Pieces of You
Authors: J F Elferdink
| Pieces of You |
| J F Elferdink |
| Beyond Communication LLC (2012) |
As Mark's body lies comatose, his spirit journeys to his past and then to two possible futures. Zachri, a supernatural guide, draws him into the changes in the lives of people affected by his decisions and alerts him to his potential to intervene. He must ultimately choose to remain with Janie, the woman he loves, or cross over and bring the forces of heaven to improve her world.
J.F. Elferdink started Pieces of You, her first novel, after living through the intense and thought-provoking experience upon which the book’s story is based. A college instructor, she is also a seeker of social justice and a traveler into the unknown. Her favorite things include: science fiction (among many genres); stimulating conversation (actually, that should be at the top of the list!); all shades of pink and purple; trying new things (especially with her grandchildren) and the list goes on… She welcomes discussion at her blog, A Novel Site at http://harmlessjoyce.wordpress.com or on her Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/joyceonsocialjustice
Pieces of You
By J. F. Elferdink
Based on a True Story
Copyright © 2012 by J.F. Elferdink
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be mailed to the following address:
Beyond Communication LLC
300 Farington Blvd., Unit #4
Holland, Michigan 49423-7421
ISBN-13: 978-0-615-66449-1
Printed In the United States Of America
To the Mark who graced my
world
for a brief time
and changed it forever.
And to
some
dear people from the LinkedIn
LinkEds & writers
Group
who
freely shared their expertise to transform this author from a business and academic writer to a novelist, especially
Linnet Woods, editor-extraordinaire.
9
A BARGAIN, A MEMORY AND A PROMISE
12
FROM A WAR ZONE TO PEACE TALKS
18
FOUND! A WAY TO JUSTIFY RISK
Shortly after Mark boarded the train to Zurich, his cell phone rang. Seeing the name on the caller ID, he knew he had to take the call, even though he wanted nothing more than to settle into his seat in first class and lock the world out. He pushed the talk button.
“Hello, Dr. Lövblad. What’s up? Is golf on your mind already this morning?”
“No, Mark, this is a professional call. The lab work you had done this morning shows a blood infection. We need to locate its source, so I want to see you back here this week.”
“I appreciate your concern, Doc, but we’ve been through this before. I’m on my way to my son’s, but I’ll be back next week and I still have a couple of the pills you prescribed last year…”
“Don’t take those! This infection may not be what you had last year and why didn’t you finish that bottle? Oh well, no use arguing. Next week, then, but be sure to call me if your temperature goes up, even slightly.”
After scheduling the appointment, Mark tried to relax. He wasn’t overly concerned with the call. His doctors got nervous every time he got an infection and this had been going on for forty years.
Actually, he counted himself very lucky. He was only missing a spleen, the result of emergency surgery in 1967 in Vietnam. Several of his Navy buddies, including his best friend, Bob, had been taken home in pieces.
Mark dozed off but was startled awake by a peculiar sensation, almost like a gentle stroking of his tense neck muscles. The only person in view was a train attendant. Seeing no one else, he decided it must have been his overactive imagination dredging up memories of how his ex-wife used to help him relax.
Daydreaming got him through the next few hours and he was startled when the intercom announced his was the next stop.
His son, Martin, waited until Mark had grabbed his travel-worn overnight bag before giving his dad a vigorous hug. It occurred to Mark that public hugs were becoming more infrequent, now that Martin was a husband and father-to-be. This one was especially appreciated.
“Dad, you look drained. Some people retire at sixty-two. I’m not going to suggest you do that yet but I really think you should take more time off. You don’t need to make all these trips to Chicago. I’m pretty sure your clients have access to cell phones and high-speed internet.
”
“Okay, son, I get your point, although face-to-face meetings still seem to be warranted when the issues are as complex as the recent regulatory changes. Even so, I’d be highly motivated to take some time off if you and Claire could join me at the Florida house. How does a few days of sailing and scuba diving sound?”
“Let’s ask Claire over dinner. If she feels up to it and if we can both get a few days off work, I’m game.”
Martin led the way to his two-year old BMW and dumped his dad’s bags on the back seat next to his own briefcase.
When they pulled up at the house Martin and Claire had bought six months before, Mark couldn’t resist a broad grin. Helping his son and new daughter-in-law buy this charming house was at the top of the list of what made him grateful for his job. Gratitude was also an emotion he felt for Peggy, Martin’s mother, ever since she had chosen not to fight him for custody of their son.
Mark followed Martin through the front hall into the glowing open-design living area. Sunlight flowed through the wall of windows and dropped from dual skylights.
As Martin closed the door and hung up his father's coat, Mark sat down heavily in the first chair he came to.
"Dad, are you all right?" Martin's brow furrowed. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"No, thanks, I'm a little tired, that’s all; jet lag." Mark rubbed his forehead and smiled at his son.
"Trips to the States never bothered you this much before."
"I've never been this old before. I'll be fine."
"Could there be something else going on? Do you think you should see a doctor?"
Mark's voice took on an edge.
"I've got an appointment with Lövblad. Don't worry so much."
Martin took the chair directly across from his father's and looked in his eyes for a long moment.
"I'm your son. I worry because you’re one of the two people I can’t live without."
Almost as though on cue, the kitchen door swung open and Claire came into the dining room.
"Oh, you're here and just in time!" she said as she set a platter of Zürcher Geschnetzeltes on the table.
Serving the traditional sliced meat and ragout recipe from Zurich was her way of making her husband’s father feel welcome.
“I didn't hear you come in." She wiped her hands on a towel and came over to give Mark a kiss.
Mark made himself stand up to hug his daughter-in-law. Every time he saw her, he gave silent thanks that Martin had been able to survive his parents' divorce and build a stable marriage with this delightful woman.
Blonde, with hazel eyes sparkling with her love of life, her enthusiasm communicated itself to everyone around her.
"How's the mother-to-be feeling?" he asked.
"Much better, now that the morning sickness has passed."
As they filled their plates, Martin cleared his throat and said, “Dad, we don’t like you being alone so much. Claire and I want you to move in with us.”
“I’m touched by your invitation but I can’t imagine myself living anywhere but in my own home. I just can’t see myself depending on anyone - even my two favorite people.”
Martin looked at Claire, and she spoke up.
“If you won’t share our home will you, at least, let us help you find someone to share yours?”
“Well, I have ample space but I don’t think I’d be a very good landlord.”
”Come on, Dad,” Claire said, “You know what we’re getting at. We wish you’d find a good woman. Would you let us help?”
