Are Mirrors Cleaner in Paradise?

By judith falloon-reid

The highly anticipated sequel to
HERE’S A HUNDRED DOLLARS...BUY YOURSELF A LIFE!

In 2011 Judith Falloon-Reid delighted her readers and made new fans with her bestselling novel Here’s a Hundred Dollars...
Buy Yourself a Life! The ‘fictional reality’ novel had readers laughing, crying, screaming with frustration and joyous with triumph.

In the highly anticipated sequel, Cecile’s artistic, fun-loving friend, Anne Marie finds herself facing the challenges brought on by her own life choices. Her romantic weekend with long time lover, Stan, at a luxurious tropical resort takes many unexpected turns when she finds herself in the midst of a hurricane. Faced with a difficult decision, Stan must confront the issues in his relationships that threaten to destroy the delicate balance he had built over many years. But the turmoil is not only in the weather as Anne Marie rides an emotional roller-coaster that places her on a collision course with her family and friends as they guide her towards deep introspection.

• Language: English
• Publisher: judith falloon-reid
• Release date: Jun 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476363431

judith falloon-reid

Judith Falloon Reid is a missionary at heart whose free spirit has led her into the lives and homes of many hurting people as a ministry worker, writer and speaker. Professionally, she is a marketing consultant with over 30 years experience. Born and raised in Jamaica, Judith is the founder of Independent VoYces Literary Fair, a founding member of Jamaica Drums 4 Peace movement and is the host of the weekly Gospel television show, Gospel Rhythms which airs on FLOW TV. She is an active volunteer for the Jamaica Youth for Christ, where along with her husband, Michael Brown, they facilitate the drama ministry. Judith and Michael own BarriVision Productions. She is the executive producer of four television shows, some airing locally and others overseas, Where in JA is Dry Lan’ Touris’, My LiKKle Food Spot, and Gospel Rhythms. Judith is the author of four books: Here's a Hundred Dollars...Buy Yourself a Life Aaah-Inspiring Antarctica. A Ajamaican on Ice Time & Seasons: A Layman’s Guide to Overcoming Tragedy, Xulon Press ©2003 Full Circle: Reclaiming Your Faith, Wingspan Press ©2007. She has authored several Christian plays and monologues which have been performed to audiences in both South Florida and Jamaica including: Just Another Friday The Gift And on the Third Day Through My Eyes A Black Man Looks Back I Was There She served as the local St. Ann correspondent and frequently wrote opinion columns for The Gleaner in the early nineties under the pseudonym Rosie Clark. She was also a frequent contributor to the Tourist Guide and Vacationer, no longer in publication. She published the first walking guide to Ocho Rios in 1992. She migrated to South Florida in 1994 with her two children and founded the Christian Churches Monthly Magazine which published from 1998-2006. She established and directed ByHisWord Outreach Ministries, a multi-faceted outreach ministry in South Florida and ByHisWord Theatre Company, a youth outreach that used the arts as a ministry tool. These ministries led missions to various parts of Florida and the Bahamas. While in Florida, Judith wrote for several travel publications and a weekly column for the South Florida Times Newspaper for several months until returning home to Jamaica in 2009. In 2010 she established the Independent VoYces Literary Fair.

Book preview

Are Mirrors Cleaner in Paradise?

by

Judith Falloon-Reid

Copyright © Judith Falloon-Reid 2012

Published by Independent VoYces Literary Works at Smashwords

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the author, except for brief quotations used in reviews and critiques.

ISBN

Published by Independent VoYces Literary Works, St. Mary, Jamaica.

www.independentvoyces.com

Printed in the United States by Instant Publisher

Other Books by Judith Falloon-Reid

Time & Seasons. A Layman’s Guide to Overcoming Adversity ©2003. Xulon Press

Full Circle. Reclaiming Your Faith ©2007. Wingspan Press

Here's a Hundred Dollars...Buy Yourself a Life! © 2012. Independent VoYces Literary Works

Aaah-Inspiring Antarctica: A Jamaican on Ice ©2011. Independent VoYces Literary Works

For more information on the author visit www.jfalloon-reid.com

FOREWORD

Are mirrors in paradise any cleaner than our own mirrors at home? Or is it that we see things more clearly when we step away from a situation and place ourselves in a totally new environment?

Many moons ago I found myself at another perplexing crossroads. Lawyer Murphy had caught up with me, and everything that could go wrong was doing just that. Having tied my rope and reached the end only to find the knot unraveling, I ran away for a week to the white sand beaches of Negril, a longue chair and a journal. During my period of pseudo-seclusion I met a guy whose name I can no longer remember but whose simple wisdom resonated with me and stayed with me through time.

He didn’t know me from Adam, as we Jamaicans would say, so he had no preconceived notions, no underlying information with which to judge me and no reason to do so. Being a fairly private person, I wasn’t inclined to share my thoughts and musings so we spent a few days talking about anything and everything – except my issues. It was refreshing. When I was finally comfortable enough to open up to him, there was no condemnation, no wagging fingers and no telling me about the right way to live my life.

I returned home with a fresh perspective. My problems were neither as gargantuan nor unique as I had thought, and the solutions were so simple and accessible I marveled that I had not realized them before.

Simply put, being away from my problems, in a place where I could see them for what they truly were, made all the difference in the world.

It is my wish that you will find a cleaner, clearer mirror in which to view yourself and your issues – and in a place where you are free.

the bitch on the side

nothing more than the bitch on the side

the bitch on the side

you have reduced me to nothing more than

the bitch on the side

the cold gravy on the side of plate

She is the prime rib

fragile, frail, protected by your love

the one

Me…

i’m nothing more than the bitch on the side

the freak doing the freaky

the spice you add with controlled measure

throw me a bone…

couple of sweet words…

tell me you love me…

perhaps I’m so desperate I’ll fall for it again

and again

and again

that’s the role of the bitch on the side

don’t ever forget it…

she gets the weekends, the birthdays the special days

Me?

i’m nothing more than the bitch on the side

the late nights…

the booty call…

the intermediate romance thrown in cause that’s the way you do your thing

as long as I don’t rock the boat

as long as I take what I’m given with joy

as long as I keep it tight

as long as I remember just who I am

my place in your world…

just never forget it bitch…

you’re just the gravy…

nothing more than the bitch on the side

Chapter One

Anne Marie sat alone inside the Norman Manley International airport in Kingston. She was sitting in the perfect spot she thought – right next to the mobile store with the hot young dread who sells phone plans. Perfect, too, because she could plug in her laptop and carry on endless Facebook conversations while she waited.

Her phone rang. She looked up from her conversation with Irene, her best friend, while she typed:

CrazeeAnnie:

My fone’s ringing. Brb

IrieIrene:

Bet you any money that’s Stan calling to say he can’t make it

CrazeeAnnie:

better not be Reeny. I’ve been waiting months for this trip.

IrieIrene:

don’t take no crap from him girl…

Oh crap! Annie shouted as her brand new notebook computer started falling to the floor. A by-product of sheer laziness, she thought, as she tried to reach for her handbag without getting out of her chair in a bid to answer the ringing phone.

Too late. The ringing ceased moments before Annie could grab the falling computer and prevent it from crashing to the ground. She looked up just in time to see the hot young dread coming to her rescue with a broad grin on his face.

You’re going to mash up your computer if you keep dropping it like that, he said as he reached for the laptop, now precariously perched between Annie’s left knee and elbow, her right hand wedged deep in her handbag groping for the phone.

Thanks, she said sheepishly, fully aware that her skirt had now ridden up above her knees, exposing her thighs. Crap, crap, crap!

Annie was not one to be easily embarrassed, but the fact that she had been flirting with the young man earlier made her conscious of her predicament. The phone started ringing again just as she caught a whiff of his cologne. Perhaps Escada.

Let me set your computer right, he offered. You go get your phone call. And with that she let go, straightened her skirt and retrieved her phone. Staring at the screen, she realized Irene was right. It was Stan.

Oh crap! Irene! Annie looked across at her computer screen and noticed that in the confusion she had typed or butt-typed lines and lines of gibberish and posted that to her Facebook conversation.

Answer the ringing phone, silly; Irene can wait.

Hello…what’s up?

Hey baby, you at the airport eh?

Yes, Stan. I’m at the airport – but you’re not. Where are you?

Well, see, that’s what I was calling to tell you. I kinda got delayed a bit…

Why am I not surprised? What delayed you this time? The wife or the baby?

Hey, let’s not do this! I told you yesterday that the baby was ill and I may have to make some changes to our plans. I just didn’t realize how sick he was, so my wife has taken him to the doctor and I have to pick them up in an hour. I’m not…

Doesn’t she drive? Annie asked, interrupting him.

Like I was saying, I’m not sure I’ll make it this evening. He’s probably just teething, but I need to be sure, and Sharon doesn’t want me leaving until we are sure why he has a fever.

Damn it, Stan! I know they are your family, but this is supposed to be a special weekend for us. Just for once…just this once, why can’t I come first? Annie griped.

Annie, baby, you know the deal. We’ve been at this for too many years now. Why are you putting me through this stress?

Annie looked at the phone in her hand and thought to herself for the thousandth time, ‘Why am I putting myself through this stress? It’s always something. Wife. Son. Work. The doggone weather! There was always something more important than me.’

Annie. Sweetie. Are you there? Stan was talking to himself. Annie Marie wasn’t listening anymore. Too many years of humiliation, being silent in the background while Stan and Sharon had conversations and too many flights alone to faraway places for a weekend rendezvous were now taking their toll. And it was about time too!

Annie placed the phone on the chair beside her and turned her attention to Irene, who by now had resumed their conversation without any further input from Annie.

IrieIrene:

Annie u still there?

What’s happening?

It’s him isn’t it? What is he saying this time?

When are u going 2 stop this nonsense with Stan? I’m so tired of seeing u hurt urself girl. Ur so much better than this.

You deserve so much more than this married man.

Annie

Annie

Well if u want to waste ur life waiting 4 Stan then u go right ahead. It’s ur life. Why should I care eh? Like Cecile always say ‘ur over 18 and fully vaccinated!’

Annie looked up and noticed that the guy with the dreads was still standing nearby.

Can you watch my bags for me as I go to the ladies room? she asked. Without waiting for an answer, Annie stood up, straightened her skirt, grabbed her handbag and walked towards the ladies’ room.

She passed a young couple strolling through the departure lounge arm in arm. A quick glance at the woman’s left hand sporting a gleaming wedding band and sparkling diamond ring, and it was obvious they were newlyweds. Probably on their way home after their honeymoon. Give them time, Annie thought, as she slid past the cleaning lady and made her way to the restroom counter.

Looking at herself in the restroom mirror, she could hardly recognize the jaded woman staring back at her. She splashed a little water on her face, careful not to ruin her perfectly made up eyes, though she knew her waterproof mascara wouldn’t run, patted her cheeks dry, reapplied her lipstick and made her way back to her bags.

Thanks, she said, mustering a smile for the young man. Her flight was being called. Her moment of decision had arrived.

No problem. Just take care of yourself okay, he replied and added, I'm Eric, by the way. He then turned and headed back to his work station.

She called after him, And I'm Anne Marie, but I prefer to be called Annie!

Looking down at the computer screen, she realized that Irene had stopped ranting.

IrieIrene:

Well I guess you’ve decided not to answer me. Oh well. I’ll b here when u ready.

CrazeeAnnie:

Hey, listen, they’re calling my flight. I gotta go. Ttyl.

IrieIrene:

So ur still going? What’s happening with Stan? Is he coming with u or not?

CrazeeAnnie:

ttyl Irene. I have an all expenses paid trip to Turks & Caicos waiting for me. I don’t know if Stan is coming. I don’t care if he makes it. I’ll hit you up later when I get there. The hotel has Internet. Peace!

And with that Annie signed out of her Facebook account and closed her laptop. She looked at her cell phone sitting on the chair exactly where she last left it, and simply walked away. She didn’t know whether Stan was