A Bequest of Time

By Jeffery Martin Botzenhart

Love and remembrance

Precious memories that one never imagines could be lost have a way of fading over time, to a point when uncertain they were ever real, rendering them as ghosts in the machine. Yet reminders, both passionate and brutal tempt them back as cherished thoughts and at times nightmarish visions.

As their world once more spirals out of control to the ravages of war, Trevor and Victoria find themselves amidst a torrent of beautiful and painful moments relived. Foremost for them is the safety of their twenty-year-old son, Miles. The distress Victoria endures over his departure for school in Glasgow is further complicated when Trevor reveals a secret he has hidden from her for years.

Once more the question of “How far would one go to save the one they love?” is thrust upon them, with unforeseeable consequences. Has time run out for all ... or will they survive with an unimaginable bequest of time?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luminosity Publishing LLP
• Release date: Jan 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370176335

Jeffery Martin Botzenhart

I was born on November 9, 1967 in Warren, Ohio and grew up in a country trailer park in Southington Ohio with my two brothers and parents.I currently live in Girard, Ohio with my wife and sons. After graduating from Chalker High School in 1986, I went on to attend Kent State University.Originally, I sought to pursue a degree in education, but changed degrees after a few years in school. After working my way through college for eight years, I graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations.Aside from writing, I also draw and paint. My other passion is soccer. I have proudly been a coach of a soccer team for autistic and special needs players.

Book preview

A BEQUEST OF TIME

Out of Time 3

Jeffery Martin Botzenhart

Love and remembrance

Precious memories that one never imagines could be lost have a way of fading over time, to a point when uncertain they were ever real, rendering them as ghosts in the machine. Yet reminders, both passionate and brutal tempt them back as cherished thoughts and at times nightmarish visions.

As their world once more spirals out of control to the ravages of war, Trevor and Victoria find themselves amidst a torrent of beautiful and painful moments relived. Foremost for them is the safety of their twenty-year-old son, Miles. The distress Victoria endures over his departure for school in Glasgow is further complicated when Trevor reveals a secret he has hidden from her for years.

Once more the question of How far would one go to save the one they love? is thrust upon them, with unforeseeable consequences. Has time run out for all … or will they survive with an unimaginable bequest of time?

A BEQUEST OF TIME

Out of Time 3

JEFFERY MARTIN BOTZENHART

WWW.LUMINOSITYPUBLISHING.COM

LUMINOSITY PUBLISHING LLP

A BEQUEST OF TIME

Out of Time 3

Copyright © August 2016 Jeffery Martin Botzenhart

ISBN: 978-1-910899-97-7

Cover Art by Poppy Designs

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No part of this literary work may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Dedication

For Trevor and Victoria and to all timeless loves

Remembrance

Victoria leaned against the frame of the open door as she gazed into her son’s bedroom. She remembered so many nights when she and Trevor had tucked him in under the hand-stitched blue and white quilt, his eyes always wide with wonder as Trevor read him a bedtime story. Most nights, however, his eyelids would be much too heavy to see the last illustration and hear the end whispered to him. She would always leave last, reciting the same words her father said to her each night before he tenderly kissed her forehead.

Above Mile’s bed hung a rainbow-colored kite, of which each year it found flight within the gales near Rockingham Light during their summer holidays. As a child, he would be perched upon his father’s strong shoulders as they commanded the kite to defiantly soar like the seabirds. And there were kingdoms of sandcastles, grander than any other built. Trevor had requested that they always refer to the lighthouse by its proper name, rather than Summerset, as he wished for only beginnings—never endings.

Upon his bureau sat his toy soldiers. So many brave battles had been fought against imaginary fire-breathing dragons and dark wizards; battles he would play out within the ruins of a nearby ancient castle. She remembered resting in Trevor’s arms on warm summer days as they watched Mile’s gallantry, bravely wielding his toy sword and shield.

Displayed near his bedroom window was his drawing of an airplane, a unique rendering of the flying machine Trevor once flew. To anyone else it may have appeared as unintelligible scribbles upon the parchment—yet to her and Trevor, it was a masterpiece of unequaled brilliance.

Victoria went to step in when her foot found his discarded sweater on the floor. Picking it up, she held the fabric to her nose as she breathed his scent in, a pleasant smell only a mother would recognize from her child. She neatly folded it and placed it at the foot of his bed.

Movement from outside pulled her to his bedroom window. There Miles stood outside in the deep snow. Where have twenty years gone? she asked as she watched his joyful enthusiasm in constructing a snowman amidst a light flurry. The scene before her was reminiscent of watching a treasured snow globe after it had been shaken. To the world, Miles is a confident and intelligent young man. To Victoria, he would always be—her precious little boy.

Chapter One

12:32 pm, January 4, 1941

Drifting snow shifted in fluid waves across the barren field as Trevor pressed onward through this white abyss. At times frigid updrafts suspended delicate ice crystals in mid-air, only to swirl them in iridescent vortexes before allowing their release. Intense gales, forced inland from the distant turquoise white-capped sea, glazed the Highlands as the partially shrouded noon sun began its descent into afternoon.

Arriving at his intended destination, Trevor climbed severely weathered steps into the ancient stone ruins of a castle. That which remained of high surrounding walls, most likely leveled in medieval battles, protruded through snowy drifts. Trevor stepped through the remnants of a once grand hall with walls of cathedral heights before passing through an arched entrance as he continued on, climbing to a secluded spot atop the remains of the tower. From this vantage point, he viewed a wide vista extending to distant jagged cliffs battered by crashing waves.

Leaning against the icy wall, Trevor flexed his quaking hands, closing his eyes until the searing pain subsided. Only outside amidst the chilled January air did he find relief from the swelling where his mechanical limbs were attached to his body. He had become adept at hiding the tremors and grimacing with pain from both Victoria and Miles. He fully understood, though, that he could not conceal his discomfort from them forever.

When numbing relief finally arrived, Trevor whispered, Thank you. As he opened his eyes, the warm mist from his labor exhales momentarily clouded his vision.

Lost in his thoughts, a great length of time passed. Aside from his own