So grateful to be a writer

Nineteen years ago here I was, writing my first book while we lived in Great Britain.

Lately life has been so full of distractions that I forget part of who I am, an author. Reading aloud for Home and Far Away this morning, I was pleasantly reminded of a marvelous section of my existence and how important that treasure is to share. Here's a scene from Chapter 10. If you're interested in more of Sooz's backstory, check out Far Away from Home: The Enran Chronicles Book Three.

Soozonly remained in her room long enough for Richard to fall asleep. Then shequietly went downstairs, collecting her novel and the dictionary from theliving room, taking the books into the front room. She preferred reading inthere because she could turn on the light without fearing she would alertRichard or Gilly to her nocturnal presence.

ThatChella slept as well as she did was a relief to Sooz, even if Chella requiredthe light, although Sooz had turned it off when she initially went upstairs.She was grateful Richard had been well paid for his days in Cloverdale, for hewas now supporting more than only his child. Sooz couldn’t imagine leavinghere; she had no skills other than one for which she possessed no outwardqualifications. From all she had seen in her limited exposure to television,women were expected to maintain the family home, only working if absolutelynecessary. There was certainly plenty for Sooz to do here, though if Gilly wasaway in school as long as Richard had insinuated, perhaps Sooz would need tofind a pastime.

Shedidn’t think about working with that doctor, but on Home and Far Away one female character knitted, while another wasalways making coffee for friends who sat at her kitchen table. Yet those wereplot devices, Sooz knew, finding in some of June’s novels similar settings forwomen who weren’t allowed to explore what life beyond marriage and motherhoodmight be. Characters on The Shining Sunwere much younger, then Sooz wondered if the plots were aimed at youths out ofschool for the summer. Maybe in September the storylines would shift to moremature themes.

Chellamight not be pleased, Sooz smirked, then she sighed. What would occur inChella’s life here that might be meaningful? Perhaps only that Chella had herfreedom mattered, yet she was tethered to the house or porch for much of theday due to the sun and heat. Sooz gazed out the window, the moon now largeenough to shed scant light, permitting Sooz to view the workshop, the tree, andif she squinted, she could see the mailbox along the road. This would beChella’s world, limited but perhaps Sooz could take up this knitting, thenteach Chella how, or maybe Chella would express her own interests, or….

Mightsomeday a human make an overture to Chella, desiring more than a companion?Sooz didn’t ponder that for herself, she had no wish for a relationship. YetChella knew what it was like to love someone, though her infatuation with Nothwas merely what the young people on TheShining Sun felt about each other, youthful escapades that humans seemed torequire. Sooz hadn’t spent much time with humans previously, but other speciesweren’t so engaged. Then she frowned, moving from the sofa, heading to thefront door. She opened it, standing at the screen door, hearing Max’s solidsnores. The yard was illuminated, but a cool breeze blew and she wasn’tinclined to go outside, though boots waited to the right of the door on theporch. Richard had bought them for her, as well as a new pair of what he calledtennis shoes. He had bought Chella a matching pair of tennis shoes, Gillyremarking she would teach Chella how to tie her shoes before going back toschool in the fall.

Tearsdribbled down Sooz’s face. If Amora had lived, she would be around Chella’sage, though that was merely relevant to Chella’s current emotional stage. Yetin experiencing a menstrual cycle, Sooz had been reminded she wasn’t as old asshe felt, or at least her body remained capable of…. She wiped her face,huffing softly. If Noth had been able to direct them to a specific time inEarth’s history, why had he chosen this era? Then she smirked; he’d probablyhad no such leeway, and any later might have meant their landing would havebeen discovered. One of June’s novels was about people from Mars invading Earthand the resulting tumult was exactly what Sooz, Chella, and Dardram hadn’texperienced. Was Dardram still alive, Sooz wondered, and what about the rest ofthem? What did it matter, she then clucked aloud, shaking her head.

Sheturned back for the front room, then gasped. “Oh, did I wake you?”

Richardrubbed his eyes on the second to last step. “Just thought I heard something.”

“I’msorry. I couldn’t sleep and….”

“Neithercould I, I mean, I kept dreaming then waking up. I need to apologize.” Hegestured toward the front room, then took the remaining step.

Sooznodded, then returned to her spot on the sofa. She moved her books, but Richardsat on the telephone seat. He cracked his knuckles, then gripped his knees.Sooz noticed that he wore shorts and an old t-shirt, his feet bare. His naturalskin color was markedly lighter than his forearms, which were nearly as darkas her skin. She clasped her hands in her lap as he inhaled, then exhaledslowly. “Why do you need to apologize?” she asked.

“Forbringing up your daughter. I know you wouldn’t tell Gilly about that.”

Soozalso took measured breaths. “But you’re right, she did seem moody afterlearning she wasn’t your first child.”

Henodded. “I guess it was good for her to know the truth, or better learning itnow than it coming out later like it was some big secret.”

“Likeme telling you about the multix?”

“Uhyeah, I guess.”

Sooznodded, then inwardly felt obliged to expand upon that revelation. Yet Richardyawned, then again rubbed his eyes. “You could probably fill her head with allsorts of details,” he said sleepily, “but for now, maybe it’s best to keep itvery simple.”

“Agreed.”

“Okay,well….” He stretched, but didn’t get up. Then he sighed. “I gotta go to Ukiahin the morning, but I won’t be gone long. Bank opens at ten, so I’ll definitelybe home for lunch.”

“Allright.”

“Fourthof July around here is a pretty big deal, even for this little Podunk town.Usually I take Gilly to see the parade, then we watch fireworks at the highschool. Think any of this sounds like something you wanna do?”

“Chellacan’t be out,” Sooz huffed.

“Well,not for the parade, but she might enjoy the fireworks. They don’t start tillnearly ten, and….”

“I’llconsider it.”

“Fairenough.” Richard stood, then yawned again. “If there’s anything you need, Imean, I can stop at the big store in Ukiah if you need any, you know….”

“Ihave all I require for now.” Sooz wondered if he meant additional hygieneproducts. “But I’ll let you know when that changes.”

“Uh,yeah. Actually I meant clothes, I mean shorts or different shoes. Anyway, thinkabout it. I’m not leaving till nine thirty or so.”

Sooznodded, then cracked her knuckles. “You don’t need to spend your money on us.”

“Well,I wouldn’t have made any of it if you hadn’t been keeping an eye on mydaughter. On Gilly,” he added softly.

Soozstood, then shrugged. “I’ll think about it and let you know before you leave.”

“Fine.Hope you get some sleep.”

“Thesame to you.”

Richardnodded, then left the room. Sooz remained standing until she heard a door closeupstairs. Then she retook her seat, pulling her knees to her chest. She closedher eyes, then allowed the memory of a melody into her head. For all those shehad considered lost to her, she had yet to ponder The Other. Now she permittedthat creature’s presence, weeping softly as a song she had heard on the radiosupplanted that unforgettable tune in her mind.