Unstilled Voices

By Lois Cloarec Hart

For decades, Audrey and Marni have been a loving couple, their happiness marred only by the hostility of Audrey’s son, Richard. When Audrey is rendered silent by a stroke and unable to assert her wishes, Richard assumes power of attorney and banishes Marni from his mother‘s life. The women long for each other, but since they aren’t legally married, Richard can prevent them from being together when they most need one another. With the help of sympathetic relatives, they see each other for brief moments and only from afar. Resuming their life together seems impossible, until a compassionate stranger decides to get involved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ylva Publishing
• Release date: Jan 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9783955333508

Book preview

Unstilled Voices

by Lois Cloarec Hart

Published by Ylva Publishing, legal entity of Ylva Verlag, e.Kfr.

http://www.ylva-publishing.com

Copyright 2015 Lois Cloarec Hart

Smashwords Edition

Edited by Alissa McGowan

Cover Design by Kaitlyn Connolly

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, events, and locations are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons or events, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Table of Contents

Dedication

Unstilled Voices

About Lois Cloarec Hart

Other books from Ylva Publishing

Coming from Ylva Publishing in 2015

May our voices never be stilled

Unstilled Voices

And in conclusion, our aim is to ensure a smooth and trauma-free transition for your mother. We will be available to you 24/7 until your mother is happily settled in her new home.

A derisive snort interrupted Daena Thorsen’s patter, and she shot a glance at her business partner. Gabriel responded with a subtle shrug and a sympathetic expression. The Stanger family had proven to be difficult clients.

Taking a deep breath, Daena tried to resume her summation, only to be interrupted again.

Callie Stanger stabbed a finger at her older brother. New home, my ass! Mom was perfectly content no matter where they were until you stuck your big fat pretentious nose in their affairs.

Richard Stanger shot his French cuffs, adjusted a diamond link, and dusted a non-existent piece of lint from the lapel of his tailored suit.

Aven Stanger, evidently long versed in keeping the peace, reached out a hand to her sister. We’re all just trying to do what’s best for Mom, Cal. You know she can’t go on living as she did before the stroke.

You neglect to mention that Mother no longer even owns her home, thanks to that piece of shit— Callie lunged at Richard, knocking over Daena’s water glass.

Daena jumped back and tumbled over her chair to the floor. As she extricated herself from the chair, Gabriel and Aven tried to pull Callie away from Richard, who returned punches like a street brawler.

When the dust settled, Callie stormed out of the office with her backpack slung over one shoulder.

Richard withdrew to the men’s room to make repairs.

Aven shook her head. Oh my God, you must think us utter Neanderthals. I’m so, so sorry that you were subjected to this. I thought we had ironed out a reasonable compromise before we got here. Obviously, I was wrong.

Please don’t worry, Ms. Stanger. My partner and I are well aware that family dynamics are often strained in such life-altering situations.

Daena hid a smile as she listened to her partner spin the situation. Gabriel could weave silk thread out of donkey dung, though it looked as if he’d have to draw on all his oratorical powers today.

Strained family dynamics? Aven Stanger shook her head. I wish that was all it were. Look, can we reschedule for another time—

Richard re-entered the room, shaking his head. Impossible. Winnie and I are leaving for Palm Beach in three weeks, and the arrangements for Mother need to be wrapped up before we go.

Couldn’t you delay your trip, or maybe let Winnie go on ahead and join her later? This is important, Richard.

"I don’t disagree; however, there is no reason for delay. I’m sure Ms. Thorsen and Mr. Pierce are perfectly capable of arranging Mother’s new accommodations and facilitating her move