Simrose Place, the lazy seaside suburb of Pleasantview, is where the true story of the Goth family took place. But it all started many years before in a small inland town called Simville. And so, the story begins with the tale of the person who started all the trouble......

Part 1--Bella’s Story

Chapter 1. The Meeting

We first meet 17 year old Bella Bachelor, teenage beauty, coming home from cheerleader practice following her favorite route through the park.



She would often stop to sit and watch the little creatures that played there. The squirrels, the birds, even an occasional rabbit loved the park as much as she did. Sometimes she would sit there until almost dark, much to the exasperation of her mother, who had pretty much given up the concept of family dinner.



As she headed toward her favorite bench, Bella was brought up short.



“Oh no”, she thought. “There’s some old coot sitting on my bench!”



She approached the bench to …what? Maybe if she made him uncomfortable with her presence, he might go away.



As she got close the man turned and smiled at her. “Oh, he is very handsome….but he’s still sitting on my bench! Why is he smiling like that?”



The man motioned with his hand, “Would you care to join me Miss?”

“The nerve of the old coot. He must be at least 25, but he is very handsome.”

Bella did sit, and the man introduced himself as Morty Goth. She recognized the name. He was the heir of the well placed Goth family, old money don’t you know. Interesting….and have I mentioned that he was very handsome?



Bella was impressed. She introduced herself and was soon chattering like she had known him forever. They talked for hours about everything.



Morty suddenly looked up and saw that the lights were coming on in the park. “I am afraid that I have kept you too long. Your family will be worried.”



After Bella assured him that it was alright, he took her hands in his and said “I really must see you again Miss Bachelor. Would you go to dinner with me on Saturday night?





Bella was stunned, an older man wanted to take her out. “Wow, she thought, “all my girlfriends will be so jealous.



She looked up into Morty’s soft brown eyes and said, “I would simply love to have dinner with you on Saturday, Mr. Goth.”