Thanksgiving Edition 2014

 It's been a really...different kind of year for me. There've been ups and downs and all arounds. But the one thing I can say, and will shout from the rooftops if I must: I am thankful for the God who created me, sustains me, and who saved my black, retched soul and infused it with the light of His love. :)
  Anybody who knows me knows how I am; Private to a fault, never really letting anyone see who I am. I protect that personal side of me with a jealousy and fear I cannot escape.
    What a lot of people don't know or understand is that artistic people leak out into their art, whether it be drawing, painting, singing, dancing, writing, or even photography.
    I love to write, and because I'm going through an emotionally rough time right now, I'm having difficulty putting words on the screen of my current work for fear too much of me will appear. So I've chosen a few pictures I think identify me. Honestly not because I want everyone to know who I am, but because my 'box' is full and I need to empty out a few facets in order that more can be added. (And I can get back to my book.)

 

What happened to the single rose above ended up wrapping my whole year around it's beautiful petals. But as with all things removed from the vine, it shriveled and died. Mayhap, before I was ready to let it go, but it was out of my hands, and then this took over:

 

 

 

 

 

                        But finally, God had mercy on my suffering and sent this: He is so good!!

 

 

   Anyway, I've had a very eclectic life, if that's a proper description. I've been as poor as they come, and I've had everything I've ever wanted. I've been bored to tears at times, and so busy I don't have time to take a breath of fresh air at others. I've experienced love, joy and even indifference, but the emotion ruling me this year has been sorrow. A marriage I thought would see me to my death was ended, and I'm back in a physical place I never desired to be again. But it was here where my armor was cracked. Yes, I've glued it back together, but who I was isn't who I am at this time. I go on with day to day life, but one  thing is always there in the back of my mind, and more than I'd like, it takes precedence, but I'm a work in progress, after all.
    Now, it might still rain, but I know God is always there beside me turning my sorrow into a joy others can't understand. He is my rock and my Savior.
    I will continue on my road of life until God sees fit to take me from it and move me to the eternal life all of us should be seeking to experience.
    As you enjoy a happy holiday with family members and eat wonderful food made with love and joy, remember who gives you every breath you breathe, and thank HIM for what you have. :)

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!   ~ Misty ~

It's that time again...

                                           Don't forget to visit the Mine tonight!!

                                           http://diamondsinfiction.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

 

~ Chapter Thirty-Four ~

They pulled up at a popular shopping center a little while later. Excitement zinged through his nerve-endings. It wasn’t normal, and he knew it, but he’d never been shopping for a baby before.

He turned off the engine and got out. On the other side, he opened Arianna’s door and smiled down at her. “I’ll get the baby.”

“She nodded. “Okay.”

Her excitement was almost as palpable as his.

Mary Jo and his mom had made fast friends and rushed ahead together.

“Is it exciting to go shopping because you never imagined you would, or just because it’s shopping?”

She stood behind him as he pulled the car seat from its base and shoved the plastic handle over one arm.

“I’m excited because I’m going to get things for Chance I thought he’d never have. You’re such a wonderful husband, Justin. Thank you so much.” She leaned into him and squeezed his unused arm.

Her warm words oozed through his body as surely as the heat from her hand on his arm. Affirmation of his decision to marry her spread through him anew. She was the one.

He stopped and pecked her on the cheek. “No, thank you for giving me the honor.”

Her face turned red and he smiled.

They walked into the store, her hand still on his arm.

He had trouble adjusting the car seat onto the cart, but got the job done once he moved aside and let her small hands fasten the safety belt around the proper part of the car seat.

She smiled up at him. “That was a little difficult, but we’re ready.”

They walked into the main part of the store and she stopped him by squeezing bony fingers around his arm. “How much can I spend, Justin?”

Her voice was full of excitement and he laughed. “Just start picking stuff out and I’ll tell you when we get close to our budget.”

She let out a squeal and Chance responded in kind. Justin reached down and pushed a tiny pacier into his mouth. He quieted immediately. Tenderness rose within him, almost choking his next words. “He is so precious.”

She nodded. “Yes he is. I just hope he doesn’t turn out like ‘the Monster.’”

And the mood was broken.

“He won’t, Arianna. You have to believe that.”

She turned and began walking down the baby aisle, throwing over her shoulder, “I hope not.”

Justin watched her go. “Me too.”

 

Two hours later and three hundred dollars shorter, they headed to the car with their purchases.

Mary Jo and Justin’s mom settled into the back seat.

“Are we stopping for dinner, Justin?” His mom asked.

He nodded. “We can. Where do you want to go?”

His mom shrugged. “That’s up to you and Arianna. We’re just along for the ride.”

“Let’s go to the steakhouse then,” He suggested.

“I love steak,” Arianna chimed. “It’s been so long since I had it.”

“It’s settled then. You’ll have it today.”

 

#

The taste of blood was metallic in Adam’s mouth, but he made himself swallow. There wasn’t much time.

He sat up on the gurney, rubbing his ankles. He’d forced the good doctor to release him. He was so brilliant. He laughed at the horrified scream he’d head-butted away…after he bit her nose off, that is. In his mind’s eye he remembered how he’d spit it across the floor.

But now, there was something most important to attend to.

He hopped down, stepping over the motionless body of his former therapist.

He moved with stealth through the outer door of the hospital, keys in hand.

He was pretty sure she drove a nice car. Probably a Beemer.

In the parking lot, he turned in a circle while pressing the red button on the key fob in his hand.

Noise blared and headlights went crazy.

His laugh was triumphant. A black Beemer, of course.

He smiled and whistled as he got in and started the car. It purred like a kitten.

He drove away, Justin’s apartment on his mind.

Chapter Thirty-Three of Broken Dreams...

                                         Don't forget to stop in at the Mine tonight!!

                                         http://diamondsinfiction.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ Chapter Thirty-three ~

Justin stood on the other side of the door, waiting for her to say more, but she didn’t.

Shrugging, he turned and went to the kitchen to get a cup of the coffee he smelled brewing.

He stopped in surprise when he saw his mother. She never got up this early. And she certainly wouldn’t be making coffee.

“Mom?

She turned.

He gasped.

Tears flowed down his mother’s cheeks.

“Don’t go getting excited, son. I’m not feeling well, that’s all.”

He rushed to her side. “It’s not like you to cry. What doesn’t feel good?”

His mother studied him, as if pondering what to say. Her shoulders began to shake.

“Mom?” Concern rushed through him. And guilt. He’d had an argument with his mother just a few days ago and she was sick. Is it my fault?

“I’m fine Justin. I really am.”

He hugged her. “I’m so sorry for arguing with you the other day.”

“It’s fine, Justin, and you don’t need to keep apologizing. Once was enough. Really.”

“Okay…I just want you to know I didn’t mean any of what I said. I was being defensive and childish.”

She smiled. “Well, thank you, Justin.”

Mary Jo walked into the kitchen with a bright smile. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” Justin replied.

“Good morning,” His mom said.

The nurse looked around. “Where’s Arianna?”

Justin tipped his head toward the hallway. “She’s taking a bath.”

“Oh.” She moved to the counter and pulled a cup from the cupboard.

“Did you sleep well?” He asked.

“I did. I didn’t realize just how tired I was until I went to bed. I can barely remember lying down.”

Justin chuckled. “Yeah, I was really tired, too.”

Mary Jo went to the table and sat down. “Have you checked on her lately?”

He smiled at the concern in the nurse’s voice. “Yes, just a couple minutes ago. You’re more than welcome to check again if you want.”

Mary Jo shrugged. “I will in a minute.”

“Are you two hungry? I can run down to the corner market and grab some eggs and stuff.”

His mom raised a shoulder and let it fall. “I could eat, how about you, Mary Jo?”

“Oh, you never need to ask me. I’m always hungry.” She smiled, took a sip from her cup and left the room.

Chance began to cry and Justin smiled when his mom’s face perked-up.

Her head swiveled toward him as if attached to a spring. “Do you want me to feed him?”

There was hope in her voice and Justin was glad again for Arianna and the baby. Although he’d already grown to care deeply for his new family, his mother would always hold a special place in his heart.

“Justin?” His mom said.

Shaking his head, he smiled. “Yes, could you? I think I’ll go check on Arianna. We’re probably going to go shopping today. If you don’t feel too bad I’d appreciate if you went with us. I’m sure you’ll know more than we do what we’ll need.”

His mom threw a grateful smile his way on her way to the bathroom and said over her shoulder, “I’ll go. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Good, it’s settled then. Tell Arianna if you would.”

 

With the room empty, Justin grabbed his laptop and went to his bank page. He’d been confident of his ability to provide for himself, in fact, he’d had more than enough. But would it be enough for two more people?

It was a good thing  he owned his apartment, but then, they might decide to sell it and move to the outskirts of the city if they had more children.

The thought caused his heart to jerk and pitter-patter in his chest. It wasn’t a scary thought, but an exciting one.

After ten minutes going over his current finances he was assured they had plenty of money to go shopping. Now all he needed was a list. What all did a baby need, anyway?

He shoved a hand through disheveled hair and yelled, “Mom.”

“Yes, Justin!”

When she arrived back at his side, he looked up at her. “What do we need for him?”

His mom laughed, causing him to smile.

She sat at the table and pulled the empty pad of paper and pen over in front of her.

“Well now, let’s see…”

Chapter Thirty-two of Broken Dreams...

                   Don't forget to stop in at the Mine for another awesome interview!!  
                                http://diamondsinfiction.blogspot.com/



                                 As always, some of God's beauty to get us started...

 

 

 

 

~ Chapter Thirty-Two ~

 

Arianna slid out of bed, intent on taking a shower before her husband awoke.

Sure, they were getting along well, but she was nowhere near as comfortable as she’d been letting on. The thought of him seeing more of her bony, malnourished body caused a lump of humiliation to form in her throat. No, I need to gain weight before that happens.

Gathering a clean outfit and a few toiletries she exited the bedroom and pulled the door closed behind her with a soundless click. She padded down the tiled hallway to the bathroom.

Justin’s apartment was nice with its brown and cream color scheme, but not as posh as her parents’ home.

Compared to ‘the Monster’s’ abode, it was a castle. And it was comfy. The homey feel was something she’d never been used to. As a child, her house was more a mausoleum than a home. She hadn’t been allowed to make a move without being reprimanded by her mother.

She sat down on the edge of the tub and turned the water on, letting it rush over her hand. She vowed Chance would never have to feel like an interloper in his own home. She wanted him to enjoy his childhood, with real toys and awesome parents who loved and cared about him.

As she shucked her clothes and slid into the warm water, her mind became fixed on memory flashes of her days as a captive.

As had happened so many times in the last few days, her mind flitted between exalted thanksgiving and remembered horror. Would she ever be free of her long imprisonment? Yes, her physical body was free, but her mind was not. It was held captive by memories; the earlier ones horror-filled and hopeless, the newer ones not so bad.

As the years went by she’d become used to who ‘the Monster’ was. She knew what he liked, what he disliked. If she did what he wanted and didn’t fight or complain, life went well. He even allowed her to watch T.V. a few times, and if she had to nurse some bumps and bruises to get the privilege, it wasn’t so bad. Until that day…

Arianna shook her head to dispel the memory trying to break through. Water flew from the reddish-blond tendrils of her hair and skittered across cream-colored tiles. It was a memory she wouldn’t allow to overtake her again. It’d been the defining moment of the name she’d given him. No! She shook her head once more, determined to keep the memory caged in the dark recesses of her mind.

Forcing happier thoughts, her mind settled on Chance and his adorable baby face and intoxicating baby-smell.

It was funny, during most of the pregnancy she’d been determined to hate the result of ‘the Monster’s’ forced attentions. And then one day, as she pulled against the shackles on her ankles in a rage, a funny feeling invaded her body. It was such a weird thing she couldn’t have defined it at the time. And it happened again. She was terrified. What was it? She didn’t have a clue. Was something wrong with the baby? As the odd feeling came again, she lay a hand on her bulging belly. For the first time since being kidnapped, giddiness invaded. The baby was kicking!

A feeling she’d never experienced and couldn’t explain washed through her like a cleansing summer rain. Her baby. Her baby. From that moment on, she’d ceased thinking of the life inside her as belonging to such an evil monster, and instead began to think of it as a part of her.

As the days wore on, she fell more and more deeply in love with her child. And as that love grew, so did her trepidation. What would happen to the baby? Would ‘the Monster’ take it away and cause her more pain and suffering, only this time to a degree even someone of her mental stamina couldn’t abide?

Arianna’s limbs moved in a restless manner around the huge garden tub in an attempt to quell her thoughts, but the flood gates of her nightmare opened, and she was helpless to shut them.

One month turned into another, and as her time drew near, ‘the Monster’ became more and more obsessive, and possessive. He’d quit leaving during the day and would spend hours lying on top of her, his hand squeezed between their bodies, cupping her burgeoning belly.

His eyes bore into hers. “This belongs to me.”

Frightened at the intensity of his words, she agreed, “Yes.”

“And so do you, Arianna.”

His hand tightened and she shrieked in pain.

 “Say it.”

Looking into his eyes she tried to determine the extent of his obsession, until coming to the same conclusion as always. He meant business. “I’m yours—to do with as you please.”

He bent down and bit her neck, pulling the skin until she screamed out in agony. “And don’t you forget it, or I’ll cut that brat out of you with a kitchen knife and leave you to bleed out on the cold basement floor.

He got up and stormed out the door, slamming it so hard the whole house shook.

The bathroom door rattled and Arianna jumped.

“Arianna, are you in there?”

Justin.

“Ye…” Her voice broke. She cleared it and tried again. “Yes, I’m taking a bath.”

“Are you okay, do you need anything?”

Arianna’s eyes rose heavenward. Thank you, Lord Jesus.

“No, I’m good now.”

Justin’s voice wafted through the locked door. “Now?”

She laughed. “Yes. Now that you’re awake.”