Christian Romance
Ā Date to be Published: 01-31-2024
Ā Publisher: Pen It Publications
Ā
Ā This touching Christian Romance follows Elizabethās journey to
Ā Ā Ā rediscover her connection with God and to unlock the true power of
Ā Ā Ā love
Ā When Elās prestigious position in the company she helped to build is
Ā Ā Ā eliminated, she loses both her boyfriend and her place to live. Facing an
Ā Ā Ā uncertain future, she agrees to return home to settle her deceased
Ā Ā Ā auntās estate. But her trip down memory lane comes with a few
Ā Ā Ā surprises.
Ā Her high school sweetheart turned pastor is officiating the funeral. Her
Ā Ā Ā antisocial aunt regularly hosted a rowdy church youth group. And mysteries
Ā Ā Ā hide not just in letters stashed away in a safe deposit box but also in the
Ā Ā Ā very pages of her auntās novels.
Ā As the secrets and lies unravel, El must confront the ghosts of her past
Ā Ā Ā relationships, the distance between her and God, and the truth about real
Ā Ā Ā love. But will she give any type of love a chance?
Ā In Love or Lies, El takes an emotional journey of self-discovery and faith
Ā Ā Ā to make sense of her past and look beyond the lies sheās been told.
Ā Ā Ā This touching Christian Romance explores what it means to rediscover a
Ā Ā Ā connection with God and to unlock the true power of love.
Chapter One
With hands clenched so tight my fingers might break, I scowl at Josh as he holds up his hand, stopping me in mid-sentence ā¦ again. āEl, stop. Donāt get all emotional about this. Iāve heard your opinion and have made my decision. Itās 2002, and the dot-com world is expanding quicker than anyone expected. We need to strike now or risk being passed by. Just because itās not your idea doesnāt mean itās not good for the company. You refuse to consider the full potential of this.ā He sighs as he picks up a red folder with black trim from his desk. These are his āFor his eyes onlyā folders. āI needāā
Thereās a knock at his open door, and Poppy, the young, perky intern, bounces into the office. All thatās missing is her cheerleader outfit, although her normal attire is far from suitable for any professional office. Why is she still here this late?
āExcuse me, J ā¦ uh, Mr. Baker, itās the call youāve been waiting for. Mr. Abernathy is on line one.ā
Josh smiles at her. āThank you, Poppy, and thanks for staying late. Youāre free to leave and take care of that other task we discussed.ā He drops the folder on his desk while picking up his phone.
Did his gaze linger as she pranced out? Her tight dress leaves little to the imagination. How can she even sit down in it? I shake my head and concentrate on Josh. The name of his caller is familiar from the many discussions weāve had. āIs this about the IPO?ā
āWeāre done here. Iām not discussing this anymore.ā He waves toward the door and pushes the phone button as he turns his back to me. āJack, thanks for returning my call. How are you doing tonight?ā
Knowing heās dismissed me outright, I storm out, with the clack of my Jimmy Choo high heels on the tile floor echoing along the hallway. I grab my bottle of Pellegrino off the desk and collapse into my desk chair, staring out at nothing. My cherished view of the San Francisco skyline doesnāt help calm me as I rehash this latest altercation with Josh.
Heās my boss and has been my significant other for several years. I was here when he started this company, and we worked together over the years to make it the success it is.
Ever since he got this idea about an IPO, our work relationship has become rocky. The outside-of-work relationship is less ideal than I want, but what relationship is ever perfect? Thereās never time for walks in the city, a night out on the town for dinner, or visiting a favorite nightspot. No more Sunday brunches, Saturday afternoon picnics, attending concerts in the park, or the other events I so enjoyed where we could relax and be a couple.
My office door opens, breaking my stupor, and Josh walks in. Itās later than normal, as tonightās not the usual Friday evening for us. Iām Joshās ride to the airport to catch the red-eye to DC. Is he here to apologize or just to get a ride? But something is off as he strides to the window without even making eye contact with me. He stares stone-faced out the window as he holds the same red and black folder out in my direction. These are for his private use. Why is he bringing it to me?
āWhat is it, Josh?ā
His hand seems to tremble while holding the folder out, but he still wonāt glance in my direction. I take a sip of my Pellegrino while glancing at the old pendulum clock on my wall. I found it in a little secondhand shop right after I graduated. When I moved in with Josh, it didnāt fit the dĆ©cor of his apartment, so I brought it here. The swinging pendulum and steady tick tick have always calmed me in the past, but they arenāt helping now. I stand and step toward him, forcing my fingers not to quiver as I take the folder.
Heās still avoiding my gaze. āIs this about the IPO?ā
He continues to peer out the window with only the sound of the clock reverberating through the room like itās counting down to an inevitable tragedy. Joshās heavy sigh interrupts this. āEl, my team needs to support me and my ideas. Itās important for everyone to back the decisions I make with enthusiasm. We need to be a cohesive, solid group, putting the companyās needs first.ā
Thatās not the tone of voice I was expecting. Heās using one he reserves for delivering practiced speeches. I remove the sheets of paper from the folder. The subject line on the first page jumps out at me.
Termination of employment.
My knees go weak, and I struggle to keep my balance as I read the letter. This canāt be happening. When we first met, our visions were on parallel tracksāthe same hopes, dreams, and ideasābut now we differ more than we agree. Heās always appreciated my input from a female viewpoint, knowing itās based on solid business perspectives. But this ā¦ I finally find my voice. āYouāre firing me? Are you serious?ā
Still staring out the window, he shakes his head. āItās not a firing. With the reorganization of the company, your position is no longer viable or sustainable. We can outsource the work for considerable savings. Itās nothing personal.ā
āNothing personal!ā I slam the empty folder down on my desk. āEven with all your double-talk, it sounds like a firing to me, and how is it not personal?ā No. Iām not losing it over this. I take a deep breath. āIs this because I donāt agree with the IPO?ā
āHere you go again. You need to set your opinion aside and quit letting your emotions blind you to the logic of my decisions. You refuse to understand the big picture. This is the perfect time for an IPO. The expansion will put us in place with the big tech companies.ā
I shake my head, glaring at him. āNo, Josh. Itās not a mere opinion. I stand by my position. An IPO is too risky. You donāt have the financial backing youāll need, and you could lose control of the company.ā I hold out the letter, shaking it. āIs this why youāre firing me? You donāt like what Iām telling you because it doesnāt fit your grand vision?ā
He moves from the window, now inspecting the items on my wall, still not facing me. āAgain, itās not a firing. Youāve done such a fantastic job setting up our financial foundation that everything is working great. Because of this, eliminating your position is one change weāre able to make.ā
With one hand on my hip, I grimace while waving the letter in my other hand at him. āThatās absurd. Youāre saying I no longer have a job because I was so good at my job? Even for you, thatās quite a stretch, Josh. If Iām so good, why wonāt you listen to me? Let me make it clear. You donāt have the finances for an IPO.ā I huff in disgust and toss the pages on my desk.
He moves to my credenza and picks up the framed picture of the two of us with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. He waves his other hand in my direction. āIām giving you two weeksā notice, but Iād like you to use this weekend to clear out your office. It will be less disruptive if you donāt return on Monday. You know, make a clean break. Itāll be best all the way around.ā
I struggle to keep my dignity intact. Heād want nothing more than me throwing a fit. This would justify all his comments. I take several deep breaths as I frown at him with crossed arms. āBest for the company or for you?ā
He sets the picture down and picks up the one of us at the bottom of Lombard Street. āFor all. It will give you time to decide what you want for your future. You can make plans and research your options. Youāll get the two weeksā pay and credit for any accrued vacation time as noted, plus the full severance package detailed in your contract. Iām not shorting you anything in this separation.ā
Wait? What? He doesnāt mean more than the job? He canāt be. I take a step back with my head to one side and scrutinize him. āWeāre still talking about the job, correct? How do I want to move forward regarding a job?ā
He sets the picture down and gives a quick glance my way. āThereās also a letter of reference. Youāre good at what you do, El. One of the best I know, but itās no longer workable or conducive to this company.ā
Heās still avoiding eye contact, a sure sign thereās something else going on. After all the meetings weāve attended, I know him well. āYou didnāt answer my question.ā While staring daggers at him, I shift my stance. āIs this only concerning the job or something more?ā
With another sigh, he steps away from the credenza and stops in front of my desk, straightening my nameplate. āLetās be honest. Things outside of work arenāt going well for us either. Itās like we want different things. Weāre no longer on the same track, and this decision will complicate things even more.ā He glances at the Rolex I gave him on his last birthday. āThis is the perfect time for us to make a clean break. The timing couldnāt be better. You can use the two weeks Iām in DC to pack and find your own place.ā
In disbelief, I slam my fists on the desk, bouncing my nameplate. With another deep breath to control my anger, I lean toward him. āYouāre telling me this now? Right now? As we need to leave for the airport. Youāre firing and dumping me?ā
He takes a quick step back and shakes his head while holding his hands up. āIām not dumping or firing you. Itās more us parting ways.ā He gives another slight wave. āPlus, Iām taking my car to the airport, so you donāt need to bother.ā Still, without ever making eye contact for long, he steps toward the door to leave.
āJosh, wait. Thatās it? Thank you for your service, and itās been fun, but time to move on. Are you kidding me?ā
He stops and, with another heavy sigh, glances back my way. āDonāt get all emotional and make a big scene over this. This is nothing but a business decision. Iām sure you sensed it coming as much as I did. Weāre not the same people we were when we met. Iāve grown, and so have my ideas and plans for this company. This is the time to expand.
Two weeks should be enough time to pack your things and find another place. You can still use the car during this time and park it in the garage at the end.ā
The end. Is this really happening? āYouāre taking away my job, my car, and my home? All on a Friday night as you fly off for two weeks?ā
His gaze lowers to the floor. āEl, itās not me. Iām not taking anything away. Itās for the corporation. The position is being cut, and the company leases the car. As for the other ā¦ Iām not sure you could call it a home, more like a place to live. Believe me, this is best for both of us. Once you get past your emotions, youāll see that.ā
His expression is as familiar as his tone of voice. He wants to appear reluctant and disappointed in the decision heās forced to make, but in reality, he isnāt. How long has he been planning this?
āBest for the corporation, huh? Donāt try that on me. Youāre getting ahead of yourself. There is no corporation or corporate board yet. Iām the one who helped set up this company. Thereās only the company. Guess I should be glad you made the ultimate sacrifice and told me in person. Couldnāt bring yourself to do it in an email? āEl, itās over. Move out.āā My laser-focused eyes could cut him in half, but he never raises his gaze. āI appreciate the personal touch.ā
āLike I said, Iām sorry itās come to this. My decision to do an IPO makes sense, and I know you donāt agree. My team must be behind this one hundred percent, and youāve made it clear you canāt support my decision. Division in the company is not helpful as we make the announcement. Itās a sign of weakness.ā His phone beeps, and he checks it before putting it back in his coat pocket. āIām sorry, I need to go. Leave the keys to the car and the apartment on the kitchen counter once youāve finished moving.ā He turns and opens the door to leave.
āJosh, wait. Youāre walking out after telling me this like itās nothing more than a minor disagreement?ā
He stops in the doorway, finally glancing back at me. āNo, I know itās not a minor thing, but Iāve made my decision, and I donāt have time to discuss it further. By the time I return, Iām sure youāll have thought it through and will agree. Itās for the best.ā He gives me a slight smile. āYou take care.ā
The sound of the door closing underscores my feelings of anger and frustration. Iām in disbelief. Did this happen for real? My gaze finds the pages of the letter spread across my desk. Itās true. It happened. I should run after him and make him talk this through. But I canāt move. After seven years working with Josh to build this company and almost six years as a couple, the last three of which we lived together, Iām out. Iām thirty-two years old with no job, no car, no home, and Iām alone. Almost halfway through, and 2002 is not going how I thought it would. Where did things go off the rails?
Ā
Ā About the Author
Born in Muncie, IN, Craig is as typical middle-America as they come. He was
Ā Ā Ā young when his parents divorced and his grandmother came to live with him,
Ā Ā Ā his mother, and two sisters. Seeing his grandmotherās faith in God on
Ā Ā Ā a regular basis led him to accept and know everything is okay, Godās
Ā Ā Ā in charge.
Ā Craig served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and followed this as a DoD
Ā Ā Ā contractor where he had multiple tours overseas and around the U.S. While
Ā Ā Ā there were events in his life that tested his faith in God, nothing compared
Ā Ā Ā to when his first son was born with major medical issues. As a
Ā Ā Ā twenty-one-year-old father with a young devastated wife, his faith had never
Ā Ā Ā been tested more. After enduring several surgeries, some considered
Ā Ā Ā experimental, his son passed away at six months and two weeks. But even in
Ā Ā Ā his brief life, he had a tremendous impact on Craig and others.
Ā Since then, God has blessed Craig with two more sons and has been a
Ā Ā Ā constant guidance in his life. Craigās time in the military and as a
Ā Ā Ā contractor afterward included over 20 years overseas, where he was part of
Ā Ā Ā local mission churches. On their last return to the states, God led him and
Ā Ā Ā his wife to Oklahoma, where he teaches Bible studies and serves in a local
Ā Ā Ā church.
Ā The memory of what God did to help him through his parentās divorce,
Ā Ā Ā his sonās illness and death, and many other events in his life, has
Ā Ā Ā led him to want to share what impact God had and has with him.
Ā Nowhere are we promised a life without tragedies, setbacks, problems, or
Ā Ā Ā devastating events we have no control over, but Godās word does
Ā Ā Ā promise, āItās okay, Godās in charge.ā
Ā
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