The Luxury of Details

By S. Natalie Alonso

Marked by tragic events in their lives, Sam and Regina are faced with
a life they would trade for new if they could. As they travel down the
road of fate, they are linked by a tragic secret which will threaten to
destroy their faith in anything good. But what if they were given a
panoramic view? What if they could see the details explaining the
inexplicable? Can certain things be forgiven? Can trust bring peace
where it seems inexistent? Sam and Regina will live in a world which
will reveal the true meaning of casualties . . . And the fact that they
dont exist at all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palibrio
• Release date: Oct 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781463306748

S. Natalie Alonso

Sara Natalie Alonso is an undergraduate biological sciences student at the University of Texas at El Paso. She currently assists at the biomedical research facility under the Neuroscience department, and at her 22 years, looks to continue to Graduate School. Originally from Mexico, she has undertaken her studies in the U.S., where she has developed a love for creative writing.

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The Luxury of Details

S. Natalie Alonso

Copyright © 2011 by S. Natalie Alonso.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2011912620

ISBN:      Hardcover          978-1-4633-0673-1

                Softcover            978-1-4633-0675-5

                Ebook                978-1-4633-0674-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Palibrio

1663 Liberty Drive, Suite 200

Bloomington, IN 47403

Tel: [phone]

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348569

I would like to thank, very sincerely and with the entirety of my heart, my family. Thank you for believing in this book, even when I doubted it the most.

To my friends, for encouraging me with their excitement and anticipation.

Thank you

To my Grandma

No leaf falls without His knowledge…

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Dissipating into the night, he jumped on the bike and rode off toward what he called fate.

The harder he pedaled, the faster he began to feel as if a flaming blanket wrapped around every inch of his agitated, sweaty body. The thin-inched tires carrying the magenta red bike scraped the streets mercilessly, minding only the road stretching ahead; as if eager to absorb it all in its way until it had run it all out. Approaching the train tracks slowed him down… his tires were brave but too thin, hesitant to rush by the threatening bumpy tracks.—So he stopped.

Gathering what seemed to be the loudest of breaths ever exerted by human lungs, he swung his arms over the handles and let lay his forehead in between. His mid-long, dirty blonde, wavy hair draped over his nose swinging back and forth as his breath punched rhythmically at it. Shutting his eyes, he hoped for peace.. peaceful strength.

But his legs were begging for more, urging him to continue what he set out to do. Compliant to the inertia, Sam slipped each foot back into its haven and again began the strides.

As the night grew darker, he made friends with the lamp post guiding his way. His heart beat faster during the intermediates between the two of them… one flaw significant to the ground, and his tires would be out. Sam could not afford that. Neither could she.

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She sat out impatient as the stars seemed to stare her down with a million judging eyes. They would never understand this was it, the escape.

She grew frustrated with the ongoing pounding in her heart; why couldn’t she just shut it up! It resonated hard in her that she feared the emitted vibrations would disturb the neighbors awake. Concerned, she lay herself down as a feather falling from a bruised pillow; so hurt, so tender. She rested every inch of her tense body in the comfort of the grass… now the stars didn’t seem so harsh.

Laying there alone, she found pity in the sparks of them. They were beautiful; just like her… they burned just like her.

She convinced herself that if she could find a way to pace her breath, it would all be okay. And he would show… he would show.

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It seemed light years ago when Regina was just a little girl; so pure, so innocent without blemish. Family reunions were her favorite. She’d be under every eye’s spotlight, with loving, glorious attention.

She’s just a doll! Look at her!

You did well, her aunt Margaret would wink, congratulating her sister.

A pinch on the cheek here and there, wherever she went. And of course, the pictures. Everybody wanted a picture of little Regina. She was a miniature celebrity in her world.

And she loved it, so much attention! And it was all for her. Sure, the boys, Frank and Jeremy were lovely with their long, curled lashes and perky smiles… but she, she was the princess. Little Regina with such spark was always sure to be the laugh of the party. Aunts, uncles, older cousins would all be lavishing around her, nonstop pouring praises, pouring smiles.

Regina, sing for us!

Regina, dance! Tell us a joke, show us what you drew, do a cartwheel!..

She was royalty, her prize for being the beautiful, big eyed, little girl of the family. How was that enough? Not a question in her mind, this was happiness; her world, the one she sat on top of. She felt ever deserving, who could dare ever say no to those alluring eyes and irresistibly witty smile?

In this, her world, she was pampered, made believe she was something special, something out of this world, amazing! And she’d be off to a life filled with blessings, charms, and happiness.

Someone should have told her, warned her, at least prepared her, of that other world… the one that wasn’t hers.

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For crying out loud, Sam! We don’t have all day. It’s not hard, all you have to do is get in the water and swim right here to me, assured Dennis’ voice as he waved both arms toward his manly, fatherly, way-too-hairy chest.

Sam was terrified of the water… pool was too huge, and he felt so small. Specially when his dad would force him into that immensely deep pool at the recreational center two blocks away from their house. He felt like in the middle of an ocean. The depth seemed nonexistent, the width double the distance. Yet, as terrifying to him as they were, these were the moments he’d share something, anything with his dad. So half of him, the not-so-frightened one, enjoyed it. The thrill, the adrenaline rush that electrified his little body as the water gradually enveloped his entrance. And then a smile, the one from his dad… so proud of his little boy.

Dennis never admitted to be the tough, pushy father he was. Thankfully, there was Allison. The one constantly calming his arduous hunger for sport success. Since his knee injury, Dennis had been forced to give up the love of his life: sports. But finally now with his soon-to-be champions, he’d accomplish through them what he had lost. Allison preferred something safe, not the dangers sports brought.

You push them too hard, honey. All that’s going to happen is that one day they’ll be crushed and disappointed, never having learned about loss. Let them just try, you expect too much, its too much pressure for two little boys. And she’d turn to her two little men, her eyes

glimmering, lips smiling tenderly toward them… her lovely young boys.

But Allison could not understand that to Dennis, seeing his boys compete was like winning the nobel prize; he could flap his collar and say, Yes, they’re mine, those are my boys!

Thomas and Sam, Thomas being three years older, grew to love their dad’s love. They caught on that fiery passion and strove for the trophies. Thomas, amazing at basketball and soccer… always the MVP. And Sam, ironically, quite the swimmer.

Soon the top shelf in the living room was beautified with trophies… first place trophies. And medals: MVP medals, sportsmanship medals, All-tournament team medals, championship medals.

No loss. No, none… not yet.

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It was during the Easter holiday that Thomas decided to move out and to college. Time had inevitably flown past their home and now one of them was leaving. Leaving to start a life, a new one with new things like college, work, an apartment, new friends, maybe a new girlfriend. And Sam would miss him, Sam would miss his older brother.

And at fifteen, it seemed forever until Sam could catch up to him in college… so, he met Ben.

Ben: fourteen years old, developing his devilish looks. Mischievous, but Ben was exactly what Sam needed, someone to keep him busy, entertained from the thoughts of missing his older brother.

Soon, Ben became Sam’s closest friend; never replacing his brother, but still his best friend, and now new accomplice. Dennis never really liked Ben, he’d distract Sam from his swimming. And Sam needed a lot of swimming if he wanted that scholarship for college.

But Ben seemed to have a pull on him, luring him to other things, other less demanding things like bowling, or roller skating, or video games. For leisure, not for training. So Sam left the pool for some time, not knowing if he missed it or if a little part of him actually enjoyed the feeling of rebellion against his dad.

Yet, in fact his true love was swimming… for some time, he forgot his true love.

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Sitting across the table, Astrid begins to explain.

I like him because he opened the door for me when we went out to recess.

Just because of that? You like Bobby Smith just because he opened the door?

Regina, you have to appreciate the good qualities. The ones from the inside.

Umm… we’re twelve. It’s not like we’re getting married soon… and you should know boys have cooties.

Grow up Regina. Soon we’ll be in the seventh grade, that means we’ll be in the high school wing. My mom says time goes by fast, and before we know it we’ll have boyfriends.

Not like Bobby. At least my boyfriend won’t poke his nose, laughed Regina.

Astrid, always the correct, polite one. And Regina, the outgoing, careless daredevil. She didn’t care about boys, they were smelly and mean, and yes, they did have cooties. She liked them only because they were competitive; they couldn’t lose against a girl! But they would, and Regina loved it, loved being so good at everything. Teacher’s pet, Spelling Bee champion, Volleyball player, talent show highlight… she was a fortress. But Regina and Astrid did well complementing one another. Areas in which