“Sweet. Thanks a lot.” I rolled my eyes at them and returned to my closet.
“Doesn’t this all seem a bit ridiculous to you?” Hillary took a step closer to me. “You’ve only known him for three months . . . and you married him!”
“It’s complicated.” I glanced back at her.
“Then explain it to us. We’ve got all day,” Jenna rudely responded.
I turned around again to face my three friends and Ethan. “You know something, if I thought I could I would but with the attitudes you all have, I honestly do not believe you would even be open to hearing it.”
“Whatever, I knew you wouldn’t tell us. You’ve been acting so strangely ever since you met him. I don’t know what’s going on but I know something isn’t right,” Jenna glared up at me.
“You can believe whatever you like. I really don’t care. So if you’re done bothering me, feel free to leave. I have a lot of packing to do before my parents get home.” I continued piling my clothes on top of my bed.
“I knew this was pointless.” Hillary shook her head and turned towards Jenna and Caitlyn. “Come on, I don’t want to spend the last day of break here with her.”
“Agreed,” Jenna stood up and she and Hillary walked towards my door when she noticed Caitlyn hadn’t moved. “Caitlyn, come on.”
“I think I’ll stick around and help Jocelyn pack her things.” She waved them off and walked over to my closet.
“Suit yourself.” Jenna narrowed her eyes a bit as she and Hillary left. Ethan followed them out and closed the door behind them seeming rather satisfied with himself.
“I am so sorry, Jocelyn. I just want you to know that not all of us feel the way they do.” She was putting my shoes into a large duffle bag.
“Thanks, I appreciate that.”
“Zak and I are both very happy for you and Jackson.” She paused for a minute and stood facing me. “I know how hard things have been around here with Ethan and your mom. I cannot imagine my mother treating me that way regardless of the circumstances. It would break my heart. Zak and I know why you two eloped and why you want to move in with the Chandlers.”
I walked over and sat down on my bed and patted the empty space beside me. Caitlyn sat down and asked. “You’re not pregnant are you?”
“No, I am not pregnant and we did not exactly elope.”
“You didn’t?”
“No, we didn’t.” I went on to explain to her the details of our wedding ceremony, our trip to BU and our honeymoon in New York. I told her everything except about Uncle Nicholas being there just in case that small detail somehow reached Ethan’s ears, which would then reach my father’s. I knew his estranged brother being at my wedding when he was not would be unforgiveable.
Caitlyn listened attentively and when I was finished, she hugged me tightly. “How romantic. I’m so jealous. I wish I could have been there.”
“I wish you could have been too.”
She finally let me go. “Well, let’s get you packed. I’m sure you don’t want to be here when your parents get home.”
“Not particularly,” I laughed.
Caitlyn, Jackson, his parents, and I spent the next couple of hours moving my things across the street. It didn’t take too long and I was thrilled that Ethan decided to remain in his room once he discovered Robert and Emily helping me move. I guess he was braver confronting Jackson when he was alone. Caitlyn was even sweet enough to hug Jackson and congratulate him on our marriage.
When the final suitcase was closed and the last of the duffle bags was zipped shut, the four of them carried the last of my things across the street. I stood alone in my room that was now void of all the little things that had made it mine for the last eighteen years. My clothes and things were packed; the vanity was cleared as were all the drawers, closet, nightstands and walls. There was nothing left here that proved this room had ever been occupied by me. These walls had been my sanctuary, my safe haven, my respite from the world outside and now it was all a memory. As I closed my bedroom door for the last time, I brushed a tear off my cheek and silently said good-bye to the girl I had once been.
APPENDIX
2009
The Timmons
Shane Douglas, VP Compliance of Chicago General
Amy Marie, Pediatrician at Chicago General
Sidney Harper, Sophomore at Northwestern University
Jocelyn Alyssa, Senior in high school
Ethan Jude, Junior in high school
The Chandlers
Robert Abraham, Corporate Attorney
Emily Jade, Novelist
Alexander Nolan, Divorce Attorney in Boston
Leslie, Alexander’s wife
Lucinda, Alexander & Leslie’s six-year-old daughter
Charlie, Alexander & Leslie’s four-year-old son
Phoebe Rochelle, Criminal Attorney in Boston
Carson Adler, Phoebe’s husband
Wallace, Phoebe and Carson’s one-year-old son
Jackson Wyatt, Senior in high school/Studying law at Boston University
The Burks
Craig, Jenna’s father
Melinda, Jenna’s mother
Jenna, Jocelyn’s best friend/Dating Kyle/Volleyball, Basketball player
The Clausens
Brett, Kyle’s father
Kyle, Jenna’s boyfriend/Senior in high school
Brandon, Kyle’s brother/Freshman in high school
Friends
Caitlyn Buchanan, Zac’s girlfriend/Volleyball, Basketball, Softball player/Senior
Zak Engling, Caitlyn’s boyfriend/Quarterback, Point Guard/Senior
Hilary Wade, Cody’s girlfriend/Volleyball, Basketball player/Senior
Cody Porter, Hilary’s boyfriend/Wide receiver, small forward/Senior
Mariah Jones, Ethan’s ex-girlfriend/Junior
Corbin Stewart, Hailey’s boyfriend, Ethan’s best friend/Junior
Hailey Collins, Corbin’s girlfriend/Junior
Taylor Perry, Jocelyn’s nemesis/Cheerleader/Senior
Dakota Anderson, Taylor’s sidekick/Cheerleader/Senior
Coaches/Teachers
Coach Smith, Volleyball & Girls Basketball Coach/Teaches English Lit 9
Coach Shelburne, Football Coach/Teaches computer programing
Coach Minnick, Boys Basketball Coach/ Teaches algebra
Coach Kane, Girls Softball Coach/Teaches PE
Mr. Rand, Teaches AP psychology
Mrs. Neal-Beliveau, Teaches AP biology
Mrs. Killian, Teaches Jocelyn’s English Lit 12
Mrs. Runyon, Teaches Jackson’s English Lit 12
Mr. Dunn, Teaches chemistry
Mrs. Ulbright, Teaches history
Principal Julia Cosgrove
1878
The Timmons
Patrick Michael, Physician
Annabelle Nichole, Married to Patrick/Jocelyn’s mother
Patrick Michael II, Physician
Katherine, Patrick II’s wife
Jonathon Niles, Physician
Lizette, Jonathon’s wife
Isaac, Jonathon & Lizette’s nine-year-old son
Louisa, Jonathon & Lizette’s eight-year-old daughter
Derek, Jonathon & Lizette’s four-year-old son
James Henry, Attorney
Rachael, James’ wife
Abbigail, James & Rachael’s five-year-old daughter
Aiden, James & Rachael’s three-year-old son
Hannah, Housekeeper/Nanny
William Arthur, Married to Olivia Adams/First year at Northwestern University
Jocelyn Alyssa, Engaged to Jackson Chandler
The Timmons Household
Eddie, Stableman/Married to Mimi/Cora’s dad
Mimi, Manages the household/Married to Eddie/Cora’s mom
Cora, Housekeeper/Daughter of Eddie and Mimi
Sarah, Cook
Missy, Housekeeper
Robe
rt Abraham, Attorney
Emily Jade, Married to Robert/Jackson’s mother
Alexander Nolan, Attorney
Veronica, Alexander’s wife
Casper, Alexander & Veronica’s six-year-old son
Wyatt, Alexander & Veronica’s five-year-old son
Kyra, Alexander & Veronica’s three-year-old daughter
Phoebe Rochelle
Silas Monroe, Phoebe’s husband/School teacher
Wallace, Phoebe & Silas’ one-year-old son
Katie, The Monroe’s housekeeper/Nanny
Jackson Wyatt, Law School at Northwestern University
The Chandler Household
Barnaby, Stableman/Married to Carly
Susan, Housekeeper
Carly, Cook/Married to Barnaby
Norma, Housekeeper
The Adams
Benjamin, Banker/Married to Harriett
Harriett, Married to Benjamin
Olivia, Jocelyn’s best friend/Married to William
Kincade, Olivia’s seven-year-old brother
Oscar, Olivia’s four-year-old brother
Grady, The Adams’ stableman
The Cains
Henry, Owns the mercantile
Molly, Married to Henry
Laurie, Friend of Jocelyn’s/Theodore’s girlfriend
Quintin, Laurie’s five-year-old brother
Gracie, The Cain’s housekeeper
The Maddoxes
Elmer, Elizabeth’s father
Ester, Elizabeth’s mother
Easton, Elizabeth’s twenty-year-old brother
Elizabeth, Jocelyn’s friend/Lee’s girlfriend
Edwin, Elizabeth’s sixteen-year-old brother
Elijah, Elizabeth’s fourteen-year-old brother
Elisa, Elizabeth’s eight-year-old sister
Sabina, The Maddox’s housekeeper
The Donaldsons
George, Carpenter/Married to Corrine
Corrine, Married to George
Josiah, Dimitri’s twenty-five-year-old brother
Dimitri, formerly engaged to Maryanne
Calliope, Dimitri’s sixteen-year-old sister
Ingrid, Dimitri’s fourteen-year-old sister
Friends
Christina Bowden, Jocelyn’s friend/Thomas’ girlfriend
Thomas Reynolds, Christina’s boyfriend
Theodore Norris, Laurie’s boyfriend
Maryanne Kendrick, Formerly engaged to Dimitri/Jocelyn’s nemesis
Sean Preston, Dimitri’s best friend/Died of pneumonia in Spring 2009/Formerly engaged to Olivia Adams
Lee Miller, Elizabeth Maddox’s boyfriend/Architect
Mr. Grahame, History teacher
AUTHOR BIO
A. L. Waddington grew up in a small town in Indiana and always had a vivid and overactive imagination. She loves music, playing sports, and can be quite mischievous at times. She has been known to play practical jokes on occasion and is a firm believer in the theory of organized chaos. She has a slight addiction to coffee and gummy bears. When she’s not hidden behind her laptop or buried in a book, she can be found working in her gardens, cheering on her favorite team, the Indianapolis Colts, or trying to lose that last stubborn ten pounds. She graduated with her BS in psychology from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. A. L. and her family reside in Indiana.
PREVIEW OF
ILLUMINATION
EVE SERIES, BOOK 4
CHAPTER 1
Saturday, March 27, 2010
I SAT AT the desk by our bedroom window and stared at my childhood home across the street. The huge Civil War built estate loomed across the vast lawn in the mid-morning sky. I watched the porch swing swaying slightly in the breeze on the wrap-around porch and the rockers moving gently. There was a light drizzle clinging to the chilly air. The house looked hollow and unfriendly. I imagined my dad, Shane, in his pajama bottoms and sweatshirt sitting in his recliner watching some documentary on the History Channel. My mother, Amy, was most likely in her office dictating patient charts and my younger brother, Ethan, was probably scavenging through the kitchen looking for something to snack on. It was just another typical Saturday morning in the Timmons household with one exception . . . me.
“Good morning, I brought you some coffee.” A female voice breached the silence from the doorway behind me.
“Thank you. When did you arrive?” I got up and hugged my sister-in-law Phoebe.
“This morning. My parents picked me up about an hour ago at the airport.” She handed me the mug and sat down on the corner of the bed I shared with Jackson. She lightly patted the empty space beside her. “Sit down.”
I filled the vacancy next to her and took a long sip letting the warm liquid course through me. “I was not aware you were visiting us this weekend.”
“It was a last minute decision actually. After talking to my mother last evening, I decided to come home for the weekend.” She smiled softly. “Everyone is very worried about you.”
“I am fine.” Phoebe raised a questionable eyebrow. “Seriously, I am.” I rolled my eyes at the floor and took another sip of coffee.
“It does not sound like it to me.”
“Did you bring Wally with you?” I inquired with vain hopes of changing the subject.
“No, I left him home with Carson. They can survive a weekend without me.”
“Oh, I was hoping he was with you. I miss him.” Wally was Phoebe’s son who was just shy of his second birthday. I simply adored him and had not had the opportunity to see him since Christmas.
“You will see him over Easter,” Phoebe sighed exasperatedly. “I understand that the relationship with your family has deteriorated since your wedding over Christmas Break.”
“Deteriorated? Unfortunately, there was no relationship to deteriorate with my mother or Ethan for that matter. We stopped all communication at Thanksgiving. And things with my dad are improving somewhat. He did wave to me yesterday when Jackson and I were leaving for school and he was off to work.” I tried to sound more optimistic than I felt.
“Jocelyn, I know the last six months have been challenging for you. I honestly cannot imagine how difficult it must be to learn about EVE, be a newlywed, estranged from your family, and the majority of your friends all while trying to complete your senior year of high school with the highest possible scores.”
I fumbled over a couple of ill-gotten words then remained silent. There was no use fighting anything she had said. It was all true and we both knew it.
“Jackson told our mother that you cried all the way to school and that many nights when you believe him to be asleep, you cry.”
I continued to stare down at my coffee mug. “He had no right to reveal something so personal. And if he had, he should have confided in me, not his mother.” I got up and walked out of the room ending our conversation.
***
I pulled my jacket and scarf out of the foyer closet and walked out the front door without saying a word to anyone. I felt so angry that Jackson had betrayed me. How dare he confide in his mother about his concerns! I am his wife. He has no right to speak to anyone about me behind my back.
I stuffed my hands in my pockets as my feet reached the sidewalk. I didn’t even bother to look back to see if anyone noticed my departure. I didn’t care if they did or didn’t. I followed the sidewalk down to the sports park. Thankfully it had cleared up and the sun was fighting to break through the clouds. It was still fairly chilly out but everywhere I looked there were signs that nature was awakening after her long winter sleep.
I crossed over the soccer fields where the grass was still saturated from the periodic snows and rains so typical of our springs in Chicago. I walked aimlessly around the path to the playground by the baseball diamonds. I sat down on one of the swings and kicked off the ground. I pumped harder with my arms and soared into the sky leaving all my troubles on the ground below me.
“I figured this was where you were headed,” his voice startled
me from behind. “You always loved the swings.” My dad sat down in the swing next to mine. “I saw you leave a little while ago and thought I would take advantage of the chance to speak to you alone.”
I dragged my feet to bring myself to a halt beside him. “I am glad you did.” I wasn’t sure what to say to him. We had not spoken in almost three months.
“I wasn’t sure you would be too happy to speak with me.” He swayed a bit in the swing. “I am not proud of my recent behavior. I know this hasn’t been easy on any of us, but I want us to be a family again. I hate knowing that you are right across the street and I feel like I can’t speak to you.”
“Daddy, you can speak to me any time you want to. Nothing has changed between us. I love you!” I leaned over and wrapped my arms around his neck spilling my tears all over his shoulder. “I have missed you so much,” I cried.
“I missed you too.” He hugged me back. “Are you doing all right?”
I sat back in my swing and brushed the tears off my cheeks with a smile. “I am doing
much better now.”
“How is married life treating you?” he inquired.
“Wonderful. He makes me very happy.”
“I’m happy to hear that. How about your friends? Ethan told me that they have been giving you a lot of grief about your marriage.” My dad actually looked sympathetic.
“He would know. He has caused a lot of it,” I told him.
“I figured as much. I have tried to talk with him.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. He’s not the worst of them. Jenna actually puts Ethan to shame. She has been truly horrible and Hilary is not much better. Thankfully, basketball season is finally over. I never thought I would be happy to see the end of it but I was. I decided that I am not going to play softball this year because of them.”