Excerpt from Your Honor, May I?
“Your honor, if I may address Mr. Walker as well as the court?” she patiently waited for the nod of approval before continuing. “We have been married for 10 years. During the last five of those, I cowered in fear of Mr. Walker and his drinking, as well as his anger over trivialities while intoxicated. I raised his children in silence and shame. I explained repeatedly to those children why he yelled at me, and that I was fine.
I became an artist with cosmetics to cover up the damage and hide it from the world. I avoided social gatherings to keep from hearing the whispers about my situation. Just last night, when I asked which one of us was sleeping on the couch, while he was sober, he once again took his anger out physically on me. I’m done. Even if I am not granted my request for a divorce because of social standards, I am leaving with the children,” she turned to the judge.
“Your honor, may I? May I have my sanity and safety back?”
To read the full short story, stay tuned for more information on where HerStory Anthology will be available in March 2013.
Excerpt from my work in progress, tenatively titled The Tabbi Cat Chronicles
It had been years since she’d been back. So long in fact, that she wasn’t quite sure how her return would be received. She’d turned into a recluse over the years away, afraid to get close to anyone else. Afraid to hurt someone else, and unwilling to feel the guilt, like she was replacing them. Nobody could compare to them.
She folded the last of her small wardrobe’s contents and moved to the tiny table in the dank motel room. Removing the cover of the typewriter, slid a sheet of paper in and sat in front of the
device. The chair creaking under her light weight, she put her fingers to the keys.
My name is Tabitha Leone Kelly. When my story truly started, I didn’t know that. All I knew was that I was called Tabbi Cat. That’s the name I heard before my whole world changed, or more like started.
You see, I woke up semi-conscious and unsure who I was, where I was...knowing nothing really. I remember hearing crying and sirens, unable to open my eyes or move any part of my body. Breathing hurt like fire consuming me, and was becoming more and more difficult until my body must’ve given up. Everything went silent and black as I most likely passed out.
What seemed like minutes later, though was probably hours passed before I could hear anything again. The most hypnotic voice soothed my nerves. His words themselves were far from being
understood. At least until I felt his warm breath at my ear with them.
"You’re dying. I’m going to save you. Shhh," caressed the disembodied tenor.
Look for more excerpts as the weeks and possibly months pass. This is my most beloved of the voices in my head, so her story is being told loud and clear right now. For those of you who know of my dear Tabbi, you know how mouthy she can be. For those of you who don't, you're in for a wild ride...quite the treat. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do!
She folded the last of her small wardrobe’s contents and moved to the tiny table in the dank motel room. Removing the cover of the typewriter, slid a sheet of paper in and sat in front of the
device. The chair creaking under her light weight, she put her fingers to the keys.
My name is Tabitha Leone Kelly. When my story truly started, I didn’t know that. All I knew was that I was called Tabbi Cat. That’s the name I heard before my whole world changed, or more like started.
You see, I woke up semi-conscious and unsure who I was, where I was...knowing nothing really. I remember hearing crying and sirens, unable to open my eyes or move any part of my body. Breathing hurt like fire consuming me, and was becoming more and more difficult until my body must’ve given up. Everything went silent and black as I most likely passed out.
What seemed like minutes later, though was probably hours passed before I could hear anything again. The most hypnotic voice soothed my nerves. His words themselves were far from being
understood. At least until I felt his warm breath at my ear with them.
"You’re dying. I’m going to save you. Shhh," caressed the disembodied tenor.
Look for more excerpts as the weeks and possibly months pass. This is my most beloved of the voices in my head, so her story is being told loud and clear right now. For those of you who know of my dear Tabbi, you know how mouthy she can be. For those of you who don't, you're in for a wild ride...quite the treat. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do!