Moments for the Heart

Hey, Weekend Writing Warriors. If you read my blog this week then you know what our life has been like lately. Last week I mentioned my wife’s cousin passing. Well, last Sunday afternoon my daughter received a phone call informing her that her close friend took her life. She was fifteen. This last week has been rough with her trying to understand the fragility of life. One benefit is that Audrey is strong in her faith and while she is confused about her friend, she knows that God is still in control.

For me, I am a mess. Thinking of these parents and the loss of their little girl. I couldn’t imagine. It makes me hold onto Audrey that much longer with every hug. To make sure she knows that I love her and that we as parents are here for her in all things. She already knows this as we are a close family. But, sheesh. It is still a gut punch and my heart aches. The family is raising funds for the funeral. If you feel led to donate to it, here is the Go Fund Me link.

Thanks for your support through it all; Let’s go ahead and get into this week’s adventure and see what happens with Aaron and Deborah.

SYNOPSIS:

Aaron Stephenson loves his job. As food critic for the popular Houston Gazette, he gets to sample the best cuisine at the finest eateries in Houston without paying a dime. And because there are so many great restaurants in Houston, he doesn’t have to visit the same establishment twice… unless he wants to.

But when Aaron stops in at Davies Deli, a non-descript, off-the-beaten-path, family-owned diner, he suddenly realizes he wants to come back;

But it has to do more with the owners’ brown haired, green eyed daughter, Deborah than the delicious food.
Aaron and Deborah feel a mutual attraction. But Deborah has a secret that could change everything.

And then there is Carter…

SNIPPET:

Summary:
This love story novel was born out of a dream I had about an angel leaving nick knacks behind for a couple to find as they walked through an amusement park together. They were reminders about them being a couple because they were struggling. Them finding these ‘little reminders’ drew them back together. The novel also has a dual storyline, in that the MC also has a struggle with their relationship with God, so they are also being drawn back to Him as well. The diner idea came from my personal love for food, writing some of the book sitting in a Denny’s, and working in kitchens for almost 10 years.

Here is a bit from last week.

“Really, Aaron. I mean it. Ask her,” she said and left with her dad, back toward the area where the angry man from the lobby was sitting.

Aaron turned just as his plate landed in front of him. Brian had a grin on his face. “Your salmon, sir. Let me know if you will need anything else, or a beer top off.”

Aaron smiled back and picked up his fork. The real test of properly cooked fish was that there would be no knife needed. And just as he expected – a perfectly cooked salmon filet. He opened his notebook and put his thoughts to paper.


We are picking up where we left off, and moving into the next chapter. We pick up the next morning and Deborah heading from her apartment to the deli.


Saturday was slow at the deli, and Pop was beginning to experiment with something new that he was not ready to show anyone just yet, so Mom let both her and Erica leave a couple of hours early. Deborah spent the evening channel surfing, when she came across a documentary on baking. The deli being once a bakery she paused. They were discussing the origin of the term baker’s dozen. She learned that loaves were once sold by weight instead of quantity. If 12 loaves were underweight, then a baker would face severe consequences. So, they began including a thirteenth loaf to be sure that it would be enough.

‘Is thirteen enough to ask you on a date?’ echoed in her mind again. She couldn’t help but smile. She carried it with her into her sleep and dreams she was sure to have.



::There is your ten, or so, but let’s continue on and get a little more into the scene.::


Sunday morning was spent with a cup of coffee and a book. It was far more attractive than sitting on a hard pew, listening to a man speak about how ‘sinful’ everyone else was. She did feel bad, but she had no intention of accepting her Pop’s invitation to church. She had only one day of rest, and Sunday was that day. It was the only day she did not have to put on a mask and pretend everything was okay. Six days a week were spent making everyone else happy and covering up the ache she had inside. She could not let on how bad she felt, too many people were counting on her. Sunday was the only day she could be rest in not feeling well.

A light rain was beginning to fall on Monday as Deborah made her way out to her car. She glanced across the street onto the walker’s path that ran along the creek. A man in a dark tweed trench coat sat on a park bench. He was looking off into the #CArerdistance as if waiting for someone. Deborah felt that he looked familiar but couldn’t place him. As she started her engine, the man looked in her direction. His white hair and stubble peering out from under his hat triggered her memory — the man from the restaurant.

Usually a strange man would have her going in the opposite direction, but the look of him somehow softened her heart. She couldn’t explain it, but he seemed harmless. The rain could have been a reason as well. Deborah pulled up to near where he was sitting.

“Excuse me, sir?” Deborah asked after lowering her passenger side window. “Are you okay?”

The man looked up, but not so much with recognition.

“It’s going to get heavier than this mist. Can I give you a ride somewhere?”

That got his attention. He looked over at her and smiled.

“That would be very kind,” the man said, his beard parting into a generous smile revealing a perfect set of teeth. Not very common for a homeless man, Deborah though.

As the man stood Deborah could see he had something tucked into his coat, something he was protecting. He pulled it out as he approached her car, it was a shoebox. She leaned over and opened the door for him. “Are you sure I won’t be an imposition?”

“Not at all,” said Deborah. “Get in before you’re soaked.”

The man sat and bucked his seatbelt, setting the shoebox on his lap. He smiled but said nothing.

“So, where to?” Deborah asked.

“The library will be fine,” the man said. “It’s on the way to the deli.”

Deborah was shocked for a moment. “How did you know where I am going?”

“I remember you. You work in the deli on the other side of town. I saw you in there yesterday. You helped me find the facilities,” he explained.

“How did you end up over here?” Deborah asked, now wondering if he followed her.

“Coincidence, I suppose,” he explained. He remained silent for a while.

Here we are getting into things. Carter beginning his purpose for his visit. We will get more into the car ride next week. I look forward to sharing that with you. One of my favorite lines is there.

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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
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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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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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