Moments for the Heart

Hey Weekend Writing Warriors. Wow. What a difference a week makes. Got doubled up on work and it seems this next week it may be the same. My clients are throwing work at me like there is no tomorrow; it is such a blessing. Love working.

Family update. All is doing well. Our son is back at home and back to work, taking it easy of course. Family is doing well and my sisters ashes were spread across an undisclosed location that she loved to be at. Life is getting back to normal, well, as normal as it can be. Interesting how we can hit these stumbling blocks an then just move on.

Hope y’all are doing well. Can’t say the same for our characters. Let’s step into our novel and the snipper for this week.

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 Michael and Jacob getting ready to get into the next steps of what to do for Rachel. They just got off the phone with Frank and they know they need to do something. You can catch up with last weeks snippet here.

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

“We need to do something for Rachel.”

“And we will. We have to go about this the right way. If we go off half-cocked, all that will happen is get people hurt or imprisoned like she is. This isn’t like it was back then. You can’t get away with opening your mouth and saying she is innocent without solid proof. You can’t call out an arresting officer, much less an Official. Trust me, I know.” Jacob said, rubbing the scar on his cheek.

Michael exhaled, lowering his shoulders. “Okay, what’s our next step?”


This week we jump ahead ahead a bit. We are jumping into the tail end of chapter six. Michael has just revealed that the men have been followed by Officials. One thing they had originally thought to keep him in the dark about. He is not sure what to expect from the judge.

“All rise. The Honorable Charlene Ellison presiding,” the bailiff announced, then stood at attention, not even seeming to breathe. The judge thanked the bailiff and inquired about the docket when she was seated.

“First case is David Allan Jenkins. Loitering and Possession. Second Strike. Gamboa, Thames, and Richter are representing,” the bailiff introduced, handing her the case file.

“Mr. Jenkins. Here we are again. I thought we had this taken care of the last time we met, sir?”

“Your Honor,” Mr. Jenkins’ attorney stood and spoke before his client could respond, “Sorry. Everett Richter for the defense.”

“What do you have to say for your client, Mr. Richter?”

“Mr. Jenkins was simply crossing the park when the park police stopped him. They conducted an unwarranted search of his person and found a hair above the legal limit of his allowance for his marijuana card.”

The prosecuting attorney snickered.

“Something amusing, counselor?” Judge Ellison asked.


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


“Yes, Your Honor. The amount on Mr. Jenkins here was four ounces. That is four times the amount his card allows him to carry. Even if he was simply transporting the three bags of pre-rolled joints from one location to another, he was well beyond his carry limits. And his being in Douvett Park places him in an area known for drug activity. His home is fifteen miles from the park.”

“Your Honor,” Mr. Richter interrupted, “Mr. Jenkins was visiting a friend in the area and was on his way to the bus stop when the park police stopped him. You can verify with the friend. Her information is on record.”

“Yes,” the prosecuting attorney continued, “a woman of ill repute. Who has a couple of strikes and has probably been in this courtroom herself. Such a reliable witness.”

“Is this true?” the judge asked, looking over her thin-rimmed glasses.

“Her record makes little difference. She will testify under oath that he was visiting her. Yes, she may have a record, but it doesn’t change the fact that was where he was on his way from and not up to the business he is being accused of.”

But four ounces, Mr. Richter?” the judge questioned. “Can you explain, Mr. Jenkins? If it was just for medicinal purposes, were you carrying four ounces in a park known for drug activity?”

David Jenkins and his attorney exchanged glances. His attorney shrugged, and Mr. Jenkins cleared his throat. “She was teaching me to roll a better joint,” he said.

The courtroom was filled with soft laughter and murmuring. The judge tapped her gavel. “Is that so, Mr. Jenkins? You have been known for narcotics and don’t know how to roll a simple marijuana cigarette?”

“No, ma’am, er, Your Honor.” Mr. Jenkins admitted, then looked down at the table.

Judge Ellison smiled, then cleared her throat. “Counsellor.”

“Yes, your honor?”

“Was there any cash or other form of currency found on Mr. Jenkins?”

“About forty dollars in his wallet.”

“Large or small bills?”

“Two twenties.”

“Would that be a denomination and amount someone distributing be carrying on their person?”

The prosecuting attorney sat speechless, “I suppose they would carry more than that and smaller bills. But the quantity of Mary Jane he was carrying was well over the limit.”

“The suggested limit for one when carried by a card-carrying member of society. The laws are quite clear. I understand your concern regarding how much in excess Mr. Jenkins has exceeded his carry limit. But I see no intent to distribute. He needs to second think the company he keeps, but I think a fine regarding the excess of his limit and ten days incarceration should suffice.”

“Ten days?” both attorneys say in unison.

“Do I need to change my mind here, gentlemen?” the judge raised both hands, the gavel in one.

“No,” again they both echo.

“Very well. Five hundred dollar fine. Ten days in County,” Judge Ellison said with a gavel slap.

Michael looked at Johnathan, who shrugged. The judged seemed to them in decent spirits. She sentenced the following two cases just as she had Mr. Jenkins; light but fair. No slaps on the wrists or getting-out-of-jail-free cards being issued. Johnathan’s main point to Michael was that Judge Ellison knew each case. She had either studied them before being seated or was a quick read when she was handed the file. Either way, even the attorneys were surprised at the judge’s knowledge of the case files.

“Her knowing the cases could be to our advantage,” Johnathan whispered. “With Rachel’s clean record, she could be lenient and release her OOR.”

“And she could come home?”

“Through the trial, yes.”

The judge rapped her gavel on another case. Sending a forger to her sentence of six months of probation instead of one year in prison, drawing a smile upon Johnathan’s face. Their case was slotted next. From forgery to a case of a conversation gone amiss, this would be a walk in the park.

“Next case on the docket. Dr. Marsha Houston versus Rebecca Alise Andrews.”

Okay. So I chose to step away from the seriousness this week and give a bit of tongue in cheek. But, it gives you an idea of maybe you don’t know what to expect from this judge as well, just as our character’s may feel. Maybe she wont be as tough on them as they might have once thought. Stay tuned my friends.

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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.

Another busy writing week. Been writing jobs back to back. It feels good to be busy. Now to dive back into it all. Until next week, y’all.

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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