“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble.” ~ Yehuda Berg
“And it’s human need to be told stories. The more we’re governed by idiots and have no control over our destinies, the more we need to tell stories to each other about who we are, why we are, where we come from, and what might be possible.” ~ Alan Rickman
Since I’m getting close to publishing my first novel The Space Between Time, I thought I’d share a scene from the book.
This is scene with Jenna in the present.
Sitting in the chair in front of Jenna’s desk Joan said, “Hey, are you all right? You look like your dog just died.”
Jenna took in a deep breath, needles pricking her heart. “Sam walked out this morning.”
“Oh man. That S.O.B. Did he say why?”
Jenna rolled her eyes. “The usual crap, ‘It hasn’t been working for a long time.’ Oh, and he got a promotion and he’s moving to L.A.”
Joan clasped her hands. “Well, good riddance. You were thinking of ending it anyway. Now you can move on.”
Wiping away a tear, Jenna said, “Yeah, but when it finally happens, it’s still a shock. And as usual I blame myself.”
Joan got up and walked around to sit on the edge of the desk closest to Jenna. “Oh, sweetie, just because he wasn’t the right guy doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you.”
Jenna took Joan’s hand and gave it a little squeeze. “Keep telling me that until I believe it will you?”
Joan squeezed her hand back. “I’ll take you to lunch and we can talk, okay?”
“That’d be great. Thanks. We better get to work. I don’t want to lose my job too.”
Standing up, Joan said, “Okay. We’ll go to Chin Yen’s and boil him in oil.”
Jenna laughed. At the door Joan said, “Still haven’t heard anything about your promotion?”
“Not yet.” Just then Jenna’s phone rang. They both jumped.
Joan said, “Maybe this is it.”
Jenna cleared her throat. “Jenna Holden.”
A female voice on the other end of the line said, “Miss Holden, this is Officer Parker from the Roseburg PD.”
“Yes. What can I do for you?” She looked at Joan and shook her head. Joan waited to find out who was on the phone.
“I’m sorry to tell you that your mother’s been in a car accident. Can you come as quickly as possible? She’s just gone by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center.”
Trying to make sense of what the officer had said, she felt the blood drain from her face as she looked up at Joan. “What? What did you say?”
“You’re mother has been in a serious accident. You need to come right away.”
The room began to spin. “No. It can’t be. Oh, God in heaven, Mom.”
The officer said, “I’m so sorry Miss Holden.” her voice was so kind that Jenna nearly lost her composure. “Can you drive yourself here? Or is there someone who can drive for you?”
“What? No.”
“I’m sorry, what do you mean? Do you want us to arrange for a State Policeman to drive you down?”
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath to help herself think, Jenna said, “Um. No, I’ve got my car here. I can drive myself.” First Sam, now this! Jenna looked at Joan who had a concerned look on her face while she waited to hear what new disaster was unfolding.
The officer was saying something. “… All right?”
“Thank you. I’ll leave as soon as I can.”
“I’ll let the hospital know you’re on your way. Again, I’m sorry to be delivering such bad news.”
Jenna couldn’t say anything more. The phone beeped three times indicating the officer had rung off.
Joan’s voice floated into Jenna’s consciousness. “What is it?”
“It’s Mom. She’s been in a terrible accident.”
Joan knelt down next to Jenna “Oh, man! I’m so sorry and on top of Sam walking out. Do you want me to go with you?”
Clenching her jaw with determination, she said, “No. I’ll call you when I know something.”
I hope you enjoyed this little segment from, The Space Between Time. Thanks for reading. Feel free to leave a comment.
Lucinda Sage-Midgorden © 2017
Sage Woman Chronicles 