My Novella ‘Mady’s Storm’ Continued
Mady’s Storm
A Novella
by James Mahoney (DarkJade)
Chapters 1 & 2
Chapters 3 & 4
Chapters 5 & 6
Chapters 7 & 8
Chapters 9 & 10
Chapters 11 & 12
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Family
The nightmares still seem to haunt me sometimes…
I can still see the whole scene; I even remember the feeling of the water around me, and remember vividly the sound of the gunshots meant to kill me…
Even after this long….
Some stones left unturned?
I hope not.
I sit up, holding the blanket close to my chest.
I can see the streaks of snow falling, and my window is covered in frost.
The Christmas lights have really begun to sprout up all over the city…
Funny how much warmer people seemed to get towards one another the closer it gets to Christmas…
I think I’m going to like celebrating holidays…
At least maybe one day a year will remind me, and return me to those nights in front of the fireplace with my father.
A Fireplace…
I don’t want to be alone in my apartment on Christmas, I find.
No one should be alone on Christmas.
*
It was that night that I decided to get out of the apartment, and find myself a home.
I looked for a home outside of New York City.
After about a week, I had, at last, found the house I decided to be mine…
It was three stories high, and had a huge fireplace.
I moved in right away.
The kitchen was beautiful too…
I had visions of learning to cook big, delicious meals…
But instead, I had hired a cook…
Then a maid, and a driver…
I even sent a note to Rabia and his family in Africa,
Inviting them to come and stay with me for the holidays.
To my pleasant surprise, they were thrilled to come…
And before I knew it, I had a house full of people…
A huge Christmas tree, decorated brilliantly in the living room…
Perhaps I am building my own family right here in America…
And it feels…
Wonderful.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Contribution
Before I knew it, “The Sam and Scarlett Charity Ball” had arrived… The one for the Children’s Hospital…
I show up at the ball in a white and black ball gown, black high heels, diamond earrings, and a simple, pearl necklace.
My long, dark hair is up, in a tight bun.
And a deep red lipstick stains my lips.
I feel… Elegant.
The wolves are definitely out tonight… But I don’t let it bother me…
Instead I sip my bright red punch, listening to many, many wealthy, business people talk about money.
Apparently it makes the world go round…
But I also meet many of the children’s parents, as the Children’s Hospital Director said I would.
They are so very appreciative, and I, fairly speechless, become so humbled by their warmth…
*
The benefit is a huge success so far…
Some 350 of New York’s wealthy and famous show up, and many of them give healthy contributions.
I am thrilled, and feel… proud.
I think my father would be proud if he could see me… Who knows, maybe he can.
But for every contributor, there is also those that do not contribute when they find out the event is in honor of a woman.
This era has much to learn about simply being human.
But I know better.
The dark haired, blue eyed minx from Virginia has done good…
But some won’t leave it at that.
Some can’t leave it at that.
“Hello, again, Ms. Monroe.”
It is the New York reporter that had followed me to Virginia, and wrote that terrible article in the paper about me…
Randy McCormick.
“Hello Mr. McCormick,” I say politely.
He shakes my hand with a manic smile.
“I thought you already got your story,”
“Oh… There are always new stories to be had, when there are interesting people around, like yourself,” he replies, baring his teeth.
“I see… Well, another time perhaps,” I speak as I walk away.
Surely I’m not going to let one little news weasel mess with this night.
Not on your life…
**************************************************
THE CHRONICLES OF MADY;
BOOK 1 – ‘I Died Once’ Novella Available @ Amazon HERE
BOOK 2 – ‘Mady’s Storm’ Novella Available @ Amazon HERE
The Written Word 