Redefining Me

By Ellie Keys

Have you ever had a moment where you didn’t know exactly how you ended up where you were in your life? Have you taken a look back and wondered where did you go wrong? Do you see it and find yourself confused? I don’t have this problem. I look back on my life and I know exactly when my life changed. I know exactly when everything flipped for me. It was the day that my husband told me that he was leaving. Actually, it was the day that he left. His bags were packed and already by the front door of the home we shared in Louisiana for over twelve years. Evelyn Stone-Marks was getting divorced and coming to the realization that she had no clue who she was outside of her marriage and her children. Twelve years spent as Mrs. Conner Marks and ten years spent as mommy have caused her to be completely lost. Who is she and what does she want to do with the rest of her life? Arik McKinley offers her an olive branch in the form of a trip with him, her niece and nephew. It gives her the opportunity to clear her head. Being away from it all allows her the opportunity to explore the things that define who she is. Out of the ashes of Evelyn Stone-Marks comes Evie Stone and she loves every moment of it. Who knew the road to discovery could be packed with great adventures?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Life in "E" motion
• Release date: Jan 16, 2015
• ISBN: 9781513054667

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Redefining Me

Copyright ©2015 Ellie Keys

All rights reserved.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons-living or dead-or places, events, or locales is purely accidental. The characters are reproductions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. This book contains content that is not suitable for readers 17 and under.

Cover design by CreateSpace Independent Publishing

Please be aware that this book cannot be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without written permission from the author, Ellie Keys, by emailing her at [e-mail] or within the sharing guidelines at a legitimate library or bookseller. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

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Acknowledgements:

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Thank you to each and every person that has taken a moment to purchase then read my work. Thank you for all who support those who choose to self-publish. You are all beyond wonderful and much appreciated.

~Ellie

Chapter 1: Left Behind

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Have you ever had a moment where you didn’t know exactly how you ended up where you were in your life? Have you taken a look back and wondered where did you go wrong? Do you see it and find yourself confused? I don’t have this problem. I look back on my life and I know exactly when mine life changed. I know exactly when everything flipped for me. It was the day that my husband told me that he was leaving. Actually, it was the day that he left. His bags were packed and already by the front door of the home we’d shared in Louisiana for over twelve years.

Evelyn? Evelyn Marks? Where are you? his voice lowered as he mumbled, I don’t know why we had to buy this cavernous house. We only have the three kids.

"It wasn’t for lack of trying, Conner. Might I remind you that you purchased this house without my input? You bellowed? I wiped my hands on the towel then froze as I notice the bags by the door. Ah, so you’re going?"

How ... I think it’s the best thing, don’t you? I didn’t think I was that obvious about my intentions, he said as he lifted one bag, then another.

Obvious? Did you think that you were being stealthy? You’ve been pacing in the back room for over an hour. I thought you were going to wear a hole in the carpet. Tell Lacey I said hello by the way. You can leave the key in the tray by the door, I said to him, then start back towards the kitchen.

Is that it? It’s been twelve years and that’s our goodbye? he seemed genuinely upset.

I laughed. I mean what else could I do? I just laughed and shook my head at him.

Let me get this straight. Last night you announce to me, after making love to me, the perfect time for such an announcement by the way, that ... I started ticking off the list using my fingers. "... one, you are not happy in our marriage. Two, you are not in love with me anymore. Three, you are moving out. Four, not only are you doing all of those things, but you are with someone else who’s pregnant. Last, but not least, you want to give your relationship with her a chance. You now want our ‘goodbye’ to be more? Conner, you’re lucky I’m not my aunt. If I were, then you would be holding your manhood in the palm of your hand. You should probably leave now and put the key in the tray before you go."

I turned to go into the kitchen before he could say anything more, but not before I saw his hand move over his manhood. The gesture made me smile. I didn’t think that I would be able to smile that day. When Conner’s announcement finally registered, I stopped all physical reaction to him. Everything just locked up. The jackass had been attempting to still have sex with me because it couldn’t have been making love if he didn’t love me. I pulled back and punched him in the gut. His oomph response was music to my ears. The fact that he kind of slumped to the side had been a sight to behold. Conner has me by about a foot, is about twice my size in mass and strong enough to toss my little self across the room if he wanted to. The satisfaction I got knowing that my tiny little girl fist caused his big boy body to react that way should be a bad thing. I couldn’t find fault with it. Thinking about it again just makes me smile all the more.

I really didn’t mean for this to happen this way. I always thought you would be enough. I thought that you would be enough to satisfy me. How was I to know that you weren’t, his voice carried to the kitchen.

Before I knew what I was doing, I was back around the corner and hurling macadamia nut cookie dough balls at his head. The first one hit him right smack in the middle of his face. The second hit his hand. I lobbed five at him before he could get the door open. My long, raven colored curls pulled free of the low ponytail I keep my hair in when I am cooking. The last one beaned him in the back of his head.

I can’t believe you have the audacity to say that to me. If you wanted a reaction out of me, then that was the way to get it. You sorry, pathetic excuse for a husband! I hope your junk falls off ... while you’re still in her ... and she swells up, I screamed as I slammed the door behind his retreating form.

I started cursing under my breath in the Italian dialect that my mother tended to use. I heard through the kitchen window, I didn’t mean anything by my comments. I’ll be by on Thursday to pick up the kids. I know you’re cursing me out in that cute way you do. And I know I’m an ass who’ll get a clue later. Okay, I’m going.

Therein lay the rub. It was the reason that I couldn’t ever bring myself to stay mad at him. It’s the reason that we were amicably separated. It’s also the reason that I was making cookies for a woman that I should have by all rights hated with every fiber of my being. I didn’t and I still don’t. I so don’t. I am indebted to her for making him realize that he needed to let us go. I should probably have my head examined, regularly.

I’m happy that he’s no longer here, taking up my space and making our lives in this house miserable because he is. I am now that is. I thought I was happy for him then. It’s been a year since that day. I can’t even believe it. A whole year has passed and all of it is still fresh. All of it is as real as if it happened a matter of moments ago and not so many moments ago. I didn’t think then that I would ever be in the position that I am in now. I didn’t see this curve ball coming. I share my story now as the moments unfold and not as me reflecting.

As I stand in my kitchen again, I look down and shake my head. My frustration level grew as I realized exactly what I’d done.

Dammit, now I have to make some more mix for the cookies, my eyes settled on a tray with only one cookie dough ball left on it.

I pop the last one in my mouth as I look around again. Lacey requested via Sophia that I make these because she can’t bake, but they are her favorite. I know this because my daughter told me Ms. Lacey loves macadamia cookies, Momma. I want to have some for her and the baby.  I didn’t realize at the time just who Ms. Lacey was. I thought there was a new teacher at the school that I hadn’t met yet. I look again at the trays of cookies that are for a bake sale at the school. I always make eight dozen cookies. His stupid mouth and subsequent comments set me back. The other four trays will not be enough to make what Sophia will need for her class. Yet another thing that man has inadvertently ruined.

Chapter 2: Support System

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Over the last twelve almost thirteen years, I have had one constant outside of my husband and my children. My constant has been Samaris Nicole Crawford. My thirty six year old best friend, that is my perfect counterpart, has been there throughout all of the crazy that has been my life. Where I am meek and mild mannered, she is outspoken and outgoing. Where I am laid back and easy going, she is boisterous and flamboyant. Sam has always had a very ebullient personality. Her go getter attitude is what called her to my attention and got us talking in the first place.

A fifteen years younger Sam had just walked in to the office where I was preparing to interview. I’d been so nervous that day because I was interviewing for the first time ever, in my life. I was set to interview with Waltham-Smythe’s Publishing Company. It was set to be a big deal for me. During that time, I was aspiring to become an editor that would then become a bestselling author. I was beside myself when I received the phone call that they wanted to meet with me. I hadn’t expected a call back.

I was sitting in a smart navy suit with matching jacket and a white blouse. My pumps were the standard patent leather style shoe for a young woman on a budget. My mother and father had both taken turns sending me pictures of how to dress for the interview. They’d been so proud that they were able to attach the files all by themselves and of me, of course. I was going over some of the finer points of my less than stellar resume and looking around the empty space of the office when she walked in. The receptionist that had greeted me so warmly and told me that they’d just moved to this building with a joyful tone to her voice, which explained the shell of an office, actually rolled her eyes when the bombshell walked in.

The woman that breezed into the space was gorgeous. She looked like she could give Catherine Zeta-Jones a run for her money. The long dark hair, deep brown eyes, full lips and rocking body that was poured into an ensemble that could make grown men weep was standing on six inch heels. She had very little make up on her face and had to stand at least five foot seven without the killer heels. I pulled my eyes away when I noticed the responding glare from the pretty lady at the door.

Ms. Gallagher, I assured you last time that you were not needed on this project. Mr. Foster will be here in a moment to escort you back out of the building, the receptionist stated as she turned to pick up the phone.

Marianne, you might want to check your calendar for Mr. Crawford’s updates. It might enlighten someone that would otherwise be lost without her...guiding staff, the young woman stated in response as she sat directly across from me in the only other chair in the room. Hi, I’m Samaris Gallagher. I do freelance work for the company as well as promotions. You are ... hmm ... here to interview for a job. Do you want a little assist with all things W.S.P.C.?

"If you don’t say you want it she’ll give it to you anyway. Some people don’t understand what it means to not solicit others, Marianne piped up as she pulled her dark brown shoulder length hair back into a ponytail. I don’t know how you pulled it off ..."

... oh you know full well how to pull things off. It’s what you’re best at. As to the matter of my being able to get a meeting with Mr. Crawford and Mrs. Pinters, I have the uncanny ability to use my brain to get me ahead and not what’s quite a bit further south. If you don’t want all of your back tales told then I would advise you to stop talking, Marianne Destiny Edwards, Ms. Gallagher spoke in a tone that stated  she was done with the back and forth with the receptionist.

Samaris Nicole Gallagher, you do not treat a sorority sister the way that you have treated me. You knew that I was interested in that ... particular party and you still went there, Marianne evidently was tired of the pretense as well and decided to put all of it out there.

I’m sorry. Forgive my sorer. Evidently it’s air your dirty laundry day here in the reception offices of our place of business. The advice that I was going to give you has to do with what you are wearing. You don’t want to come across too buttoned up. You might want to undo the first two buttons on your shirt. May I see your portfolio?

She was up and moving before I could even respond.

I placed the black case in her outstretched hand. The way that I saw it, it couldn’t hurt to get another’s opinion. If she already worked for the company and with the very people that I was trying to impress, what could it hurt?

These are some great pieces. Do you mind if I take a moment to do a switch-a-roo? I think the works on the family and poverty living will be best if they were put toward the front and the pieces on the school’s sports teams should be toward the back. You have some amazing articles. Whoa! Wait a second. You edited C.J. Montgomery’s first novel? she appeared genuinely surprised.

We were in the same classes at school. It wasn’t a big deal. He’s a really good friend, I told her as she moved the signed letter of recommendation to the front of everything else.

That whole adage of save the best for last is garbage. In this business, you put your best foot forward and use whatever you can to make you stand out from the rest. You will not speak, Marianne, she threw out as she finished rearranging my portfolio.

I watched as Marianne sat back in her seat and mumbled something that neither of us could make out. She answered the phone and keyed something into the computer before she stood up.

Ms. Gallagher, they’ll see you now, the two shared another irritated glare then Ms. Gallagher walked towards her bag.

Nothing was said as she was buzzed into the door. Neither said another word until they were out of each other’s presence. I could hear Ms. Gallagher speaking professionally to a man then a woman. Marianne turned to me and shook her head in frustration. Her light brown eyes flaring with her slightly suppressed anger. The brown of her skin was fused with red as she looked over apologetically at me.

I am so sorry for that little exchange. We went to college together and she and I have had our differences over the past year or so. I don’t usually behave that way, she looked around then back at me. I know I gave her grief and said some really rude things to her and about her, but she’s really good at what she does. If you ever repeat that to her then I will vehemently deny it, but girlfriend knows her stuff. Whatever she told you to do, you might want to do it. She isn’t head of Marketing and Promotions for nothing.

With that little revelation, she returned to her desk. I was stunned stupid for about a minute and a half. The way they interacted I never would’ve suspected that Ms. Gallagher was important to the company, in any way. She must’ve been though. I was preparing to ask some probing questions when my name was called.

Ms. Stone, please do come back, an older woman with slightly graying brown hair, light blue eyes and the most pleasant smile I’d seen called to me. As I cleared the glass doors and kept pace with the woman who told me her name was Mrs. Pinters she said, Evidently you’ve made quite the impression on one of the members of our staff who has the ear of all the right people within the company.

Really? I only spoke with... my words were cut off as we rounded the corner and four sets of eyes looked back at me, one being C. J. Montgomery.

He walked over and gave me a hug then introduced everyone including Samaris Gallagher, Director of Marketing and Promotions. The others were Carter Thompson, Head of Human Resources, Beatrice Pinters, CEO and Richard Crawford, Editor-in-Chief. I was originally set to meet with Mr. Thompson and now I was meeting with a team of individuals that basically ran the company.

"I didn’t know that you were