Berry Patch, Alabama

By Jack Cathcart

BERRY PATCH, ALABAMA is a lighthearted fiction adventure that follows a family who leaves a rural town in the south and seeks a new beginning in a small mountainous western city. The story is appropriate for all generations, and it begins something like this...Hanna and her sister sneaked away from the youth retreat at the First Methodist Church and found their way to a USO dance at the Mobile Garden Center. When they arrived, the dreamy music of "Time on My Hands" drifted through the evening air. While Hannah and Martha looked through the windows into the great hall, they idealized the beautiful young girls who were dancing with the handsome Navy Ensigns. Hoping to become part of this gathering, they slipped through the front doors and shyly assumed a place near the refreshment table. It wasn't long before one of the officers stepped over and offered Martha an invitation to dance. Soon they joined the other couples who were swinging and swaying to the melody of "Some Body Loves Me." Unfortunately, Hannah continued to stand by the table wishing for an invitation like the one her sister was now enjoying. While the dance continued at the Garden Center, a bus from the near-by Navy base approached the outskirts of Mobile. The lonely seaman aboard were anxious to get to town where they might find some Saturday night entertainment; however, when the bus rolled to a stop at a red light, Seaman Tucker Wilkins spied a sign pointing to a USO dance. Seeing this as an opportunity, he jumped off the bus and followed the directions to the Garden Center. Through the open windows, he watched the dancing and listened to the musical renditions of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and other popular orchestra leaders. Desiring to be part of the party, Seaman Wilkins located the kitchen door and made his entrance. After snacking on a few dainty sandwiches and drinking a cup of sweet-tea punch, he couldn't restrain himself any longer. Tucker opened the door and walked into the great hall, and immediately his wandering eyes saw a beautiful blonde girl standing by the refreshment table. He hesitated for only a short time before walking over and introducing himself. He smiled at her and she smiled at him. Then she accepted his invitation, and a magical night began to unfold. Tucker took her hand and they joined the other couples. While gliding over the dance floor, they chatted and gazed into each other's eyes. Quite soon, they realized this perfect evening was made just for them. Many romantic tunes and many dances later, the orchestra began to play "Good Night Sweetheart." Where had the time gone? The evening was over. Then with tears in her eyes, Hannah dropped Tucker's hand, and she and Martha quickly disappeared through the front doors. Tucker tried to follow, but they were soon out of sight and lost in the darkness of the night. He could not believe that his Cinderella had disappeared so quickly. Tucker's heart was broken. The story continues...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 197428235X
• ISBN13: 9781974282357
• Release Date: October 2017
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 332 Pages
• Weight: 1.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.0"