TORNADOS AND ANGELS
by
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When they arrived at his ranch, the look on his brother’s face spoke his feelings.
“What the hell happened to you? What’s going on here? Who’s that woman?”
“Roger, I’d like you to meet my wife, Renee. Oh, by the way, she’s pregnant. It appears we’re here to stay.” He collapsed in the nearest chair, weak as a kitten.
“Just look at you! I told you to quit that line of work and be satisfied with your ranch. You look like you’re barely alive. What the hell are you doing with a wife in your condition?”
“I expected a more pleasant greeting from you, Roger. Aren’t you happy I made it back alive?”
“I’m not sure you are alive. You look terrible. How can you work a ranch and care for a wife and baby?”
“You’ll have to stay, Roger. I need you more than ever.”
“Just where do you expect me to stay? In the barn with the horses? The cabin is no place to bring a beautiful, pregnant woman.”
Renee was shocked by Roger’s less than pleasant greeting. What was even more unpleasant was the miserable cabin where they would be staying. The privy was outside. She immediately felt sick and had no idea where to go to throw-up. She made it out the door and vomited on a scrawny bush. What had she gotten herself into?
“Go see if you can help her, Roger. I’m bushed.” Tom looked to be in considerable pain.
Roger didn’t know who to help first. “I’m sorry, Tom. Take it easy. I’ll see to her.”
“Are you all right, miss?”
“Oh, how can I do this? I come from a well-to-do family. I’ve never wanted for anything. How can I live like this? I’m sorry, Roger, it’s not your fault. Go in and help Tom. He needs your help more than I do. Oh, first - where is the shower. I need a bath.”
“You’ll have to heat some water first and then, I guess you can use the washtub.”
“Oh great - pioneer living conditions. No bedrooms and only one bed. Where am I to sleep?”
“In the bed with your husband, obviously. I’ll have to sleep in the barn with the horses. Would you like to trade places with me?”
“I’m sorry. We’ll be putting you out. Oh, this is terrible! I want to go home.”
“Be my guest. Go home where you belong. You obviously don’t belong here. I have enough trouble running the ranch by myself, now I’ll have to take care of Tom and his spoiled pregnant wife.”
“You’re mean. I don’t like you.” Renee sat on the ground and cried. “It’s not my fault. I’m being punished for my sins.”
“When you’re done feeling sorry for yourself, I need you to help around here. I still have work to do around the ranch. You’ll have to help Tom. He appears to be in a lot of pain. He’s your husband, take care of him. That’s your job.”
“But I’m pregnant and sick also.”
“Pregnancy isn’t an illness. Grow up. For once in your life you’re needed.”
“I hate you.” Renee dissolved in tears.
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About the Book
Stories generally have a beginning - TORNADO ALLEY I wrote the day after a devistating tornado hit my area. WHAT NEXT? was written after the first few things actually happpened to me. The rest was all imagination.
TWO BROTHERS,
came from my first jaunt out of the country to visit my sister who was working
in
ANGELS - NOT DEVILS originated because my daughter hated hearing the minister talk of hell and the devil in his sermons.
Authors who inspired me include Katherine Ann Porter, Rosamunde Pilcher, Amy Tan and even Stephen King.
About the Author
The author was lucky in her choice of jobs. She worked for an airline for thirteen years during which time she traveled the world. She left this job for marriage, giving birth to three children. After ten years, the marriage ended in divorce. The author then worked in a small community library where her love of books escalated. She enjoyed reading to children during their story hours as well as knowing what her adult readers liked. This led to a desire to write. However, as a single parent she had little time to devote to writing. As her children grew, her time became her own.