I’m posting the first couple of pages
of the book instead of the interviews, which are not ready. Thought instead of putting off a blog post any longer, I’d throw y’all a bone and give you a sneak peak of how OUT OF THE ASHES, begins. Hope you enjoy it.
Gabriel was in a foul mood.
The excavating company he worked for brought him to this rural community in northern California, to clean up after the big Valley Fire swept through and destroyed over 1,000 homes. It wasn’t the work that was upsetting. It was the fact that it was the holidays now, and that time of year always left him blue. He thought being in a strange place would distract him. The truth was, it made him feel more alone than ever.
He was staying in the only hotel chain in the area. The Best Western was the tallest building in the small town of Clearlake, reaching 4 stories high. At least he didn’t have to share a room with one of the guys. Being a foreman, he got a room paid for by the company all to himself. That way he could sulk alone.
Three years earlier, just before Christmas, he was traveling on Interstate 680 outside of Fremont with his girlfriend Shelly. They were on their way to her parent’s house to stay for the holidays. Gabe had been living with Shelly in the Bay Area city of San Ramon for over a year, and since his family was back in Oklahoma, Shelly’s family was who they were celebrating with.
It was raining that Christmas Eve, and it was all over before Gabriel even knew what hit them. The papers said the multi-car pileup on the freeway was caused by poor weather conditions, limited visibility, and high speeds. Gabe suffered his share of injuries, a fractured arm, clavicle, ribs, and punctured lung, but Shelly’s side of the car was what took most of the hit. The doctors said she died instantly.
With little reason to move back to Oklahoma, Gabe stayed in California, and continued to work for the excavating company as a heavy equipment operator. It was decent pay and moving to a neighboring city of Danville, he tried to keep his mind off of Shelly.
Coming to Lake County, to help rebuild the lives of so many that lost everything in the Valley Fire, he thought would lift his spirits. Being lonely around the holidays was just something he couldn’t shake. This particular Friday, he thought of driving the 3 hours back to his apartment in Danville, but going to an empty place just didn’t sound like it would help. Maybe if he had a dog or something. But alone was still alone. He decided to just stay on at the hotel and go grab a drink in the lobby bar.
After showering and shaving, Gabe decided to head downstairs and grab a burger at the bar and a few beers. Maybe watch some football on the TV if it was on. He knew most of the guys would probably be headed back to the city by now but that suited him just fine. He’d seen them all week, and he wasn’t particularly close friends with any of them. Gabriel was somewhat of a loner, not trusting his heart to rely on a single soul.
To his surprise, the small town bar was slammed and lively. There were loads of people shooting pool, watching the game, and talking loudly over the jukebox. Behind the bar they had three bartenders, one woman and two men.
As Gabe walked in, several of the women stopped and gave him a second look. Not drop dead gorgeous, but Gabe was a substantially good looking guy. His 5’10” stature was muscular and it showed, through his t-shirt and jeans. His thick, dark hair was cut short, and his blue eyes were always a show stopper. That was what Shelly had told him she noticed first about him. That they were beautiful, but sort of sad looking. That intrigued her, she’d said.
Walking up to the bar, Gabriel waited to make eye contact with one of the bartenders to place his order. There was one lone seat at the far left of the bar, furthest away from the television, but closest to the kitchen entry. He could smell the aroma of cooking onions and sizzling beef. Suddenly he was famished.
“What’s your pleasure my man?” the gentleman taking Gabe’s order had deep dimples that accompanied a kind smile.
“Oh, a Coors Light please, and can I order food?”
“Of course. Do you need a menu or can I make a suggestion?” the bartender asked.
“Um…..well, sure. What do you recommend?”
“Well, the chicken fried steak is always good, but my personal Friday Night fav is a thick, juicy burger with sauted onions. We have shoestring fries that go great with it too.”
Gabriel thought the guy read his mind and quickly agreed to the burger and fries. The cheery bartender winked at him and said he’d place the order right away. The long-neck bottle of Coors Light was placed in front of Gabe as the bartender disappeared into the kitchen.
The Stanford game was on the TV but the sound of Bruno Mars was blaring out from the jukebox. Gabe swiveled his barstool around to survey the room while taking a long swig off his beer. The group was mostly his age or younger.
At 33, Gabe was an old soul. He never was a big partier and preferred more intimate gatherings. But somehow, being swallowed up in a crowd right now seemed more comforting. It was easier than being back in the city, with Shelly’s and his friends feeling sorry for him. Nobody knew him here, or his story, and that’s the way he liked it.
Next blog: The next few pages of the book, and how Gabriel Hart first saw Sarah McKinney.
Once I complete the interviews, they will be posted. Now that I have my summer off, I will be better at blog entries closer together, and still have time to write the book.
Thanks to those of you loyal readers and know your comments are always welcome and encouraged! Hope your weekend is full of peace, joy, and a little excitement!
