Preview Emily

Emily is a work of fiction written by Dianne J. Beale. Any similarities to actual persons, either living or dead, are merely coincidental. People, events, names, places, and all other content are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be mistaken or perceived as real. © Copyright 2000, 2008 by Dianne J. Beale. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, except for brief quotations in articles or reviews, without written permission from the author.

Acknowledgments It occurs to me that I don’t thank my parents often enough. It is they who taught me to always ask questions and to research thoroughly; there are two sides to every story, even if you’d prefer that the other not get out. This was often the case when two of us siblings would rush to our parents, trying to outrun one another. The two stories were seldom the same— we’d each tell our tale of woe only to have it pieced together, with the other, for a more accurate view of the truth. I offer thanks to my parents for believing in me and for encouraging me. I thank them for teaching me to think for myself. They continue to be a blessing in my life and I am grateful, to them, for my Christian Heritage.

Emily By Dianne J. Beale

Table of Contents Prologue .................................................................... 1 Chapter 1................................................................... 4 RUGBY DAY ............................................................. 4 Chapter 2................................................................. 19 THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT ............................ 19 Chapter 3................................................................. 28 A GOOD CATHOLIC .............................................. 28 Chapter 4................................................................. 36 NOT HER FAULT ................................................... 36 Chapter 5................................................................. 43 A PERSON WITH DEPTH ..................................... 43 Chapter 6................................................................. 56 IT HAD TO BE REAL ............................................. 56 Chapter 7................................................................. 65 MISSED OPPORTUNITY ....................................... 65 Chapter 8................................................................. 72 FREE PIZZA ............................................................ 72 Chapter 9................................................................. 74 FOREVER THE FLIRT ............................................ 74

Chapter 10............................................................... 79 WHY CAN’T I HAVE HIM? .................................. 79 Chapter 11............................................................... 87 MARY MAGDALENE ............................................. 87 Chapter 12............................................................... 92 RAZORS AGAINST MY HEART ............................ 92 Chapter 13............................................................... 97 A PERSON HAS TO EAT ....................................... 97 Chapter 14............................................................... 99 THEY HIT ME IN THE HEAD ............................... 99 Chapter 15............................................................. 105 PLAYING GAMES ................................................ 105 Chapter 16............................................................. 107 TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE ................................... 107 Chapter 17............................................................. 111 MARILOU ............................................................. 111 Chapter 18............................................................. 116 NOT A CLOUD IN THE SKY ............................... 116 Epilogue................................................................. 118

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”‘Ž‘‰—‡ The dream haunts me whenever stress creeps into my life. I casually walk along the familiar, well-lit corridor, watching the numbers change from door to door. I come to the end of the hall and knock on the door that is next to the shared lounge. There is no answer. As I turn to go, he catches my arm. I am pushed against the cold, white wall and his face covers mine. His tongue forces open my lips and my stomach fills with a disgust that I can taste. I break free and force my legs to walk to the stairs. The stride is long and strong, projecting a false confidence. When I arrive at my hall, I instead continue down the stairs. I find myself pushing my way out of the double doors and into the cold air. The snow settles on my face and then melts. Logic takes over and I force myself to enter the doors that lead to the other side of the building. I go to Tim’s, but he is not there. His roommate invites me 1

 „›‹ƒ‡ Ǥ‡ƒŽ‡ in; I politely thank him, declining, and return to my room for my books and a jacket. I go to the library and fold myself over a small desk that is protected by a closed cubicle. I lay out a book, a notebook, and a pen—they are merely for appearance. I release the previously caged tears and allow them to silently slide down my face. My first kiss—stolen—an unwanted tongue jammed down my throat while forceful fingers dug into my back. Bile, again, rises into my mouth and I push it down with an exaggerated swallow. At the time, I recalled only the kiss and the feelings it entrenched: mistrust, anger and death. But in my dream, she stands nearby... she is triumphantly watching. ‫ܖ‬ I remember how the leaves crackled beneath my sneakers as I walked along the blacktopped paths and headed for the first class of the day. The sun seemed to be traveling with me and I raised my face upward, sending 2

 „›‹ƒ‡ Ǥ‡ƒŽ‡ forth a smile while shielding my eyes with my hand. I was carefree. What I did not realize was how dark this day would someday prove to be. Although there was not a cloud in the sky, I met a walking, breathing cloud. Her name was Emily—Emily Flint. She looked harmless enough, but storms were about to make their way into my life. And unfortunately, I would allow the rain to collect steadily and ignore the flood warnings until it was almost too late. Everyone seemed to like her. Well, everyone except Tim. I'd met Tim the semester before; he and I had become instant friends. And he did not like Emily. Emily, to him, represented all that was artificial—all that was ugly. He did not trust her. But I didn't listen. I befriended her anyhow. In fact, we began to do most everything together...

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