A Season for Living

CHAPTER 1 Charlotte sat in the comfortable chair on the veranda of her Ansley Park home in Atlanta enjoying the early fall afternoon sun. The tall oak trees were beginning to turn shades of red and gold and the formal gardens at the back of their home displayed the exquisite rhododendron and hibiscus blossoms. The scarlet crepe myrtles swayed in the gentle breeze. The smells in the back yard reminded her of her childhood in Roswell, a rural farm community north of Atlanta. She spent long summer days and fall afternoons after school outside romping through the woods, climbing trees, and having outdoor tea parties with her younger sisters, Anne and Nancy. Those days seemed two lifetimes away. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the memories and the warmth that the sun so generously shared. She married John Wellington, the only son of Grant and Elizabeth Wellington on October 30, 1945. Grant was founder of Georgia Life Insurance Company in 1930. Their wealth and influence in Atlanta were well known and the status had thrust Charlotte into unfamiliar territory when they were married three years earlier. Charlotte and John were both 32 years old when they married and now at 35 she was expecting their first child. Grant and Elizabeth were thrilled to be finally having a grandchild. For a long time, they did not believe that blessing would be theirs to enjoy. Charlotte sipped her iced tea and thought about what Belle would make for dinner. Belle was her childhood nanny and Charlotte insisted that she move in with them when she and John married. Belle ran the household with an iron hand, managing the butler and the gardener, while taking perfect care of Charlotte, as she always had. Belle was in her late 40’s and had worked for the Reed family since she was 18. She was slightly built with dark skin and dark brown eyes. Charlotte had rarely seen her when she wasn’t dressed in a flowered shirtwaist dress with her white apron on. She and the butler, Robert, lived on the lower level of their home in simple but comfortable quarters. Robert was Belle’s nephew, her brother’s son. Belle kept him on the straight and narrow and reminded him often of how fortunate he was to be working in such a wonderful home. Robert was a handsome young black man who needed guidance and Belle was just the person for the job. It was 1948 and blacks were not accepted into society except in some type of service role. Belle’s brother, Tom, had been arrested more than once protesting the treatment he and his friends received while doing something as simple as getting in line at a lunch counter in downtown Atlanta. Belle knew that Robert would be in the same kind of trouble if she didn’t keep him in line. Belle had long ago accepted her place and just worked to do the best job she could for the Wellington’s. She often told Robert that if he ever expected to get anywhere in his life, he needed to work hard and accept things the way they were. Robert never really did, but he knew he had a good job in a good home, and he loved his Aunt Belle and wanted to please her. He knew the sacrifices she had made for him and the sadness she had endured in her life. Charlotte was feeling especially tired and achy today. The baby was due anytime, and it was getting more and more difficult to sleep. As she stood to go into the house to find Belle, the pain radiated from her back all the way around her body. She knew it was time. “Belle, where are you?” Belle appeared in the doorway from the kitchen where she had been preparing dinner. “What is it, baby? Are you alright?” “Would you call John? It’s time for the baby to come,” Charlotte whispered. “He’s on his way home now, baby,” Belle said as she comforted Charlotte. “Your bags are packed. I will get them and John will be here any minute. I am calling Dr. Daniel to let him know you are coming.” “Belle, what would I ever do without you?” Charlotte said as she walked into the small den at the rear of the house. She sat in the Queen Anne chair facing the fireplace. She looked around the room and thought how different her life was now compared to her life in Roswell. She was so in love with John and she felt lucky to be able to give her child all the things she never had when she was growing up. As with everything in the Wellington’s lives, John and Charlotte’s home was grand and elegant and they entertained their clients and prospects who were wealthy business owners from New York to Miami. Their Georgian Revival home was on almost an acre and was the location of many of the business parties the young Wellington’s hosted. The portico was protected by a handmade iron gate that, when opened, led to the side entry into the kitchen. The front of their home welcomed guests with a driveway flanked by dogwood trees. The front yard boasted a 100-year-old magnolia tree and azaleas of every color. Manicured boxwoods stretching across the front of the house completed the stylish appeal. Within ten minutes, John walked up the front steps through the Georgian column covered entry. He entered the wide foyer, with high ceilings and black and white floor tiles that revealed the elegance found throughout the home. The curved staircase with mahogany stairs and handrails, white risers and beautifully carved white balusters confirmed the affluence of its occupants. Belle met him in the foyer. “Mr. Wellington, it’s time for the baby to come. Miss Charlotte is in the den. I’m getting her bag now, and I called Dr. Daniel to let him know you’re coming.” John dropped his briefcase and rushed into the den where Charlotte was sitting. “Darling, let me help you – OH MY GOD, our baby is coming.” John slid his right arm around Charlotte and lifted her. He guided her to the portico at the side entry into the kitchen. He gently helped her into the Bentley’s front seat. Belle appeared at the door with Charlotte’s bags. As she put them into the back seat she said, “Miss Charlotte, everything’s gonna be alright. You know Belle is going to take care of everything here.” “I know you are, Belle. You always do,” Charlotte said with a loving note in her voice as she softly touched Belle’s hand. She looked up at Belle and saw tears in her eyes. As they pulled out of the driveway, Charlotte’s mind wandered back to when she met John. In 1935 after college, she had taken the only job she could find as Assistant to the President of Georgia Life Insurance Company. Charlotte Reed was independent and resourceful and had made a very nice life for herself. The day she met John, she was at her desk outside of his father’s office. It was January 15th of 1945. She knew he had an appointment with Mr. Wellington. John attended Harvard for his under-graduate and law degrees. John was very handsome with dark brown hair and striking green eyes. His chiseled features, 6-foot, broad shouldered frame, intellect and confidence made him an asset to the law firm in Boston. Charlotte announced his arrival and John walked into his dad’s office tripping on the door as he walked in looking back at Charlotte. “My God, dad, who is that beautiful woman?” John exclaimed as he closed the door and sat down in the chair in front of his father’s desk in the mahogany paneled office in the Candler Building in downtown Atlanta. “Why, that’s Charlotte Reed, son. She is my secretary.” Mr. Wellington replied matter-of-factly. “She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen!” John continued in his astonished tone. After the meeting, Charlotte learned that John would be joining their firm as in-house counsel. It never crossed her mind that he was smitten with her. Her slender 5 foot 7 inch frame, fair Irish skin, walnut brown shoulder length hair and large brown eyes did make heads turn. Her choice of stylish suits always looked polished and professional with a generous splash of class.