AnnaBelle's Spirit
Dreams In The Mist
by
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Mom finally said the magic words, “she wasn’t going to put up with him anymore, and he would never lay a hand on her daughters again”. In two long strides, he was across the kitchen and swept the cereal, bowls, milk and spoons off the countertop. There were Cheerios everywhere, the floor was a mess. As he raised his hand to strike Mom, Kathy stepped in and grabbed it. All I seemed to be able to do was cry; this was bad, very, very bad.
He somehow grabbed Kathy and got her out the backdoor and into the garage. The next thing I knew he had her bent backward over the trunk of his car, choking her. Mom jumped on his back, trying to pull him off Kathy. All I could do was stand at the outside garage door and scream for help. Mom began to hit him as hard as she could, but it seemed he felt nothing, by this time he had went berserk. That was a new word of the day for me.
During this entire episode, the garage door was wide open. In our neighborhood the houses were close together, I know the neighbors could hear my pleas for help, but no one came. Maybe they, too, were terrified of this crazy man. After all, it was almost dark by now, and there were no lights illuminating the garage, or the nightmare that was unfolding inside.
I ran back to Mom, trying to help, by now Kathy was turning blue. Even the two of us together could not stop him. It was then that what can only be called a miracle took place, the door bell rang. Stovall let go of Kathy and stood up straight, shoving Mom and I out of the way. He then turned and walked back through the kitchen to answer the front door. Mom grabbed Kathy and together we pulled her outside the garage, we had to get away before he came back. Kathy somehow found the strength to run, and run we did.
It was two blocks to Linda Quimby’s house, that’s where we stopped running. We went to door and started knocking. Linda’s father opened the door to find three crying females. Her parents knew Kathy and me both, but had never met Mom. They welcomed us into their home and called the police. Luckily, Linda’s mother was a nurse, she quickly checked Kathy over while we waited on the police. The Quimby’s were the nicest, kindest people we had met in
When the police arrived, they started writing down the report of what had happened. The three of us were still shaking; the tremors just would not stop. We were a mess. As God is my witness, I have never hated another human being as much as I hated Jim Stovall. Hate is not a word I use lightly, but as far as I was concerned, he should be dead. All the years of fear and dread seemed to be focused on this one night. Everyone will reach a point where they have reached their limit, all three of us had reached ours. We never wanted to see him again. The fear had now risen to terror.
After about an hour, it took that long to stop the crying and shaking, the police decided to take us back to the house to gather a few belongings. They would not leave us there, not for another moment. I think all three of us were still a little dazed, to say the least. In the end, AnnaBelle was right, she was done putting up with him, and his abuse. We finally followed the officers to their car and got in the back seat. It was time to go home and face the music, or should I say the maniac.
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About the Book
AnnaBelle’s Spirit” is the follow-up to “The Journey, The Dreams, & AnnaBelle” The writing in this book takes the story to the next level, adding more depth to the already troubling life of AnnaBelle and her two daughters. It tells of her first husband, how he destroyed her young dreams, and forever altered her faith and trust in men. Leaving her with two small children, and a mountain of debt that she alone would have to deal with.
Then came the “step -dad from hell”. The girls jokingly referred to him as “Daddy Dearest”. He ruled their lives for nine miserable years before they were rid of him. AnnaBelle moved her daughters from St Petersburg, eventually settling in Indianapolis. AnnaBelle’s work brought her in contact with politicians, movie stars, racers, and then the DiMaggio family after a move to San Francisco. There would never be another man in her life to tell her what to do, or intimidate her daughters.
Although this story focuses on AnnaBelle, it eventually includes life from Carolyn’s perspective. It follows both women on a journey through a lifetime of challenges, dreams, and temptations. One of Carolyn’s decisions continues to haunt her dreams, as well as her waking hours. Both she and her mother possess the gypsy spirit that would prove to be difficult to control at times.
The continuing saga of the Wicker and Bollan women attests to the strength of these families. From 1924 to 2007, a lifetime of dreams, a lifetime of journeys.
Throughout the book you will find the subtle humor Carolyn uses in everyday life. You will also find family photographs that span the timeline of the story. As with her first book, she hopes this will bring the family to life for her readers.
About the Author
Carolyn is a dreamer at heart. It has been said that she is "in love with love". Her first published book, "The Journey, The Dreams, & AnnaBelle" touches on the lives of three generations of Carolyn's family, beginning in the mid 1920's. "AnnaBelle's Spirit", the follow-up to that story, taking the story to the next level, completing the saga of two generations of the Wicker and Bollan families.
AnnaBelle is Carolyn's mother, growing up with her gypsy spirit was a wonderful experience. The constant relocating gave the her the tenacity she would need in life. People and culture gave her diversity. This book has been written with feeling, compassion, humor, and love. It's important to Carolyn's that she keeps the characters and situations as animated as possible. She believes that non-fiction can also have a touch of whimsy. She continues to look for the humor in life. Most people commented that reading her work was like having her there talking to them. Her writing is down to earth, and draws the reader into the story.
The mysteries that surround life are what interest this author the most. She believes in her dreams, and the spirits from her past that surround her. "They continue to watch over me with the strength and comfort I need in times of doubt".
Carolyn and her husband, John, reside in northeast Indiana. He is the one constant in life that keeps her grounded. Most of her time is dedicated to writing. She has compiled a series of Children's Picture Books about "Dusty Boy", based on her own little Bichon. She is actively seeking a publisher. She's in the process of researching her next book, which is already started. "It's time to move on to fiction, and let my mind run "amuck".