Marguerite Birt

Foolish Pleasures Marguerite Birt

Dr. Bethesda Vernon, a 30ish year old college professor has lived half a life since the death of Enoch, her Marine Corps husband, in an auto accident in the backcountry of Westchester, NY. His death had devastated Beth. They were married for only four years. After two years of unspeakable grief and mourning, Beth buried herself in teaching her Marriage and Family Relations courses at Queens College. When she had time she traveled to far away places and also mourned Enoch there. One summer day while in Bermuda enjoying the sun, Cedric Philippe simply walked into her life. Cedric was Ambassador of Sierra Leone, West Africa to the United Nations. He called her 'MyBeth' the moment they met--now she belonged to someone again--Beth called him, 'Phillip'. Their affair began despite her knowing he was married and that his wife and two teenage sons lived in London. She was becoming 'the other woman'--a bittersweet role. One ordinary day, Beth wakes herself up from her foolishness and decides "...it is over."Then enters Dr. Jesse Butler, who joins the Queens College Family Science Department. Jesse and Beth marry after a two year courtship. Later, he accepts ''the call' to preach. Without warning 'old secrets' creep back into their lives--even the secrets of Jesse''s daughter, Lilliclaire, and Sara, Jesse''s former wife. Their individual secrets although deeply hidden, return and the nightmare begins.