Chapter One
Rebecca Thompson stood alone in her attorney’s office. She gazed out the window at the view of Frankfort, Kentucky, which sprawled as far as the eye could see. Like an iPod set on repeat, the past twenty-two years of her own life replayed over and over in her mind: songs of losses and gains, sorrows and joys. Just two weeks ago, her life had quickly changed with one incident—one incident that was powerful enough to alter her life path, forever.
Dave Mitchell entered his office for his 9:00 a.m. appointment. A young woman stood still, mesmerized at the bank of windows that overlooked the metropolis, a faraway expression on her beautiful face.
“Ms. Thompson? Rebecca Thompson?” Mr. Mitchell asked, gently touching her shoulder, as if he was afraid he would startle her.
Rebecca slowly came out of her reverie, turning to look into the eyes of an older man when she felt him touch her shoulder. He had an easy gentleness about him that made her feel comfortable, a sense of ease that made this entire situation bearable.
Once he knew he had her attention, he continued, “Hi, Rebecca, I’m Dave Mitchell.” He extended his hand to her and she obliged, yet said nothing. “I’m your father’s attorney and I’ll be reading his will to you today.” He motioned for her to take a seat across the desk from him.
Rebecca walked slowly away from the window and sat down in the plush chair that was placed on the other side of a huge mahogany desk. She assumed the outer self mask of confidence that she knew presented herself as a woman with no fear, someone ready to take on the world. However, she hid the inner self from Dave Mitchell; she veiled that woman who was plagued with fright, uncertainty, and confusion about her present and her future.
She no longer had control of her own life. What was worse; she knew the man in front of her held her cards in his hands. She was anxious to find out what hand had been dealt to her. She had decided that she would hold her head high, no matter what the cards revealed.
Rebecca now regretted that she did not keep up on her father’s financial affairs. She knew that he was a wealthy man. He was a self-made millionaire who lived like a middle-class person, a man who thought of others before he thought of himself. He was a philanthropist, a man who believed in doing for others, a man who would be remembered for his generosity and social consciousness in the big city that lay before her.
That lifestyle did not fit into Rebecca’s mentality that the world owed her for the loss of her mother. She discovered at a young age that caring about people or loving someone meant someday losing them and she never wanted to endure that pain again. Therefore, she closed her heart to the world and her mind to the possibilities of ever loving another person. She was alone, and she intended to stay that way.
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The Mancini Saga (IOU)
(SAMPLE)
Chapter One
Connecticut
1998
Mia buried her head deep into her pillow, trying to muffle her sobs. When her parents told her to pack her bags because she would be getting married in the morning, her world came crashing down. Not only was her husband-to-be three times her age, James, the self-proclaimed prophet and leader of The Church of Biblical Truth, was a short, pudgy man with nine wives. Devastated by the sudden news at becoming his tenth wife, Mia felt her heart drop and the pit of her stomach churn. How could my parents let this happen? she wondered.
Mia shuddered and her entire body clenched up, imagining the grotesque things that this disgusting old man would demand from a sixteen-year-old girl. She had seen his wives; none of them seemed particularly happy. That thought alone caused her to cry harder. Not only was she angry, she was terrified.
“He’s a horrible old man,” she whispered into the fabric of her pillowcase, careful not to let anyone hear her speak such treachery against the cult leader.
She reached over, grabbed a tissue from a box at the side of her bed, and blew her nose. Mia felt betrayed by her parents. She could feel her emotions shutting down, her heart stealing itself against the overwhelming conflict and confusion. The betrayal, the abandonment, the craziness of the situation was too much; without making a conscious decision to do so, she was hardening her heart to protect herself. With each tear she shed, her heart shut down even further. All she wanted was the freedom to choose with whom she fell in love and eventually married, of her own free will . . . a hopeless fantasy, she now realized, and one that would never come true. She did not want to think what the future might hold. Her mind was blasted by a hurricane of wild thoughts that mostly boiled down to three choices: fight, flight, or submit.
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About the Author
April M. Reign started writing poetry at the age of fifteen. She is the oldest of three girls and was lucky enough to witness the true romance of her happily married parents.
April was born and raised in Southern California. She is a single mother of two wonderful boys, and enjoys spending time with her family. Sitting on the beach during a simple sunset is where she finds her most creative place to write.
Please visit her at: www.aprilmreign.com or become a friend on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aprilmreign
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