First Chapter of SLOANE....

I thought I would post the first chapter of a new story I'm including in my newest book...HAWK: Sound Justice

I hope you all enjoy it!


Chapter 1


"To get through the hardest journey...we need take only one step at a time...”~ Chinese proverb


She stood at the entrance to the Transitional Living Center, her arms heavy with bags and suitcases that represented what was left of her life and the life of her children, everything else that they owned or once owned was left behind when she fled her home.

“Momma?”

“Yes, Brad,” Paige answered.

“Is this where our bed is?” he asked.

“Yes, honey, this is where we are going to sleep tonight,” she said, her voice sounding so weary even to her own ears.

“You sure?” asked her daughter, Melissa.

“Pretty sure, Lissa.” With that she knocked on the door and waited for someone to let them in.

It had been a long drive to Seattle from Los Angeles and she and the children were tired, hungry, and in need of a bath. Starting over took more energy than she had anticipated. She was certain that here they would finally be free, free of the hell they had been living that past five years. Free of Don and his ill temper and tantrums. Tantrums that left her bruised and bleeding and the children extremely fearful and afraid of their own father. Please, God, don't let Don find us. Help me to keep my children safe...


The door opened and a woman stood in the doorway. A smile spread across her face and her brown eyes twinkled with light as she ushered them all into the hallway.

“Hi, I’m Maggie,” she said extending her hand. She was met with a look of confusion and apprehension instead of the usual acceptance.

“You must be the Morgans. Los Angeles called ahead to let us know you were on your way. I’m sorry if I’ve frightened you,” Maggie tried breaking the ice with her usual cheery disposition.

Mrs. Morgan relaxed a bit. Looking down, Maggie gave a quick smile and spoke directly to the children.

“You must be Bradley and you must be Melissa,” she said confidently.

“I’m Lissa and this is Brad. He’s my brother,” she said looking at her mother, “huh, momma?”

“Yes, sweetheart,” Paige confirmed nervously. Did she make the right choice coming here? Maybe she didn't go far enough. Maybe she should have left the Country instead of just the state...


Maggie extended her hand again noticing that the mother was fussing with the hem of her shirt.

“Thank you, Maggie, for giving us a place to stay,” Paige whispered taking her hand and blinking back her tears.

“I’m glad that we are here to help, Mrs. Morgan. Now, let me call Cassie in to take the children into the playroom so we can go to the office and go over the rules.”

Maggie reached for the intercom and pushed the little black button at the bottom. She spoke into it and within seconds a beautiful young woman with long black hair and dark brown eyes was walking toward them. She stopped in front of the children and bent down on her knees. Looking at them eye to eye she smiled broadly and asked, “Who wants to go down the hall and color with me?”

Both children turned to their mother with a look that told her they wanted to go. She nodded and in unison they shouted, “I do, I do!”

Cassie smiled, took them each by the hand and together the three of them walked down the white hall destined for the playroom.

Maggie told Paige to leave her stuff in the hall while they talked in the office. She was reluctant, but Maggie assured her it would be fine.

“We are the only ones here tonight, Paige, it will be fine. Honestly, I promise,” Maggie said a couple of times before convincing the poor gal to leave all she had left in the world behind in the hall.

Paige gave her a reluctant smile and placed her bags on the floor. Walking in the office, she sat in an old winged back chair with faded roses and several thread bare spots that told Paige this chair had been around for a very long time. She made herself comfortable while Maggie sat down behind the scuffed old desk and started ruffling through the file of papers. She brought out three sheets that were type written and sat them in front of Paige.

Pointing to the first page, she explained, “Paige, these are the rules of the Center. They let you know what is expected of you while you are here. All women are required to attend the counseling classes as long as they are living here. Read it over and if you agree, then please sign it.”

Pointing to the next one in the row she continued, “This one explains your rights in the State of Washington, and this last one is an agreement that states you will not, under any circumstances, tell your ex-husband, boyfriend, or anyone, the address of the Center. It is imperative that we keep anonymity for the safety of the women and children that stay here.”

The last thing Paige wanted was for anyone to find her. She wasn't about to tell anyone where she was. Paige read the paperwork before her and signed each one quickly.

Gathering the signed papers and putting them in a manilla file folder Maggie cleared the desk and stood. “Good, now, let’s show you to your room and after we put your things away, I’ll give you a little tour. How does that sound?” Maggie asked with a large grin that made her brown eyes light up.

“It sounds fine,” Paige replied quietly, feeling overwhelmed and helpless.

Maggie could see the tell tale signs of long-term abuse in Paige. She hoped that with time and counseling she would be able to put it behind her and make a new life for her and her children here. Maggie walked in front of Paige and led her up the stairs and to the right. She stopped in front of the first door and opened it.

“This is your room, Paige. The children will be next door. The rooms connect so you can leave the internal door open if you’d like. There is a bathroom behind the door there,” pointing to the door at the back on the right, “and a closet in the kid’s room. I know it isn’t the Ritz, but it’s safe,” Maggie comforted tilting her brown curly locks to one side.

“It’s fine,” she said meekly, desperately trying to keep control of her emotions as she looked around. She saw the two doors that Maggie referred to in her room, one the connecting and one the bathroom. It was all more than she could have asked for. And, she was teaching her kids that it was all right to start over, at the bottom, and work up. The childrens room was a duplicate of her own except where the bathroom door was in her room, was the closet instead. Paige put her things on the bed and turned to Maggie.

“Okay, let’s go downstairs and start the tour,” Maggie said with a smile and gave her a soft pat on the shoulder. Flinching slightly Paige followed Maggie down the hall to another stairway at the back of the house. When they reached the bottom they were in the kitchen.

Paige looked around and noticed that it was cheerful in a plain sort of way. It was clean, painted white, and had a super long stainless steel table that was used for an island in the middle.

The tall cabinets were also white and she could tell that they had been painted with several thick coats over the years. Several of the cupboard doors had handles that didn't match, the curtains were white with green checks and had white fuzzy little balls trimming the bottom of each panel. It wasn’t pretty, but it was clean. It would be nice to get in and start cooking again. It had been a long time since she had a place where she could actually make a nutritious meal for herself and the children.

She missed her own kitchen and the fun she they had, cooking and baking together. God willing, they would once again have a home of their own, a safe home of their own.

Maggie was walking out now and Paige hurried up to follow. They walked down the hall and Maggie pointed out the rooms here and there.

“This is where we have the counseling sessions. They are every morning at 10:00,” she said.

Paige quickly looked through the window and noticed there was a ‘C’ on the door. C for counseling, right! Paige thought committing it to memory.

“The kids will be in the playroom down the hall while you are in class,” Maggie explained.

Continuing down the hall, she went to the French doors and opened them.

“This is the movie room. We show movies on Friday nights for the women and Saturday mornings for the children. The movies for this week are Sleepless in Seattle and Balto. We also have popcorn and pop for the kids. It’s a great way to bring a little normalcy back into their little lives.” Maggie talked happily and with lots of enthusiasm as they finished the tour.

“You know, Paige, you did the right thing in coming here. We know it is very difficult right now, but once you get settled and find a job, I know you and the children will be happy. Seattle is a great place, a little wet, but that is part of the beauty.” Maggie smiled warmly at Paige.

“I know, Maggie. Thank you so much for allowing us to come here. We need a safe...” Paige swallowed and choked back the tears that threatened to fall. “...place to call our own.”

Paige was exhausted after that long drive and looked forward to getting upstairs to their room so she could bathe the children and take a long hot shower herself. She made the sixteen hour trip in one day not wanting to stop and give her ex the opportunity to find her. The children came running down the hall with pictures waving above their heads and paint all over their hands and faces.

“We painted pretty pictures for you, momma!” Melissa yelled out so she could be the first to share.

“Yea, picture for you, momma. Pretty.” Brad gave the picture to Paige and then slipped his little hand into hers as he moved behind her hiding himself behind her legs.

Melissa started up the stairs. “Where is our room, momma? Can we go there now? Is it pretty, momma? I hope it’s pretty,” she asked not stopping for an answer.

“Yes, Lissa, it’s pretty. Let’s go kids, bath time for you and then off to bed. We have a big day tomorrow,” Paige stroked Brad’s little head and the possibility of a tiny smile cracking through her lips.

Paige and the children went upstairs. Maggie and Cassie went into the office to talk.



“Those children are so sweet,” said Cassie, “but, they are severely delayed. I don’t know how to broach the subject with Mrs. Morgan, but I think they will need to be put into a special needs class when she enrolls them into school.”

“I noticed how child like they seemed, but thought perhaps it was the trauma of leaving their home and coming to a strange place,” interjected Maggie.

“That could be, but I don’t think so. Is there anything in the file that will help me to help them?” asked Cassie.

Maggie handed the file over to Cassie. Walking to the window and looking out over the flower garden she said, “It isn’t very good reading, Cassie. That woman and her children have been through hell.”

Cassie looked up from the file, “Oh, Maggie, those poor children… Why? Why is there so much violence in the world? Why do men promise to love and protect these women and then destroy them bit by bit until they are no longer able to function normally? This man was a monster and…and…” Cassie was unable to finish. The tears that welled up in her eyes fell down her checks. She closed the file and placed it back on top of the desk.

Maggie turned and watched as Cassie left her office, her own tears falling softly down her cheeks.