Radio Roseville - Chapter 1

Pete headed up the walk to the porch where Jean was waiting.  He reached into his jacket pocket to be sure the little box was there. 

Jean was radiant.  This was her seventh date with Pete.  She realized she enjoyed his company and while their backgrounds were different, they had a lot in common.  Both widowed, they missed their spouses. 

As she got ready for their sixth date, Jean thought about Pete and their blossoming friendship.  She thought back to when she and Pete met, the night Elaine was kidnapped.  He was kind and empathetic.  Jean knew he was working and was there to get information, but she felt there was more to him than the friendly and affable radio newsman. 

When Elaine came home, the pair had coffee together.  They went out for dinner and a movie and hiking at Blue Mound State Park.  It was comfortable being with Pete, she thought, I could get used to this. 

As he reached the porch steps, Pete was wearing a big smile.  He liked spending time with Jean and was thrilled she apparently felt the same way.  He just wanted to spend more time with her. 

“Hi, Pete.  Is everything ready for Steve’s farewell party?” 

“Jean, hello.  Yeah, I think so.  Thankfully the staff at the station and the folks at Gus and Tom’s are handling the details.  We’re going to miss Steve a lot.  But he needs to take this job, so we’ll have some tears and some cheers.”  Pete kissed his date on the cheek.  “Ready to go?” 

Jean took his arm as they walked to the car. 

In downtown Roseville, Gus and Tom’s was bustling as staff from WRSE and the restaurant put the final touches on the banquet room for the party. 

Steve was already living in Milwaukee and excited about his job at WTMJ.  He was going to miss Roseville.  The station allowed him to grow up; to experiment; and willing to back him when things didn’t always pan out.  Wherever his career went from here – he would look back at WRSE and WMJM with pride. 

An hour ago, Steve spent a final hour with Vicki, his successor as program director and hosting afternoon drive.  She was nervous, he thought, but sure seemed ready.  More ready than he was at the same age.  Vicki shared a few ideas that he thought showed promise.  While he wouldn’t be around to see it, the meeting made him feel better about leaving since it was giving her a promotion she deserved.  

Moments before 6; Steve, Pete, and Jean walked into Gus and Tom’s at the same time.  Jean congratulated Steve on the new job and mentioned how much she liked his work. 

As they walked into the banquet room they were greeted by Jeff, Kevin, Ken, and Emjay.  Two dozen people gathered around three tables.  As Steve looked around the room, he recognized coaches he was close to and businesspeople for whom he recorded radio spots.  Then he noticed his boss from WTMJ was here as well. 

“Chuck!  I didn’t expect to see you here.  Thanks so much for coming.” 

“Glad to, Steve.  As I checked you out before our phone call, I learned how intertwined you are in Roseville.  Before you join us officially, I wanted to see for myself.” 

Steve was soon surrounded by well-wishers.  Pete and Jean sat down with Kevin, Ken, and Jeff glad to be out of the spotlight and happy to celebrate with their friend and colleague. 

Another adventure in Roseville, stay with it by clicking here.