Read the rest of the opening scenes of GLAEN by clicking below to download an eBook of the first 19 pages:

Glaen: A Novel Message on Romance, Love, and Relating

Mother called the week before I met Glaen Breuch.

“So, that’s it?” I said with a tinge of anger.

“I’m afraid it is, dear,” a soft and matter-of-fact voice responded.

“Mom, you just want a divorce? You don’t want to work at it or get some counseling or something?” I pleaded.

“No Annie, it’s over. I’ve tried and tried, but your father just isn’t what I want for the rest of my life. Can’t you just be happy for me?” Mother asked.

Suddenly Annie found herself floating away from the phone and experiencing what most of us think a drowning person experiences; a life full of joy and promise, in the last moments of gasping for air, sees a replay of that life. Annie saw the day her baby sister came home from the hospital. Mom and Dad were so happy, and Annie as a little girl couldn’t find her sister’s feet; she kept looking under the baby-carrier instead of under the blanket. They all laughed for days.

Next, Annie remembered her granddaddy’s death and how her mother was so kind to her dad, and how her dad praised mother to everyone in the small town where he grew up. Other memories flooded her mind, moving from ancient black-and-white scenes to vivid full-color images. Most recently she had been in church, seated between her parents, and basking in the wonder of family; hoping for a marriage like theirs.But Annie snapped awake.

         “Be happy for you?” I said with amazement. “How can I be happy for you? You are running away to ruin your relationship with Dad and mess up our family forever. You seem happy enough. I don’t think you need my help.”

  “Annie, my relationship with your dad is already ruined. Honey, the one way I’ve failed you was to not really help you understand about love. You were always your Daddy’s girl anyway, so I never could really tell you how I felt. I don't think I understand relationships, but I’m going to learn about them. Honey, I know you don’t understand relationships; just look at what’s happened with your boyfriends.”

Read the rest of the opening scenes of GLAEN by clicking below to download an eBook of the first 19 pages: