P is for Petrified

Photo Credit: Mario Amè

“Tell the story that’s been growing in your heart, the characters you can’t keep out of your head, the tale that speaks to you, that pops into your head during your daily commute, that wakes you up in the morning.” ~ Jennifer Weiner

This month I’m sharing stories written from my heart and in today’s blog I’m sharing a scene taken from my historical fiction in progress, The Notetaker and Her Compass—a story that’s been growing in my heart. One of my main characters, Victoria Anne Hammond, is someone I can’t keep out of my head—so much so, it almost feel like she’s a real person! I hope you enjoy it, dear reader, and, as always, I look forward to hearing your comments.

Walton reached out to his older sister, Beatrice, the next day, on the farm’s shared phone line. Beatrice made an appointment at Dr. Fairfield’s for Victoria’s eye exam a week later. She also went to Sacred Heart and registered Victoria to begin school in September.

The Saturday of the big move, things got underway quickly. Victoria hardly had time to process all the big life changes that were unfolding. She felt the heaviness of goodbyes and the uncertainty of what was ahead of her. She was packing her journal and the book she was currently reading, Anne of Green Gables, into her suitcase when Walton peeked his head inside her room.

“Are you ready then?” Walton asked.

“Yes, Daddy, I am,” Victoria answered. She looked up at her father and tears formed in the corners of each eye. “Although I don’t know how one can ever really be ready to say goodbye to their family, and everything they know.”

“Now, now,” Walton said, stepping into her room and dabbing her tears away with his index finger. “It’s not like you’re moving a hundred miles away. It’s only a short drive to Halifax and, as I said, I will call every Sunday, at the same time you and I have always shared one another’s company.”

“Okay Daddy,” Victoria said. “I trust you.”

Walton took her case by the handle and carried it through the kitchen and out to the car. The family was all crowded together in a line on the porch, including Louise, but Victoria only curtsied in front on her stepmother before turning to Hanna, the one who raised her.

“Take good care of them,” Victoria whispered in Hanna’s ear as she hugged her close.

Victoria turned to face Evan, who patted her shoulder and wished her good luck.

Patrick reached into his pocket and thrust a wooden pendant he’d carved himself and threaded onto a sturdy piece of cord into her hand.

“It’s a token,” Patrick said matter-of-factly. “That’s our house, and see there? That’s the light on in your room.”

“Thank you,” Victoria said, taking the gift and pulling the cord over her head. She patted the pendant that lay against her chest, then gave her brother a big hug. “That was so thoughtful.”

Edward merely nodded his head and grunted a low goodbye.

And then, there was Jacob. The brother who had adored her since birth.

“You’ll always be right here,” Jacob said, lifting Victoria’s hand and placing it against his heart.

Victoria’s tears slipped down her cheeks as she tipped her head to rest against him.

“I will miss you so much,” she choked out through her tears.

She walked briskly to the old Ford pick-up and Walton helped her in. She watched from the window as her father drove away, until her family was out of sight.

It wasn’t until they were on the road that the reality hit her. Sitting in the passenger side of the black two-seater with faded-red rims and a slatted box-trailer that had seen better days, Victoria’s one suitcase stowed safely below her feet, she nervously clicked her Sunday best black Mary-Janes together, her hands trembling in her lap.

“Daddy, I know I said I’d make you proud, and I will, I promise, it’s just that, well, I feel a little scared, and, and sad, too, because, you know…”

“Hush, then little love,” Walton said, interrupting his daughter. “I know you’re sad and sacred. I am too. Well, sad that is. But you know I’m doing this for you because I love you, right?”

“Yes, of course, Daddy,” Victoria replied, as a fresh tear streaked down her cheek. “I know. And I am excited. But, Aunt Beatrice, well, she is a bit, um, well, she’s not you and…”

            “Your Aunt Beatrice loves you too,” Walton said, interrupting for the second time. It was so out of character for him to interrupt people, but a result of his own frayed nerves and discomfort with the whole situation. “Having no children of her own, she isn’t always the best at communicating well with young people, but she’ll learn. And besides, I’m sure she’ll be easier to manage than Mother.”

            It was an unspoken agreement to refer to Louise as their mother, even though none of the children addressed her as so. Victoria, having never known her birth mother, always felt hurt by the lack of affection her stepmother showed towards her. She often wondered if there wasn’t something wrong with her, even though Louise was almost as cold towards her brothers.

            “I suppose so,” Victoria answered. “But Daddy, what I’m petrified of is that I won’t be your favourite anymore.”

            “Petrified!” Walton exclaimed, his heart breaking all over again. “Where on earth did you learn that word?”

“From the dictionary,” Victoria said. “I finished the letter P last week.”

“Well, that’s all well and good, but beside the point,” Walton said. “You mustn’t feel petrified, because it is absolutely impossible for anything to change how I feel about you. The love I have for you is sacred. It isn’t about any of the things you do or say, or any of the things we share together. It’s a feeling, inside my heart, that cannot be undone.”

            “Are you sure?” Victoria asked, her bottom lip trembling slightly.

            “One hundred percent,” Walton answered.

            “Well, then,” Victoria said. “I won’t worry about it a minute longer. And Daddy, I think it’s time you stopped calling me little love. I am about to move out on my own after all.”

            Victoria giggled softly and Walton laughed his big, belly laugh. Her body relaxed and her feet stopped banging nervously together. They rode the rest of the one-hour drive into the city in comfortable communion, Victoria speculating about the adventures that were about to unfold while Walton listened intently.

 COMING UP…

Books & Projects:

·      All four of my books are available online at Amazon, Chapters-Indigo, and Barnes & Noble. You can also find them at select Chapters-Indigo and El Hombre de la Mancha bookstores.

·      I am pursuing representation from a traditional publisher for my fifth literary fiction, a psychological drama that explores the complexities of mental illness and trauma. Stay in touch by signing up for my blog or following me on social media to find out when it will be published.

Reviews & Interviews:

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YouTube Channel:

·      Watch The Rogue Scorpion trailer.

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·      Watch The Healing trailer.