Windsong
by
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Time passed slowly, and as the night's shadows began to hover over Windsong. Christy prepared a little something for supper then decided to go to bed. It wasn't that she was tired as much as it was the stillness of the night and the emptiness of the house that hastened the weariness of a stressful day upon her. Soon after she had settled under the warm comforter on her bed, Christy fell asleep.
Later that evening Marion slipped into Christy's room.
"Christy" Marion called softly
But Christy, after a restless start was now sleeping soundly.
"Christy, get up," Marion scolded. But Christy did not stir.
"Alright," Marion decided stubbornly as she moved to the solitary window in Christy's bedroom and opened it wide.
Windsong was once again in the clutches of a winter storm, and the wind and snow burst into the warm room as if determined to freeze everything and everyone in its path. Christy stirred, but only snuggled deeper under the comforter and made no sign of waking up. Marion continued to stand by the open window until finally Christy, only slightly awake finally got out of bed and staggered over to the window, With one hand she reached up and slammed the window shut.
"Christy," Marion called again.
But Christy paid no attention. She just staggered back into bed, pulled the bed covers up over her ears and went back to sleep.
Undaunted, Marion opened the window again, but this time it seemed that Christy was content to just leave the window open, so Marion moved to the foot of the bed, yanked the bed covers off of Christy and onto the floor.
Christy moaned and once again got out of bed.
"Christy!" Marion screamed as loud as she could, but Christy did not hear. Angrily Christy slammed the window shut, picked the bed covers off the floor and went back to bed.
A moment later Christy's head peeked out from the folds of her covers.
"Mom, if that's you, leave the window alone." Angrily she slipped back under the warm soft comforter.
Marion moved over to the bed and sat down beside her daughter.
"Listen to me." Marion said. "I've got a plan."
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About the Book
As a blizzard slowly engulfs Summter Island, Marion Blanchard urges her old Chevy along a slippery road that borders a steep cliff. Just as she sees her home’s lights twinkling in the distance and breathes a sigh of relief, Marion’s car hits a patch of black ice, crashes over the guardrail, and plunges into the icy sea below. Moments later, Marion slips into the arms of death. In the shadow of a towering pine not far from Marion’s home, Windsong, a frail figure watches as the Chevy’s headlights flicker out beneath the angry waves and then disappears into the snowy mist. When Marion finally emerges from the dark mist into a soft light, she realizes she has taken on a new ethereal form with a mission to keep her family together. Unfortunately, only her youngest grandson, Patrick, has the ability to see and hear her. While Marion formulates a plan she hopes will bring all her family back to Windsong, her children and grandchildren grieve their loss and, with gentle urging from Marion, finally begin to recognize the value of family and Windsong.
In this poignant tale, a mother embarks on a determined journey after death to keep her family together and ensure that the traditions of her lovely home live on forever.
About the Author
Autumn Lake has been writing stories and poems for the better part of her life. While in high school, one of her poems won special honors and was published in an anthology. Autumn is the mother of five children and lives in Columbus, Ohio. Windsong is her debut novel.