Forgiveness Lies Beyond

By Jen Selinsky

"Forgiveness Lies Beyond" is the story of Angela Syphers. For the last fifteen years, there has been tension between Angela and her younger sister, Barbara. In 1996, Barbara stole Angela's boyfriend, Richard Wilson, and they ended up getting married two years later. Angela learns that only through her faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, will she ever be able to really forgive Barbara and Richard.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jen Selinsky
• Release date: Feb 2, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370374014

Jen Selinsky

Jen Selinsky was born in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2003, she earned her bachelor's degree in English from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. In 2004, she earned her master's degree in library science from the same school. Jen has worked as a professional librarian for over twelve years. She has published more than 170 books, most of which contain poetry. Her work can be found on the following sites: Lulu, Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, Barnes & Noble/Nook, Smashwords, and Pen It! Publications. She has also been featured in publications such as: The Courier Journal, Explorer Magazine, Liphar Magazine, and Indiana Libraries. Jen lives in Sellersburg, IN with her husband.

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Forgiveness Lies Beyond

Jen Selinsky

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Copyright © 2011 by Jen Selinsky

All rights reserved by the author. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of the copyright holder.

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.

Cover Art Copyright © 1997 by Jen Selinsky

ISBN: 9781370374014

Chapter 1

2011

Angela sat on her beach blanket, staring at the water while trying to imagine what lie across the horizon. It was a beautiful summer day, mid-afternoon, and the sky was blue with white, fluffy clouds.

The temperature was just right because it was nearing the end of August, which was a relief to many people living in the area. This was mostly due the fact that it had been unseasonably hot this year. Families would be finishing up their summer vacations, and children would be returning to school, as the season was on its last legs.

Angela looked over at all the people around her. Everywhere, there were children running around and playing in the sand. She must have counted at least five or six sandcastles. Angela also noticed that there were many grown-ups on the beach as well. Those who weren’t working on their tans were walking around or swimming in the water.

If it was any other day, Angela would have been compelled to join them, but the main reason why she came out here today was to think, not to swim. A lot had been going through her mind lately, and she thought of no better time than now to pontificate on certain things in her life. Besides, Angela did not bring a bathing suit with her today.

The sound of seagulls caught her attention, and she looked up at the sky. Angela sighed as she watched the birds fly overhead. She envied them their freedom, especially since they could fly away from whatever was bothering them. Sometimes, she wished she had her own set of wings to take her to wherever she wanted—anywhere away from her problems.

Any outside observer could (or would) speculate that Angela was completely serene with herself in these surroundings. Any outside observer would have also been wrong, however, because that was far from the truth. While she did enjoy the nice view from the beach and watching everyone at play, Angela still felt a great deal concerned.

She’d been talking to God a lot lately about what was on her mind—about the things which had been bothering her most recently. Of course, these things did not happen overnight; they had mounted up over the years.

Sometimes, Angela felt like she was at her wit’s end because she didn’t know how to handle all the thoughts which ran through her mind. While talking to God on a regular basis did seem to help, Angela felt that there was something else that was missing—something that needed to be done. And though she came to Tempe Beach Park in hopes of finding the answers, all she was provided with was pretty scenery.

Seeing all the children at play reminded Angela of her nephew, Joshua, and her nieces, Rebecca, and Sarah. Joshua was the eldest and would be turning eleven soon. Angela couldn’t believe that he would be entering fifth grade next year!

The twins, Rebecca and Sarah (born two minutes apart) were seven and were ready to enter second grade. Angela thought back, and it seemed like only yesterday when the children were born. She knew that time was passing by entirely too fast!

Then, Angela started thinking about her only sister, Barbara, and how they seldom speak anymore. Though Angela often talks to her nephew and nieces on the phone, as they keep her updated with almost every detail of their lives, she seldom talks to Barbara or her husband, Richard. Every time Angela and her parents go over to Barbara’s house, she is very glad to see the children.

And while Angela does a good job keeping up the façade in front of her sister and brother-in-law, she does not feel very comfortable around them. Angela wants to act nice in front of both of them and her parents, but it is nothing but an act. Just thinking about Barbara right now was enough to get Angela out of her peaceful frame of mind.

She decided that it was time to leave. Angela picked up her copy of Forgiven by Karen Kingsbury and her beach blanket. As much as she did not want to leave this peaceful place, she knew that she had to get home and start dinner soon. Angela felt like spaghetti and meatballs tonight, so it would be a little longer before she got to eat.

No sooner had Angela come in through her front door and set down her purse and keys did the phone start to ring. She dashed over to the counter to answer it.

Hello, she said into the receiver, hoping it would be her nephew or one of her nieces.

Hi, Angie, her best friend, Jody, said from the other end.

Hey, Angela replied, masking her slight disappointment that it was not one the children calling. I was just about to start cooking my dinner. What’s up?

Oh. Not much. I just wanted to give you a call because we haven’t talked in a while.

Oh, Angela said, feeling the guilt start to sink in. While she was not at a complete loss for words, she did not quite know what to say. She thought it really hadn’t been all that long.

Is that all you have to say? Jody asked, slightly exasperated.

No, Angela replied. She was still feeling preoccupied with all the thoughts which invaded her head while she was at the beach. They had remained up there until now.

How could she face her sister when she could hardly talk to her best friend? Angela knew, however, that she had to break the silence before Jody tried to accuse her of not wanting to talk.

Don’t mind me, Angela resumed, after snapping herself back into reality. I’ve got a lot on my mind today.

There was a slight silence on Jody’s end.

Angela knew that her friend must know what she was thinking about.

It’s Barbara, isn’t it?

Angela sighed and nodded her head, but she then remembered that she was talking on the phone.

Yes, Angela said in a monotone. I just can’t help it. I keep thinking about her and Richard. Angela hesitated. She couldn’t believe that she was having a hard time talking to her best friend about her sister, but she was.

I don’t know, Angela continued. Is it wrong of me to still hold a grudge after all these years?

There was another brief moment of silence on the other end of the phone. Angela hoped that Jody was not going to criticize her about something, like she usually tended to do in situations like this.

Angie, the Lord wants us to forgive, Jody said in a matter-of-a-fact tone which somehow managed to also sound sympathetic. Jody knew that her friend was still hurting—that she was still upset about what happened fifteen years ago, but this kind of behavior was just not healthy. It also went against the teachings of Jesus, and Jody thought that Angela had to know that.

I know, I know, Angela replied. She thought that Jody was getting into preachy mode. Lately, Jody had done this more often than Angela would have liked, but Angela also knew that none of it was going to change anytime soon. That was just the way Jody was.

It’s just that that day is permanently etched into my brain, Angela resumed. Sometimes it feels like only yesterday when… Angela trailed off. She knew that she would not have to say anything more to Jody regarding the situation. They’d had this conversation many times before, probably much more than they would have liked to.

I know what you want to say, Jody replied. But you have to know that it’s important to move on. People can’t hold grudges for their entire lives. Jody hesitated, waiting for Angela to respond.

After a few more seconds of silence, Jody still had not said anything, and Angela felt like she wanted to end the conversation. She did not want to start thinking more bad thoughts about her sister.

Jody, Angela said, interrupting the silence. I hate to be rude, but it’s getting late, and I need to get something to eat.

More silence.

OK, Jody said, taking the hint. I guess I will get going for now, but please think about what I have said. We’ll have to talk again really soon.

Right, give my love to Roy and Gary.

Will do. Bye for now.

Bye, Angela said right before she hung up the phone. As soon as it was placed safely back in its cradle, Angela went over to the stove. She turned on the boiler and went over to the kitchen sink. She filled a suitable pot with hot water, poured in the noodles, and waited it for it to come to a boil.

Shortly after the noodles were cooked, and the entire meal was prepared, Angela prayed for her food then began to eat. That made her feel a little better already.

She sighed as she looked around at her empty house. Though Angela had accomplished a lot of things, including getting a bachelor’s degree in journalism and landing a job at the Fountain Hills Times as a journalist, she never took the time to settle down and start a family. And, while marriage and motherhood were something that Angela would have enjoyed, she did not even bother trying.

Ever since Richard had broken up with her, none of the