EXAMPLE - Before - Robynn Gabel (books for men to read .txt) 📗

What happens if you break a death bed promise?

Anna mused, the smooth pull of the car's engine infusing her with a sense of daring. Gone for a moment were all responsibilities, leaving the freedom to entertain errant possibilities.

Assessing the yellow Mustang beside her on the interstate, she caught sight of the driver’s cocky grin, beneath expensive sunglasses. For several miles she had toyed with the driver of the sports car, speeding up when he would draw even with her.

Many who knew Anna Sanchez didn't have a clue about this side of her. The one who floored the gas pedal with competitive glee as the powerful Corvette surged ahead, effortlessly widening the gap. Gripping the smooth steering wheel she felt the car attached to the road like a magnet to steel.

She caught sight of the dark circles under her eyes in the rear view mirror. I look tired, but it has been a hectic month, and to top it off that guy thinks he has a fast car!

She chuckled; checking the mirror again, the Mustang disappearing into a little dot behind her.

Anna's left foot tapped while her fingers drummed on the steering wheel to the thumping bass of the music, the tempo surging with the sleek shark of a car. The plum colored Corvette was Anna's only extravagance in her short life, a reward for achieving a college degree and dealing with her mother and grandparent's recent passing. A smooth mechanical voice spoke against the growl of the engine and beat of the music, “Make a right hand turn at next exit.” Confidently she handled the power that shot the car onto the ramp, ignoring the 40 mile an hour sign.

The olive-green blur of sagebrush brought back memories of boring trips through the plains of Wyoming to visit her grandparents. She could still smell pungent sage in the heat of summer, the dust of the barn and fresh hay. Anna’s grandmother, round faced and rotund would bustle about in the kitchen while her grandfather tall, lanky, and leathered faced, sat in the sparse living room waiting for a meal. She'd hated the awkward silences at dinner; small talk had not been his forte, or Anna's.

Her grandmother had passed in January the year before, two days after Jenny, Anna’s mother, found out she had pancreatic cancer. It was a terrific blow to all of them. Then her grandfather’s heart attack and passing in the fall seem to be the final catalyst in pushing her mother beyond recovery from cancer.

Tears threatened as feelings of loneliness and grief swelled. Has it only been six months ago since she’s passed?

Anna rubbed her temple. It seemed to be a season of funerals and endings. Just when she’d finished going through her mother's things, the big white envelope arrived, post marked from Wyoming. The formal letter stated the probate period was over and she legally owned her grandfather's estate. After graduation she packed for the summer trip to Lander with resignation; fulfilling the promise to her dying mother she would take care of the 5000 acre cattle ranch, handed down for generations.

The Vette growled over the music, powered up the hill, happily consuming miles, bringing her closer to the decision she wrestled with. She wished she was back in her little house in Fort Collins, Colorado, not having to end another chapter in her life. What was she going to do with a ranch?

The navigation system's voice broke into her reverie. “Take a left hand turn in one quarter of a mile.” The way here was known to her, the unit was on for the illusion of company. She slowed the Vette, rumbling over the cattle guard. The dirt road was packed; she drove carefully to avoid kicking up any gravel. After the narrow drive cut around a low hill, a bunkhouse came into view. From there a small path traveled down to the traditional looking ranch house, with a white summer porch and gabled dormer windows. A ridge covered in scrub pine rose behind and a little farther out a weathered, but well-kept barn stood guard over the sloping pasture. Several horses grazed in lush grass, the finishing touch in a pastoral scene. A dark blue sedan sat parked in front of the porch. Two boys with the exuberant energy of the young, raced around brandishing branches in musketeer fashion.

Emily, her second cousin, stood on the porch, red-gold hair framing a welcoming smile. Excitement bubbled up in Anna, pushing worry away. Two years older, Emily filled the role of big sister. As children they spent summers together exploring the hillsides and ridges behind the house, and playing in her grandfather's neatly organized barn. Anna depended on Emily's stalwart advice, grounded in country experience. It would help in handling the upcoming decisions, before she went back to Ft. Collins to start her first year as a Kindergarten teacher.

The Vette sighed as she flipped the ignition key off, jumping out, with her arms wide for a bear hug. Emily’s high soprano laugh tinkled on the breeze.

“How was the drive?” She stepped back glancing over Anna.

A delighted smile graced Anna's face, “Really quick today, but of course the mode of transportation does make a difference.”

Emily raised an eyebrow as she gazed at the sleek sports car.“I guess so. First class! Hey, I'm just glad you could come up. You've been away forever, girl!”

Anna leaned in for another hug.“I agree it’s been too long Emily! Thankfully it's not for another funeral.”

“Been tough with your mom gone?” Sympathy softened Emily's green eyes.

Words tumbled out, tears rising. “It’s really hard, I miss her so much. I'll think of something I want to tell her, and I’ll remember she's gone. Even though I knew she was dying, I hoped for more time.”

Emily wrapped an arm around Anna's shoulders.“I'm so sorry,” Emily murmured. They stood for a minute leaning on each other. Anna drew a deep breath, stepped back, brushing away tears.

One little musketeer with his brother hot on his heels, ran around the side of the porch. Emily reached out snagging the bedraggled twig in one hand and his arm in the other, stopping the boy. His brother, realizing her intent, moved his branch out of her quick grasp. Anna leaned down embracing them both.

“Oh my, you boys are getting big! So John, Matthew, how old are you now?” The closest to her, a skinny, strawberry blonde smiled at Anna.

“I'm eight and Matthew is six.”

Anna shook her head, “Time sure flies! But I bet not fast enough for both of you.”

“Auntie, when I get older can I drive your car?”

Anna grinned. “We’ll see, I'll give you a ride later.” She watched as Matthew circled the car, his eyes wide.

“Well, shall we go through the house?” Anna rummaged in her small purse bringing out clanking keys on a simple metal ring.

The worn key slipped easily in the brass door handle, turning with little effort. The musty smell of old inhabitation wafted out into spring air. Anna stepped in, going back in time. The living room lay before them untouched. Men's house slippers sat on the floor by the worn, overstuffed chair, while eye glasses leaned up next to a brown medication bottle on the end table. A newspaper dated October 12 straddled the arm of the chair as if the occupant would be back any second to resume reading where he'd left off.

Her grandmother's rocker sat next to the overstuffed chair. The end table beside it was covered with small reading glasses and a worn bible lying face down on the last chapter read. Anna's throat tightened.

She walked through the living room to the kitchen where dishes sat unwashed in the sink. The refrigerator hummed endlessly, the rooster clock on the yellowed wall still ticking off moments as it had for years.

It was exactly as she remembered it, but the house had a vacant feel, not like the occupants were on vacation, but an empty desolation coming from the knowledge that the people who'd lived here were gone forever. Anna tried to find something of her grandparent's presence in the home but only forsaken personal belongings greeted her.

Emily moved on to scout out the rest of the house. Anna heard the bathroom door squeak open, a familiar sound. The boys scampered up the narrow staircase to the attic where Anna and Emily had spent many nights during childhood summers. Anna headed to her mother's bedroom down the left hallway outside of the kitchen. This was going to be the hardest one of all, loss still a fresh, raw wound in her heart. Her hand hesitated on the door knob as she took a deep breath, debating. Tears scalded down her face. Releasing the handle she decided, not right now, time enough to grieve later.

Publication Date: 05-16-2012

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