Falling into Place

By Paula Marquis

Falling into Place explores unexpected twists in life that do not change who we are but may lead us to wonder what could have been. One hidden truth is revealed when a young woman learns she is adopted and who she believes her real father to be. Then, and years later, a DNA test changes the facts of her existence, as well as the lives of other families, once again.

About the Author
Paula Marquis grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attended Carrick High School. She graduated from ICM School of Business as Valedictorian of the Medical Office Assistant Program and has worked in many capacities in health care. Family is very special to Marquis. She and her husband relocated to Virginia to be with their children and grandsons. Marquis is active in her church community.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: May 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9798890277718

Book preview

ONE

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I grew up in the city of Pittsburgh. We lived in a modest home on Suncrest Street in the Knoxville section of the city. My parents were Joe and Theresa. I had four siblings: Jim who was four years older than me; Mary who was two years older; Bob who was six months older… wait… something wasn’t quite right… and Mike who was two years younger than me.

We were a normal family. Dad worked in the warehouse at HJ Heinz and Mama stayed home with us. I can’t say that Mama didn’t work because taking care of a family was a difficult job, especially with five children less than six years apart.

Mama loved to bake. The smell of freshly baked cookies would linger throughout the neighborhood. Sometimes the neighborhood kids would come by when she was baking to watch her. I think it was because they knew they would get a cookie or brownie once they cooled.

We didn’t own a car, which is unheard of these days, but since we lived in the city, public transportation was readily accessible. I can remember riding the streetcar downtown but most times we took the bus.

There were lots of kids on Suncrest Street. Some of my fondest memories were those of my first friend, Debbie. Her family moved to our neighborhood when I was four years old. I can remember how excited I was when I ran in the house and told Mama, I made a friend who moved in right across the street. I think I spent more time at Debbie’s house than I did at my own. This included playing all day and at times staying for supper. Often, we had sleepovers because we didn’t want to end the day.

We also played with the other neighborhood kids who were all similar in age. We would play from morning until night. Playing Red Rover, Mother May I, and It Taggers were some of our favorites. Streets were safer to play in back then. Not many cars came by to interrupt our play. When a car did come down the street, one of us would yell CAR and we would all scatter to one side of the street or the other. We played in the evenings after supper as well but had to be home when the streetlights went on.

Debbie, her younger sister Sharon, along with my sister Mary and I would ride bikes for hours and go on bike hikes after packing a lunch or snacks to take along.

I can remember every night around six o’clock, Gill the ice ball man would stop by the neighborhood. He had a triangle that he rang so the kids would know he was in the neighborhood. Gill sold snow cones and soft pretzels from the back of his station wagon. I can remember how excited we would get when he arrived each evening. Snow cones were 10 cents and soft pretzels were a nickel