Fantasy of a Gentleman

About the Book

Charlotte Dimaio is fiftyish, single after a bitter divorce from her daughter Claudia’s father, and a loser in the battle of the sexes. Cynicism tinges her sense of humor. Following her mother’s death, Charlotte moves back to the family home in Chatham County, North Carolina, to care for elderly Aunt Lucy Bynum. She accepts a secretarial position at a nearby university.

At a high school reunion committee meeting shortly after her return, Charlotte renews acquaintance with former classmate Buddy Patton. This chance meeting ignites her burning passion for excitement.

Living with Aunt Lucy stifles Charlotte. She foresees years slipping by without a life of her own. Coworkers become friends, and work substitutes for a social life. An affair with Buddy forces Charlotte to face unresolved romantic fantasies and examine hard-won emotional independence.

About the Author

Ann Zappa resides in Chatham County, North Carolina, where she was born and raised. She is retired from a career as Head of the English Department at MacCormac Junior College, Chicago; and Administrative Assistant at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ann belongs to several Southern historical organizations. She is a member of Zimmermann’s Battery, Palmetto Battalion, South Carolina, and re-enacts as a Lady Cannoneer. She also portrays historical female Artillery soldiers for living history presentations. Ann is a lifelong member of Lystra Baptist Church and active in church work. Ann is the older of two sisters of the late rock star, Frank Zappa.