CHANGES
Chapter 1
Prelude:
The 1960's brought prosperity, Vietnam War, Civil Rights Movement, British Invasion (Music), Space Exploration, Woodstock and the Counterculture Revolution.
Chapter 1
Jack Thornton was just completing his senior year in 1962. He was attending UC Berkley in the fall majoring in Criminal Justice along with entering the ROTC program on a full scholarship. Jack knew that after graduation he would have to give at least eight years to the Army.
Elizabeth Thatcher was also finishing her senior year, and attending UC Berkley majoring in Nursing. However, Elizabeth came from a very wealthy family, living in Beverly Hills, her father was a major movie producer in Hollywood. It wasn't unusual for Elizabeth to be around big name movie stars. Her parents kept her three sisters very grounded and out of the craziness of Hollywood.
Fall
UC Berkley in the 1960's was known for being very liberal, however the education was extremely good. As Jack and Elizabeth enjoyed their last senior year with their families, they were both attending Freshman Orientation in June of 1962. The orientation was 2 full days with one night in the dorm. Elizabeth was brought to campus in a limo, and Jack in his 1957 Ford truck that his grandfather gave him. As Elizabeth was walking through campus going to her assigned dorm, she suddenly was pushed accidently by another student.
What the heck? said Elizabeth
Excuse me, as Jack was tongue tied, he had never seen or met anyone so beautiful or polished. I am so sorry, here let me pick up your things.
Elizabeth was also mortified and speechless, How, can anyone look so handsome?
Jack just stood there waiting for Elizabeth to accept his apology, she just nodded, finally she spoke to Jack and introduced herself as Elizabeth Thatcher, Jack's mouth dropped as he knew who her dad was.
Oh, my you must think I am a nutcase, it isn't often or never that I meet someone from Hollywood," YOUR" dad is famous, and his movies are amazing. Here I am rattling, so you are here for Freshman Orientation? Why didn't go Brown or some Ivy league school back east? Your parents let you go to UC Berkley? Elizabeth tried to get in a word, but Jack kept talking. Elizabeth finally said, listen I do not even know your name yet? So, sorry my name is Jack Thornton from Northern California. Nice to meet you. Well Jack let's just clear the air, since you recognized my name, Yes, my dad is famous, yes, I live in a mansion, yes, I know movie stars, yes, we have maids, chauffer's, gardeners, and we are extremely rich and I did not want to go anywhere but UC Berkley because they have the best Nursing School in California anything else? Jack looked at her with a huge smile and said, let's start over. I am Jack and you are Elizabeth and we are both going to be freshman at UC Berkley. Let's go find the building we are supposed to meet in. They walked quietly side by side not sure of what to talk about. Elizabeth thought well I might as well break this silence so Jack what are you studying? Jack answered, majoring in Criminal Justice and on a full scholarship in the Army ROTC. That is the only way I could go to college. Elizabeth said oh, see Elizabeth my family are farmers and I am the first to go to college. Elizabeth was stunned in her circle of friends everyone had money and the finer things in life. However, she also knew that her dad also was brought up on a farm in Northern California, and was the first to leave his family to go to college and fight in WWII. Her mom was a nurse too, her father and mom met in Hawaii just before Pearl Harbor. Elizabeth gave Jack a beautiful smile and said, Jack we have a lot in common. Jack said, what do you mean, so Elizabeth explained her background and that they spend their summers on the farm in Northern California the farm is in Lakeport. Jack just looked at her stunned are you kidding me our farm is only thirty miles from Lakeport. Wow I wonder why we never met before, Elizabeth just smiled and thought maybe we will this summer. Freshman orientation comprised of a tour, talking to faculty members in your major, joining fraternities or sororities, getting involved in clubs and picking classes. Once Jack and Elizabeth arrived at the building they went their separate ways, secretly hoping to run into each other later. Neither one saw each other again until they were leaving, Elizabeth was waiting for her ride and Jack was walking to the student parking lot when they saw each other again. They exchanged pleasantries and went their separate ways. Although Jack decided he would find the farm that Elizabeth parents owned.
Summer of 1962
Jack was so busy on the farm, and hadn't really thought about Elizabeth. Only at night when he went to bed he would think of her beautiful smile. He asked his Pap one day where the Thatcher farm was? Well why would you want to know that? because pap I met her, one of the Thatcher daughters at UC Berkley, and she is so pretty and nice. The farm is about thirty-five miles from here, and very protected since Abe and Maude's son became famous. Pap what? How do you know them? Well son, I was friends with Maude before she married Abe. Friends? Yes, our parents always believed we would get married, but we both fell in love with different people, we were just friends. I haven't thought about her family in years. The family farm was called Quinn's. That is the Thatcher farm? Yep, I believe it is still a working farm with hired hands. You know Jack I may still have a picture of Maude somewhere, let's go look in the attic. As Jack and Pap were looking for pictures of Elizabeth's grandma, Elizabeth and her family were heading to the farm. When they arrived Grandma Maude was rocking on the porch. Hi Grandma! Elizabeth said and gave her a big hug and kiss. Well Grams what are we going to do this summer since it is just you and me? Gram said, picking, canning and keeping the horses ridden and maintained. You do not ride anymore grams, Yes, but you do. How about some lunch Beth and you can tell me all about orientation? Well Grams it was fantastic, I picked my classes, walked the campus and found a sorority I might join and I met the cutest boy by coincidence. Really tell more said Grandma, he doesn't or his family farm is not too far from here. Um what is his last name? Thornton. Oh, my word I haven't heard that name in so long. What Grams do you know his family? Well my dear our families wanted us to marry. Meaning his Grandfather and I we were very good friends. We were just friends though we both fell in love with other people and drifted apart. Really, well after we finish lunch let me see if I can find a picture of Patrick.
Little did Elizabeth and Jack know but their grandparents were formulating a plan…
To be continued: