“The fall is depressing,” Jack admitted.
Ashton agreed. Only it was the summer now. He thought about facing the long, sad summer alone. He’d tried living without Jack. He did everything they say you’re to do when you lose the love of your life. You move on, meet someone new, pretend to make a life. But it’s really a smoke screen.
He walked back into the bedroom, a plan forming. Taking a shower, he wanted to be clean. As he styled his hair and looked in his closet for just the right clothes to wear, he thought he should keep going, make something to eat, or even take himself out for dinner. But to what end? There was no point.
The best vodka, in his opinion, was an unflavored brand he and Jack liked for shots. When he was dressed, including shined shoes, he went into the dining room and got the vodka. He’d already found his hidden stash of Percocet. After arranging the pills and the bottle on the small table by the window with the depressing view, he went back to the dining room to get small shot glasses. He decided shots were better than a big glass.
Taking the entire bottle of Percocet, two pills at a time, he followed it with several shots of vodka. It didn’t take long before he was asleep, the bottle of vodka almost empty, the pills burning a hole in his stomach, while he dreamed of building fires against the cold of a winter storm.
***
Lisa put Megan down for the night after Brent left for White Plains. She finally felt like she could call Dan.
“I’m alone,” she said, relating the weekend with her mother and grandmothers and then her brother spending the afternoon. “Do you want to come over?”
“Yes,” he said, simply.
“Hurry,” Lisa replied as a stray tear made the journey down her face.
***
Brent was excited. He felt like everything was falling into place. He would start a new job on Monday, move into the city as soon as possible, get his relationship with Julie back on track, and if he was lucky, move forward with Sandra. She would be the perfect mistress because she had too much to lose to get caught. He got to the Hsus’ street, stopping to text Julie to look out for him. Julie decided that she’d better warn her parents.
Charles Hsu, livid, left the room while his wife started to scream at Julie. “You silly girl, don’t you realize how dangerous that man is? How could you let him back into your life?”
Julie was stunned at their reaction. “Mother, it will be fine, trust me.”
“Go back to your room,” Charles Hsu said, coming back from his bedroom. “I’ll handle this.”
Julie had never intentionally contradicted her parents. She decided to do as they said, and then she’d arrange to meet Brent away from the house like she should have done in the first place. She went to her room and closed the door but put her ear to it, hoping to hear what they were saying.
Charles Hsu opened the front door and watched Brent get out of the car. He looked just like his father, tall and lanky. But he walked with a swagger, cocky and self-assured. Brent Smith would be the last person the Hsus would want as a son-in-law.
“Go away, Brent,” he said. “You can’t see Julie tonight.”
Brent looked confused. “She just told me to come over.”
“Well, she made a mistake,” Charles Hsu replied. “She can’t see you, ever.”
Brent laughed. “You can’t keep us from seeing each other, old man.”
“I’ll lock her in the house first before I let her get involved with you again. Move along.”
Brent knew how cheap old man Hsu was and thought if he offered to write a check to cover all Julie’s moving costs, he’d simmer down. “Let me pay you back for her expenses,” Brent said, stopping midway up the walk, although Mr. Hsu wasn’t really blocking his way.
“You think my daughter is for sale?”
Brent reached into his jacket for his checkbook. “Not at all, sir…”
***
Charles Hsu later said he thought Brent was going for a weapon.
“Were you intimidated by him?” the detective asked.
“Very,” Charles Hsu said. “From the first day my daughter returned home from California, we’ve been concerned that he would come back to do her harm.” He lowered his head and started to cry. “I’m so sorry. So sorry.”
***
Pam was sitting on the veranda with the fire pit going full blast. It was the perfect kind of night to have a fire, chilly but summer chilly. She was dressed to perfection, as she always was, although she’d soon be washing the makeup off and going to bed alone. Pulling a shawl around her shoulders tightly, she leaned forward to pick up her glass of wine. It was a nice wine from upstate; her friend Jeff gave it to her. It was taking the edge off her angst.
She wondered what her children were doing. Dan was probably at Lisa’s, a situation over which she had no control. She hoped Dan offered Lisa the companionship she hadn’t gotten from Ed, and that guilt wouldn’t destroy her. Lisa still had her husband’s funeral to get through, and that might just be the beginning of her grief. It was a different experience for every person.
Her son was moving on, too. She’d never addressed his issues with Julie, deciding it wasn’t her business, after all. Brent left the beach house with a car full of stuff he was moving to Jack’s old place, planning to spend tonight there. He’d return to get the rest of his belongings, but she thought he would probably never sleep in his old bed again. It made her sad. From the time they were born, Pam’s life revolved around her children. She loved every minute of it, never begrudging the time it took to take care of them. Looking back, her life was full of excitement and happiness because of Lisa and Brent.
But they had to grow up and leave her eventually. Her children were experiencing grown-up issues. It was impossible to protect them from pain or harm. She’d done the best she could raising them, and now they were on their own. Hopefully, their lives would only get better.
With that thought echoing in her head, an unmarked police car pulled up in front of Pam’s house. Andy Andretti, a detective with the Babylon police force, sat for a few moments, gathering his courage. He read the report in his hand over again, preparing to deliver the worst news a parent could ever get.
Look out for the next Pam book in the series
#7 coming soon!
Also by Suzanne Jenkins
Pam of Babylon is the first installment of the Pam of Babylon series. Although it may be read as a stand-alone novel, character development is on the continuum of all five books in the series. The following are the Pam of Babylon series, available on Kindle and in paperback on Amazon.com. Follow the links to Amazon.
#1 Pam of Babylon Long Island housewife Pam Smith is called to the hospital after her husband Jack suffers a heart attack on the train from Manhattan. It is the beginning of a journey of self-discovery and sadness, growth and regrets, as she realizes a wife and mother’s worst nightmare.
#2 Don’t You Forget About Me The family begins to sift through the evidence of a life of deceit, putting together the pieces left behind by Jack.
#3 Dream Lover A gritty, realistic portrait of the aftermath of deceit, more pieces of the puzzle come together as the women each attempt to go on living in the wake of despair. More characters are introduced, including Ashton.
#4 Prayers for the Dying Jack Smith's victims attempt to move forward while grappling with the pain and horror that he left behind. Pam makes startling revelations about herself, while Sandra hopes for a future with exciting expectations. Marie is in a most unlikely place, with the happiest news in the bleakest circumstances. Ashton's story of a lifetime love affair with Jack is finally told, with his heartache revealed.
#5 Family Dynamics Heartbreak and devastation move toward triumph in the fifth and final installation of the Pam of Babylon series. Pam is at last able to overcome the pain of Jack’s rejection and her own role in perpetuating his deviance, when she meets Dan and falls in love. Her children move on with their lives in ways Pam would have never believed. Sandra fulfills
her dreams with Tom, and a gift from Marie helps to complete their life together. Ashton and Ted build a beautiful life, and new discoveries make it richer than they thought possible, but with a twist. But don’t be deceived; what you hope for is not what you may get.
~ ~ ~
The Greeks of Beaubien Street is the first book in The Greektown Trilogy. Although it may be read as a stand-alone novel, character development is on the continuum of all the books in the series.
Nestled below the skyline of Detroit you’ll find Greektown, a few short blocks of colorful bliss, warm people and Greek food. In spite of growing up immersed in the safety of her family and their rich culture, Jill Zannos doesn’t fit in. A Detroit homicide detective, she manages to keep one foot planted firmly in the traditions started by her grandparents, while the other navigates the most devastated neighborhoods in the city she can’t help but love. She is a no nonsense workaholic with no girlfriends, an odd boyfriend who refuses to grow up, and an uncanny intuition, inherited from her mystic grandmother that acts as her secret weapon to crime solving success. Her story winds around tales of her family and their secret laden history, while she investigates the most despicable murder of her career.
The Greeks of Beaubien Street is a modern tale of a family grounded in old world, sometimes archaic, tradition as they seek acceptance in American society. They could be any nationality, but they are Greek.
The Princess of Greektown is the second book in The Greektown Trilogy. Thirty years ago, Terry Smith was Detroit’s top news anchor. She set the standard for excellence in investigative journalism, staying at the news desk long after her time should have been over. Just as Terry’s son-in-law is murdered in the city, Detective Jill Zannos faces upheaval in her own life. A new man, family intrigue and the dregs of the last case she investigated becomes the lowest priority as she and her partner Albert untangle the mess of Terry Smith and her family.
~ ~ ~
Alice’s Summertime Adventure
We meet Alice Bradshaw when she is at a crossroad. She’s just beaten cancer and is suddenly unsure of what her next move should be. Looking back on where she’s been and what the future may hold, she knows she needs to make a big change in her life. Then her car dies on the highway after an argument with her daughter. Dave, a stranger on a motorcycle, pulls alongside her and saves the day. He offers Alice a chance at adventure. She jumps on it, much to the dismay of her children. The adventure starts a chain of events that will have Alice and her children, as well as Dave, questioning every aspect of their lives. There will be a few casualties along the way, a lot of anger, life changes and a few shocking surprises. Alice’s Summertime Adventure is the story of an average American family as they struggle with dilemmas we all have, and making choices that aren’t for everyone.
The Savant of Chelsea
In the French Quarter of New Orleans, the birth of a baby to a mentally ill woman marks the beginning of life for the Savant of Chelsea. An abusive childhood segues to the operating rooms of the largest medical center in New York as a gifted but unbalanced brain surgeon waits for just the right time to redeem her past. In the end, she takes matters into her own hands. The reader will decide what happens after the climax.
Contains explicit sexual themes.
Atlas of Women A Collection of Short Stories
Women are the heart of the home. (Unless it’s a home with a man as the heart!) This volume is about women. The stories are a melding of truth from my own experiences and fiction created from both observation and fantasy.
Mademoiselle, a novella, started out as young adult genre. But as I wrote, Philipa grew up into a young woman who found her way after a short detour, choosing the more difficult path.
The Golden Boy ended up exactly as I imagined it would. A family deals with a loved one’s mental illness with love and support, but when there is no longer any hope for normalcy, prayer and grace allow them to step aside.
Tribute to a Dead Friend is my tribute to every woman who’s lost a close friend but continues to be inspired and comforted by her spirit.
A Night Encounter, currently published on Amazon, is a short story about regrets and self-forgiveness. A daughter's disrespect borne of sibling rivalry comes back to haunt her in a most unusual and gentle way. As in every work, there are elements of truth in the story, but it is pure fiction. I spent time in my garden last summer, convinced my late mother was there with me. It was a very therapeutic and comforting experience.
Vapors, selected to appear in Willow Review 2013, is a fantasy in which a wife discovers a way to make her presence known after her husband reveals a painful secret.
Look out for the next Pam book in the series
#7 coming soon!
Go back to Contents
Table of Contents
Prelude
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Also by Suzanne Jenkins
The Tao of Pam: Pam of Babylon Book # 6 Page 26