Felicia Denise's Blog, page 64
September 13, 2017
Happy Birthday, Roald Dahl!
[image error]
Roald Dahl (September 13, 1916-November 23, 1990) was a British novelist, short story writer, poet, screenwriter, and fighter pilot. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. Dahl is best known for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and Fantastic Mr. Fox.
QUOTES
“A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men.”
“So, please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place, you can install, a lovely bookcase on the wall.”
“A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom. He has no master except his own soul, and that, I am sure, is why he does it.”
From Wikipedia and Google.
September 11, 2017
Happy Birthday, O. Henry!
[image error]
William Sydney Porter (September 11, 1862 – June 5, 1910), known by his pen name O. Henry, was an American short story writer. His stories are known for their surprise endings.
Among his more famous works are The Gift of the Magi, The Ransom of Red Chief, The Cop and the Anthem, and The Caballero’s Way.
QUOTES
“Life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.”
“There is one day that is ours. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.”
“The true adventurer goes forth aimless and uncalculating to meet and greet unknown fate.”
From Wikipedia and Google.
Save
Happy Birthday, D.H. Lawrence!
[image error]
D.H.( David Herbert) Lawrence (September 11, 1885-March 2, 1930) was an English novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, literary critic, and painter. His collected works represent, among other things, an extended reflection upon the dehumanizing effects of modernity and industrialization.
Lawrence is best known for his novels Sons and Lovers, The Rainbow, Women in Love and Lady Chatterley’s Lover. In these books, Lawrence explores the possibilities for life within an industrial setting. In particular, Lawrence is concerned with the nature of relationships that can be had within such a setting. Though often classed as a realist, Lawrence, in fact, uses his characters to give form to his personal philosophy. His depiction of sexuality, though seen as shocking when his work was first published in the early 20th century, has its roots in this highly personal way of thinking and being.
QUOTES
“I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.”
“Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you’ve got to say, and say it hot.”
“Love is the flower of life, and blossoms unexpectedly and without law, and must be plucked where it is found, and enjoyed for the brief hour of its duration.”
From Wikipedia and Google.
September 10, 2017
New Hire #WritingChallenge
[image error]
52-Week Writing Challenge: Week 36
An excerpt from current WIP, “Family Matters (In the Best Interest of the Child Book 2).” Even while attempting to organize her life and move forward, Olivia Chandler manages to help someone else.
Olivia Chandler was exhausted. She had too many open cases for one attorney with little backup. The Chandler Group attorneys were all carrying multiple cases. Olivia was grateful business was good because it meant children weren’t being shut out of the conversation on their care. But it also meant families were splintered and bickering… and sometimes it had nothing to do with the minor child involved.
She needed help.
Olivia had witnessed Glendon Kane in the courtroom firsthand and found him to be an adept litigator and brilliant legal strategist.
And too good for Borst & Peckham.
On impulse… and one hundred percent out of character, Olivia called Glendon and invited him to an early dinner to discuss a business matter.
“Thank you for accepting my dinner invitation, Glendon.”
She could see the fatigue lining a brow far too young for such things.
He gave Olivia a genuine smile.
“As if I’d say no to you, Olivia. Beautiful women don’t ask me out every day.”
“Oh, Mr. Kane. That is not the story I heard.”
The attorneys shared a laughed. Glendon raised his hands in defeat.
“Okay, Okay, Women do ask me out. But I never saw myself sharing a meal with the great Olivia Chandler.”
She smirked and waved him off.
“Don’t even try it. My office manager doesn’t miss much of the courthouse grapevine. I think she may even be responsible for half the info making the rounds, and she says you’re pretty popular with the ladies.”
“Ah, the magnificent Margot.”
“She’ll love that you called her magnificent.”
“She is. But tell her most of my dates never get further that one or two dates. And a third date is unheard of.”
Olivia sobered, not wanting to ask why but curiosity… and empathy showed in her eyes.
Glendon laughed and shook his head.
“Fortunately, it’s not what you think, Olivia. The problem is women find out I work for B&P and they see dollar signs. But when they find out I’m a low-paid associate, their interest fizzles.” He pointed to his face. “Not even these amazing good looks can keep them around.”
Olivia slid her wine glass aside and folded her hands on the table.
“I heard about the Getner lawsuit… and the blame being laid at your feet, Glendon.”
His smile caught Olivia off guard. She frowned.
“Yeah, the last couple of days weren’t the best. This was not a difficult case, but dumb and mega-dumb kept sticking their noses in where they didn’t belong. Paulina Getner did file a lawsuit. And I can’t say that I blame her, but she and I talked… again, and I’ve negotiated a good settlement. Now all I have to do is get Tanner to issue a public apology.”
Olivia shook her head in disbelief.
“Why do you do it, Kane? You’ve more than put in your time. Why do you stay? Your record is exemplary. Any firm would be lucky to get you.”
“B&P have just enough money to keep me invisible in this state. The larger firms are owned by their friends and the smaller firms are bullied into ignoring me. My meager savings are not enough to start my own practice… so I remain the whipping boy.”
“There are forty-nine other states.”
“But my dad is here. It’s just been he and I for the last twelve years. He’ll never leave the home he shared with my mom… and I’ll never leave him.”
He sipped his wine.
“So, B&P’s money keeps me locked in even though they only toss pennies my way.”
Unable to keep the smug look from her face, Olivia Chandler leaned back, her head tilted to the side.
“Maynard and Samuel’s millions… and their connections don’t scare me.”
Glendon Kane’s face brightened.
“Olivia? Are you offering me a job?”
“Yes.”
Incredulous, Kane scrubbed his hand down his face. Returning his gaze to Olivia, he searched for the words.
“The Chandler Group… wow. Your reputation is flawless and you guys do some awesome work.”
Glendon abruptly held his hands up.
“You realize Maynard and Samuel won’t just let me walk away?”
“Are you in the middle of a contract with them?”
“No. My last contract ended over five months ago. They’ve been slow to write up another because they don’t want to make me a partner… or increase my pay. I’m still working under the terms of the contract we signed two years ago.”
Olivia leaned forward.
“You let me worry about those two. I need help, Glendon. I love my job, but my current caseload is out of control. I don’t have the time to train or hold anyone’s hand. You’re amazing in the courtroom… a force to be reckoned with. Your concern for your clients is genuine and you’ve won some near-impossible cases because you weren’t afraid to buck the system. I’m sure your billable hours are more than those four doorstops combined.”
Her face softened.
“Come to work for me… after the appropriate notice to Borst, of course. I’ll have something drawn up in the morning, but it will include a significant pay increase, an expense account, full medical… and no weekends.”
“Olivia, you had me at “Come to work for me.””
Olivia Chandler laughed. “Seriously though, Glendon. Email or call Margot in the morning with your particulars. We can meet for a late lunch or another early dinner to go over the contract. You can give Borst notice by the end of the week.”
Kane reached out and grabbed Olivia’s hand, firmly shaking it.
“At this point, Olivia, the wording of a contract is not an issue. You’re respected and held in high regard in the state’s family law system and internationally in the public interest community. I appreciate the opportunity… and honestly, I think you’re saving my life.”
She gripped his hand, returning his handshake.
“Glendon, we’re saving each other and I look forward to working with you. Now, let’s order a couple of those thirty-two-ounce Big Texan steaks and see how much we can eat before we get sick.”
“You’re on!”
The attorneys chatted and joked amiably. Olivia relaxed, proud of herself for following her first thought and offering the harried Glendon Kane a position.
Maynard Borst and Samuel Peckham would be furious. They would be full of piss and vinegar and issue empty threats, but Glendon would come to work for her… that she was sure of.
Her workload would lighten and she would have free time. Something she’d never wanted before, but there was no Bruce Bellamy before. Olivia looked forward to spending more time with Bruce and his huge, loving family. She felt like she was a part of something important and she liked it.
Glendon was laughing and telling a story from his law school days as Olivia said a silent prayer for her future with Bruce… and that she didn’t do anything to ruin it.
©Felicia Denise 2017
Save
Instagram Giveaway #ComingSoon
[image error]
“…You can be judged…”
[image error]
September 9, 2017
Mediation #WritingChallenge
[image error]
52-Week Writing Challenge: Week 35
Reworking parts of ‘Heartburn’ and this is a deleted scene… for now. Who knows where it will end up?
“Quinn, you can’t! My parents are still well thought of in the school community even though they both retired years ago. Having this come out would kill my mother.”
“I don’t give three twisting bitches about what may or may not kill your mother!”
“Quinn!”
“For our entire marriage, she’s smiled in my face; stuck her nose where it didn’t belong and tried to talk me into quitting my job just to be a full-time wife to you — a man who can’t keep his pants zipped! Then when you commit the ultimate betrayal, she helps you hide it. Honestly, Oscar — she can kiss my ass!”
“Quinn!”
“Shut up! Stop yelling my name and sign the damn papers! I’m done with this… and you!”
“Quinn, baby — don’t do this! We can work this out. I’m serious about the marriage counseling. It’s not too late. We can fix our marriage, baby”
“The marriage wasn’t the problem, Oscar — you were. Sign.”
“Baby, please. Let’s take a vacation… spend some time together, and talk this out. Just the two of us.”
“Sign… or my next stop is your boss’ office.”
Oscar reached out towards Quinn, and she leaned away from the table. “Quinn…please…?
She stared at him, her jaws set.
Defeated, Oscar nodded to his attorney and retook his seat.
Opening the ominous file folder that always laid in the center of the table during each meeting, the attorney glanced at Morris and Quinn, then addressed Oscar.
“Are you sure about this, Oscar?”
Oscar looked at his wife and for the first time, she saw real emotion.
Quinn almost felt sorry for him. Almost.
Nodding, Oscar took the document and signed in the three marked places then slid it back to his attorney who also signed before sliding it back to the center of the table.
Morris pulled it in front of Quinn, who signed quickly with a flourish.
Morris Dabney added his signature.
“I’ll file these with the court before the end of business today and make sure your office gets copies”, he directed to the other side of the table. He turned to Quinn. “The court will set a formal hearing date, and without any more objections”,
Morris looked pointedly at Oscar, “the marriage dissolution will be final in a few short months. Neither of you will have to appear at the formal hearing since the documents are signed.”
“Thank you, Morris.”
Quinn reached for her bag and headed for the door. She had to leave this room while she could keep her anger in check. She had so much more she wanted to say to her soon-to-be-ex-husband. Things she should have said. But, she knew it would all fall on deaf ears as Oscar felt his infidelities were mere lapses in judgments… mistakes.
Quinn reached for the doorknob when Oscar called out to her. She turned to face him.
“I’ve made some mistakes, but I do love you. My heart will always belong to you.”
Quinn left the conference, stalking towards the elevator, her jaws clenched so tightly, a dull ache radiated down to her neck.
Jabbing the call button, Quinn was grateful when the lift doors opened and equally grateful no one else boarded.
Quinn pressed the button for the parking garage level, then leaned against the wall.
It was over.
She was closing the book on nine years of her life and moving on. Quinn knew it wouldn’t be easy. She may be rid of Oscar Landon, but her family wasn’t going anywhere. Oscar would waste no time in telling them Quinn had BLACKMAILED him into signing the divorce papers.
She supposed she’d done just. But Quinn felt no guilt or regret. The mental and emotional duress Oscar put her through, not to mention the risks to her health and life, left Quinn feeling justified in doing whatever it took to secure her freedom.
Quinn knew her family, descended from generations of pious, self-righteous folk who didn’t believe in divorce, wouldn’t see it her way. Quinn was glad she’d moved out of the home she’d shared with Oscar long ago and into her own home, miles away from both sides of the family.
She had won the war, but the battles were just beginning.
©Felicia Denise 2017
Save
