UNFORGETTABLE CHOICES (eBook)
284 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
9798350994193 (ISBN)
Born in Virginia, Louise Timberlake spent her childhood in rural Sweet Hall, grade school at King William, middle school at West Point, and high school in Williamsburg. She received a BS degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, followed by a short career as an educational representative for the IBM Corporation in Virginia Beach. After marrying Cliff, Louise Northon completed an MA degree from the University of South Alabama. She enjoyed thirty-three years in the suburbs of New Orleans raising two sons. She was a sports mom and school volunteer while embracing art classes, writing groups, and part-time teaching at The Computer College and Twenty-first Century. After losing her youngest son when he was a freshman at Loyola University, Louise began a quest to find out the meaning of life. This journey included spiritual awakenings, a retreat and discernment with psychic George Anderson, and monthly lessons with medium Mary Jo McCabe and The Guides. Louise's life changed again in 2005 after her husband died of a brain tumor followed by Hurrican Katrina flooding her home. She began recognizing help from Heaven during these hard life lessons. Returning to Virginia, she reconnected with Ray, a high school favorite. Louise Wright pursued her writing career and published five books. Her current novel is an endeavor to make the unknown known. She relishes her life with gratitude for all the unconditional love in her world.
UNFORGETTABLE CHOICES examines two families affected by the abduction of a two-day-old infant. The author explores the family members rearing this child who are unaware of the crime, and the family devastated by the loss of their cherished newborn from the hospital nursery eighteen years earlier. The story is told through the eyes of twenty-year-old Farah, who can recall meeting her newborn sister in the hospital when she was two years old. Farah's mother's depression following this kidnapping caused Farah's childhood to reflect this sadness while being raised by her father and grandmother. Her mother's fears become her fears as Farah mentally struggles with unrealistic worse-case scenarios. Marrying into a wealthy family creates a situation where Farah begins to wonder if a member of her new husband's family could be the person responsible for the kidnapping. Farah detects this teenager with an amazing zest for life and metaphysical awareness is the sister she always felt should have been a part of her life. After the kidnapper commits suicide, Farah's sister must deal with the loss of her cherished mother and being introduced to her birth family. These individuals attempt to accept their hard life lessons by contemplating what this world and Heaven are all about. This novel contains wit and wisdom presenting a delightful stimulus for the reader's imagination.
CHAPTER 5
It was five o’clock when Farah walked through the entrance of her new home. Mitchell and the decorator were talking in the den. When she joined them, Mitchell smiled and rushed over to kiss her on the cheek.
Farah glanced at the leather sofa and ornate rug that had arrived that afternoon. “It’s lovely, Marguerite,” Farah mentioned, as she proceeded to the couch and caressed the leather. “Soft. And that beige shade blends perfectly with the rug.”
“Marguerite has drawn up her plans for the extra room off of our bedroom.” Mitchell picked up a folder to show her.
“I’ve made it a sitting room. A place where the two of you can relax before going to bed,” Marguerite explained.
“Don’t we already have a sitting area in the master bedroom? I guess I didn’t mention that I want that room for my studio as a place to paint with two standing easels and a large cabinet or two for art supplies. I prefer that room because of the three large windows supplying natural light.”
“Yes,” Marguerite replied crisply, “I do remember you mentioning that. Look at what I’ve designed. This arrangement could easily be changed into a baby’s room when you don’t want the crib that far away for the first eight months.”
“I’m sure we’ll still be able to put a crib in the room by moving an easel or two around.”
“But when your in-laws visit your newborn, don’t you want that room to be as special as the others?” Marguerite’s face was serious, determined.
“That room will be special to me as a place to paint. It’s also close to the master bath for quick cleanup.” Farah paused. She was uncomfortable being combative. She possessed an aversion to conflict and wasn’t good at standing up for herself.
“Marguerite,” Farah emphasized, “I’d like you to source the storage cabinets for the art supplies. I’ll pick out the easels and artist stool for that room.”
Marguerite asked, addressing Mitchell with a pout, “Mitchell, aren’t you concerned about that room’s future use?”
Mitchell looked confused. “I think Farah should take any room she wants for her art projects.”
Farah was overjoyed. She went deep into thought. Mitchell was taking her side against an old family friend and advisor. What would she be feeling right now if she were leaving him for Logan? Mama Two’s question about what her answer would have been if Logan had said to come live with him and support him, made her think over her present situation.
Marguerite glanced side-eyed at Farah. “I’ll email you pictures of cabinets to hold art supplies. I’ll be in touch.”
Mitchell walked Marguerite to the front entrance. Farah watched as the two hugged and laughed at something Mitchell said.
Mitchell had called Farah earlier about going to dinner at his parents’ home this evening because his Uncle Leonard was visiting from Charleston. He wanted to see them to give them a late wedding present. His wife Betty Jean had become ill the day they had planned to fly here to attend the ceremony last March.
Driving to his parents’ home, Mitchell asked about her interview with Helena.
Farah replied, “Helena could not have been nicer. I didn’t have to fill out an application. She felt I was a little complacent as I explained that it must be okay for me to leave if this idea of ‘quick sketches’ doesn’t work for me or for her.”
“Did you find her intimidating? Most people do.”
“The idea of applying for a job was daunting. I was impressed with Helena, and she appeared interested in me. I start this coming Monday.”
“It’ll be interesting to see how that works out. But don’t stay unless it’s something you enjoy doing.”
Mitchell changed to a different subject, “This uncle, Father’s only sibling, whom you’re meeting this evening, started out with my dad as equal partners in Bowman Brothers Real Estate in 1996. Uncle Leonard met his wife at The University of Richmond. She was from Charleston and wanted to move back there to be around her family after she became pregnant. So, after four years as partners, Uncle Leonard left the company in 2000, and Dad dropped ‘Brothers’ from the name. After several years of working for another real estate company, Uncle Leonard established Bowman Real Estate of Charleston. They compare their profit margin to see who’s the best businessman each year.
“Uncle Leonard’s daughter is my best friend. Our two families have vacationed together at Southern Shores every summer for as long as I can remember. Although this cousin is four years younger, I feel we’re very close. My older sister Gloria does her own thing at the beach, while Wanda and I plan each day together. I can’t wait for you to meet her in July. We can now be a threesome.
“It’s unusual how much you and Wanda look alike. The first time I saw you at Cooper’s Hawk Winery, I knew I had to meet you. I told Maggie that I would chauffeur her anywhere if you were attending the same function.”
Farah teased, “I remember you and Maggie always arrived together. I assumed you also left together.”
Mitchell responded quickly, “Maggie and I were never more than friends!”
Farah blurted, “Did Maggie and Logan really get married?”
“No,” Mitchell frowned, as he glanced in her direction. “I told you that because I wanted you to forget him and marry me. I shouldn’t have done that. I think lying is not only wrong but also unnecessary. I’m sorry. My punishment is that I’ll never know if thinking Logan had already married was the reason you married me.”
Farah squinted at Mitchell who was now concentrating on the road. She felt her face flushing, her throat tightening. She gushed, “Do you not realize the pain that lie caused me? Logan had been my life for two years. The fact that he walked away that night and made it impossible for me to contact him made me believe you. That would explain why he couldn’t face me—he had fallen in love with Maggie. Thinking Logan had decided to marry Maggie after a few months instead of me after two years made me miserable. I felt I wasn’t enough woman to keep my man. I couldn’t sleep, attend my classes, do anything, eat, or even want to keep breathing!”
Mitchell raised up in his seat. He scanned the area and found a spot to pull his Lincoln Continental over to the curb. His lips pursed; he reached over and placed his hand over hers.
He stared at her with honest concern. “Farah, I would never intentionally harm you. Please know that. Men think differently than women. I thought it would make you feel better if you had a reason Logan hadn’t contacted you. I hoped it would help you get over him. I’m sorry. It was wrong of me to tell you such a personally motivated lie. I didn’t know it would hurt you like that.”
Farah felt the sincerity of Mitchell’s words. “The truth is, Logan did not contact me for a year, and that’s more important than whatever reason he had for avoiding me. Let’s keep things honest between us. Do I need to be jealous of this cousin of yours, Wanda?”
“She’s my cousin. My favorite cousin, but not a girlfriend. Wanda is more like a sister than my real sister Gloria. I’m pleased you felt some jealousy.”
***
“I can’t believe this!” Leonard exclaimed when Mitchell and Farah walked into the massive den of the Bowman family home.
Farah surveyed the scene as Leonard got up and moved toward her. He was an attractive older man with a hint of gray at his temples and sparkling blue eyes. Mitchell favored him, and she wondered if he would also age so handsomely.
“You look like my girl, my Wanda. Those exquisite hazel eyes, wavy light brown hair, oval face. Petite.” Leonard held out his arms and gave Farah a gentle hug. “I can’t wait for you two to meet each other. The likeness is uncanny.”
“The fact that Farah looks so much like Wanda was why I first noticed her,” Mitchell explained. “She had to be special.”
“I’ve heard we all have a twin somewhere,” Mitchell’s mother Mildred chuckled. “I believe that now. May the Lord help my double out there with back pain and thin hair.”
“Mitch,” Leonard questioned his brother, “When do we get Farah and Wanda together? We always go to Southern Shores for Independence Day.”
“It’s set for June 30th through July 7th this year. Saturday to Saturday. Only three weeks away.”
Farah sat next to Leonard during dinner and asked him about his daughter’s interests.
“Wanda just finished high school. She’s been accepted at The College of Charleston and will be majoring in art. She spends her time running around with a camera to take the perfect picture which she then tries to turn into award-winning watercolors.”
“That’s great. We’ll both be up early at the beach taking pictures of sunrises,” Farah replied. “I have two semesters at VCU as an art major....
| Erscheint lt. Verlag | 27.2.2025 |
|---|---|
| Sprache | englisch |
| Themenwelt | Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Gesundheit / Leben / Psychologie ► Partnerschaft / Sexualität |
| ISBN-13 | 9798350994193 / 9798350994193 |
| Informationen gemäß Produktsicherheitsverordnung (GPSR) | |
| Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt? |
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