Sometimes, when I write a difficult storyline or put the characters through a challenging time, I take a minute to reflect on all they have been through. I think this is one of the differences between writing a stand alone novel and a series. I have had the honor of going on a journey with these characters for years and have been with them from their first meeting to this moment in their lives.
Sometimes, I need to take a minute and remember why they are so important to me. In this case, or the scene which follows this post, Tommy and Brittany needed a moment.
They didn’t need to remember why they were together or solidify their relationship, but sometimes one needs to be reminded of their strength. Sometimes, we forget how strong we are and how much we can influence the world.
That is why I write this series. That is why I created Brittany when I was a teenager. That is why I look to her when I am feeling low. She is my therapy. Tommy is my hero.
Together, they remind me of all we can do to be better.
I don’t write tragedy to glorify it. People ask me all the time why my stuff is so dark. They want happiness. They want the good guys to win.
I do too, but I think it’s important to show how that happens. It’s in our darkest moments that we learn who we can trust. It’s through tragedy that the human spirit triumphs. All of my drama, everything the characters go through is to show how we can survive. It’s to remind everyone that when the worst happens, goodness will come through. It’s not about the tragedy, it’s about the triumph. I have experienced that. I believe that good wins out. I also truly believe that one tragic moment does not define a person.
It can’t.
How horrible would that be? We have to be able to change. To evolve. To grow.
To overcome.
That’s why I write these stories. I write to show strength and courage and dignity. I write to show love and hope and passion. I write because I need to see that those ideals matter.
I think the good guys win in this series all the time.
Brittany and Tommy and Jack and Stephanie and Bill and Julie and Mike and Jade and Evan and Liz and Ian and Cassie.
They are the good guys. They are together because they fought for each other. Their children are the best examples of that love and I know they are all solid.
They face down every challenge. Sometimes they fail. Sometimes they need a hand from someone else. Sometimes they do the wrong thing. Sometimes they lose.
Such is life.
But sometimes, and I hope more often than not.
They win.
Please enjoy another excerpt from “Shattered”
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They ate and drank and laughed about nothing, both needing an escape from the heaviness of life. Both of them had to handle everything they were dealing with and they would, but for now, for tonight, they were just a couple in love.
Tommy told her about his talk with Ian and they both hoped Cassie would be home soon to help try and heal their family.
“I bet my dad would have done the same thing,” she said softly. “He would have been so upset.”
Tommy nodded.
“He would have wanted to try and fix something. I can understand that. He would have felt helpless.”
Brittany nodded, her mind running.
“I’m going to go fill the tub, okay?” he said.
“I’ll be right there.”
He left and she went into the bedroom and got undressed. She brushed her hair and pulled on her robe and sat down on the bed.
“It’s ready,” Tommy said as he walked in and saw her.
“What’s going on? You okay?”
She looked at him, standing there in a towel and her eyes filled with tears.
“I’m good,” she stood up and walked to him.
“You’re a terrible liar,” he smiled and put his hands on her shoulders. “How long have we been together?”
She smiled despite her tears.
“My whole life.”
He was surprised.
“That’s not what I was expecting.”
“I know,” she sighed. “That’s my issue.”
She walked away and he was thoroughly confused.
“I was born the moment you came into my life,” she turned and faced him. “I was a shell of a woman when we met. My God, Tommy, it took me 13 years to let anyone even know what happened to me, aside from Stephanie. What kind of a role model is that? I think that’s why I haven’t told Desi what happened to me. I think that’s why I haven’t told all of the kids. I mean, if I tell her and she asks what to expect moving forward, what can I say? How can I not be a huge hypocrite if I tell her it will be okay?”
Tommy let her talk and knew he was her safe place. He had to swallow the anger and sadness he felt at how her life always seemed to go back to what those pigs did to her. He hated how she was reminded again and again of what happened.
He walked to her and took her hands in his own.
“When we first started dating, or whatever you would call it,” he smiled as she chuckled. “You were so worried that I would be disappointed. You kept telling me you weren’t worth it. You said you might never be able to be intimate with me. You told me to leave you alone and to go be happy on my own.”
She reached up and stroked his cheek.
“You didn’t listen to me.”
He kissed her palm and shrugged.
“I couldn’t. I couldn’t because life doesn’t work out the same for each person. I’m profoundly sorry you spent all that time being so hurt and alone. I’m horrified that the people who hurt you spent so many years free to walk this earth. I would do anything in my power to take away the hurt you experienced,” he said softly and kissed her fingers.
“But somehow, and some way, life brought us together. We met, and no matter what, that changed my entire world. You changed my entire world. You always tell me that everyone experiences the aftermath of trauma in a different way, and for you and in a way for me after the accident; what we did worked for us. We did what we had to do to survive. You didn’t have someone to hold your hand and tell you how amazing and strong and worthwhile you are. Desi has that. You exude strength because you created it from the depths of despair. Desi will look to you as a beacon of hope; not for what you did in the days after your attack, but for the life you have led every day since. You are simply the most amazing woman and I still can’t believe you are my wife.”
Her tears spilled over her cheeks and she pressed her mouth to his.
He slipped his hands inside her robe and pulled her to him, his tongue playing with hers and his hands resting on her buttocks.
“I love you so much,” she said passionately as he pushed her robe off.
“I know,” he grinned.
She laughed and pulled his towel off.
“You got ready before me,” she frowned as she looked at his excitement.
He shrugged.
“I can’t help it when you kiss me like that, but I might be able to help you catch up,” he gathered her in his arms.
“Give it your best shot,” she said as he carried her to the tub.
“Ooh, a challenge,” he said as he vowed to give her a night to remember.
As always I can’t wait till the book comes out. Already pre-ordered.