Grandmas Goulash

New to Convictions? Full story:   Index . Quick Story:  In a Nutshell   “I'm sorry.” Judith and Beth laughed at their synchronous apologies and shared a hug. “I was out of line, Beth. It's not my place to judge what you do.” “But you were right. I've lived in fear for far too long and it's going to stop. I want to go to parole after work today. Can you handle things until I get back?”

New to Convictions? Full story:   Index . Quick Story:  In a Nutshell   “Cassandra is no longer with us.” Questions sprang to Beth's lips, but Margaret continued without a pause. “It's obvious her supervision was poor. It's time for dinner and nothing is prepared. Are you concerned? No. You stand there dressed like a hussy with no thoughts of your responsibilities. Things are going to change. Immediately. Dinner will be served after the service or there will be consequences. A suitable dinner. None of your peanut butter sandwiches.” She turned and left the kitchen. Seconds later, the sounds of the evening service began.

New to Convictions? Full story:   Index . Quick Story:  In a Nutshell   Beth hurried towards the kitchen. Time was tight, even for pasta. But as she approached, the tantalizing scent of beef, garlic and spices floated out to her. Cassandra was tossing a salad, while Judith mashed potatoes. They looked up as Beth entered. “That smells wonderful. I'm so proud of you.” “My timing is still off. The potatoes are ready, but the meatloaf is still cooking.” “We can keep them warm, Judith. You've both done a terrific job with dinner.” “So tell us how it went.” “Thanks to you, I have the job, Cassandra” “You messin' with me?” “I'd never joke about a job. It's part-time and temporary. But it's a start. “Will parole accept that?” “Yes. I spoke with Officer Watkins. With my history, she considers any job an achievement and said it would fulfill the employment requirement. I don't have to continue cooking here, but I'm hoping Pastor ...

New to Convictions? Full story:   Index . Quick Story:  In a Nutshell   Cal looked at Beth and smiled. “I've figured out a way for you to work at Pinnacle.” “I thought you said ...“ “I said that Pinnacle doesn't hire those convicted of certain crimes. Not everyone who works at the store is a Pinnacle employee. Sample distributors, for example, are staffed through temporary agencies. And those agencies have different hiring criteria than Pinnacle.” “I've noticed distribution stations throughout the store. I'm sure I could cook and hand out samples.” “I think you'd do well. It requires more than cooking skill, but that is an important part of the job. No amount of persuasion will convince shoppers to buy something that doesn't taste good. Customer service skills are important too. Your familiarity with the store will be a real asset. You'll need to watch for unsanitary conditions as well.” “I've had a lot of practice keeping things clean....

New to Convictions? Full story:   Index . Quick Story:  In a Nutshell   “Do you have a minute?” Beth waited at the door until Pastor Bob looked up and motioned her in. She had brought him a cup of coffee and a plate with two donuts. “I thought you might like to try these. They're fresh from the kitchen.” “Thank you, Bethany. That's very thoughtful of you.” Good cooking had gone a long way towards softening Pastor Bob. Perhaps this would work. She waited as he tasted one of the donuts. “These are excellent, Bethany. Our Lord has blessed you with many culinary skills.” “Thank you. But the compliment should be for Judith. She made them.” “Even more impressive, you have teaching talents as well.” “Hopefully, I've taught her enough to takeover, when it's time for me to leave.” Hardness returned to his face. “There will be no talk of leaving, Bethany. You're not going anywhere.” “I've enjoyed cooking and learning to manage the kitchen, Pas...

New to Convictions? Full story:   Index . Quick Story:  In a Nutshell   Beth looked around the kitchen with pride. The storeroom was clean, organized and fully stocked. The kitchen sparkled and sported a new freezer. A work table, converted to a desk, contained grocery specials, menu plans and expense reports. Hard to believe that only three weeks had passed since she had become the Redemption House Cook. A trip to the food warehouse had helped expand her limited budget. Many baking and canned goods were regularly available. Cheese and other surplus items were not as reliable, but all could be used to ease the tight budget. Staff were courteous, but surprised. It had been almost two years since Redemption House had used their services for more than a few items. But they were encouraging when they learned her intentions. She was delighted to learn that delivery was available for non-profit groups. The canned meats available through the warehouse were useful ...

Writing a novel in weekly installments on my blog has some inherent problems. One is that the time gap between installments can make it more difficult for readers to follow the story line. Another is that new readers arrive part way through the story and may not have time to read all the previous installments. To help, I've created a summarized version of previous installments and will update it after new installments. The summary follows. I hope that you will find it helpful. Please check back tomorrow evening for a new installment to Convictions At the age of 33 years, Bethany Holister is released from fifteen years in prison. She walks to the bus terminal carrying all her possessions in an over-sized handbag. On the bus, Beth recalls her youth. Her parents, Amanda and Greg Hollister, are frequently away on business trips and seem uninterested in her. In their absence, Beth is cared for by “Gran” who loves her and calls her Angel. Her best friend, Rick, lives n...

New to Convictions? Full story:   Index Quick Story:  In a Nutshell   I'm taking a break from writing to enjoy the weekend with my family. Convictions will return next Saturday with a new installment. I hope you'll be back as well.

New to Convictions? Full story:   Index . Quick Story:  In a Nutshell   Two young lovers sat under a blossoming apple tree, oblivious to approaching doom. Suddenly the space aliens descended in a cloud of purple smoke. When the cloud lifted, only a small withered tree remained. Skyla and Beth giggled nervously from their front row seats as the aliens moved on towards an unsuspecting city. Rick and his buddy, Jeff, assumed brave faces, although they had been as startled as the girls. “Let's go get some more candy, Jeff.” “Just trying to get away from the aliens”, Skyla whispered to Beth as the boys headed off. “We're lots braver than they are.” Beth nodded, but kept her eyes on the screen. “Beth. Look. Harry's over there. I think he's looking at me. Do you think he is?” “Probably, Skyla.” “Beth, what is wrong with you? He is so good looking. You'd rather watch the movie than look at Harry?” Beth grinned. “Yup. But I can tell that you wouldn...

Already my readers are helping to shape Convictions. I thought I had planted enough information in earlier chapters to clarify the characters in last week's story. Evidently not. So I'm making some changes to this week's installment. Changes take time, so I won't be able to post the installment today. It will be posted early tomorrow. Hopefully, with enough information to identify the characters. Please come back to check it out. And as always, I am most grateful for your feedback.

New to Convictions? Full story:   Index Quick Story:  In a Nutshell   “Come on, Annie, we'll be late.” Jake Cantreaux straddled his motorcycle and prepared to yell again. “Let him come to the door like a proper gentleman”, her mother admonished. Annie flew out the door without a comment. Jake didn't need to be proper. He just needed to be there. He'd always dated the popular girls. Annie had never had a date. On the first day of their senior year, he'd entered the bookkeeping class and sat at the desk next to her's. He smiled at her, then winked. Nothing more. The second day was a repeat of the first. On the third, he asked her to join him for lunch. Annie did not say no. What girl would? “Late for what?” “Can't say. You'll have to wait and see.” She hopped on and put her arms around his waist. Jake was always surprising her. He had from the start. He looked like a rich kid, but lived in a deteriorating bungalow with his alcoholic father. ...