It was late in the fall of 1931. The Great Depression was plaguing the generation of baby boomers after World War I. The powerful locomotive was charging down the tracks from Traverse City, Michigan toward New York City, New York. One female passenger stood out from all the rest.Cherry Cider was traveling to the Big Apple because a tragedy had been narrowly averted by the quick thinking young lady. Her high school sweetheart, Tommy Timberland, had tried to break up with her. It was soon after graduation that her steady boyfriend dropped the bomb."My father is sending me away for special training, so I can work for him at his factory," Tommy spoke the rehearsed lines to his blossoming girlfriend. "He's making me attend a private school for one year. It is a very intense program. I won't be allowed to date. I'm sorry."The horrendous news was less of a shock than he expected. Cherry stood her ground and fought back the tears. She had heard a rumor through the small town's grapevine that the love of her life was doomed. He would still be close to home, but he would be much too busy for anything or anyone. At first she was deeply hurt, but then she got a brilliant idea."We will have a trial separation to test our love," Cherry spoke as she forced her burning heart to play it cool for once."I guess that's a good plan," he said with growing doubts and confusion.She hugged him goodbye, for now. Tommy looked very sad as they parted. Then Cherry announced to her loving parents that she would try a career as a legal secretary in the fall. She packed her bags that day and now she was moving to New York City.
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