Debbie Macomber - Between Friends

“In this heartwarming, often heartbreaking story, Macomber explores the depths of girlhood friendships that stand the test of time…Macomber captures the magic of the special bond forged among women.”

—Times Record News, Wichita Falls, TX

“Macomber’s latest traces the lives and friendship of Jillian Lawton and Lesley Adamski through their letters, diaries and other correspondence…. Both women experience loss, from men to dreams, but through it all they remain the truest of friends for 50 amazing years. Bestselling Macomber…sure has a way of pleasing readers.”

—Booklist

“A compelling story… Between Friends is an example of how [Macomber] demonstrates the ability to see beyond the souls of women and perfectly express their emotions, values and concerns.”

—The Sunday Oklahoman

“In a story told entirely through letters, newspaper articles, receipts and other forms of the written medium, these women’s lives are laid open, and the history of our country is seen at the same time. Follow these women through love, loss, triumph and tragedy. I guarantee that you will absolutely love the trip.”

—RT Book Reviews

“This book reveals the power of perhaps the truest earthly love, that of friendship, to endure and sustain. This is the kind of book you buy for a friend to tell them how much they mean to you.”

—Romance At Its Best

“BETWEEN FRIENDS is an insightful look at five decades of America through the eyes of two friends living totally different lifestyles as the country goes about its changing business. These two wonderful female characters empower readers to see Debbie Macomber at her best as the dynamic author provides a powerful look at the American half century….”

—ReadertoReader.com

February 2011

Dear Friends,

I’m excited to see Between Friends in trade format. In my almost thirty-year history as a writer, this is one book that stands out for me, one story that holds a special place in my heart. If I had to explain why I feel it’s special, I would say that’s because it’s my life story, my dearest friends’ life stories, the story of many women in my generation. Jillian and Lesley are perhaps two of the strongest, truest characters I have ever written. They are what friends are meant to be. They learn from each other, encourage and support each other. They epitomize what it means to have grown up in the ’50s and ’60s.

That said, take a good look at the photos. In the first one, my best friend from high school, Jane Berghoff McMahon—or as my granddaughters would say, my BFF (best friend forever)—is pictured with me. This was taken the summer between our junior and senior year in high school. Jane was seventeen and I was sixteen. The second one is the two of us a couple of years ago. Jane and Debbie—then and now.

Although this book is almost ten years old, I believe the story is as poignant now as when I wrote it. You’ll see that I’ve added an epilogue bringing you up-to-date on what’s happened in Jillian and Lesley’s lives in the past decade.

Please enjoy Between Friends and let me know what you think. My hope is that it bears some similarity to your life or that of your friends—or perhaps your mother’s. As always, I enjoy hearing from readers. You can contact me either through my website at www.DebbieMacomber.com or by writing me directly at P.O. Box 1458, Port Orchard, WA 98366.

Warmest Regards,

For all the wonderful women

who have graced my life with their wisdom.

My mother—Connie Adler

My aunts—Betty Stierwalt, Gerty Urlacher, Paula Malafouris, Betty Zimmerman and Lois Munson

My mother-in-law—Marie Macomber

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Epilogue

Judge and Mrs. Leonard Lawton

2330 Country Club Lane

Pine Ridge, Washington

Joyfully announce the long-awaited

Birth of their daughter

Jillian Lynn Lawton

On

January 15, 1948

6 lbs, 3 oz.

19 inches

Pine Ridge Herald

BORN SEPTEMBER 1, 1948

Adams, Mr. & Mrs. Charles,

112 Folsom Avenue, boy

Adamski, Mr. & Mrs. Michael,

220 Railroad Avenue, girl

Burns, Mr. & Mrs. Harold,

456 North 3rd Street, boy

Franklin, Mr. & Mrs. Oscar,

33 Main Street, boy

Johnson, Mr. & Mrs. Gary,

743 Weeping Willow Lane, girl

Lamb, Mr. & Mrs. Dolphus,

809 South 8th Avenue, boy

September 10, 1948

220 Railroad Avenue

Pine Ridge, Washington

Dearest Momma,

I thought you should know Mike and I had a baby girl on September first. I realize Daddy said I wasn’t to contact either of you ever again, but I felt you’d want to know you had a granddaughter.

We named her Lesley Louise and she weighed 8 pounds. Lesley because it seems like such a pretty name and Louise after you, Momma. Mike wasn’t home to take me to the hospital, so Gertie Burkhart, who lives next door, drove me. My labor took almost twenty hours. I thought I was going to die, but all that pain was worth it the first time I got to hold my daughter. She’s a beautiful baby, Momma. She has your nose and Mike’s fore head, with soft wisps of blond hair. I think her eyes are going to be blue, but the nurse told me we won’t be able to tell until Lesley is six weeks old.

I wonder what the future holds for my baby girl. Will she grow up to be smart and pretty? Will she have a chance to finish high school? Dare I dream that one day she’ll go to college the way I always hoped I would? Mike says asking questions like that is a waste of time. Still, I can’t help wondering if those were the same questions you had when I was born, Momma. Did you love me as much as I love my baby? I’m sure you did and I can’t believe you no longer love me now.

Mike and I are doing all right. We live in Washington State—it seems so far away from Mississippi. We’re renting a two-storey house and Mike’s uncle got him a job at the lumber mill. He’s working lots of hours and I’ve been putting a little bit aside every week for when the mill shuts down, which it seems to do on a regular basis. Unfortunately, Mike was so excited the night Lesley was born that he got drunk and was arrested. I had to use the money I’d saved to bail him out of jail.

I miss you, Momma. I’m not any of those ugly names Daddy called me.

If I don’t hear from you, then I’ll accept that you agree with Daddy and want nothing more to do with me. When I look at my baby, I don’t think of the circumstances that led to her birth. What Mike and I did was a sin, but we’re married now.

Lesley is a beautiful child, created in the image of God. That’s what Father Gilbert said a child is, and I believe him. I hope you’ll love her despite everything.

Your daughter,

Dorothy

Mrs. Leonard Lawton

2330 Country Club Lane