Amazon http://tinyurl.com/y9rwfwcg Blurb The sheriff turned a blind eye when young Hannah was violated by her drunken stepfather. Hannah's mother, the one person who should protect her, was dying of cancer, but even in her weakened condition, she offered a way out. After her mother's death, will Hannah be able to protect herself or will she be driven over the edge? |
A Matter of Taste
A Short Story Excerpt Deep pink rose buds jutted from delicate Baby's Breath and draped Ellen Wilson’s casket like vintage lace. Hannah Sawyer found no beauty in the flowers today. An overwhelming sweet pungency traveled right down to the core of her already queasy stomach. She wanted to smash through the living petals and hold her mama. She couldn’t. While one of Hannah’s friends broke into the last verse of Amazing Grace, her mama’s favorite, Hannah wrapped chilled arms across her chest and leaned into the grief. The minister's calm voice bounced off the walls of the small chapel in Willow, Georgia."The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want…." Sonny Wilson edged closer than necessary and pressed his hot, fleshy leg to hers. Hannah bit back a sob and slid from his nearness. What she wanted most was the demon sitting next to her blasted into Hell. "I will fear no evil…." Hannah found it difficult to concentrate on the minister who delivered a reading of the Twenty-third Psalm. Hannah arched her back and swung her blonde hair close to Sonny’s sweaty neck. "Move...your…leg," she whispered. "In the presence of mine enemies…." A lock of Sonny's greasy brown hair fell across his ruddy forehead. In mockery, he leaned over as though to console, then slid a flabby arm around her shoulder. Only Hannah knew there was no comfort in him. Hell was too good for such a piece of garbage. But, she wished him there. Even as his wife lay stilled by the cancer, Sonny was intent on impressing everyone at the funeral, in particular his friend, Sheriff Bob Dillard. Sonny dared to depict the grief stricken husband, while he made an attempt to comfort his stepdaughter. Hannah knew better. She hated his deception. If it were the last thing she ever did, Sonny would be exposed for what he was. She’d see to it. He jumped as she jabbed at his ribs with a rock-hard finger. Still he held the smile on his face and remained glued by her side. The minister's soft voice filled the room as he spoke of forgiveness and love. If he really knew Sonny, would he still expect her to forgive this monster for what he'd done? She wouldn’t. Not ever. Ever, she vowed. Oh, Mama. Silent, bitter, tears choked her. Her vow to take care of Sonny, boiled up inside her throat. If only I'd told you. Where do I go from here? What do I do? While her mama slept on her deathbed, a horrible thing happened to seventeen-year-old Hannah. Sonny had come to her in the night and robbed her of her innocence. She'd fought against his lunatic strength. While he'd pinned her under his weight and ravaged her small body, she lay helpless. He'd cursed her and the tell-all marks on his face from her fingernails. He'd have some explaining to Ellen. Good. Except, Ellen was in no shape to do anything about the abuse of her young daughter. Scared and soiled, Hannah endured the pain and humiliation in silence. In those vicious moments, her innocence had vanished like yesterday's shadow. Hannah most feared the violation would show on her face, and through her eyes. She now felt old and worn, no longer comfortable around her friend’s laughter and carefree lifestyles. Hannah avoided them and kept her distance. Besides, friends asked too many questions. And she didn't have answers, at least ones they’d be interested in or issues she’d want to share. When Hannah couldn’t stand one second longer of Sonny’s abuse, she'd worked up the nerve to tell her mama what Sonny had done. Except at the last moment, she didn’t. What a piece of dirt Sonny was. Hannah’s mind processed the situation and the only resolution was, that it was pointless to burden her mama in this phase of her life. Hannah hadn't enough courage to break her mama's heart. Hannah had harbored anger and resentment that her mama lay dying. Now staring at the coffin's confinement, guilt of those feelings washed over her like bitter rain. The minister’s voice bounced around her ears like an echo."Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." Hannah shifted from Sonny and wished more than anything she could bring back her mama. Sonny should be the one immersed in the white satin-lined coffin. That…would be mercy. |
Copyright ©2022 by Carol DeVaney
All rights reserved. These novels, stories and any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author or publisher except for the use of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.
All rights reserved. These novels, stories and any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author or publisher except for the use of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.