
Hey, Weekend Writing Warriors. Thank you everyone for your support these past few weeks. It has been a rough patch. But God is with us and we are getting through it. Marie’s funeral was this week, and my daughter was strong enough to speak. It was a blessing she had that opportunity.
On a more uplifting note, my long awaited Children’s book in now ready for purchase. Elissa Celebrates Christmas. It has been such a long road for this book. So many obstacles and failures, but now it is here and available on Amazon. You can visit this link to purchase. I will have more updates about it as we get closer to the holidays.
Thanks for your support through everything; Let’s get into this week’s adventure and see what happens with Deborah and Carter.
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.
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.
We are picking up right where we left off.
After a couple of turns, he breaks the silence. “So how are you feeling, DeeDee.”
Once again, Deborah was astonished at what he knew. “Where did you hear that name?”
“Your dad calls you DeeDee. I am sorry, is that a father/daughter thing? My apologies.”
“My name is Deborah,” Deborah said defiantly.
“Understood. Again, my apologies, Deborah.”
::There is your ten, or so, but let’s continue on and get a little more into the scene.::
“It’s okay. And yes, only my Pop calls me DeeDee. It’s a name I really don’t care for. My dad is the only one who still sees me as the little girl that would sit on his lap and listen to stories. I’m 25 now. I would like for him to see me as the adult I am now, not the little girl from back then,” Deborah said, a little embarrassed at how much personal information she just revealed to a stranger.
“Dad’s will be dads,” the stranger admitted. “Fathers are like that, always seeing their children as children. But they will always accept them: good and bad, right or wrong, young or older. It’s through a father’s eyes that children have eternal youth. You should be grateful for a love like that, Deborah. It means he loves you.”
Deborah chewed on the man’s words for a moment. Then she said, “Yes, sir. I suppose it does. It doesn’t mean I have to like it though.”
The man laughed. “I’m sorry, where are my manners. My name is Carter.” He extended his hand and she shook it.
“Pleasure to meet you, Carter,” Deborah said, making the final turn toward the library. Traffic was heavy as it always was on a Monday. The mist, now a steady rain didn’t help. “So, what’s at the library?”
“Ah, the question is, what’s not at the library,” Carter theorized. “Books, stories, and history. I love a good story — happy stories, sad stories, true stories, made-up stories, anything and everything. Life is not life without a good story. I have a story; You have a story. It’s what makes us who we are. And we need to tell people about our stories. Without telling our stories, we’re just books sitting on a shelf.”
“Me? I am too young to have a story,” Deborah said, more to interject into the conversation.
“Everyone has a story. You stated that your father has called you DeeDee since you were little. Now there’s a story there.”
Deborah smiled. Yes, that was a story. Her father called her DeeDee because when her parents were teaching her to talk, she could not say her name right. They tried to teach her Deborah, but for a toddler, that was rather difficult, so they taught her Debbie. But Deborah would say DeeDee. It was so cute, it stuck.
“See, you remember,” said the man as if reading her thoughts. “I can see your eyes dancing. That means you recall why your Pop calls you DeeDee. You have a story; it’s just that youth keeps you from realizing it. And with little girls, stories usually revolve around their daddies.”
Deborah again felt the weight of what Carter was saying. It must have shown.
“What?” Carter said with a hopeful smile.
Here we get into Carter and one of my favorite monologues of his. “Without telling our stories, we’re just books sitting on a shelf.” Did I ever mention that I loved writing this character? 😀
Follow me on Social Media. There is always something happening!!
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.
Featured Titles

The Transference (2022)

Little Reminders of Who I Am (2020)
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.




I like the “story” conversation. So true and a lovely way to look at it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much meaning even to us in the real world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I LOVE reading about Carter! He always gets right to the heart of the matter . . . but then, of course he would.
LikeLiked by 1 person
With so little time, he must cut to the chase. But also as you say, he is Carter. That’s his style.
LikeLike
Carter is such a great character. We all need a carter in our lives.
I am so sorry to read what you and yours have been going through. Hugs coming your way, Jeff.
LikeLike
Hey Teresa. Sorry I missed this comment. Just went into my WP account and saw the notification. … Yes I loave Carter too. Miss writing him.
… Thanks for your concerns. And I hope you are well. Missed not being apart this last week. Not sure what happened with the Linky.
LikeLike
I can see why you loved writing Carter. Great character! The whole “story scene” was wonderful. Tweeted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He was the main reason I kept on going for three books. It was hard to say good-bye at the end of book three.
LikeLike