Final revisions are humming along & truly, the end is near!
Here’s another snippet from the novel. It’s Christmas time, 1995. Jack is the patriarch of the family Peace. Holidays are usually celebrated with the whole family, but not this year…
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Jack wondered if quiet holidays would be the new norm for him. Seeing Jamie had been one bright spot. Actually, that hadn’t been so quiet. David was deployed to the Mediterranean and David’s parents had taken on Jamie’s care. After three awkward days with them in Massachusetts, Jack was on a train to New York City to meet Chuck and Anne. Chuck tried to convince him to stay to ring in the New Year, but he just wanted to go home.
He turned the key in the door of the house back in Arnold at five in the afternoon on New Year’s Eve.
By six, the suitcase was unpacked. Toiletries put away. Laundry in the washer.
At seven he rummaged through the freezer and found some leftover meatloaf, microwaved it, and sat down to eat.
At eight, the dishes were done, the kitchen spotless. He turned the tree lights on and lit a couple of the pine-scented candles that Jo sent with some other Christmas goodies while water boiled for his tea. He treated himself to an extra dollop of cream after the tea brewed, and then sat down.
He dozed off a bit around nine listening to the Boston Pops.
At ten he poked around the video cabinet and pulled out A Few Good Men. Right where he’d expected it, shelved alphabetically in the drama section. He made another cup of tea and sat back to enjoy the movie then promptly fell asleep again in his recliner.
The clock struck twelve. Jack blinked his eyes open.
Happy New Year.
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I probably shouldn’t be depressing you this way, should I? Believe me, this will be a roller coaster of emotions, both happy and sad. I hope you’ll be intrigued enough to pick up a copy of the book and see how things turn out for Jack and the family Peace.
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