Book Excerpts

CHAPTER ONE BROKEN DREAMS A man that hath the patience to go by steps may deceive one much wiser than himself.–Marquis Of Halifax (1633-1695) A crisis event often explodes the illusions that anchor our lives.-Robert Veninga Unfortunately, I didn’t have a clue to what was really going on in my life, other than dealing with […]

Finally, in the middle of a day in the early summer of 1998, I pack my suitcase, buy an airline ticket and catch a plane to Sun Valley, Idaho, where I can feel safe. We have a beautiful log cabin, nestled within millions of gigantic pine trees beside a small creek, and overseen, as if

All in all I manage to forget temporarily the pain that I’m in, while guests mingle and chat happily over the wonderful meal Larry and I had prepared together. There wasn’t a full-tummy-friend, guest, or acquaintance leaving my home, that didn’t say, in one form or another, “Thank you. This has been the greatest Thanksgiving

I join the choir at the local Catholic Church because of fond memories I’ve had from childhood. I’ll be singing in the Christmas Messiah, which I’m really excited about. (Yet, the evening of the performance ends in disaster for me when long-time skiing friends, Frank and Judy Jellinek – who are sitting in the front

I shudder as I think about anyone seeing the mess, such as potential buyers, should I put this property on the market, or friends and relatives Rick might be entertaining in my absence, for the sole purpose of cementing the rumors about me. “Debbie dances to a different drummer,” leaving people who hear this wondering

CHAPTER TWO WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON Love is whatever you can still betray… Betrayal can only happen if you love.–John le Carré My, oh my, I’ve seen Rick’s type; I was married to one myself. It’s as if Rick and Bob were cast from the same mold. Of course I’m privy to so

Yet, like wildfire far beyond the office of our therapist, Rick manages to cause everyone I’ve known to turn against me like vipers. In less than a month those who were on the fence have jumped to his side concerning our issues and the rumors Rick has spread. The respected, elite, position I held in