IT MAY BE LOVE
IT MAY BE LOVE
By: Angelica Hart and Zi
Excerpt from a manuscript being finalized
May 12
A misty mid-morning was gently touched by rain. The lick of the sun wanted to push the clouds apart, to spread them wide. A patter of drops could be heard splashing on the new green foliage of the maple trees.
Our Forever Rest cemetery was expecting a new guest. Herb Watkins. A good man. A father. A widower. A friend.
Eight cars were parked facing the same direction in a row on the narrow path. A small group of mourners were huddled beneath umbrellas flanking a coffin on one side. A minister stood facing them balancing his umbrella, reading from his vade mecum. It leather bound, worn by time was protected as if a sugar treasure from the rain.
The loved ones were silent. One female, his only daughter, was tearing. Frequently, wiping them from her face with a wad of tissue she had balled in her hand though not making a sound. She stood somewhat separate from the group. Wearing a dark blue pants suit and holding a blue umbrella. She was the only family he had and he hers.
EULOGY
The service for Herb Watkins was attended by a larger number of people then did Mr. Matters anticipate. He realized that in his private way Watkins had affected others. This was a refreshing act of support to his premise that Herb was a special man.
By many standards this would be considered a small gathering. But considering he had one living family member and by most standards he was a graybeard with few friends. An old-timer who stayed to himself. Old-fashioned. Set in is ways. A loner. Yet, he touched others in a human way.
Just prior to Mr. Matter’s eulogy he turned to his son and handed him the paper with a poem his son had written and asked, “Could you read this today for Mr. Watkins? I have realized that in some small way that you became the proxy grandson he had hoped to have. I know this is asking a lot of you but I know Herb would appreciate it. I believe that.”
Ronny took the paper, hesitated then responded, “I’ll do it.”
Ronny unfolded the paper his father had handed him, and looked at for a long twenty seconds. Raised his now reddening eyes to peer at the mourners and began, “I have titled this PROXY GRANDFATHERS IN PERPETUITY.
He read:
The nevers are far too many
Sad that is
Their scars time-lines of a hard life
Each worn with honor and respect
Time etched masterpieces
Speaking of wisdom
Experience
Endurance
Each man’s skin was aged by time
Weather,
Pain,
And worry
I stand before men of advance age
Humble and proud
I, a young manRaw with possibilities
Humbled by all of their successes
And proud that they are my
Proxy grandfathers in perpetuity.”
He folded the paper, raised his eyes again and put the work into his coat pocket.
Ronny spoke, “Mr. Watkins was my friend. And I am lucky for that. Thank you all for letting me share my words.” Then he sat.
His father approached the podium and said with a quiver in his voice, “I have never been more proud as a father then I am today…”
The manuscript, IT MAY BE LOVE, is a romance of a young woman, Mr. Watkins’ daughter, who was looking for online love, and found mystery and danger.
We share this specific piece because it highlights our ample respect for the elderly and in light of our most finished manuscript, LOVE LETTERS, a romantic thriller which has a backdrop of folks at an Assisted Living Facilities being in great peril… we felt it apt. Our minds were with those of advanced years. We adore the oldies.
Be sure to watch for our upcoming September 2009 release, KILLER DOLLS, a precursor to LOVE LETTERS and SNAKE DANCE, a romantic sci-fi fantasy, due out February 2010. For excerpt go to angelicahartandzi.com
Angelica Hart and Zi
Killer Dolls ~ September 2009
Snake Dance ~ February 2010
Champagne Books
Nan, It is great seeing you here. We’re so glad we have given you the sense of being right at the gravesite. It is our ambition to bring readers right into our stories, and your comment has complimented us greatly. BTW, we’ve heard you have an upcoming release, a romantic comedy HITTING THE HIGH NOTES. We’ll have to check out Champagne Books to find out just when.
Big Mike, To quote Celia Thaxter, “There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.” Having a compliment from Champagne’s Author of the Year, has warmed our hearts like the eternal summer sun. Yes, we believe love doesn’t have a limit, for the heart truly never ages. Speaking of love, we just noticed your new romantic suspense BLIND CONSENT is on sale at Champagne Book. How awesome is that!
Nicole, If our words touched you, than it speaks of the warmth of your heart. We are so happy that you enjoyed it, and hope we can bring that sentiment into more readers lives. Thank you so much for taking the time to read our words.
Kimber, Mae West said, “You’re never too old to become younger.” Being in the unique circumstance of being able to socialize with those of a more mature vintage, we really see them as treasures that aren’t old at old, just reaching a different level of youth. How astute of you to notice that specialness about them. In the vein of the opposite of old, I believe you have a new release out called INVISIBLE. The premise is especially interesting.
Oh, Tami, that is such a gracious and wonderful compliment. Knowing our words had touched warm memories within you, has given our humble words merit. It is why we write, to stir emotion, and offer the reader something beyond a mere stringing together of words. Thank you so much for letting us know we had evoked a sentiment.
Ciara, How absolutely wonderful that you had your grandmother with you for so long. Hearing those rich stories is like stepping through a time portal, seeing the past through their eyes is one of those richest gifts that could be shared. We appreciate your insight into what we written, and especially your sharing that glimpse of something so special about your world. Speaking of special, we just came across your book KAITLIN’S SILVER LINING. It has us hooked.
Moving and intriguing. Real sense of being there at the gravesite.
Very well done, A&Z. Amazing quality among the ChampagneBooks.com authors. Funny how some of us see eternal love illustrated by couples in their senior years. In a novel I just finished (but haven’t submitted) I also used an elderly couple as a bench mark of what the hero is searching for in a mate.
Big Mike
Davisstories.com
Author of the year, 2008
Very touching! I loved this excerpt.
Very touching! Yep, every generation adds great value and is to be appreciated!
Wow Angelica and Zi – That was both touching and heart wrenching! It made me think about my grandparents. I have none left and I wish every day that I could tell them how much I love them. Thank you for bringing that love again to my heart so they will be able to feel it from above.
Tami
Oh, that was very touching. Yes, the older I get the more appreciation I feel for those who have lived long and rich lives. My grandmother lived to be 101 and oh man, the stories she could tell. This looks like a very intriguing story. Thanks for sharing.