Beth Rinyu's Blog, page 26
June 29, 2013
An Unplanned Lesson .99 Cent Sale
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Just wanted to let everyone know that An Unplanned Lesson is .99 cents on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble until Monday. So why not spend the rest of your weekend with
a sexy Irish guy?An Unplanned Lesson
a sexy Irish guy?An Unplanned Lesson
June 26, 2013
Trying To Kick My Teaser Addiction
I can't believe it's less than a month away until the release of Drowning in Love. It's hard to believe that I will bringing another book couple to life on the pages of a book or in today's age the screen of an e-reader. Every time I get done writing a book, I feel like I won't be able to ever get into another book couple. When I wrote my first novel The Exception To The Rule, I thought that would be my one and only. There was no way that I would ever be able to love another book couple as much as I loved Kat & Julian. But the writing urge hit me once again and I sat behind my laptop and began to type out Dailan & Nicole's story. I have to admit, it took me a while to get into them but once I did, I found that I love them just as much as Kat & Julian. So, about four months ago, I decided to get to know a new book couple, Travis & Mia and guess what.....I love them just as much as the others! I'm finding that my characters are much like my children, they are all unique in their own way and I love them all just the same. I could never say that I have a favorite, because I love them all equally. I hope that you guys will love Travis & Mia the same way that you have grown to love my other characters.
I'm so excited for you guys to meet Travis & Mia. Their story is a beautiful one, that I'm thinking you may shed a few tears over. I have a confession to make, I have a bit of teaser addiction that I'm trying to kick. But have no fear, I have one more teaser that I will be posting very soon (possibly a bonus teaser as well....a girl like me can't quit cold turkey!) but I may have you guys work a little for that one. I've been posting so many teasers for this one, I'm going to end up in teaser jail! You can add to your TBR list here. You can also read the prologue here :
In case you have missed the many teasers that have posted over the past few months here they are once again (in order of the story line) Don't judge....it's a sickness...lol. :)
* The following is copyrighted material and subject to change (unedited)
Teaser #1
We stood in the hallway and waited for the elevator. “I have to give you credit, that was pretty slick,” I said.
“What?”
“Asking me for coffee in front of your grandmother, so I couldn’t say no.”
“You could have said no. No one was holding a gun to your head.”
We got into the elevator and continued with the conversation. “Look Travis, I think it’s better if you and I just don’t have any type of relationship. It’s obvious that we can’t be just friends.”
“No Mia, you’re wrong. We can be friends. Look, I’m sorry for what happened last night, this whole friendship thing with women is new to me. But I really do like you and I have a lot of fun when I’m with you. And I’m not going to lie; I think you’re absolutely beautiful.”
We stepped off the elevator and out of the apartment building into the warm muggy air.
“Travis, why would you want to be friends with me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?
“Because I’m just ordinary. I’m not those supermodels that you’re used to being around.
“No Mia, you’re not. You are so much more. Not only are you beautiful, but you also have a great personality, you’re smart and you’re funny. So sometimes ordinary is better.”
Teaser #2
We took a break and sat on a bench looking out onto the ocean. The warm breeze, the salt air and the familar sound of the seagulls flying overhead soothed my senses. There was no place else on earth that I would have rather have been at that particular moment. “How could you not like the ocean?” Travis asked as he stared off.
“It’s not that I don’t like it, I just don’t like swimming in it.”
“That’s because you haven’t been to the right ocean.”
I giggled. “An ocean is an ocean.”
“Have you ever been to an island?”
I shook my head.
“Well, if you had, then you would probably change your mind. Saint Lucia has some of the most beautiful beaches around.”
“I have no doubt that it’s beautiful Travis, but it still doesn’t change the fact that there a million little creatures swimming around with you out there. Not to mention, waves!”
He shook his head. “Not in Saint Lucia, the water is so calm it’s like being in a pool.”
“A pool with sharks, piranhas, barracuda’s and God knows what else.”
He laughed. “I’m going to make a swimmer out you yet, Mia”
“Try as you might, but it will never happen,” I smiled.
His smile back took my breath away, making me think, that maybe I could trust him enough to help me overcome my fears in more ways than one.
June 20, 2013
Yes.....Another Teaser!
I seriously think they need to start a Teaser's Anonymous support group for authors. I have so many teasers from Drowning In Love that I want to share with everyone that I probably would be able to tell you the whole story with all of them. I can't post them all....right? So I had two more that I really LOVED and thought were worth sharing. Here is the first of the two and the next and final one I will be sharing in a few weeks. Don't forget to add Drowning in Love to your TBR list Drowning In Love on Goodreads.
June 16, 2013
Happy Fathers Day!
Happy Father's Day to all of the great dad's out there, to all of the guys who have stepped up and became dad's to kids that weren't their own and to all the moms who are raising their kids without dad's.
I love to write write romances but I also like to include other relationships within the stories (friendships,siblings, children, parents.) When I wrote The Exception To The Rule it was not only a love story but also a story that focused on many other relationships. One of those relationships that I centered a lot of the story around was Kat's relationship with her dad. I got so emotional writing these parts of this book that I decided share the ones that caused the most tears for me:
My dad smiled, seeming to know that this was the best Christmas present I had ever received. “Well, I was holding on to that diamond, planning to do something with it for your wedding day,” he said sadly, knowing that he would never see that day. “So just promise me when you do get married that you wear that necklace so me and your mother can be part of your special day.”***I sat down in the chair next to his bed, etching his face into my mind so I would never forget it. I held his hand as he opened his eyes briefly, smiled at me, only to close them again forever, as I whispered - “goodbye, Daddy.”***I looked out of the big picture window at the enormous oak tree in the backyard. That tree was my favorite play place when I was growing up. It provided shade from the hot summer days. It was the perfect climbing tree during my tomboy phase and the best thinking spot as I got older. It looked so barren in the winter, stripped of its green leaves of summer or the majestic hues of red and orange that it would unveil every autumn. I felt like that tree–empty. I had no one left; I would never be able to have one of my long insightful talks with my dad again. I focused my attention on the lone wooden swing that hung from the limb of that tree. I remembered how my dad had built it for me the summer after my mother had died. It had withstood the test of time, the harsh winters, the hurricane winds that would blow through–just as our love for one another had survived. I grabbed my coat and made my way out to the swing. The cold December air immediately hit me in the face. I sat down on the swing and closed my tear-filled eyes. “Push me higher, Daddy.” “Okay, hold on, Katrina–here you go!” I could hear the laughter and feel the happiness that filled the backyard that day. “I love you so much, Daddy!” “I love you too, baby girl.” *** I smiled up at the sky, touching the diamond pendant hanging from my neck. I knew my mom and dad were there with me; I could feel them. “I found my ‘one,’ Dad,” I whispered.
I love to write write romances but I also like to include other relationships within the stories (friendships,siblings, children, parents.) When I wrote The Exception To The Rule it was not only a love story but also a story that focused on many other relationships. One of those relationships that I centered a lot of the story around was Kat's relationship with her dad. I got so emotional writing these parts of this book that I decided share the ones that caused the most tears for me:
My dad smiled, seeming to know that this was the best Christmas present I had ever received. “Well, I was holding on to that diamond, planning to do something with it for your wedding day,” he said sadly, knowing that he would never see that day. “So just promise me when you do get married that you wear that necklace so me and your mother can be part of your special day.”***I sat down in the chair next to his bed, etching his face into my mind so I would never forget it. I held his hand as he opened his eyes briefly, smiled at me, only to close them again forever, as I whispered - “goodbye, Daddy.”***I looked out of the big picture window at the enormous oak tree in the backyard. That tree was my favorite play place when I was growing up. It provided shade from the hot summer days. It was the perfect climbing tree during my tomboy phase and the best thinking spot as I got older. It looked so barren in the winter, stripped of its green leaves of summer or the majestic hues of red and orange that it would unveil every autumn. I felt like that tree–empty. I had no one left; I would never be able to have one of my long insightful talks with my dad again. I focused my attention on the lone wooden swing that hung from the limb of that tree. I remembered how my dad had built it for me the summer after my mother had died. It had withstood the test of time, the harsh winters, the hurricane winds that would blow through–just as our love for one another had survived. I grabbed my coat and made my way out to the swing. The cold December air immediately hit me in the face. I sat down on the swing and closed my tear-filled eyes. “Push me higher, Daddy.” “Okay, hold on, Katrina–here you go!” I could hear the laughter and feel the happiness that filled the backyard that day. “I love you so much, Daddy!” “I love you too, baby girl.” *** I smiled up at the sky, touching the diamond pendant hanging from my neck. I knew my mom and dad were there with me; I could feel them. “I found my ‘one,’ Dad,” I whispered.
June 15, 2013
The week in short....and a little teaser!
Call me crazy but I love getting us super early on the weekends. I get so much done in those few hours before the rest of the world starts to stir. I just wanted to remind everyone about the giveaway that's still going on - 3 more days! So, if you haven't entered don't miss out:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you have read an Unplanned Lesson and are in love with Dailan as much as me then be sure to check out the poll question at the top of my Facebook Page. I've decided that I am going to do a second book (An Unplanned Life). I'm writing this for all of the people who have written me and told me how much they loved and Unplanned Lesson and wanted to see more Dailan and Nicole. Plus,I absolutely adore the characters in this book and wanted more of them too. My fingers just don't stop moving on the keyboard when I'm typing this story, they are so easy to write about! It is going to be a sequel/prequel to An Unplanned Lesson. You will get to see where Nicole and Dailan are now with their life while flashing back to Nicole's painful past. I am hoping that the readers will get a true sense of exactly why Nicole was so emotionally distraught in An Unplanned Lesson, when they visit her past. Let me tell, you I am getting emotionally distraught writing it. There are quite a few people in her past who are really making me angry, so much so that I need to step away from my computer when I'm writing it.Those of you that have read and An Unplanned Lesson, can probably guess who a few of those people are. Plus there are a few more characters that you haven't met yet, that I promise, you will LOVE to HATE! I've shed quite a few tears for Nicole already and I'm hoping that you guys will too.
Travis and Mia will be here in a little over a month....I have two more teasers that I want to share with you guys. Okay, really I have like ten, but I had to narrow it down.....don't want to give away too much! Be sure to add it to your TBR List. You can also check out the prologue here. So, I won't keep you waiting any longer.....here is the latest teaser from Drowning in Love. Mia and Travis are still at the "just friends" stage in their relationship....but deep down inside she knows it's so much more.....enjoy :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you have read an Unplanned Lesson and are in love with Dailan as much as me then be sure to check out the poll question at the top of my Facebook Page. I've decided that I am going to do a second book (An Unplanned Life). I'm writing this for all of the people who have written me and told me how much they loved and Unplanned Lesson and wanted to see more Dailan and Nicole. Plus,I absolutely adore the characters in this book and wanted more of them too. My fingers just don't stop moving on the keyboard when I'm typing this story, they are so easy to write about! It is going to be a sequel/prequel to An Unplanned Lesson. You will get to see where Nicole and Dailan are now with their life while flashing back to Nicole's painful past. I am hoping that the readers will get a true sense of exactly why Nicole was so emotionally distraught in An Unplanned Lesson, when they visit her past. Let me tell, you I am getting emotionally distraught writing it. There are quite a few people in her past who are really making me angry, so much so that I need to step away from my computer when I'm writing it.Those of you that have read and An Unplanned Lesson, can probably guess who a few of those people are. Plus there are a few more characters that you haven't met yet, that I promise, you will LOVE to HATE! I've shed quite a few tears for Nicole already and I'm hoping that you guys will too.
Travis and Mia will be here in a little over a month....I have two more teasers that I want to share with you guys. Okay, really I have like ten, but I had to narrow it down.....don't want to give away too much! Be sure to add it to your TBR List. You can also check out the prologue here. So, I won't keep you waiting any longer.....here is the latest teaser from Drowning in Love. Mia and Travis are still at the "just friends" stage in their relationship....but deep down inside she knows it's so much more.....enjoy :)
June 10, 2013
Just because....giveaway
I said goodbye to another book couple yesterday. I always get so sad when that day comes! After spending many months creating them and getting to know them it's hard to say goodbye. Sort of like watching your kids grow up. But I know that means I'm one step closer to having all of you meet them. You will get to read all about Travis & Mia's love story on July 22nd. For those of you that have read both of my books, this one is more like The Exception To The Rule, it's a very emotional love story. It does have some funny scenes between Mia and her BFF but the scenes between Travis and Mia are more serious. Travis is more like Julian than Dailan.
Speaking of Dailan .....I have a surprise in store for you guys....can't tell you what just yet, but all of you Dailan O'Maley lovers will be very happy!!
So since it's Monday, It's a dreary day (at least where I'm at) and I'm missing Travis & Mia already. I've decided to do a giveaway....just because! Good Luck and don't forget to mark you calendars for July 22nd!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Speaking of Dailan .....I have a surprise in store for you guys....can't tell you what just yet, but all of you Dailan O'Maley lovers will be very happy!!
So since it's Monday, It's a dreary day (at least where I'm at) and I'm missing Travis & Mia already. I've decided to do a giveaway....just because! Good Luck and don't forget to mark you calendars for July 22nd!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
June 5, 2013
Teaser - Drowning In Love
Good Morning Everyone! Here is a new teaser that I just posted to Drowning In Love on my FB page can't wait to share the entire book with all of you next month!
The following is copyrighted material and subject to change (unedited)
We took a break and sat on a bench looking out onto the ocean. The warm breeze, the salt air and the familar sound of the seagulls flying overhead soothed my senses. There was no place else on earth that I would have rather have been at that particular moment. “How could you not like the ocean?” Travis asked as he stared off.
“It’s not that I don’t like it, I just don’t like swimming in it.”
“That’s because you haven’t been to the right ocean.”
I giggled. “An ocean is an ocean.”
“Have you ever been to an island?”
I shook my head.
“Well, if you had, then you would probably change your mind. Saint Lucia has some of the most beautiful beaches around.”
“I have no doubt that it’s beautiful Travis, but it still doesn't change the fact that there a million little creatures swimming around with you out there. Not to mention, waves!”
He shook his head. “Not in Saint Lucia, the water is so calm it’s like being in a pool.”
“A pool with sharks, piranhas, barracudas and God knows what else.”
He laughed. “I’m going to make a swimmer out you yet, Mia”
“Try as you might, but it will never happen,” I smiled.
His smile back took my breath away, making me think, that maybe I could trust him enough to help me overcome my fears in more ways than one.
Drowning In Love
The following is copyrighted material and subject to change (unedited)
We took a break and sat on a bench looking out onto the ocean. The warm breeze, the salt air and the familar sound of the seagulls flying overhead soothed my senses. There was no place else on earth that I would have rather have been at that particular moment. “How could you not like the ocean?” Travis asked as he stared off.
“It’s not that I don’t like it, I just don’t like swimming in it.”
“That’s because you haven’t been to the right ocean.”
I giggled. “An ocean is an ocean.”
“Have you ever been to an island?”
I shook my head.
“Well, if you had, then you would probably change your mind. Saint Lucia has some of the most beautiful beaches around.”
“I have no doubt that it’s beautiful Travis, but it still doesn't change the fact that there a million little creatures swimming around with you out there. Not to mention, waves!”
He shook his head. “Not in Saint Lucia, the water is so calm it’s like being in a pool.”
“A pool with sharks, piranhas, barracudas and God knows what else.”
He laughed. “I’m going to make a swimmer out you yet, Mia”
“Try as you might, but it will never happen,” I smiled.
His smile back took my breath away, making me think, that maybe I could trust him enough to help me overcome my fears in more ways than one.
Drowning In Love
June 2, 2013
.99 cents - The Exception To The Rule
Good morning everybody! Today is the last day to get The Exception To The Rule for .99 cents on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble. So if you haven't read Kat & Julian's beautiful love story, now is the perfect time!The Exception to the Rule
If you would rather be spending your Sunday with a hot Irish Guy instead, An Unplanned
Lesson is only $2.99.An Unplanned Lesson
If you would rather be spending your Sunday with a hot Irish Guy instead, An Unplanned
Lesson is only $2.99.An Unplanned Lesson
May 31, 2013
One Step Closer
I'm happy to report that I'm one step closer to having my latest novel Drowning In Love out to you guys. I have typed THE END, but the THE END is never really the end until I hit that publish button. I'm still making minor changes based on some feedback that I've been receiving. Then there's the editing! But I am very hopeful that it will be out to the world by July. So here are some things to help with the wait. First, make sure that you add it to your TBR list. I've posted the entire prologue here. And, lastly here are a few tiny teasers:
We stood in the hallway and waited for the elevator. “I have to give you credit, that was pretty slick,” I said.
“What?” “Asking me for coffee in front of your grandmother, so I couldn’t say no.” “You could have said no. No one was holding a gun to your head.” We got into the elevator and continued with the conversation. “Look Travis, I think it’s better if you and I just don’t have any type of relationship. It’s obvious that we can’t be just friends.” “No Mia, you’re wrong. We can be friends. Look, I’m sorry for what happened last night, this whole friendship thing with women is new to me. But I really do like you and I have a lot of fun when I’m with you. And I’m not going to lie; I think you’re absolutely beautiful.” We stepped off the elevator and out of the apartment building into the warm muggy air. “Travis, why would you want to be friends with me?” “Why wouldn’t I? “Because I’m just ordinary. I’m not those supermodels that you’re used to being around. “No Mia, you’re not. You are so much more. Not only are you beautiful, but you also have a great personality, you’re smart and you’re funny. So sometimes ordinary is better.”
.
We stood in the hallway and waited for the elevator. “I have to give you credit, that was pretty slick,” I said.
“What?” “Asking me for coffee in front of your grandmother, so I couldn’t say no.” “You could have said no. No one was holding a gun to your head.” We got into the elevator and continued with the conversation. “Look Travis, I think it’s better if you and I just don’t have any type of relationship. It’s obvious that we can’t be just friends.” “No Mia, you’re wrong. We can be friends. Look, I’m sorry for what happened last night, this whole friendship thing with women is new to me. But I really do like you and I have a lot of fun when I’m with you. And I’m not going to lie; I think you’re absolutely beautiful.” We stepped off the elevator and out of the apartment building into the warm muggy air. “Travis, why would you want to be friends with me?” “Why wouldn’t I? “Because I’m just ordinary. I’m not those supermodels that you’re used to being around. “No Mia, you’re not. You are so much more. Not only are you beautiful, but you also have a great personality, you’re smart and you’re funny. So sometimes ordinary is better.”
.
May 20, 2013
Prologue - Drowning In Love
Well I did it! I finally reached 400 likes on my FB page! So in honor of that I shared the prologue to my soon to be released novel Drowning In Love for all of my liker's the other night.I wanted to share it here on GR for you guys as well:
The following is copyrighted material and subject to change (unedited)
What defines the perfect life? Well, I wasn’t quite sure but I was fairly certain that mine was pretty close to it. I was marrying my high school sweetheart in just a few short months. Together, we had pursued our dream of living in New York City in our tiny Greenwich Village apartment. But to me, it didn’t matter where we lived, as long as I was with Eric Callahan - I was happy. I first met Eric in the fifth grade. I was the new girl and couldn’t help but notice the cute boy with the big brown doe eyes who sat in the front of the class because of his constant chattering. I was told to stay away from him because he belonged to Tiffany Bennet, the most popular and mean spirited girl in the fifth grade. All of the boys liked her, probably because she had something that most ten year old girls lack - boobs. So, being the new girl and wanting to fit in, I kept my distance. All throughout middle school, I crushed on him from afar, and even though Tiffany had long since moved on to someone new, I still never had the guts to tell him how I felt. It wasn’t until Mrs. McVay’s tenth grade biology class, that I finally got the nerve to talk to him. Eric and I were partnered up during the frog dissection unit. Since I was totally grossed out by the whole thing, Eric just took charge and did everything. Ever since that day that’s how it’s been. Eric was my best friend, my finder of lost things, my foot warmer on a cold winter night, keeper of my heart and my soul mate. He was a New York City Police officer, and I had followed my love of cosmetology and was working at a very upscale New York City Salon. I had never been happier. But sometimes happiness can be taken away in the blink of an eye, leaving you scared, alone and wondering how you will ever pick up the pieces of what was once a fairy tale life.
I stepped out of the shower into the tiny steam ridden bathroom, while Eric stood at the bathroom sink, shaving and wiping the condensation from the mirror.
“Sorry,” I said as I wrapped myself in the towel and hugged him from behind.
He turned around with his half shaven face and hugged me back. “That’s okay, but only because you’re so cute.”
“Can you believe that in a little less than three months, I will no longer be Mia Taylor?”
He kissed me on the forehead. “I can’t wait. All of these overtime shifts will have paid off when I’m sitting on a beach in Aruba with Mrs. Mia Callahan.”
I smiled just thinking about our honeymoon. “I wish we could both call out today and stay in bed and practice for that honeymoon.” My towel fell off when I lifted my arms and wrapped them around his neck.
He looked down at my naked body. “You’re killin’ me Mia.” He glanced at his watch. “Ten minutes?”
“I’ll take it!” I grabbed his hand and led him into the bedroom.
***
I got through the work day with ease and stopped off at the store. I called Eric once I was home. It was six o’clock and he was working until seven. “I’m cooking your favorite tonight, eggplant parm, so don’t eat anything.”
“Okay.”
“You will be home on time, right?”
“Yup, and you know I want to pick up where we left off this morning.”
I giggled. “Eric….is Ian right there with you?” Ian was Eric’s partner.
“Yeah, he doesn’t pay attention to anything though.” He was silent for a moment as I heard a call coming over the radio. “Awe damn! I may be just a little late.”
“Ugh….Okay, I’ll keep it warm for you. I love you and be careful.”
“Always and I love you too.”
I hated his crazy schedule. He had been working so hard, picking up every over-time shift that he could get to pay for our wedding and honeymoon. We just had to get through the next three days and then we were on vacation for a whole week. We didn’t have any plans other than finalizing the wedding details and just taking time to slow down and relax. After two hours of slicing, breading, frying and baking I was finally taking the eggplant from the oven when I heard a knock on my door. Eric must have forgotten his key again. His timing was perfect. I opened the door and instead of seeing Eric on the other side, it was two police officers who I didn’t know.
“Mia Taylor?”
“Yeah?” I felt my heart drop to my knees. Somehow I knew, they didn’t need to say anything – I just knew.
“Mia there’s been a shooting…..” those were the last words I heard before I totally blacked out.
I was sitting on my couch; I didn’t even know how I got there. The female police officer handed me a glass of water as she held a cold rag on my head. “Are you okay?” I couldn’t answer. I was in shock. She took my hand and rubbed it gently.
“I need to go see him.” My voice was shaking.
“Okay, are you sure you’re okay. Do you need us to call you an ambulance to have you checked out?” The male police officer asked.
“No, I just need to see Eric, he needs me.” I began to cry.
The female police officer placed her hand on my shoulder. “We’ll take you to the hospital, Mia.”
“Has anyone notified his parents?” I asked.
“Yes, they’re on their way.”
I threw on my flip-flops and followed them out the door.
When we arrived at the hospital, the male police officer checked in with the nurse. Eric was still in surgery. I took a seat in the waiting area. The female police officer, who had finally introduced herself as Judy, took a seat next to me.
“Mia, is there anyone that you would like me to call, to be here with you?” I knew that I had to break the news to my mother. Since I probably wouldn’t even be able to get the words out without breaking down; I gave Judy her phone number to handle it.
I pulled my legs up onto the chair and wrapped my arms around them. I rested my head on my knees and thought back to this morning. We were talking about our wedding, our honeymoon, our life together as husband and wife. Never in a million years, did I imagine that I’d be sitting in a hospital while he was fighting to make that life happen.
“Is Ian okay?” I asked finally lifting my head from my knees.
“He’s okay. He’s in a state of shock. He’s not handling this too well,” Judy said.
Of course, he wasn’t handling this well. He and Eric were super close. They had been partners since Eric had joined the force. He thought of Eric as a younger brother.
My tears began to fall once again when I saw Eric’s parents. His mother’s eyes were swollen and I could tell that she was feeling the same way that I was.
“Mia!” The tears rolled down her face. She wrapped her arms around me and we both broke down together. Eric’s mom and dad were like a second set of parents to me. Eric’s father was always such a big strong looking man, but tonight he seemed as fragile as glass as he hugged me tightly.
We sat together in silence waiting for Eric’s doctor to appear and tell us that everything was going to be okay. Unfortunately, the news that he had to deliver was the opposite of what we wanted to hear. Eric was shot in the jaw. The bullet had lodged in his shoulder and tore through two main arteries in his neck, which had severely affected his blood flow. His brain was greatly affected by the lack of oxygen. There were a few more tests they wanted to do, but right now the prognosis seemed grim.
It was if my mother and stepfather appeared right when I needed them most. “Mom!” I cried.
“Oh, Mia!” She hugged me tightly. I felt like a little kid again as I curled up in her arms. My stepfather took the empty seat on the other side of me and gently rubbed my back. Once I felt calm enough to speak, I gave them an update on Eric.
“But it’s okay, he’s going to pull through this and everything is going to be okay, I just know it,” I said.
“Mia, they have him in a room. Would you like to go see him?” Eric’s father asked.
I nodded and stood up on my shaky legs. I followed Eric’s father down the hallway and into Eric’s room. He led me in and then immediately walked out to give me some privacy.
Eric was hooked up to every machine imaginable with a tube down his throat. It pained me just to look at him. I took his hand in mine as the tears rolled down my face.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen, Eric. You can’t leave me. I won’t be able to live in a world without you.” The haunting rhythm of the beeping machines was a painful reminder that this was the only thing keeping him alive. “I can’t say goodbye to you, I just can’t. You have to pull through this. We have so many things that we have planned in life and if you think I’m going to let you back out of them because of this, you’re wrong. Please, Eric…..please.” I buried my face into his chest and began to sob.
I still had my head buried in his chest and was clutching to his hand tightly when his father walked back in the room.
“Mia,” his tone was gentle.
I lifted my head and smiled through my tear filled eyes. “He’s going to be okay, you don’t have to worry,” I said.
He closed his eyes as if my words pained him. He took my hand and helped me up, leading me back into the waiting area, to my parents.
“Mia, why don’t you let us take you home and get some sleep and we’ll come back first thing in the morning?” My stepfather gently asked.
“No, if he wakes up I need to be here.”
“Mia, sweetie. It’s after midnight, you need to go home and get some rest,” my mother said.
“Mom, he is going to wake up. You know that right? He would never leave me.” I could feel the hysteria in my voice as I tried not only to convince my mother but also myself of that fact.
Her eyes filled up with tears. She didn’t respond. She just pulled me to her and kissed me on the head.
I said my goodbyes to Eric’s parents. They were sticking around for a little while longer and then staying at Eric’s Aunt’s apartment, who also lived in the city.
“Promise me that you will call me if anything happens?” I asked.
“I promise.” Eric’s mother answered
I hugged her tightly. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said. It was now just a waiting game – the longest wait of my life.
***
Three days had past and the test results were not what anyone had hoped for. Eric had no brain activity whatsoever. But I was still holding out hope. Eric was still here physically and that’s all that mattered. I could still feel the warmth of his skin and kiss his lips, so to me he was still alive. I hunkered down in his room for the past seventy two hours, only leaving when the nurse’s would come in and tell me that visiting hours were over. I would talk to him just as if he were there listening to me. I talked about our wedding, our honeymoon and what our life together would be like after we were married.
I was in my usual spot, sitting in the chair right along Eric’s bedside with his hand in mine, when his dad walked in the room.
“I was just telling Eric, that once we have kids we really need to move back home, away from the city. That would be better for you guys too, because then you would get to see your grandkids all the time,” I said.
Eric’s dad looked at me sympathetically. “Mia, we’ve made the decision. Eric wouldn’t want to be kept alive this way.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “No, no, no!” I shouted. “Please, don’t! He’s alive, he’s breathing. Please don’t take him away from me. I will die right along with him. Eric is strong, he’s going to wake up; I know it.” I was trying to catch my breath. Eric’s father looked at me with tear-filled eyes as the nurse came running in, hearing my screams.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
I bent down and hugged Eric. “Please don’t let them do this….please. He loves me and I love him. We’re going to get married and have kids. Please I’m begging you.”
Eric’s father had tears rolling down his face as he looked at me. “I’m sorry Mia.” He put his head down and walked out the door.
I buried my head into Eric’s chest and began to sob. “Eric, please wake up, baby. Don’t let them do this to you.”
The nurse came over and tried to gently pry me away from him, but it was useless. I wasn’t budging. She finally gave up and walked out the door, leaving me alone one last time with Eric. I kissed him over and over again. I wanted to taste him on my lips for the rest of my life. I took a deep breath, memorizing every inch of his familiar face. I rested my head on his shoulder and whispered in his ear, “I will love you forever Eric….”
*Read the rest of Mia's story ~ Summer
The following is copyrighted material and subject to change (unedited)
What defines the perfect life? Well, I wasn’t quite sure but I was fairly certain that mine was pretty close to it. I was marrying my high school sweetheart in just a few short months. Together, we had pursued our dream of living in New York City in our tiny Greenwich Village apartment. But to me, it didn’t matter where we lived, as long as I was with Eric Callahan - I was happy. I first met Eric in the fifth grade. I was the new girl and couldn’t help but notice the cute boy with the big brown doe eyes who sat in the front of the class because of his constant chattering. I was told to stay away from him because he belonged to Tiffany Bennet, the most popular and mean spirited girl in the fifth grade. All of the boys liked her, probably because she had something that most ten year old girls lack - boobs. So, being the new girl and wanting to fit in, I kept my distance. All throughout middle school, I crushed on him from afar, and even though Tiffany had long since moved on to someone new, I still never had the guts to tell him how I felt. It wasn’t until Mrs. McVay’s tenth grade biology class, that I finally got the nerve to talk to him. Eric and I were partnered up during the frog dissection unit. Since I was totally grossed out by the whole thing, Eric just took charge and did everything. Ever since that day that’s how it’s been. Eric was my best friend, my finder of lost things, my foot warmer on a cold winter night, keeper of my heart and my soul mate. He was a New York City Police officer, and I had followed my love of cosmetology and was working at a very upscale New York City Salon. I had never been happier. But sometimes happiness can be taken away in the blink of an eye, leaving you scared, alone and wondering how you will ever pick up the pieces of what was once a fairy tale life.
I stepped out of the shower into the tiny steam ridden bathroom, while Eric stood at the bathroom sink, shaving and wiping the condensation from the mirror.
“Sorry,” I said as I wrapped myself in the towel and hugged him from behind.
He turned around with his half shaven face and hugged me back. “That’s okay, but only because you’re so cute.”
“Can you believe that in a little less than three months, I will no longer be Mia Taylor?”
He kissed me on the forehead. “I can’t wait. All of these overtime shifts will have paid off when I’m sitting on a beach in Aruba with Mrs. Mia Callahan.”
I smiled just thinking about our honeymoon. “I wish we could both call out today and stay in bed and practice for that honeymoon.” My towel fell off when I lifted my arms and wrapped them around his neck.
He looked down at my naked body. “You’re killin’ me Mia.” He glanced at his watch. “Ten minutes?”
“I’ll take it!” I grabbed his hand and led him into the bedroom.
***
I got through the work day with ease and stopped off at the store. I called Eric once I was home. It was six o’clock and he was working until seven. “I’m cooking your favorite tonight, eggplant parm, so don’t eat anything.”
“Okay.”
“You will be home on time, right?”
“Yup, and you know I want to pick up where we left off this morning.”
I giggled. “Eric….is Ian right there with you?” Ian was Eric’s partner.
“Yeah, he doesn’t pay attention to anything though.” He was silent for a moment as I heard a call coming over the radio. “Awe damn! I may be just a little late.”
“Ugh….Okay, I’ll keep it warm for you. I love you and be careful.”
“Always and I love you too.”
I hated his crazy schedule. He had been working so hard, picking up every over-time shift that he could get to pay for our wedding and honeymoon. We just had to get through the next three days and then we were on vacation for a whole week. We didn’t have any plans other than finalizing the wedding details and just taking time to slow down and relax. After two hours of slicing, breading, frying and baking I was finally taking the eggplant from the oven when I heard a knock on my door. Eric must have forgotten his key again. His timing was perfect. I opened the door and instead of seeing Eric on the other side, it was two police officers who I didn’t know.
“Mia Taylor?”
“Yeah?” I felt my heart drop to my knees. Somehow I knew, they didn’t need to say anything – I just knew.
“Mia there’s been a shooting…..” those were the last words I heard before I totally blacked out.
I was sitting on my couch; I didn’t even know how I got there. The female police officer handed me a glass of water as she held a cold rag on my head. “Are you okay?” I couldn’t answer. I was in shock. She took my hand and rubbed it gently.
“I need to go see him.” My voice was shaking.
“Okay, are you sure you’re okay. Do you need us to call you an ambulance to have you checked out?” The male police officer asked.
“No, I just need to see Eric, he needs me.” I began to cry.
The female police officer placed her hand on my shoulder. “We’ll take you to the hospital, Mia.”
“Has anyone notified his parents?” I asked.
“Yes, they’re on their way.”
I threw on my flip-flops and followed them out the door.
When we arrived at the hospital, the male police officer checked in with the nurse. Eric was still in surgery. I took a seat in the waiting area. The female police officer, who had finally introduced herself as Judy, took a seat next to me.
“Mia, is there anyone that you would like me to call, to be here with you?” I knew that I had to break the news to my mother. Since I probably wouldn’t even be able to get the words out without breaking down; I gave Judy her phone number to handle it.
I pulled my legs up onto the chair and wrapped my arms around them. I rested my head on my knees and thought back to this morning. We were talking about our wedding, our honeymoon, our life together as husband and wife. Never in a million years, did I imagine that I’d be sitting in a hospital while he was fighting to make that life happen.
“Is Ian okay?” I asked finally lifting my head from my knees.
“He’s okay. He’s in a state of shock. He’s not handling this too well,” Judy said.
Of course, he wasn’t handling this well. He and Eric were super close. They had been partners since Eric had joined the force. He thought of Eric as a younger brother.
My tears began to fall once again when I saw Eric’s parents. His mother’s eyes were swollen and I could tell that she was feeling the same way that I was.
“Mia!” The tears rolled down her face. She wrapped her arms around me and we both broke down together. Eric’s mom and dad were like a second set of parents to me. Eric’s father was always such a big strong looking man, but tonight he seemed as fragile as glass as he hugged me tightly.
We sat together in silence waiting for Eric’s doctor to appear and tell us that everything was going to be okay. Unfortunately, the news that he had to deliver was the opposite of what we wanted to hear. Eric was shot in the jaw. The bullet had lodged in his shoulder and tore through two main arteries in his neck, which had severely affected his blood flow. His brain was greatly affected by the lack of oxygen. There were a few more tests they wanted to do, but right now the prognosis seemed grim.
It was if my mother and stepfather appeared right when I needed them most. “Mom!” I cried.
“Oh, Mia!” She hugged me tightly. I felt like a little kid again as I curled up in her arms. My stepfather took the empty seat on the other side of me and gently rubbed my back. Once I felt calm enough to speak, I gave them an update on Eric.
“But it’s okay, he’s going to pull through this and everything is going to be okay, I just know it,” I said.
“Mia, they have him in a room. Would you like to go see him?” Eric’s father asked.
I nodded and stood up on my shaky legs. I followed Eric’s father down the hallway and into Eric’s room. He led me in and then immediately walked out to give me some privacy.
Eric was hooked up to every machine imaginable with a tube down his throat. It pained me just to look at him. I took his hand in mine as the tears rolled down my face.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen, Eric. You can’t leave me. I won’t be able to live in a world without you.” The haunting rhythm of the beeping machines was a painful reminder that this was the only thing keeping him alive. “I can’t say goodbye to you, I just can’t. You have to pull through this. We have so many things that we have planned in life and if you think I’m going to let you back out of them because of this, you’re wrong. Please, Eric…..please.” I buried my face into his chest and began to sob.
I still had my head buried in his chest and was clutching to his hand tightly when his father walked back in the room.
“Mia,” his tone was gentle.
I lifted my head and smiled through my tear filled eyes. “He’s going to be okay, you don’t have to worry,” I said.
He closed his eyes as if my words pained him. He took my hand and helped me up, leading me back into the waiting area, to my parents.
“Mia, why don’t you let us take you home and get some sleep and we’ll come back first thing in the morning?” My stepfather gently asked.
“No, if he wakes up I need to be here.”
“Mia, sweetie. It’s after midnight, you need to go home and get some rest,” my mother said.
“Mom, he is going to wake up. You know that right? He would never leave me.” I could feel the hysteria in my voice as I tried not only to convince my mother but also myself of that fact.
Her eyes filled up with tears. She didn’t respond. She just pulled me to her and kissed me on the head.
I said my goodbyes to Eric’s parents. They were sticking around for a little while longer and then staying at Eric’s Aunt’s apartment, who also lived in the city.
“Promise me that you will call me if anything happens?” I asked.
“I promise.” Eric’s mother answered
I hugged her tightly. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said. It was now just a waiting game – the longest wait of my life.
***
Three days had past and the test results were not what anyone had hoped for. Eric had no brain activity whatsoever. But I was still holding out hope. Eric was still here physically and that’s all that mattered. I could still feel the warmth of his skin and kiss his lips, so to me he was still alive. I hunkered down in his room for the past seventy two hours, only leaving when the nurse’s would come in and tell me that visiting hours were over. I would talk to him just as if he were there listening to me. I talked about our wedding, our honeymoon and what our life together would be like after we were married.
I was in my usual spot, sitting in the chair right along Eric’s bedside with his hand in mine, when his dad walked in the room.
“I was just telling Eric, that once we have kids we really need to move back home, away from the city. That would be better for you guys too, because then you would get to see your grandkids all the time,” I said.
Eric’s dad looked at me sympathetically. “Mia, we’ve made the decision. Eric wouldn’t want to be kept alive this way.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “No, no, no!” I shouted. “Please, don’t! He’s alive, he’s breathing. Please don’t take him away from me. I will die right along with him. Eric is strong, he’s going to wake up; I know it.” I was trying to catch my breath. Eric’s father looked at me with tear-filled eyes as the nurse came running in, hearing my screams.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
I bent down and hugged Eric. “Please don’t let them do this….please. He loves me and I love him. We’re going to get married and have kids. Please I’m begging you.”
Eric’s father had tears rolling down his face as he looked at me. “I’m sorry Mia.” He put his head down and walked out the door.
I buried my head into Eric’s chest and began to sob. “Eric, please wake up, baby. Don’t let them do this to you.”
The nurse came over and tried to gently pry me away from him, but it was useless. I wasn’t budging. She finally gave up and walked out the door, leaving me alone one last time with Eric. I kissed him over and over again. I wanted to taste him on my lips for the rest of my life. I took a deep breath, memorizing every inch of his familiar face. I rested my head on his shoulder and whispered in his ear, “I will love you forever Eric….”
*Read the rest of Mia's story ~ Summer
