Moments for the Heart

Hey Weekend Writing Warriors. Well it seems that the snippet higher authority allowed the post to appear this week. I double and triple checked. So we are good. I will have some big news coming up next week. So keep your eyes open. I am really excited. It has been a long time coming and I can’t wait to let you know about it. But lets get on with this weeks post. If you missed anything, here is last weeks entry.

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:
We are still at Frank Dunham’s home. Michael’s is wrapping up his visit and preparing to get his kids and head home. If you have missed anything, you can read passed snippets here.

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

“So, what’s next?”

“I wish I knew,” Michael said, shaking his head. “That’s the problem. Rachel’s in there, and I have no way to communicate with her. Remember, you asked about talking to her? Well, after they dismissed us, I went around and asked if we could get a conference room to talk.”

“And they didn’t?”

“They couldn’t even find her file. And by the time they did, she had already been transported back to the prison.”


This week we pick up right where we left off.

“And you can’t see her at the jail?”

“You know that I can’t. If she is being held for the reasons we believe she’s being held, we’d only make things worse for her.”

“But you need to see her, Michael. Or she’ll begin to think you’ve given up on her,” Frank said. “And I’ll be darned if I’ll have my granddaughter feeling that way. She’s missing her kids enough, don’t need her missin’ you as well.”


::There is your ten (or so). Here is a bit more::


Michael knew Frank was right. He had fought to see her at the courthouse. He should fight to see her at the jail. He looked up at the clock. There was no way he’d get into the prison this late. Another night of making up excuses for Mommy. He sighed.

Frank must’ve read his mind; his hand was on his arm. “You need to tell the young’uns.”

“I know,” Michael said. “I just don’t know how to say it.”

“Best thing is just to say it. They won’t understand it, but you have to tell them. Lying every night will just tear your conscience apart and only hurt more should they find out some other way.”

Michael nodded. But how do you tell a five-year-old that mommy’s in jail? He looked up at the ceiling where the kid’s footfalls were making the chandelier vibrate.

“More tea?” Frank offered.

Michael shook it off. “No, it’ll keep me up. I should get the kids home. It’s almost bedtime. Maybe I can think of something during their bath.”

“Stay strong, Michael. Lean on the Lord. He’s your strength,” Frank said, giving him a couple of firm pats on the shoulder.

Michael wasn’t so sure. He and God weren’t exactly on speaking terms. He couldn’t remember the last time they had a conversation, let alone him opening a Bible or setting his foot in a church.

“I’ll try, Pop,” Michael finally said. He stood and walked up the stairs to the room where little voices giggled.

“Daddy!” Aiden and Angela said in unison when he opened the door. Maggie sat in a rocker in the corner with her patented smile.

“Heavens, Michael. I still can’t get over how much you look like your father,” Maggie said. “Spitting image.”

Michael smiled. “Not sure if that’s a good thing or bad.”

Maggie laughed, “Most certainly a good thing, my dear. You are a handsome man. Your wife is a lucky woman.”

Maggie put her hand over her mouth, realizing what she had said. She looked over at the kids who were looking for the cat who had hidden under the bed, oblivious to their conversation.

“Don’t worry about it. They’re fine. Rachel’s fine, I guess. I don’t know. I didn’t get to see her. Long story. Pop will fill you in,” Michael said in a near whisper, then a bit louder toward Aiden and Angela, “I need to get these munchkins home and cleaned up for bed.”

“Nooo,” again in unison.

“We’re having fun, Daddy,” Angela said.

“Can we stay the night again?” Aiden asked.

“We have stayed enough nights, buddy. It’s time to go home and sleep in our own beds. Now go get your stuff so we can get going.”

“All right,” Aiden said. “C’mon, sis.”

Michael knows it is time to break the news to the kids. It is not going well for them and lying is eating at him. Have you ever had to go through a similar situation? Hiding something from a young one because of their age? I was nine and my sister was seven when my dad got sick. We didn’t fully understand what was going on, but he did pass away. It was more heavy on my sister. And while Aiden and Angela here are five, I can understand how much more they wont understand.

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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.

Our last child is already back to school. I ran a Twitter poll to see how many were back and how many still had a September start date. It seemed a fair split. If you read down to this, give your input in your comment.

Catch up with everything even writing a blog. You can read it here, Please check it out.
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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