Glad Abernathy is a character amongst the misfits in my debut novel, Maggie’s Way. She occasionally oversteps her boundaries as mother’s sometimes do when love spills over.
“When you are ready to accept those things that only loved ones can give you, your heart will be whole again. You do not choose life. Life chooses you.” -Glad Abernathy
As I prepared a social media post last night her sentiment about life spurred me to reread the book. Tiny green Post-It notes peeked out from the pages. Each one marked a notable chunk of text drawing me into Maggie’s journey one more time.
Maggie’s Way is the story of middle-aged, second grade teacher, Maggie Abernathy who wants to recuperate from breast cancer during the solitude of summer. Her plans are foiled when seven-year-old, Chloe McIntyre moves in next door with her father John. With Maggie’s grown son away, her ex-husband in the shadows, and her meddling mother’s unannounced visits, her life changes in a way she never could imagine.
One of my favorite scenes comes from Maggie’s point of view when reads Beckett’s journal, an insight into her ex-husband’s journey. The words remind me we are never alone. Love blossoms even if humans aren’t compatible for a lifetime. Hurt bridges the dark and leads those willing to face the unknown into the light.
“I got up, made sure Beckett’s journal was out of sight like so many things had been for years, and continued to be. A ladybug landed on my forearm. I marveled at its spots dreaming of a time when everything seemed so innocent, unscathed. And in that time period of discovering life, I went wading on the shores of my youth to having the foresight to run from raging waves ready to knock me down into the big blue sea of contentment, where I chose to ignore life changing experiences so I could float along with my nose pressed to the sky, not seeing the shark fins that circled around me. I closed my eyes, made a wish, then blew the ladybug from my arm. I watched the insect flutter in the sunshine before landing on my perch in the chaise lounge.”
If your TBR pile needs an addition. Here’s the link to a freebie.
