Moments for the Heart

Hey Weekend Writing Warriors. Back into the swing of things. Back to work, back to writing my snippets, and back to some sense of normalcy. I apologize if I was not able to get to your snippet last week. I will do better this week. Life was just too crazy. I would’ve read them from the plane since I had a 6 hour flight, but I didn’t have that ability.

So, what did you do for the holiday? Didn’t do much here at Casa de Bray. Grilled and watched a few movies. The neighborhood popped of some fireworks, but it was nowhere near what is like for New Years.

Thanks again for your prayers and support. Now let’s get to our snippet.


The Five Barred Gate is a Dystopian Suspense novel that takes place about 20 years after the events after the first novel. It surrounds the life of Michael, Jacob’s son. He faces the same, but different challenges his father faced. Times are much more difficult. I am excited to revisit this world. I love my characters and getting to revisit the Dystopian genre. You can catch up with past entries here.

SYNOPSIS:

Still working on a full synopsis:

Michael Andrews is Jacob’s son. He is now the main character. His wife has been arrested for talking to someone on her trip to the store about God. Now he must find a way to fight for her release and raise their twins. He has the help of Rachel’s grandfather Frank Dunham, his parents, and a supportive attorney that will do their best to protect Rachel. But they must fight Federal and local laws that are even more strict than what his father had to deal with. They must also struggle with a corrupt accuser and an old family adversary to ensure justice is served and Rachel is able to come home to her family.

>>>If you are curious about the first novels snippets, I have them archived: Here is a link to them if you want to read up on The Fiver Barred Gate <<<

SNIPPET:

Summary:
In last week’s snippet we left off with Michael having a conversation with is father about seeing the two SUVs around his property. Michael is attempting to appease his father’s concerns, but it doesn’t seem to be going well. You can catch up with last weeks snippet here.

—First, here is a the tail end of last week:

Jacob exhaled, leaning back in his chair. “I just feel safer here, Mikey. And the kids keep my mind occupied.”

“Honestly, I think you are seeing things,” Michael said, leaning forward and placing his hand on his father’s arm. “It’s all in your head, dad. We’ve been through this before. All of that is in the past. They can’t hurt you anymore. He can’t hurt you anymore.” Whoever they were, Michael told himself. He had been trying to figure out his dad for a long time. But figured it was best to humor him on occasion, especially when he was on edge.

We now move into the next chapter, but it picks up right were we left off.

“Oh, don’t patronize me, Michael.” Jacob shook Michael’s hand from his arm and stood. He paced the floor and ran his hand through his hair. “I know what I saw. And don’t worry, I am fine. I’m not losing my mind if that is what you are concerned about. You’re fine leaving the kids here today and doing want you need to do. Rachel is more important than this old man’s eyes. I just wanted you to be aware of what I saw in case there is more to this. If I did see what I saw… Rachel’s arrest? It could mean a lot more than you could possibly imagine.”

“Dad, she just mentioned God to the wrong person,” Michael said.

“Uh, huh,” Jacob nodded furiously. “To a plant.”

::There is your ten (or so). Here is a bit more to complete the thought.::

Michael shook his head. He was now the second person to mention, and third to allude to the possibility of this being a setup.

“Why does everyone keep on saying that? First, Johnathan—”

“Johnathan thinks this too?”

Michael explained what his attorney told him about his conversation with the plaintiff’s attorney. This new vocabulary word that should have been extinct long ago keeps popping up.

“You need to be careful, Michael. Something isn’t right here. Everyone sees it but you. Don’t get blindsided. When you go into that courtroom, be prepared for anything. Talk to Jonathan. I will talk with Frank, and we’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“Frank said he was going talk to his law enforcement buddies to see what he could find out about Rachel,” Michael said.

“Good, maybe he already knows something. We need to talk to him before you meet with your attorney.” Jacob picked up his phone and dialed, “What time is your meeting?”

“Ten thirty,” Michael said, looking around his shoulder to the clock that told him he had an hour and a half to get across town to the courthouse. He looked back to his dad, who was waiting for a response.

Jacob’s eyes lit up, a muffled greeting, and Jacob sat erect, “Maggs, how are ya this morning? You didn’t have to work the restaurant?”

Michael watched him have a conversation with Maggie, Frank’s wife. She worked both the diner and Dunham’s, splitting her waitressing talents. It being Friday, she would be at Dunham’s getting ready for the lunch crowd. After some small talk, getting past gatekeeper he reached Frank.

“Good morning, sir? I know you’re busy. I just wanted to see if you had an update for Michael. He’s about to head to the courthouse, and I believe there is more to this than a silly misunderstanding.”

Jacob paused.

“Yeah, you too, then,” Jacob said, nodding.

More nodding and listening.

Michael just watched as the two confirmed their past confrontations with Officials and the hidden plants that everyone seems to know about that everyone else seems to say don’t exist. Jacob repeated his encounter with the two Denali’s, which appeared to interest Frank; now, Michael wasn’t sure, but the tone of the voice changed when Jacob mentioned it. Michael’s head turned as his father’s head continued to bob.

Jacob ended his call and released a long exhale, then swung in his chair toward his son. “Frank says he’s seen the two Denali’s as well.”

Duh, duh, dummmm. The plot thickens. Now Michael must consider something more is at work here. But what will this mean for Rachel? And how will Michael feel now about his father’s ‘paranoia?’

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Monday is Memory Monday
We remember an important event that occurred on that Monday or sometime that week.

Tuesday is Two Twenty-Two Tuesday
A weekly vlog where I talk about writing or something that’s been on my heart, all in two minutes and twenty-two seconds. — I am way behind on this… sorry.
This is posted on my YouTube channel.

Wednesday is when I post my blog for the week.
I speak from my heart on various topics from writing to faith.

Thursday is This or That Thursday
A weekly two-option poll that raises the question, do you like this, or do you prefer that?
I host this on this on Twitter, IG, and Facebook.

Friday is Fun Fact Friday
I find and share interesting or obscure facts on my pages.

Saturday is for Weekend Writing Warriors
Saturday is for Snippets from a current piece or past work.

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THIS WEEK’S WRAP-UP

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT:
Thanks for reading this week. And for your continued support.

Back into the swing of things. And I am writing on this Dell computer that I absolutely loathe. I miss my HP. There are fare too many issues with it from a floating curser that will not make up its mind where it wants to stay to the read back that keeps on flubbing up. I’m tired of it all and wish I could wave a wand and go back to the day I purchased it and just waited the extra day or two for the HPs to come in. Now I must live my choice. You ever struggle with a decision that was permanent that you couldn’t change after you made it?

Catch up with everything. My latest blog written, and a recent vlog. They are a bit outdated, but if you haven’t seen them, they are good to go for you.

Here’s to living the dream. God bless Writing Warriors!!

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In His Exciting Service,

Jeff S. Bray

Check out amazing established and emerging writers at Weekend Writing Warriors. Each week we post new snippets from either published works or works in progress for each other to comment on. Gain insight into how the mind of a writer works and a behind-the-scenes look at works before they hit bookstands everywhere.

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