Dear Friend,
As the heat of summer leaves us lazy and lingering in our air conditioning, I remember the summer days when I was a kid. Besides reading books voraciously, I sometimes joined the impromptu softball games we’d play in our street.
My batting was not stellar, but I did my best. I’d taken some razzing about my inability to connect my bat with the ball. Steamed up and determined to at least land on base, I slugged the ball resoundingly, and it headed to left field─in this case, the window of the really friendly neighbors directly across the street from my family’s home.
With my eyes drawn to the path of the ball as it went SMACK into the window, I stood there for one moment, indecisive. For a second, I couldn’t decide whether to run and hide or rush to the neighbor’s door and confess. I confessed, ready to take my punishment for wrecking their window.
After all, I’d caused the damage and broken the window. When the neighbor opened the door, I admitted my guilt in one breathless exhale of panic. He looked at me for a moment, seeing my concern. I looked so guilty!
His response was so kind! I still remember his almost-smiling response. “I know you didn’t mean to do it, but that’s what insurance is for. Don’t worry about it. Your honesty is refreshing!”
I almost fainted from shock! He had forgiven me. And I wouldn’t need to commit my allowance for months to pay for the glass repair! They made the best cupcakes (back when people still baked homemade) for Halloween, and the idea of damaging their window really upset me.
Now, I connect this early instance of choosing honesty to how Will, my main male character, reacted when a female student tried to compromise him. He immediately explained what had happened to Louisa. She believed him, especially because he had proof. I won’t share more, because that’d be a spoiler! I’d like you to read my next book, The Greatest Thing, and feel the excitement of what happens in that confrontation.
Meanwhile, I look forward to launching The Greatest Thing soon! You’ll be the first, well, maybe the third, (after my husband and early review readers) to learn the launch date!
If you’re eager to read some of my Louisa’s Vineyard Series, now’s the time. Click here to learn more about the four currently published books.
Question for my research (Please respond in the box below): If you’ve ever been in a relationship with someone who wasn’t local, how did you deal with the separation?
Thanks for reading! And keep cool!
Shelley Sommers
