The Secret Lives of Sarah Hausman

The Secret Lives of Sarah Hausman

A SOUL IN PROGRESS

By

Janet Dense

Copyright © 2005, 2006 by Janet Dense.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely

co-incidental.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

About The Author

Janet Dense is a native Californian who now resides in Roseburg, Oregon. The loss of her 23-year-old daughter in an auto accident in 1987 prompted her to explore the deeper meaning of life. Through the written word she shares her belief in both Christianity and reincarnation. The story of Sarah Hausman serves not only to entertain, but to challenge the reader to give thought to what brought them to their present circumstances and their final destination when they leave this life. Janet’s goal is to live each day of her life for God.

Prologue

From the ceiling of the back porch Sarah Hausman looked down upon her lifeless form as Nurse May attempted to check her pulse. She heard Nurse May gasp, Mrs. Puchaneli, now don’t you go and die on me. Talk to me, Oh my goodness. I’d better get Doc Swanson Nurse May left to run to the phone.

As Sarah’s spirit floated away from her body her entire life flashed before her as though it were a matter of seconds. As she reviewed all the events the one thought remained. Where did I go wrong? If only I could live my life over again. How different things would be. I was once so innocent.

Before the veil of forgetfulness began covering her mind a cloudy picture of that innocent child flickered through her consciousness. Born in 1898 in a small rural town called Plymouth, Indiana, Sarah Hausman had been raised on county fairs and lollipops and cotton candy. She went to Sunday school and learned to love Jesus. She believed in God and Holy Angels and Heaven. She’d heard about Hell, and was told there was a devil, but she didn’t like to think about those things.

As she peered briefly into the past, she saw an old preacher standing on a pulpit spewing fire and damnation out of his mouth. In fact all the preachers she had known liked to yell at the top of their lungs about sin and damnation for all those who wallowed in it.

Well, she didn’t know if there really was a hell or a devil, but rather than take any chances she decided early in life that she would walk the straight and narrow. Oh, sure, there were times when she became a teenager that boys would push to see how far they could go with her, but she knew where to draw the line and that was that! First base or no base, she would tell them.

Not that it was easy for her. Boys were attracted to her like bees to honey. Her aqua blue eyes and honey blonde hair, which she inherited from her father’s German ancestry, weren’t the only things they were attracted to. Behind her back they would snicker and refer to her as Jersey maid, because she had the biggest set of bazzooms on campus. It was a real challenge to them to see who could get close enough to her to sneak a feel.

That didn’t happen very often because Sarah was always on her guard. It was during her last year at high school that Sarah fell in love with a star football player from a nearby college. His name was Ralph O’Reilly. His crooked smile and deep brown eyes took Sarah’s breath away and the course of events which followed changed her life permanently.

As the veil became darker over her eyes, Sarah was able to view the thoughts and feelings of those who had been close to her as well as her own, and the meaning of the life she had just left behind became abundantly clear.

Chapter 1

VALENTINE’S DAY DANCE

While listening to songs being played on the gramophone, Sarah and her friends who were on the decorating committee spent the afternoon of the dance stringing red and white crepe paper streamers across the high school gymnasium. Paper hearts, which the girls had cut out earlier in the day, were then pinned along the walls with photographs of the most popular students pasted in the center of each one.

Sarah made sure her heart was placed in a spot where it could be easily seen. Then she pinned the heart with a photo of Danny Cooper next to it. As she stood back and appraised her handiwork she imagined herself being swept off her feet by Danny and galloping away on a beautiful white stallion into a forest filled with singing birds and lush foliage.

Danny was the cutest boy in her history class, but Sarah knew he would be coming to the dance with Louise Olsen, so, with a sigh, she moved onto the next heart.

Sarah had been asked by two different boys to go to the dance, but the first one to ask was Roger Mudd. He reminded her of how his name sounded. Since she had turned him down she felt obligated to turn the other down as well and told him she had plans to go with a group of her friends.

While the girls finished their decorating, Mr. Johnson, the school janitor, rigged a big ball made of mirrors to be hung from the center of the ceiling so that when the lights were dimmed it would send winking shafts of light around the gymnasium as it slowly turned. It was too early in the season for fresh flowers to be used, so to finish setting the mood the girls placed scented candles around the perimeter of the room. When the girls were ready to leave they waved good-bye to Mr. Johnson, who was now beginning to build the platform for the Queen of the Sweetheart Ball.

As they walked out the door Mary Ann asked Sarah, What are you wearing tonight?

Well, my Mom helped me revamp my Easter dress. I’d hoped I could buy something new, but money’s tight right now.

Yeah, I know what you mean, said Mary Ann. My Mom’s pinching pennies too. I guess I’m going to wear my basic blue. How about you Sally?

"Looks like I’m stuck with old yeller," she said, and they all laughed.

Beth looked downward as she volunteered, At least you all have your own dresses. I’m going to have to borrow a dress from one of my older sisters.

Oh, Beth, you know you’ll look good no matter what you wear, said Mary Ann.

Beth wiped a tear from her eye, and said, I’ve never really had my own clothes. All my life I’ve had to wear hand me downs.

As the girls walked along Sarah thought, I’d gladly trade new clothes for some sisters and brothers. Mom once told me she’d tried but God had closed up her womb and that was that. When I get married, I want a big family, even if I’m poor.

The girls reached the corner where Sarah’s street began. O.K., you guys, I’ll meet you at my house at 6:30. Look sharp. One of you just might be picked to be queen. They all laughed as Sarah bowed before them.

# # #

Sarah’s home was located in the center of the block. It was a two story Victorian, painted white. In the front yard the sycamore tree was still bare of leaves, but the early signs of buds were evident if you looked close enough. In the summer months the tree provided shade for the entire yard.

As she opened the front door, Sarah called out, Mom, I’m home. Sarah didn’t need her mother to answer to know she was in the kitchen. The smell of gingerbread had teased her nostrils from two houses away.

Sarah plopped down on a chair in the kitchen and helped herself to a gingerbread cupcake. As she ate she glanced around the room. The walls were painted a warm butter yellow and white priscilla curtains adorned pop out windows which overlooked the side yard. The kitchen table and chairs had been brought from England by Sarah’s great grandmother and were one of Bertie Hausman’s prized possessions. Sarah lovingly ran her fingers across the smooth oak finish with one hand while popping the last bite of cup cake into her mouth with the other.

As Bertie removed the last batch of cupcakes from the oven she said, I hope four dozen will be enough.

It should be. Mary Ann’s mom is making the punch and Sally’s mother is making heart shaped cookies. By the way, did Chloe call?

Yes, she did, and she said she was bringing peanut brittle. She also said if you need a ride to call her. Otherwise she will see you tonight at the dance.

Thanks, Mom. I’m thirsty. Do we have any milk?

Help yourself, Kitten.

Sarah poured herself a glass of milk, and when she finished drinking it she said, I’m going up to my room. I need to roll up my hair and lay out my clothes for tonight. And then I’m going to rest a little while before I take a bath. Will you come up later and help me with my hair?

Sure. Just call me when you’re ready.

# # #

As she watched Sarah leave the room Bertie noticed her daughter’s beanpole figure had taken on the maturity of a young woman. Unlike her own small frame, which had a tiny bust, she noticed Sarah was well developed. Where had the time gone? It seemed like only yesterday that Sarah had been a child who ran around the yard playing tag with all the children in the neighborhood, and pretending to be Mom while she served the others at their tea parties.

Bertie picked up a few gingerbread crumbs from off the polished hardwood floor before she moved over to the sink to clean up the baking dishes. Her friends from church liked to tease her, saying her floors were so clean a person could eat off of them. And in her cupboards all her dishes were arranged so that they were lined up even and straight. With glass cupboard doors she took pride in how they looked from inside.

In the pantry she kept all her home canned fruits, vegetables, and dry goods. The flour sacks came in pretty flowered and paisley prints, and when they were emptied she’d saved the material to make dresses for Sarah when she was a child, and now she used them to make blouses for both herself and her daughter.

Bertie finished the last dish and removed her apron before sitting down at the table. As she tucked a stray strand of hair into her bun at the nape of her neck she thought of how content she was with her life. She and Harold had met at a church youth meeting and their friendship had blossomed into love. A few more children in the household would have made her life more complete. Nevertheless, she was thankful that God had blessed her with a beautiful, healthy daughter.

# # #

As time for the dance drew near Sarah began getting ready. After taking a quick bath she went back to her room and started dressing. While in her undergarments she took her dress off the hanger and held it with outstretched arms as she waltzed around the room. Catching her reflection in the mirror she burst out laughing at the sight of her rag curlers she had used to roll up her hair. With her index finger she poked her cheek and mockingly said, O.K., boys, who wants the first dance?

Hearing her daughter’s laughter from downstairs, Bertie came up to see what was going on.

You’re just in time to help me, Mom, said Sarah, as she struggled to pull the dress over her head.

Here, let me fasten the back, replied Bertie.

Sarah stood in front of the mirror with her hands on her hips while Bertie fussed with the snaps. She was pleased with the two toned effect of the white net they had added over the pink taffeta but Sarah felt something was missing. Mom, do you have any of that pink ribbon left that you used for the church sewing circle?

I’ll go look, said Bertie.

After a few minutes Bertie came back with a smile on her face and she wound the wide ribbon around Sarah’s waist and tied it in a bow at the back. I agree, that does look better, she said, and look, I have some pink bows for your hair.

Sarah sat down on the stool in front of her vanity mirror and began removing the tightly wound rags in the front while Bertie unwound the ones in the back. The curls came out looking like long, baby piglet tails.

Bertie used her fingers to comb through Sarah’s hair and together they lifted Sarah’s long, blond hair and pinned it to the top of her head in an upsweep hairdo. The style made Sarah appear to be more mature than she actually was. Then Bertie softened the look by placing a few petite pink bows in Sarah’s hair.

Bertie stood back and appraised her daughter’s appearance. "You look beautiful, Sarah. It almost makes me wish I were young again. I can’t believe my baby is about to become an adult. But at least for this night, you are still my child and you belong