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   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...

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.

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. ...