The Prologue to I Have People
When I write, I like to catch the attention of the reader immediately. Hopefully the prologue to I Have People does just that. The prologue begs several questions:
“Who is HE?”
“What happened between HIM and Holly?”
“Why is there a restraining order?”
“Who is the HE who should be there by now?”
“What is it that the perpetrator ‘never meant’ to do?”
Image courtesy of [digitalart] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Below is the prologue to I Have People. Tell me what you think--does it whet your appetite and make you want to read more? Love to hear from readers!
A knock on the door startled Holly. He was
early. She smiled to herself, then ran to the door as the knocking became
insistent. Maybe he couldn’t wait to see her, maybe he was just as excited
about tonight as she was. Maybe. She opened the door eagerly, a mid-October
chill meeting her skin.
Her smile died on her face. It wasn’t who
she was expecting. In her excitement, she’d let her guard down.
“Hello, Holly Noel.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Aw, c’mon, I just want to see you, baby.”
“It’s over and you know it. Please leave.”
Fear trickled down her spine. How far would he go this time? Holly began to
slam the door shut, to close him out of her life, to remove him from sight, to
push him into non-existence. If only it could be so. The edge of the door
bounced against his foot and slammed backwards, hitting her directly in the
face. She felt her lip swell as blood trickled down her chin.
Oddly, she thought about the mess it would
make on the carpet.
“See what you made me do? If you wouldn’t
be so unreasonable, these things wouldn’t happen.”
“Please leave. You’re violating the
restraining order. I’ll call the police.”
“You and I both know you won’t do that. You
love me, I know you do.” He pushed his way into the apartment. She didn’t
follow. “I don’t want to fight with you, baby. Why do you always have to make
things difficult?”
Holly knew she was in trouble. She’d known
it since the moment she’d stupidly opened the door without checking to see who
it was. It wasn’t a luxury she could afford. Ever.
“Don’t do this, it will only make things
worse. If you leave now, I won’t press charges. Just leave, peacefully and
quietly . . . please,” she begged.
His lips formed a wicked leer as he
scoffed. “You’ll always be mine, Holly. Why can’t you see that?”
Holly stepped outside the apartment door
and he followed, standing too close. If she made a mad dash for the stairs,
could she escape him? She wasn’t sure, but she doubted it.
“Stay back! It’s over. I want nothing to do
with you. Just let it go.” Where is he?
He should be here by now.
The expression on his face turned stricken.
“How can you say that? After all we meant to each other. I know you don’t mean
it.”
“I mean it. I hate you. I want you out of
my life,” she told him with steely determination.
“Don’t say that.”
“I hate you! Leave me alone!” she said,
this time louder, hoping to attract attention.
He walked closer and shoved her, making her
stumble. “Stop it,” she warned. They were making a scene on the landing of her
second story apartment and she knew he was very aware of the neighbors opening
their doors and peeking out with curiosity.
A mask of twisted rage contorted his
features. She knew that look all too well.
“I can’t believe you would say that,” he
said through gritted teeth, his face red with anger.
He shoved her again, but she maintained her
footing. “It’s over,” she reiterated bravely. “Leave me alone.”
Another shove, this time hard. Her back hit
the railing with surprising force. Holly knew in that moment he’d finally done
it.
He’d finally killed her.
She felt the railing give way and knew she
was going down and there was nothing to stop her fall. Even though a blood curdling scream rent the
air, even though her hands flailed wildly in an attempt to grab hold of
anything that might save her from this outcome, a strange feeling of peace
washed over her. In that moment, time stood still. She seemed to fall in slow
motion as her life passed before her eyes.
This wasn’t her fate. It couldn’t be. Where is he?
“Holly!” he screamed when he realized what
was happening. His remorse over his actions always came too late. The damage
was done. And this time it was irreparable. Really, it always had been. He
attempted to catch her, desperately groping the air for any piece of her that
might stop her descent.
It was too late.
He didn’t mean to do it.
He never meant to do it.
It caught me and didn't let go. I can understand Holly's situation.
ReplyDeleteA favorite reference of mine is:
I was watching Bones, based on Kathy Reich's books, and there is a scene where Seeley Booth says something to Bones and she says, I Have People. Every time, and I watch it over and over because I love the show, I think of your book.
What a lovely thought. And we all do "Have People".
Every time I see another post from you about this book, it comes back to me. It puts a smile on my face.
Thanks for sharing that with me, Sherry. I do love the thought that we 'have people.' The novel has such a personal title. While writing this book, I had an empty nest for the first time and felt lonely. Then my kids started calling all the time and I realized 'I Have People' and I always will. Thank goodness. I can't imagine going through life without 'having people.' Thanks for your comment.
DeleteI'm excited to read this one next. That prologue is gripping. Your 2 books--Sierra and For Nick--kept me pleasantly occupied during my camping trip this week. I'll write up reviews on them tomorrow. I couldn't put them down---SOOOO GOOOOD!
ReplyDeleteLove to hear that my books kept you happily occupied on your camping trip. In the end, I consider my books to be entertainment--and if they achieve that goal, then I've succeeded!!! I love a book that takes me away from my every day life and into another world, so that's what I try to do when I write. Thank you for letting me know how you feel about my books, it means a lot to me. And thank you for writing reviews--much, much appreciated THANK YOU!
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