Finding Amy

by Sharon Poppen

Recently discharged Viet Nam veteran Danny Lawrence had made it back to Sparta, Texas after serving two years in the Army. Drafted shortly after high school, he was now ready to take his place in the family ranching business, find a wife and start a family. It was June 1971 and it seemed everyone had come home for summer. Most of the local girls were already married, but several had gone away to colleges. At a 4th of July dance at the local armory, a former classmate and much sought after high school cheerleader spotted Danny and asked him to dance. She had just finished her junior year at an Ivy League university back east and had brought some friends home for a taste of Texas hospitality. She insisted Danny meet them. One look at Amy Harrington swept Danny off his feet. His heart took control. Her three-day visit extended into a week. Danny monopolized her time. The night before she left, he asked her to marry him. Surprisingly, she said yes. All Danny could see ahead was love, happiness and foreverness. Reality had something else in store for Danny and it came in the form of a cold, interfering mother-in-law, a wife who mentally and socially was still a child, and a misguided heart that believed that patience and understanding could make everything all right.

86 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 2013

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

***spoilery***

86 pages

I don't normally read a novella/book anymore without at least five or more reviews, this at least allows a reasonably fair idea of what I'm giving up my time for. Two five star reviews on the other site convinced me to set aside misgivings and give Finding Amy a go but as the story progressed clear signs of a depressing read began to emerge. Amy's mother had far too much influence on her. I quit shortly after Danny drunkenly raped Amy (and it was very definitely rape) and her shrugging his actions off the next morning as his due. Her resignation to continue to suffer his sexual needs left me too sick in the stomach to read on. Danny was a guilt wracked husband but couldn't seem to disengage himself from the situation and by his own admission had more fun with the whores in Nam.

Not for me, not even remotely close.