Another Written Life

By Amy Shannon

Updated: 2023
Another Written Life
Volume 7 of 67

Alone and afraid, Alex faces her own mortality. When the sickness she thought was long gone, resurfaces, and refuses to leave, Alex contemplates her future. As her family continues to grow and move on with their lives, she finds herself making peace with the past.

Alex spreads a round of forgiveness to everyone, even those who have hurt her deeply, because of her need for survival. She clings to the life she once had as she struggles to stay alive.

How will Alex handle her pain and shock when the man she loves betrays her one last time? Will she be able to keep it together when a ghost from the past is revealed? How long will it take her to find herself in the arms of another man and will she ever make it back to her true destiny?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: May 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463622919

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

Book preview

Another Written Life

Amy Shannon

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Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

Https://essenceenterpriseus.com/essence-publishing

2023 Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

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.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

The Entire MOD Life Epic Saga

1 Unwritten Life

2 Rewritten Life (Best Read after Unwritten Life)

3 Unwritten Life's Paths to Destiny (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

4 Written Life's Past Meets Present (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

5 Life's Written Past

6 Life's Unwritten Future

7 Another Written Life

8 Life … Rewritten

9 Unwritten Life & Death

10 Life's Healer

11 Life's Hindering Hope

12 Life's Binding Ties

13 Life's Resurrection

14 Life's Infiltration

15 Life's Revival

16 Life's Depths of Souls

17 Life's Explosion in Time

18 Life's Connections

19 Life's Collision

20 Life's Intersection

21 Life's Final Destination

22 Life's Generations

23 Return to Life

24 Life's Resolution

25 A New Unwritten Life

26 Life's Dissolution

27 Life's Linear Souls

28 Life's Choices

29 Life's Passions

30 Life's Awakening

31 Life's Vengeance

32 Life's Heartful Depths

33 Life's Quaking Souls

34 Fractured Life

35 Life's Drowning

36 Life's Exploration

37 Life's Curative

38 Thicker than Life's Blood

39 Life's Salvation

40 Capturing Life's Midnight

41 Life's ReEvolution

42 Life's Soulful Intentions

43 Life's Jagged Flames

44 Life's Rising Depths

45 Life's Doomed Immortality

46 Life's Raw Enforcement

47 Life's Deemed Corruption

48 Life's Inherent Immorality

49 Life's Retrospective Legacy

50 Life's Torturous Souls

51 Life's Passages

52 Life's Tribulations

53 Life's Spirituality

54 Life's Revitalizations

55 Life's Rapture

56 Life's Sacred Retaliation

57 Life's Fiery Resuscitation

58 Life's Experimentation

59 Life's Redemption

60 Life's Humanity

61 The District Life: Districtive

62 The District Life: Disarray

63 The District Life: Disassembled

64 The District Life: Disapparent

65 Life's Return: Home Sweet Sars Springs

66 Life's Return: The Practice

67 Sars Springs: The finale

Bonus Series:

B1 Life's Perspective: Matthew Garris (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B2 Life's Perspective: Bill Wheeler (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B3 Life's Perspective: Perspective: Mike Dix (Best Read after Life's Connections)

B4 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Rewritten (Alternate Path Parallel to Unwritten Life & Death to Life's Binding Ties)

B5 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Crossroads (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Resurrection to Life's Depths of Souls)

B6 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Intertwined (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Explosion in Time to Life's Connections)

B7 Sars Springs Handbook (Best Read after Life's Torturous Souls)

B8 The Interview: Life's Revelations (Best Read after Life's Fiery Resuscitation)

B9 M.O.D Life Epic Saga Character Guide

Introduction

Alone and afraid, Alex faces her own mortality.  When the sickness she thought was long gone, resurfaces, and refuses to leave, Alex contemplates her future. As her family continues to grow and move on with their lives, she finds herself making peace with the past.

Alex spreads a round of forgiveness to everyone, even those who have hurt her deeply because of her need for survival. She clings to the life she once had as she struggles to stay alive.

How will Alex handle her pain and shock when the man she loves betrays her one last time? Will she be able to keep it together when a ghost from the past is revealed? How long will it take her to find herself in the arms of another man and will she ever make it back to her true destiny?

1 Old Friends

ALEX O’ROARK PUT her feet up on her desk and spoke. She twirled her light brown hair around her finger. She quickly put her feet on the floor when Bill Wheeler knocked on her door. Hey, you OK?

No. I miss my husband, Alex sighed.

He’s only been gone a week, Bill said, as he sat down.

"Two. He’s been gone for two weeks. Pennsylvania is just so far away. Why’d he have to go?"

Alex, what’s really going on?

Bill, we’re trying to fix our marriage and then he just ups and leaves. How is that trying to fix things?

Love, it’s for his brother, you know that.

Damn it. I should be there, too. After all, I was his wife.

Alex, are you jealous of your husband?

No, it’s just not fair. Why’d Jim go and buy the shop? It was running fine without him.

He did it for their son, remember?

Alex sighed and rubbed her forehead back and forth with her hand. Oh, Bill, what am I saying? What am I doing?

Ever since Jim took his leave of absence from the force, you’ve been on edge. Is he driving you crazy?

I can’t put my finger on it. It seems ever since his long-lost daughter showed up and then died on him, he’s been focusing all his efforts into making the kids happy.

Is that wrong?

No, it’s just that he’s not being himself. He’s being, well, more like Matthew.

He is? Are you sure?

Matthew focused on everyone but himself. He even came to you and asked you to take care of me when he thought he’d be killed. He had no concern for his own life. He didn’t try to protect himself. He was concerned for only me.

Love, let Jim do this. He’s a smart man.

But, he’s not a businessman, he’s a cop. A detective.

Alex, Bill smiled. The tables have just turned.

What do you mean?

Jim used to be the cop and you were the businessperson, now, you’re the cop and he’s the businessperson. It’s not bad, just different.

I never thought about it that way.

Love, from what I knew, Matthew wasn’t a businessman, he was an engineer. You did the business stuff for him, Bill grinned. Jim is just trying to figure out something in his life. I know he wants to preserve Matthew’s image in his son’s eyes. He’s been debating this for a long time. Even before Annabelle appeared. He wants to prove to his son that he loves him.

Oh, I hope I didn’t ruin it.

I don’t think you did. Let Jim do this. I bet that when he comes back, he’ll be better. He’ll focus on you. Maybe you’re feeling ignored.

No, but, thanks, Alex said. What did you need to see me about?

Well, you’ve been without a partner for almost a year. You need to get one.

Oh, haven’t thought about that. Anyone in mind?

Yeah, well, at least temporarily, Terry.

Terry? Alex’s eyes lit up. Does he know?

He’s actually requested it. I wanted to talk to you first.

I’d love to be his partner, Alex stood up. When?

Well, he is a Detective. I just hope it’s all right with you that you outrank him.

It doesn’t bother me, if it doesn’t bother him.

Alex, are you sure? You did, after all, have an affair with Terry.

"Terry and I are great friends. Things have been almost back to the way they were before the affair. God, Bill, Jim and I have been through so much. To be honest, I have no idea if we will last forever, but I’m not about to give up on my marriage, Alex stood up quickly. Yeah, I screwed up. I almost walked away, but I almost lost my husband to death again. Sometimes life kicks you in the ass so that you remember what’s important."

Bill stood up. Love, it’s OK. I’m here for you.

Bill, you and I have been best friends for the longest time, but…

But, what?

"You’re Jim’s Uncle. His blood. You’re also his stepfather. You have the right to be more loyal to him than me."

Love, I’ve always been loyal to you.

Alex shook her head. No, you told me Jim was dead when he wasn’t.

"I thought you forgave me for that. I explained it to you. I needed to see if you … were … worthy … Bill said. Oh."

Yeah, OK. You needed to see if I were worthy of your nephew. If I still loved him. He’s where your loyalties lie. Not with me. Bill, you’re not in love with me anymore and that’s OK. We’ll always be friends, but, honey, we’re not best friends anymore.

Alex, you’re my best friend. I love you so much, Bill touched her hand.

Bill, it’s OK. We’ve both grown. And it’s OK, Alex hugged him. We’re family and you’re still my boss. Somehow it always seems like I come back to work for you.

Bill laughed. "Yeah, I like being your boss."

"You’ve always been a good boss, except when you were Bill Weaver. You were kind of creepy," Alex laughed.

I kind of liked the beard, he grinned. I grew it back, then I had to shave it again.

You’re much sexier without it, Alex said.

Thanks. Carol thinks so, too, Bill turned toward the door.

Um, Chief?

Yeah? He turned around.

Do you ever think about that day?

Every year since it happened. Sometimes I still see that gun pointed at me, Bill shook his head.

He was true evil, wasn’t he?

Yeah, I hate even knowing he was my nephew. My beautiful sister’s son.

It’s coming up next month, Alex said.

I know. Fifteen years is a long time.

Yeah, 15 years. Wow. You know, it’s funny.

What’s funny?

"I was sitting up reading last night and I just started drifting to my first year at Solutions. Things just progress so rapidly."

A lot of things have happened since I moved here, Bill said. But, Love, we’re stronger for it now. We’ve had to endure a lot of loss and pain, but we’re stronger for it. If we continue to keep them in our hearts, they’ll never really die, Bill left the room.

2 New friendships

ALEX WALKED UP the steps of her front porch. She turned around and sighed heavily. She entered the numeric code for the keypad and opened the door. She dropped her files on the desk and pressed play on the answering machine. You have no new messages, played back on the machine.

Alex picked up the phone and dialed. Yes, I need suite 769, Mr. O’Roark’s suite. Oh, he’s not there, can you leave a message for him? Yes, tell him to call his wife. Thank you.

Alex walked into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. She brought the bottle and glass out to the front porch. She kicked off her shoes and rested her feet up on the railing. What a long day, she muttered.

Liquid dinner? Evan asked, as he and Lana got out of the car.

No, just unwinding. With the kids at school and Jim in PA, it’s too quiet.

Work boring? Lana asked with a smile.

Never, Alex put her feet down. Please, sit. What are you two doing here?

We came to check on you, Evan said.

Why?

Just wanted to make sure you weren’t lonely, Evan replied.

Guys, honest, I’m fine.

Good, Lana said. Alex, I hate asking you for a favor, but I could use one. A big one.

Sure, anything. You should know that by now, Alex smiled.

Well, I’ve been running the safe house for the DV victims, but we’re losing space. I’ve sold my insurance company back to my father, but I’m kind of running out of money.

Oh, is that all? Money?

Well, with the safe house being on the outside of town, it’s hard to get these women safely to court or even to the doctors. Their kids can’t even go to school.

What’re you thinking, Lana?

I’ve come up with a few proposals, Lana opened the folder she was holding.

What kind of proposals? Alex leaned forward.

Well, the safe house is about a mile from Afton, where your gift shop is. There’s all that empty land between the two.

You want to buy it?

That’s part of it.

Oh, well, I don’t think that’d be a problem. Jim owns that land.

He does? Evan asked.

Yeah, the gift shop slash warehouse used to be just an old warehouse. Jim inherited the warehouse and the surrounding land. Together, we own the gift shop and warehouse, but the land is his. What do you want to do on the land?

Build a clinic and three other buildings. I want to have a school for the kids that can’t go to public school. I also think there needs to be an office building. That way lawyers and other social workers have a private place to meet with these women.

Alex stood up. This is wonderful. You’re totally amazing. You’ve taken the worse part of your life and turned it into something wonderful. If you need money, just let me know how much. I’ll give you whatever you need.

Lana hugged Alex. Thanks. I couldn’t have done it without you and Evan. You two have been my guiding light. I never thought that I could have the same courage that Alexis Garris did, and now, I’m here with her.

Alex laughed. Why don’t we go inside? Care for a drink?

Evan looked at Lana. Why not, they followed Alex inside.

Please, have a seat, Alex said, as she poured them both a drink. It’s the best.

Lana sipped her wine. "It is good. Thank you."

Alex sat on the chair. I haven’t had company in a while. So, I’m glad for it.

Pretty quiet?

"Yeah, to be honest, ever since, well, my affair with Terry, which everyone seems to know about, they’ve all treated me differently. Family and friends alike."

We’re sorry about that. What happens between you and Jim should stay that way. We actually heard it from Bill, Evan sighed.

"I know. He had to make sure that everyone knew I hurt my husband. He doesn’t spout off how Jim cheated on me, twice. Years ago, and last year. He makes it like it’s all my fault, Alex shook her head. We’re still friends and he’s still my boss, but we’re not best friends anymore. He’s my stepfather-in-law now."

Oh, I know how close you two were, Lana said.

It’s OK. Everyone has their own families now. Even you two, you have each other.

You’re lonely, Lana said, as she sipped her wine.

I guess so. I just don’t really have anyone to talk to any more about it. I just never had any luck with friends, I guess.

Evan reached over and took her hands. "Alex, we love you. You have us. Please know that. We’re loyal to you. You’ve done so much. It’s because we both know you that we’re together now."

Alex smiled. Thanks, I appreciate it. You two don’t judge me for cheating on Jim?

No, Alex, Lana said. We don’t.

No, Lana’s right. We care about you. Lest you forget, I knew you way back when you were trying to reinvent yourself. The red hair caught my eye. I still remember the day you walked into my pub, Evan laughed.

You never mentioned that, Lana said. Please, do tell.

Do you mind? Evan asked.

No. You didn’t know? Alex asked.

I knew he knew you years ago, but I never heard how you two actually met.

Well, it was back in Detroit. I was a Detective and I owned a small cop bar, Evan explained.

And I was in my cop groupie stage… well, more than I am now, Alex laughed. I was looking for something, just never knew what it was. I thought I was looking for cop-company. But, I found something better, Alex smiled.

Yeah, she walked into my bar and my heart dropped, Evan leaned back and closed his eyes as he remembered that day in his mind.

Um, vodka, straight up, please, Alex ordered.

New in town? Evan asked.

Yeah, you could say that.

Oh, so what do you think of Detroit so far?

Actually, this is the first place I’ve been, except for the hotel. It’s so quiet in here.

He laughed. They haven’t gotten off shift yet.

They?

The cops. Not to scare you, but this is a cop bar. If you’re looking for something other than hanging out with a bunch of cops, you don’t want to be here.

Hmmm, cops? Really? Cops don’t bother me one bit, she laughed.

Good. What’s your name? He leaned on the bar.

Jane. Jane Gardner.

Nice to meet you, Jane, he shook her hand. I’m Evan. Actually, it’s Detective Evan Jones, he laughed.

You’re a cop and a bartender? She touched his hand lightly.

Yeah. Well, I own the bar. I bartend during day, and I work the night shift at the precinct, he bragged.

That’s so cool, she leaned into his words.

You do look familiar; do I know you?

No, I’d definitely remember you, she flirted.

He smiled his crooked smile and combed his hands through his short, dark hair. Jane, are you involved with anyone?

No, I haven’t been involved with anyone in a long time. Why do you ask?

I was wondering, well, since you’re new in town, well, I could show you around. Maybe take you to dinner or something.

I’d like that, she took a large sip of her drink. I’m staying at the Hilton. Room 1109. I’d really like that.

How about I pick you up around six tonight? I don’t have to work tonight.

Wow, that was fast, Lana said.

It was a time when I lived for the moment. I didn’t expect it to last more than that night, but we dated for over nine months. I never thought I’d see him again. Lana, you’ve got a good man by your side.

Lana squeezed his hand. Alex, can I ask you something without you taking offense?

Go ahead. My life’s an open book now.

Well, how do you, um, well, stay friends with the men you’ve slept with or even just dated? I know it sounded rude. I’m sorry.

"No, that’s OK. You’re right. I’ve slept with a lot of men, most of them cops, because they were cops. But, somehow, they’ve managed to see me as me. I think Bill, Jim, and now, Terry, are the only ones who actually fell in love with me."

Not to be nosey, but did you ever have a relationship with Mike or Mark? Evan asked.

Alex shook her head. No. I actually always saw them as friends. I met them at my trial. They were Matthew and Em’s friends. Matthew asked them to look out for me, no matter what. After a while, I was their friend, more than an obligation to my late husband.

This is kind of fun. It’s interesting to get to know you. You’ve lived such an exciting life, Lana said.

Alex laughed as she poured them another glass of wine. It certainly has been exciting and long, Alex said. Have you lived in the area your entire life?

Yeah, I actually grew up in Florence. It’s a two-hour drive from here, Lana explained.

Jim and Matthew grew up there, too.

I didn’t realize that. I never knew Jim lived there. He wasn’t called JC, by chance, was he?

Yeah, Christopher and Matthew called him that. Christopher was his brother. He died a few years ago.

Yeah, I think he was a few years ahead of me. A friend of mine was dating him. I never put the two names together.

O’Roark isn’t very common.

I know, but in a small town, it was first names or nicknames. We basically knew people by sight.

"Oh, I guess I can see that. Growing up, I was Lex or Lexie, as my parents called me. Jason always called me Alexis Jane, she smiled. He was my guardian and first lawyer."

John talks about him a lot, Evan said. He still misses his brother.

Me, too, Alex said. Anyway, you said a friend of yours dated JC?

Yeah, and then later married him. She died in a terrible car accident.

Janet, right?

Yeah. He’s told you about her, hasn’t he?

Yeah. He did. He’d be surprised to learn that you were her best friend.

That was ages ago, but I still remember her.

He still mourns for her on March 12th.

Lana wiped her eyes. Sorry.

Lana, believe me, it’s OK. I completely understand. I’ve lost a lot, too.

I remember. I’m sorry to bring it up now.

Lana, did you know Matthew?

"I’m not sure. It was so long ago. I only remember Jim because JC is the kind of name you don’t forget."

I was so excited when I found out that Jim was JC. It was when we first got together. He saved me from an attacker. He took care of me. Mike actually mentioned it to me that it was possible that Jim was JC. It was so strange.

Evan leaned forward. Alex, how come in all the time that you were in jail, Bill never once admitted to you that he knew who you were?

What do you mean?

You were Alexis Garris. His nephew was Matthew Garris. How come he never let on that Matthew was his nephew? Even after Matthew told him to take care of you.

I never thought about it. He told me he didn’t realize who I was until after he was released.

Alex, you believed that? Evan asked.

"I guess I never wanted to question it. Bill is Jim’s family. God, I didn’t even know that they were brothers. Matthew knew it and never let anyone tell me or Jim," Alex sobbed.

Alex, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get you upset, Evan said.

No, it’s OK. You know, I can’t hold the past against anyone anymore. I’ve made so many mistakes. Jim’s made mistakes. Everyone has made mistakes, told lies, or kept secrets. Life is one big soap opera, Alex smiled.

I agree, Lana said. But, Alex, isn’t Terry the only man who’s never kept secrets from you?

Yeah. Terry and Evan are, she smiled at Evan. I mean Terry had his secret with Joanna, but that was his to keep. He’s always been honest with me. He did keep the fact that he was in love with me for years a secret, but I think, deep down, I knew.

Do you love him?

Alex leaned back and sipped her drink. Yeah, I love Terry. I’m just not really deeply in love with him. It’s hard to explain, even to myself. I love my husband deeply. The only other man I’ve ever loved deeply was Matthew. He was my first true love. I still love him, but it’s different now. I still miss him, but I have him in my heart and he’s a part of my kids, as is Jim.

Lana stood up. Alex, whatever happens, we’ll be here for you, no matter what. You’ve helped me in so many ways.

Thanks, you two. I appreciate it. I’ve enjoyed this. We have to do this more often.

Evan stood up and kissed Alex’s cheek. "Have a good night, Jane," he laughed.

Good night. Oh, Lana, the next time I talk to Jim, I’ll ask him about the land. I don’t think it’ll be a problem, Alex walked them to the door.

Thanks. There are a few other things we want to propose, but it’s a law enforcement type of thing.

Well, set up an appointment with Bill, me, and Terry at the precinct. Terry’s my new partner. We’d be glad to discuss it.

We’ll see you later, they walked toward Evan’s car.

3 Partners & Pain

ALEX SMILED AS Terry walked into her office. Hey, I heard we were partners, he said.

Yeah, have a seat, Alex pointed to the chair. They’re giving you Harrison’s old office, if you don’t mind.

No, Terry smiled. Have you talked to Jim lately?

No. I left a message for him last night, but he must have gotten in late. He didn’t call, Alex sighed.

I’m sure he’s just tired, Terry said. How are you doing?

Well, it’s a little lonely, but Evan and Lana hung out last night. It was nice. We shared old stories.

Old stories?

Yeah, actually Lana was best friends with Janet, Jim’s first wife.

Really? I didn’t know that, Terry smiled.

You grew up around here, didn’t you? Alex asked.

"Actually, I lived in Afton until I was about 20. My Dad was a cop. I wanted to be one so bad. Carey was more of the businessperson. He always worked