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Image courtesy of digitalart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

© 2014 Pamela Jones. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Summary:��Loretta Mills is married to the love of her life. However, is her marriage in jeopardy now that her husband’s first love is back in town?

Loretta moved around Mills Meals pushing up chairs and wiping tables. With lunchtime over, the once bustling restaurant was now quiet.

Then in came Sue Rockston: Des Moines�� biggest gossiper.

Loretta glanced up at her. “Hi Sue,�� she spoke. Fully aware of her gossipy nature to spread information like a reporter, she continued, “what news you got today?��

Sue sighed while closing her blue eyes. Although she enjoyed gossiping, she didn’t want to tell her friend of 30 years her latest news. “It hurts me to tell you this,�� she began while reopening her eyes, “but I think you have the right to know.��

“A right to know what?��

“About Richard.��

Loretta stopped working and observed Sue’s somber face. She frantically clinched Sue’s petite hand. “Has something happened to Richard?��

“No.�� Sue bit her thin, bottom lip to stop talking. However, her gossipy nature couldn’t be tamed. “I saw Richard having lunch with Beverly Banks.��

Loretta’s eyes bulged. “She’s back in town?��

“Yeah. I heard she might be staying.��

A chill as icy cold as wintery ice rushed down Loretta’s spine. The thought of Beverly living in the same town as Richard worried Loretta. And with reason: Richard and Beverly were once lovers.

Loretta undoubtedly knew that if Beverly hadn’t left town 25 years ago, Richard would’ve married Beverly instead of her.

Knowing that Sue’s information was always accurate, she knew this was true. She knew too that she’d be honest about Beverly’s appearance. “How does she look?�� she asked through trembling lips.

“She’s still as gorgeous as a beauty queen: soft skin, hourglass figure �� she doesn’t look a day over 35 although she’s over 40.��

Loretta pulled out a chair and slumped down in it. Unlike Beverly, she had a major appearance change: her once slender body was now 210 pounds. This bothered her as memories of Richard and Beverly’s five-year love affair played in her mind like a romantic film.

She remembered watching them walk through the halls of their high school while lovingly holding hands and kissing. She envied that the young man she secretly loved was in love with someone else.

Loretta snapped out of her flashback after seeing Richard enter the restaurant. “Hello Richard,�� Sue said dryly.

He frowned at Sue. Her presence was as unwelcoming as a fly. “Hello Sue,�� he mumbled.

Sue leaned over and hugged Loretta. “I better go. I’ll talk to you later.��

“Okay,�� Loretta said, hugging her back.

Good riddance, Richard thought. He smiled as she exited through the glass door.

“The doctor said my blood pressure is good,�� he told Loretta while heading to the back of the restaurant.

Loretta’s mind was too occupied with Sue’s information to digest Richard’s medical report. Tuning him out, she rushed up from her seat and into his face. “Did you have lunch with Beverly Banks today?�� she boldly asked.

Without hesitation, Richard calmly replied, “yes.�� He narrowed his eyes. “How did you know I did?�� Remembering that Sue was there, he snapped, “Sue told you, didn’t she?��

Loretta angrily eyed him. “Why didn’t you tell me you were having lunch with that woman?��

“It was spontaneous.�� He shrugged his shoulders as he further explained, “She saw me coming out of the doctor’s office. We talked a few minutes, and she invited me to lunch. It was just a friendly lunch �� nothing more.�� He rolled his eyes. “Sue is a messy, miserable woman �� no wonder her husband left her! How in the world do you trust her?��

Loretta put her hands on her thick hips. “A better question is can I trust you?��

Shrugging his shoulders questionably, Richard yelled, “What do you mean can you trust me? I’m your husband �� of course you can trust me!��

“Yes, you’re my husband, but I also know that you were deeply in love with Beverly!��

“That was a lifetime ago, Loretta!�� His angry voice softened as he concluded, “I love you now.��

Loretta shook head. “You never looked at me in the same loving way as did Beverly.��

“Loretta, Beverly is my past.��

“Yes she is! She’s also the same selfish woman who left you to live her life in New York City. I, on the other hand, stayed here and helped you get over her. I’m the one you married, started a family and this business with.�� Moving closer to his face, she concluded, “I’m the one who loves you �� not her.��

“Then since you love me, do you trust me?��

Silence fell between them. The days of watching Richard grieve over Beverly’s departure flashed in her mind. “You loved that woman so much,�� she retorted through clenched teeth, “it nearly destroyed you when she left.��

“Yes it did. Times have changed though �� I’ve changed. Have you?�� Richard knew that Loretta was always insecure regarding his and Beverly’s relationship.

“What’s that supposed to mean?��

“Beverly is moving back here, but it’s no big deal to me.�� Gently grabbing her arms, he concluded, “I love you, not Beverly.��

Loretta looked away from Richard. She didn’t want him to look into her eyes and see what haunted her soul: insecurity. Nevertheless, he knew of its existence when she said, “it took you a long time to get over her and start loving me.��

“I know, but she’s my past. You’re my present and future.�� His curled finger lifted her fat chin. “I love you. So, do you trust me?��

Loretta gazed into Richard’s eyes. She loved this man from the minute she laid eyes on him 30 years ago in their 9th grade algebra class. Even though she dated other guys in high school, she still prayed every night that someday Richard would hers.And now he was.

She smiled. “Yes, I do trust you,�� she finally said. They kissed and afterwards hugged tightly.

As she rested in her husband’s loving arms, however, her mind wondered into its own world. Can I really trust you �� or Beverly, she wondered.

What are your thoughts on this flash fiction?�� Please feel free to share by commenting in the box below (scroll down).

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It’s been about 25 years since I first read by Gloria Naylor. Nevertheless, this contemporary novel left enough impact on me to recommend it as a novel worth reading.

“The Women of Brewster Place�� is a fictional novel that focuses on the diverse attitudes and experiences of seven African-American women living in a deteriorated building located on a dead-end street.

The characters and their conflicts are:

Mattie Michael. As the matriarch of the story, she comforts her fellow neighbors and friends while mentally blocking out her own heartbreaks.

Etta Mae Johnson. A worldly woman, Etta Mae seeks a settled life and love with the wrong man.

Kiswana Browne. Kiswana is a privileged young woman rejecting her middle class upbringing. Instead, she chooses to live in impoverished Brewster Place, determined to help its residents improve their lives.

Cora Lee. Cora is a single mother. Her obsession with dolls leads to her having multiple children. She treats her babies like dolls until they get older, at which time, she becomes an irresponsible parent towards them.

Ciel Turner. Ciel is a wife and mother living in denial about her troubled marriage.

Miss Sophie. An evil old woman, Miss Sophie tells everyone’s business.

Lorraine. Lorraine is a lesbian who worries that other people will find out about her sexuality. Her insecurity has caused her and her lover to move numerous times.

Theresa. Theresa is Lorraine’s lover. Unlike Lorraine, she doesn’t care who discovers her sexuality. She’s at her wit’s end with Lorraine’s insecurity over this matter.

Each woman must reach within herself to change. In addition, a tragedy brings these women together, thus, building their rage to the point of making a change within their community.

My favorite character is Mattie. I like her because she’s the rock in the community despite having her own issues. She doesn’t allow her pain to stop her from being comforting to others. She’s the voice of reason in the story �� and a good one. (By the way, Mattie Michael is wonderfully played by Oprah Winfrey in the book’s TV version 25 years ago, in case you’ve forgotten or didn’t know).

The character most relatable to me is Mattie. She reminds me of a close relative. She’s endured a lot, yet she blocks out her pain. She doesn’t want to talk about her pain �� even though it haunts her mind continually. It’s like she believes that if she doesn’t talk about it, it will go away.

There’s nothing about this book that I would change. I think Ms. Naylor did an excellent job of showing the inner and outer challenges these women faced in their daily lives. It is a story that, though published in 1982, can still be valid in today’s world.

So, if you’re looking for a good contemporary read this spring or upcoming summer, is definitely the one.

If you’ve read this book, what are your thoughts about it?�� Please feel free to share by commenting in the box below (scroll down).

Also, please be kind in sharing this post with others.

Until next time, have a great week!

Did you enjoy this blog post? If so, please click the “Subscribe�� button in the left column to subscribe to this blog’s RSS.

It’s been about 25 years since I first read by Gloria Naylor. Nevertheless, this contemporary novel left enough impact on me to recommend it as a novel worth reading.

“The Women of Brewster Place�� is a fictional novel that focuses on the diverse attitudes and experiences of seven African-American women living in a deteriorated building located on a dead-end street.

The characters and their conflicts are:

Mattie Michael. As the matriarch of the story, she comforts her fellow neighbors and friends while mentally blocking out her own heartbreaks.

Etta Mae Johnson. A worldly woman, Etta Mae seeks a settled life and love with the wrong man.

Kiswana Browne. Kiswana is a privileged young woman rejecting her middle class upbringing. Instead, she chooses to live in impoverished Brewster Place, determined to help its residents improve their lives.

Cora Lee. Cora is a single mother. Her obsession with dolls leads to her having multiple children. She treats her babies like dolls until they get older, at which time, she becomes an irresponsible parent towards them.

Ciel Turner. Ciel is a wife and mother living in denial about her troubled marriage.

Miss Sophie. An evil old woman, Miss Sophie tells everyone’s business.

Lorraine. Lorraine is a lesbian who worries that other people will find out about her sexuality. Her insecurity has caused her and her lover to move numerous times.

Theresa. Theresa is Lorraine’s lover. Unlike Lorraine, she doesn’t care who discovers her sexuality. She’s at her wit’s end with Lorraine’s insecurity over this matter.

Each woman must reach within herself to change. In addition, a tragedy brings these women together, thus, building their rage to the point of making a change within their community.

My favorite character is Mattie. I like her because she’s the rock in the community despite having her own issues. She doesn’t allow her pain to stop her from being comforting to others. She’s the voice of reason in the story �� and a good one. (By the way, Mattie Michael is wonderfully played by Oprah Winfrey in the book’s TV version 25 years ago, in case you’ve forgotten or didn’t know).

The character most relatable to me is Mattie. She reminds me of a close relative. She’s endured a lot, yet she blocks out her pain. She doesn’t want to talk about her pain �� even though it haunts her mind continually. It’s like she believes that if she doesn’t talk about it, it will go away.

There’s nothing about this book that I would change. I think Ms. Naylor did an excellent job of showing the inner and outer challenges these women faced in their daily lives. It is a story that, though published in 1982, can still be valid in today’s world.

So, if you’re looking for a good contemporary read this spring or upcoming summer, is definitely the one.

If you’ve read this book, what are your thoughts about it?�� Please feel free to share by commenting in the box below (scroll down).

Also, please be kind in sharing this post with others.

Until next time, have a great week!

Did you enjoy this blog post? If so, please click the “Subscribe�� button in the left column to subscribe to this blog’s RSS.

No matter what a person’s ethnicity, social status, or gender is, there’s one thing we all share alike: the desire to be happy. Yes, happiness is something we all crave to be before leaving this world.

However, some of us have different definitions of what happiness is. In fact, what some people consider happiness isn’t it all. Their definition of this emotion can actually lead to emptiness and loneliness. Worse, this can further lead to destructive behavior.

For instance, some women feel they can only be happy if they’re in a relationship �� be it companionship or marriage. This is sad because, at some point in life, you’re going to be alone. You could get divorced or widowed. Or you could be in a relationship that has run its course. Either way, you’re going to be alone for a while.

One of my favorite shows, “The Bold and Beautiful�� is running a storyline where the main character, Brooke Logan Forrester, is an alcoholic because she’s lonely. She’s never been without a man, so now she’s hitting the bottle because she doesn’t have one.

She’s basing her happiness on being with a man (or if you’re familiar with the show, stealing one). Instead of ruining her health, this fictional character should use this time to rediscover and accept herself (I’ll explain the purpose of this later).

People define happiness in other ways too. In my younger years, I stupidly thought happiness was based on material possessions. If you have a car, house, good job, money, and nice material possessions, then you should be the happiest person in the world �� or so I thought.

Not even close.

There are people who have beautiful residences and they’re lonely in it. There are rich people who would give all their money to the world just to be happy. I know people that are thankful to have a job, yet they’re stressed to the point they hate their jobs. And happiness certainly can’t even be defined by a car (especially if you’re driving in traffic as crazy as this in my city!).

So what does happiness mean?

Defining Happiness

To me, happiness is something that begins with you. Not material possessions, marriage, money, a job, etc. Since happiness comes from within you, this means acceptance.

You have to accept yourself in order to be happy with yourself. Too many people today don’t embrace this vital fact. Instead, they idolize celebrities; wishing for their lives. But guess what? These people can be unhappy too! And even if they are, you shouldn’t wish for their lives. Focus on your own life; make yourself happy.

Once you accept yourself, you can deal with life and its adversities better �� much better. I think this is possible because you’ll accept adversities as temporary setbacks that you will eventually rise above. Thus, it can’t defeat you; for you’re a winner.

I heard a spiritual leader once say “if you wait until your all circumstances are right to be happy, then you’ll never be happy. Because life will always throw your tribulations.�� This is so true.

So, no more do I look for happiness in material possessions. Granted, I enjoy having nice things, but it can’t bring me the happiness that I deserve. I’ve also stopped waiting for certain events to occur in my life before I finally declare my happiness. Only I can reach within myself and do that.

How do you define happiness? �� Please feel free to share by commenting in the box below (scroll down).

Also, please be kind in sharing this post with others.

Until next time, have a great week!

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On March 29th, I was a guest on Authors Talk About (it was actually prerecorded). I was interviewed by wife and husband Drs. Rob and Janelle Alex, Ph.D. They make a great team together, which helped make the interview great.

As with all the other interviews, I enjoyed this one too. It was great to get a chance to introduce myself and my eBook to audiences. I particularly appreciate opportunities such as this one since I’m in the process of building my name in the women’s fiction genre.

Anyway, I want to thank the Alexes for hosting me and for being professional.

Here are the links to the interview:

Blog:��

Podbean:

iTunes:

Please listen and enjoy!

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Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Unfortunately, there are men who verbally and physically abuse women. These stoned hearted men never speak a kind word or do a generous act for a woman.

Men like this hate women. Chances are, for a lot of them, the first woman they hate is the woman responsible for bringing them into the world: their mother.

Why Hate Mama?

Why do men of this nature hate their mothers? The reasons vary among men. For the purpose of example, let’s use my character, Otis Mason, of “Tomorrow Never Comes.��

Otis hated his mother was a passion. In fact, he rejoiced over her death. He hated her because she left him and his father for another man when he was 11 years old (read Otis�� story ).

It’s obvious that his mother didn’t consider her child’s happiness; only her own. This was indeed a selfish act. As a result of her selfishness, Otis grew up to hate all women. In his young mind, all women were like his mother �� untrustworthy. They were the enemy.

To worsen matters, his father’s advice on how to treat women further poisoned his young mind against women.

Sadly, Otis sought no professional help to rid himself of the animosity he felt against his mother. Instead, he used his inner turmoil as a valid reason to mistreat women. Thus, Marlena was an abused wife �� all because of Otis�� longstanding hatred against his mother.

Now, let’s be honest: there isn’t an adult alive whose parent didn’t make a mistake during their child’s childhood in some manner. Otis�� mother was wrong �� dead wrong �� for leaving her son for another man; overlooking his well-being. And he had every right to be enraged at her.

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When Otis became an adult, he should’ve sought forgiveness regarding his mother’s actions. His ongoing anger caused him a chance to be a good husband and father. He was instead a bad person whose evilness destroyed his family.

In short, you aren’t responsible for what your parents do to you during your childhood. However, when you become an adult, you are responsible for your own actions. It’s up to you to forgive those who hurt you.

Remember, forgiveness is more so for you than the other person!

Now is this easy to do? Absolutely not! Forgiveness is seldom, if ever, easy. However, it is necessary for your own sake, so you can live a healthy and happy life. Otherwise, you will remain stuck in anger and the past �� not a healthy way to live whatsoever.

Had Otis done this very act (forgiveness), his marriage and life would’ve been a good one. This story would’ve had a totally different ending.

But he didn’t. And there a lot of men like him who don’t deal with their mama issues.

So, ladies, beware of any man who hates his mother. She’s a female too, and if he hates the woman who gave him life, he’ll hate the one he’s sharing his life with just as much.

Please feel free to share any comments you have by commenting in the box below (scroll down).

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On March 12th, I was a guest on Love, Liberty, and Lip Gloss (LLC). In case you’re not familiar with this show, LLC is an internet radio show that’s broadcasted on Blog Talk Radio. Its hosts, Lisa Tarves and Daria Anne DiGiovanni, cover women’s issues.

LLC is live every Thursday evening at 7 P.M.

Anyway, thanks to Lisa’s warm and inviting personality (Daria, who also has a welcoming spirit, wasn’t present), the interview went very well.

If you missed the interview, here is your chance to hear it. Just click the link below:

Enjoy!

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Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Pure Barre (@Pure_Barre). “Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs.�� �� Farrah Gray. 4 March 2015, 5:00 p.m. Tweet.

I’ve lived the above quote, and I still do. In fact, I think we all have been in a situation where we helped others make their dreams come true while ours faltered.

Here’s my story regarding the situation:

When I was working as a freelance web copywriter, all of my time went strictly to client work. I had no time whatsoever to develop a story, much less a character.

No fictional ideas even entered my mind.

My creative style was drying up, and so was my dream, so it seemed. I felt like I was in a hole that got deeper with each passing day. It seemed so deep that I often wondered could I get out of it.

I worked around the clock practically every day. I stayed stressed throughout the day. I was one frustrated, miserable woman.

I hated writing. Anyone who knows me knows my joy for writing. I was recently told that I speak passionately whenever I discuss my literary career.

That’s the thing, however: I wasn’t in my literary career. I was writing for clients. And although my clients were nice, I wasn’t fulfilled with the work I was doing.

I was building their dreams and not my own.

And then came January, 2014: the day I stopped building their dreams and began building my own.

When my biggest paying client no longer needed my services, I knew it was time to return to fiction. The industry had changed from the last time I was published; self-publishing was the new direction. It seemed that it too, like traditional publishing, had its challenges.

Nonetheless, I knew I was ready for the challenges ahead of me for one simple reason: God had anointed me.

He knew it was time to build my own dreams; to start the journey towards becoming the successful author He’s destined me to be.

I’m on that journey now. Is it easy? No. Like I stated earlier, self-publishing has its own set of challenges. However, I’m not giving up. I’m in the process of building my dream, and I much rather do that than quit and go back to copywriting �� building others dreams.

We all have dreams. These dreams are meant to be fulfilled before we leave this world. So, my question to you is this: Are you building your dreams or neglecting it in order to help someone else build theirs?

Please feel free to share your comments in the box below (scroll down).

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Women are especially guilty of the above quote. How many of us know a woman who is smart and successful, yet they place all of their value on their partners �� ignoring their own self-worth?

For some women, the person they’re placing so much value on is worthless. They’re a big fat ��0.�� They are just glad that someone is foolishly building them up to be something they’re not.

Ladies, we mustn’t lose ourselves in our spouses or partners. There’s nothing wrong with complimenting the person you love or being observant of their value �� given they’re worth it.

However, don’t build them up while overlooking your own self-worth. Remember, you too are a jewel. You are worthy of love and compassion.

You are a queen!

Reality check: if you don’t realize your own self-worth, guess what? That person that you’re putting on a pedestal won’t either. They’ll be too busy enjoying you bloating their conceited heads!

In short, always remember that you are special!

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this blog post by commenting in the box below (scroll down).�� Also, be kind in sharing this post with others.

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This is a poem about an abused woman who has reached her limits.��

Today I take a stand

Against your violent hand.

I tell you once and for all

You best to hit the wall.

For I’m no longer your punching bag!

You use your worldly rage

As a reason to kick me in my rib cage.

You yell at me that I’m a worthless piece of shit

That deserves to be hit.

You treat me worse than a dog.

You even tell me I’m as ugly as a frog.

Your never-ending wrath

Burns me worse than a hot steam bath.

Our lovemaking is terrible.

It’s actually unbearable.

How can I enjoy it

When I’ve just been hit?

You think my world ends without you

But that’s clearly untrue.

You sicken me like the stomach flu.

Oh, I hate the day I said “I do�� to you!

Before the abuse started

I couldn’t imagine us parted.

Our love was so deep,

That I swore it would keep

Us together forever.

I look now, however,

In your eyes and see death

As you aim to take away my last breath.

I won’t let you kill me

For I’m going to flee.

There’ll be no more pain

Or a chance for you to explain

That you “love�� me.

No more you will knock me to the floor

While calling me a stupid whore.

No more will you control me

And make me plea

For my life

While threatening me with a butcher knife.

I’m here to say

That on this very day

I’m no longer your punching bag!

©2015 Pamela Jones

What are your thoughts on this poem?�� Please feel free to share by commenting in the box below (scroll down).

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