captain Jack Conley was at the helm and it had been six months since his feet had been on land. The next day would be for Jack the end of over 25 years in the submarine service. He was looking forward to the flight to El Paso, Texas to meet his wife, Nora, of some 20 years. Six months at sea is like years on land.

Picking up his brief case and a few personal items he saluted America II as he turned to leave … forever, the “place” that had been his home for many tours of duty. Much of that duty had been in the dark places near the Vietnam action and actually had been strafed a few times. Knowing that he was HOME for good elated him no end and he was anxious to call Nora and let her know he would be on the next available flight to El Paso and begin his retirement… and at still an early age.

A huge stack of mail awaited Jack Conley as he passed through the Operations office yet he opted to take it with him to his hotel room where he could relax and read later in peace.

Placing the stack of mail which included magazines and general junk mail on the table, he showered, put together a stiff scotch and water and sat down to begin to sort through his mail…tossing the junk mail into the trash … as he sorted. Surprisingly, there was NO letter from Nora.. He had been gone 6 months… surely this was a mistake. An impressive envelope from an attorney that he knew in El Paso was the only legitimate mail. With hesitancy, he opened the mail to find very official looking papers. A personal note from his attorney friend said he was sorry to be the bearer of bad news. The papers were the final divorce decree from Nora. Earlier papers had been sent, but lost at sea. She could wait NO longer and had found someone else. Conley was acquainted with the gentleman who would be taking his place in “his old household”. They had even played golf together on many occasions and was a nice man…but, not nice enough to stay away from Nora. The short note from the attorney indicated that he had not been successful in reaching him to apprise him of the events in El Paso, and if agreeable, simply sign at the many X’s and return. The X’s gave the house, the savings account, the XR7 that Jack SO loved to drive and all internal household goods with the exception of personal effects. The attorney was nice enough to have all those boxed and would keep them until his return.

Only slightly stunned, Jack…with a freshly made scotch in hand…leaned back in the lounge chair…reflecting the last time he was home on leave and the chill that was in the air, even then, with Nora… No thought was given until Nora was not interested in making love with him, on his last night at home … when she knew he would be gone for another six months. The headache came on just at bedtime and sorrows were extended.

THEN, lights began to blink and truth coming clear and evident. He should NOT have chosen the submarine service, yet he was in the service when he and Nora married… He lost a wife in the process and a woman he had been in love with since High School days in an El Paso School.

AND now, he had been divorced for over three months and didn’t even know it.

Wearily, he sat his unfinished scotch on the night stand…crawled under the covers and slept fitfully. The flight to El Paso would be cancelled and New York City was going to be his the next few days and he might consider re-enlisting in the Submarine service. Conley was due for promotion in a few short months. Many options preyed on his mind as he finished his scotch.

Charlene Ragsdale, Educator

Charlene Ragsdale, a beautiful and slightly sophisticated lady of 50 had made a career of teaching in various high schools in the New York area. She had graduated from the University of Indiana, and was from an old time farming family. She opted for the city life … New York City became home. She had met and fell deeply in love with a young Air Force Pilot. Wedding dates were set. Several trips to the Bahamas during school break and when her “intended” could take the time off. Viet Nam was over, yet an Air Force career had been discussed. A heated love affair ended abruptly when her “intended” was killed in a plane crash, just off Long Island. Schools and teaching then became her life and constantly was “brushing off” men who sought her company. Her apartment, when NOT in school, was her hide-a-way and only when necessary would she venture to the outside world for necessities. Television, video movies and reading were her life. Even at the insistence of her family that she meet someone, she preferred the solitary life she had led for some 15 years. Someday, MAYBE she would think about it… NOT now. In the meantime, she decided a trip to the supermarket was in order as she slid into a comfortable, yet not reaching the knees, dress and departed for the supermarket.

Settling In

Meanwhile, Jack Conley had opted, for certain, to NOT return to El Paso, found an apartment and was spending a goodly amount of time considering his future… unknown to him, and, not far from his apartment was the apartment of Charlene Ragsdale. Which meant nothing at the time as his objective was to settle somewhere and think about the future.

A third floor apartment was selected giving Jack a good view of downtown Manhattan … yet far enough away from heavy traffic. After several trips to hardware and furniture stores, Jack was at home finally… a long way from El Paso, Texas. The only thing he needed now was FOOD and he pondered the direction to the nearest market.

The Crash

FOOD… Food was needed in the newly occupied apartment of Jack Conley. Asking neighbors, a supermarket was located in walking distance. To the supermarket he went and with shopping cart in hand he began to fill it with items he needed.

In the next aisle…slowly browsing the shelves was this Charlene Ragsdale. With only a few items, mostly unneeded, in her cart and without looking around the corner at the end of the aisle… A CRASH came when two carts met head on. Food and a few necessary female items was scattered about the aisle floor.

Immediately Jack Conley apologized as he began trying to sort out the various items. Charlene was standing nearby, really not believing what had happened as she also tried to vocalize her apologies.

As Jack was tossing items into the separate carts… asking if THIS was hers…or was it his… he could not help but notice two well proportioned and beautiful legs that showed skin almost to the thigh. After all, six months at sea, there are some things that take priority. Then, for the first time… he looked her in the eyes and stood before her…hand outstretched with an introduction and a convincing statement that the CRASH was his entire fault.

Apologies accepted, Jack Conley could not resist offering to buy this newly found lady a drink. “Charlene, may I make amends by buying you a drink? I noticed a quiet lounge just around the corner.”

For some unknown reason, she accepted and the two carts were left in the aisle. Food and other items still scattered as Jack and Charlene left for the lounge.

Obviously, both were noticeably nervous at first. At the nearby bar, and after a Scotch and water for Jack and a glass of Red wine for Charlene, the nervousness soon was gone. Exchanging “short” life histories and with Charlene feeling comfortable, she accepted Jack’s offer to call a cab and go to Times Square. Nether had anyone to ask for permission or to report to… so Times square it was.. The day was Friday… No school tomorrow or Sunday. Charlene asked for and was given permission to stop by her apartment for a few items and the cab was kept waiting.

NEW YORK CITY and TIMES SQUARE belonged to two very needy people. Timing was right.

Second thoughts!!

At her apartment and while sorting through dresser drawers for what “she didn’t know”… she began to wonder, ”What have I gotten myself in for”. I less than 5 minutes she had agreed to go for a “drink” and after only a glass of Red wine had agreed to go to Times Square for dinner with a man that could very well be a serial killer or rapist… Yet… the short look in his eyes reflected a deep need … a need that she could not yet understand. She had agreed to go… it had been months…even years, since she had been in the company of a man. Second thoughts were tossed out the window and in her mind she said… “WHY NOT”.

For some reason, she only filled her purse with a few items and made her way to the waiting taxi and the man Jack Conley… a man she had just met…not 30 minutes before. AND, for some reason, a certain amount of excitement filled her and she felt all right about the arrangement.

Times Square and A Restaurant

Jack Conley had NO idea where or which direction was Times Square… so, as they settled in the back seat of the taxi, he asked Charlene to give instructions to the taxi driver… She did and in less than 10 minutes they alighted from the taxi. Jack handed a $10 bill to the driver with a thank you and instruction to keep the change.

Almost as if in a dream, Jack Conley and Charlene Ragsdale were in the middle of the vastness of Times Square…along with millions of other people. Two people… a man… and a woman…barely knowing each others names…whose grocery carts had collided…were now alone…yet among hordes of people.

Looking at each other, as they walked toward a restaurant…and for no apparent reason…they broke into laughter … and Charlene let Jack put his arm around her, momentarily, as they laughed at their circumstances.

Then, the reason for this excursion… dine at a Times Square Restaurant was mentioned.. A first time in New York City, Jack suggests that she make the choice. After some thought… and a looking around…suddenly she said, let’s try Chanterelle. SO, Chanterelle it was…and Jack had NO idea the menu..

A light rain had begun to fall as the two walked toward the restaurant. Charlene let Jack hold her hand so that they would not become separated in the crowd. Inside the restaurant, they were told that dinner was by reservation only and needed their name to locate their place.

NO reservation? Jack tried his persuasive manner to talk their way to a small table as the rain was now coming down in sheets out of doors and most likely those who had reservations would NOT come. Because of that, he succeeded and they were seated near a window… a table for two. It was 6 p.m. Red wine was ordered and a menu placed at their table. And the rain was coming down in sheets.

Strangers at a table

Suddenly, a hush came over the table as these two “strangers” looked across the table at each other... Jack attempted to “break the ice” by tipping their glasses together.. WHICH they did…sat their glasses down and simply looked at each other in a bit of dismay.

Almost simultaneously, it became apparent that “something” needed to be done … or call a taxi and return home. Before that thought became a reality, Charlene started talking. Maybe, it was the wine talking… but talking she did. Explaining to Jack her occupation, her general likes and dislikes and other non material subjects. Not once did she mention the death of the man she once loved.

Jack, sitting almost stoically, was thoroughly enjoying watching this new found female friend as she talked…as she used her hands and her motions as she talked. He was happy that wine had been ordered. As she talked, Jack studied her every movement…her every word … evident that he was talking with an educated person, yet could sense warmth coming through the words… for some reason.

As quickly as she started talking, she suddenly stopped…. And with no hesitation told Jack... “That is the story of my life…now it is your turn”…. And sipped more wine.

Jack Conley was reluctant to begin with the beginning or ending of his marriage, so his life as a sailor was the subject matter for another wine …for each. He told her of his desire to be involved with Submarines and the necessary requirements to become a Submariner. His first time out to sea, in a submarine, and the closeness of the crewmembers and how fighting solitude was the number one enemy that would need to be overcome. Jack told her of his life on the farm and his lack of desire to become a farmer after school. His four years at Texas A & M was a good subject that took several minutes…as these two began to know a LITTLE more history.

Jack then told her, of his first time to return to his home after enlisting in the Navy. He felt it necessary to tell her about Nora… how they had known each other, how she knew his love for the sea… and finally he told of their marriage. Yet, no mention of “troubles” because of his chosen field of duty and his being away from home for months. Jack did remind her that a war was going and he explained to Nora that he was subject to obeying orders. He told Charlene that he was very much in love with Nora. Their plans, after the war, and after his return to civilian life included raising a family of 3 or 4 children, buying a little place out in the country, without farming ……in Texas and live happily ever after.

It was evident that Jack and Charlene were becoming more at ease with each other, even if wine could be blamed. She then told Jack about the man she planned to marry… an Air Force person …. A person she loved fiercely that had died in a fiery plane crash, on Long Island, not far from where they were sitting… Jack then told Charlene about returning from 6 months of submarine duty and the divorce. Briefly telling her that he was not totally shocked….still sorry.

Both expressed sorrow of the losses, then ordered a full bottle of Red wine and decided that maybe some food would be in order. Neither could understand the menu, so they suggested to their waiter that he surprise them with their order. Shortly, crab legs arrived… then a rib eye steak…. And it was 11 o’clock. With the wine working well and the steak and crab legs filling their hunger pangs, it was now decision time…”what do we do now?”

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