The House of the Good Times

By Molly Blake

It is 1971 when twenty-three-year-old Evie first spots Chet in a laundromat in the town of Winthrop. She is a medical receptionist. He is charming, intelligent, and ready to begin a new career as an on-air radio personality in Boston. Their attraction is immediate.

 

The following night, Chet and Evie go on their first date. As romance quickly blooms, it soon becomes evident they are made for each other. When he is in town, Chet stays at a place he calls the House of the Good Times—and it certainly lives up to its name. After Evie decides he is the one, she dreams of a future with him that includes marriage, a family, and of course, a lifetime of happiness. Unfortunately her dreams are short-lived as Chet’s true character is eventually revealed. Now Evie must somehow find a way to attain her own dreams and fulfillment, without depending on Chet.

 

In this coming-of-age tale, a young woman who falls in love with a dashing radio broadcaster during the early seventies is ultimately led on a journey of self-discovery where she realizes the joy of independence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Dec 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781480871762

Molly Blake

Molly Blake grew up in Connecticut. She is passionate about living a life full of adventure and humor. Molly has two children and currently resides in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. The House of the Good Times is her debut novel.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

W HERE HAVE ALL THE HIPPIES gone? A few went to Winthrop to find their fortunes.

It was 12:15 on Tuesday, September 28, 1971, at the laundromat on Pike Road in Winthrop. Evie smoked as she sat knitting and watching two guys drag their bags of laundry to the washing machines. The first one, William, was a willowy figure with Gumby-like movements, dark black wavy hair, and equally dark eyes. He sat slouched on the folding table, also smoking, and he watched his friend Chet fill the washing machines.

William felt tired from the previous night. He only had a few hours of sleep. Taking another drag from his Camel cigarette, he started to cough deep in his lungs. As William remembered the night before, he thought back, and he knew he had too much Scotch and marijuana to recall what he had done.

Chet was chatting up the woman in the nurse’s uniform. William shook his head, knowing he did not have the confidence to approach a woman. The only girls he felt connected to were the twins, Emily and Emma. They had initiated a conversation with him in The Café, a local bar frequented by the singles, and they quickly became William’s pillars of strength. William kept a smoke screen up to hide behind, and it had served him well.

William left the laundromat, and in his car, he rolled a joint and inhaled a cloud. A swig from his flask brought back memories of his college days. William wondered if any of the Jesuits priests were still there. Sitting in the car, he felt dizzy and tired. He closed his eyes.

Evie thought to herself that they were a couple and she was impressed with Chet’s sorting. Finishing up, Chet deposited the fifty cents for each of the machines. Evie found Chet to be of medium height with a barrel chest, basic brown hair, and simmering blue eyes, all while sporting a thick mustache.

Chet asked Evie, Do you have a light?

Evie handed him her matches and watched him light his cigarette and blow the smoke out.

Chet said, Thanks. I’m Chet. What’s your name?

Evie. She was taken by his voice, deep and husky, like a broadcaster.

As she sat in her white nurse’s uniform dress with an orange Fair Isle sweater and matching ribbon in her long and shiny hair, she thought Chet was straight as his eyes lingered on her oval, freckled face and blue-green eyes. Then he moved down to her legs.

Are you a hairdresser? questioned Chet.

Insulted by the question, Evie replied, No, I work in a doctor’s office. I am the receptionist for two doctors. The office is on Flower Lane.

We have a house on Hospital Drive, across from the hospital. We call it House of the Good Times. Where do you live? queried Chet.

I have an apartment with a roommate on Ferry Street, right off River Avenue, just a short walk to your house. Funny how we have never run into each other. Are you from Winthrop?

I have been here for a couple of months. There’s about five of us staying at the house. I am originally from Cove Town, said Chet.

I’m from Winthrop.

Chet looked pleased. Would you join us for lunch?

It’s my afternoon off, and I have a few errands to run.

Chet, never one to take no as an answer, had one more question. Can I have your phone number? Maybe we can go to a dinner and see a movie.

Evie gave him a wrong number because she wasn’t sure she liked the idea of being picked up at a laundromat. Coming in the door was William. Chet called him over and introduced him to Evie.

Hi. Evie began putting her laundry in the dryers. She thought she might be sorry she had given him the wrong number.

Chet could be the one I’m looking for.

Late in the afternoon, Evie was ironing her clean clothes, and she stopped to answer the phone. She immediately recognized Chet’s voice. She was surprised to hear from him.

Chet said, I had to go to the phone book to find you! Would you be free tomorrow night for dinner?

Evie was a little hesitant, but liking his voice and his good looks, she asked, What restaurant?

The Steak House.

She accepted the invitation. Finishing up her ironing, Evie showered and began her ritual of drying her hair with a silk scarf. It took quite a bit of time to dry her hair completely, but she thought it was worth it because of the shine and texture of her hair.

That evening, she was dressed in her new sea green corduroy blazer, plaid skirt with a sea green background, white blouse, and a matching ribbon for her chestnut-colored hair. Chet wasn’t too late, and Evie thought he looked relaxed and in control. Chet drove a red Corvair with bucket seats. Evie thought only boys with red cars were showing off.

The restaurant was half filled, not bad for a Wednesday night. They settled in with drinks and menus.

Chet asked Evie, What was it like growing up here in Winthrop, one of the richest or maybe only town to have such wealthy residents?

Some kids came to school by limo, others by car pools, and quite a few by bus. It did not matter to any of the kids what status their family was. I had a terrific childhood. It is a wonderful town to grow up in. Evie laughed. One guy’s theory was that whoever he went out with depended on the length of her driveway.

Chet got a kick out of that. I’ll have to remember to tell William and the others about that story. We decided to live in Winthrop because we all wanted to meet someone, preferably well off."

Chet called the waiter over and ordered drinks. Then he asked Evie what she wanted for her dinner. She asked for the surf and turf. Chet followed Evie’s order. They went to the salad bar as they waited for their drinks.

The Steak House was known to have the best salad bar in town. The offerings included three different lettuces, tomatoes, green and red peppers, cucumbers, carrots, red Bermuda onions, bread crumbs, and bacon bits, to name a few. The bar also included fruit slices like watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe.

Piling their plates, Evie and Chet admitted they were hungry. Soon the waiter cleared their salad plates and served their main entrée and a carafe of red wine. The two of them were quiet as they savored every bite.

Thinking while she ate, Evie decided she liked Chet. He was interested in her and her life, but she had to know more about him if she were to consider him as possibly the one.

Finishing her lobster tail, Evie questioned Chet about his background and what he did for employment. Chet scraped back his chair, wiped his mouth with his napkin, and looked content with himself. Chet explained that he was the only adopted child and his grandparents were rich. He had served two years in the army, stationed in DC. He was starting a career in broadcasting. He was greatly influenced by Andy in the AM. He wanted to follow in his footsteps. A radio station in the Boston marketplace had just hired him as an on-air personality.

The House of the Good Times. Why do you call it that? quizzed Evie.

It’s in the atmosphere. The house gives off good vibes. People come into the house to relieve tension by relaxing to music and enjoying a high with good conversation and debates.

Evie was feeling a bit intoxicated. I should get home.

Chet was getting the waiter’s attention. As he was pulling out his wallet, a Diner’s Club card fell out, and he explained he was with them for a short time. Walking out of the restaurant, Evie thanked Chet for the delicious dinner and enjoyable company.

Chet drove carefully back to Evie’s. He did not want to get a ticket for drunk driving. Parking in front of Evie’s place, he leaned in for a goodnight kiss, and she responded. Evie thought it was such a good kiss that she should not stop, but they were in bucket seats.

Not wanting to seem too forward, she pulled away. That was nice!

Chet collected himself. I would postpone my trip to Boston till Friday if you were available to go out the next night.

I’d be delighted!

By that kiss, Chet was getting closer to being the one.

CHAPTER 2

T HE NEXT MORNING FOUND EVIE early at work as she waited for the two assistants to the doctors to arrive. Barbara was next to come in, and the two girls relaxed in the breakroom with a cup of coffee Evie had made. Evie told Barbara about her date the previous night and her acceptance of another night out.

Surprise flashed over Barbara’s face about the coming evening. Evie didn’t find many guys that were worthy of a second date. Coming through the door was the other assistant, Sandi. She did not join the two. Instead she went to her desk and began to type.

The morning went quickly for Evie as she answered phones, took callback numbers, called in lab work and x-rays, greeted the patients as they came in, and filed patient’s charts. The work did not stop Evie from thinking about Chet.

The office closed for lunch from 12:00 to 2:00, and today Evie went home. After finishing her tuna salad, she went to the phone book and looked up one gynecologist, Dr. Andrews. He had a very good reputation. Evie was twenty-three years old, and she could not think of anything worse than being an unwed mom. Her youngest sister was only six years old. Evie knew what it was like to take care of a baby.

Evie had a set idea of how she would give up her virginity. It did not have her on a blanket at the park, in the back of a VW bus, or on the rug in the living room, all which were attempted by guys she had given a chance.

Also she thought back to the summer of the moon landing. Evie and some friends from work had gone to the Beach Village for the weekend. On Saturday, the group went out for drinks. They went to one bar that was crowded with people dancing and playing pool.

One guy started talking to Evie and asked her to play pool. The two were drawn to each other and found themselves slow dancing to the music. Before Evie was ready, the group was leaving. She accepted a ride with her new friend. She did not know his name.

As they drove off, Evie questioned, Are you sure you know the way to the house?

As they drove down the road, it became darker and darker with no houses in sight. He pulled into a parking spot on the side of the road. He pulled Evie to him, and she pushed back. It turned confrontational.

Evie pleaded with him, Take me back to the house! Quickly the isolated area got Evie nervous. I want to go back to the house.

She was scared of the guy and what he might do in such a deserted area.

Take off your skirt, and lay back!

No! Take me back.

We’re going to have sex, so lay back and enjoy it.

I’m not going to have sex with you. So you can just take me home.

Reaching to the rear seat, he pulled up a tire iron and brandished it before Evie’s face. She realized she was in danger and he could kill her. And who knew when someone would come by?

Let me have a cigarette, and I won’t fight you anymore. She struck a match and lit her cigarette.

As he moved toward her, she took a drag and pushed her lit cigarette into the side of his face.

What are you? You crazy bitch! You burned my face. Everyone can see it!

I’ll hurt you more if you don’t take me back, Evie said calmly.

Getting in the back seat with the tire iron, Evie held it over his head. He started the car and turned around to head back to town. The guy raved about how good it would be and bragged that he was physically endowed.

After he pulled into the long, winding driveway, Evie jumped out of the car and ran to the porch. As she was going through the house, she noticed everyone was either on a bed or couch. People were in sleeping bags and in hammocks on the porch. There was one rocking chair left on the upstairs porch.

Throwing herself into the chair, Evie started to shake and cry. She couldn’t get over what had happened to her. She thought how foolish she had been to go off with a guy, not knowing at least his name.

Evie never told anyone what had taken place. She buried the incident deep inside. Chet had the opportunity to be the one, to consummate the experience. It was in reach for Chet.

CHAPTER 3

T HE AFTERNOON FLEW BY, AND Evie hurried home to change from her white uniform to a pink and green plaid skirt with a matching pink blouse and hair ribbon and a black velvet blazer. Chet called and suggested they go see a movie, Clockwork Orange , and then return to the house. That sounded good to Evie.

Chet picked up Evie, and when they arrived at the movie theatre, before they got out of the car, Chet pulled out a plastic bag with marijuana and rolling papers.

Rolling a joint, Chet asked Evie, Would you like some?

Chet lit the joint, inhaled, held it for a few seconds, and, exhaling, handed the joint over to Evie. She was not used to smoking dope, but she thought a few hits would not be bad. Doing so, Evie felt tight and dizzy.

Pretty good stuff, don’t you think? questioned Chet as he put the weed and papers back in the plastic bag and tucked it into his jacket.

As they walked into the movie theatre, the glaring lights confused Evie, and she held on to Chet’s arm to steady herself. Evie had a habit of losing her balance.

The two found seats in the back of the theatre, and Evie tried to focus on the screen and the messages about the coming attractions. When the movie came on, Evie tried to follow the dialogue and scenes as best she could. In time, the high started to come down. She relaxed and realized she had no idea what she was watching.

After the show that Chet seemed to enjoy, Evie was lost about what she had seen. They went to pick up some wine and then headed to Hospital Lane. The house was set back from the street, and bushes hid it from view. It was no wonder she never noticed it.

Walking up the front steps, Evie heard loud music coming from inside the house. Opening the door, she was engulfed by smoke, both marijuana and cigarettes. The living room was on the left of the front hall, and on the right were the stairs to the second floor.

Entering into the living room, Evie saw it was lit by candle power. Toward the back of the room was a large, round coffee table with the roommates sitting around it.

Matt, William, and Carrie sat in wing chairs circling the table. Clutter was on the table, which was littered with ashtrays, beer cans, a Scotch bottle, and a bag of weed. Greeting everyone, Chet made the introductions of Matt and Carrie, who said hello. William gave her the peace sign. Opening a bottle of wine, Chet got plastic