Eden’s Garden

By J. Hale Turner

Gentrification: "A process of renovation and improving a house or district so that it conforms to middle-class taste."—New Oxford American Dictionary

Welcome to fictional Wheatenton, North Carolina. Eden Future Trueblood, is a proud descendant of the founders of her beloved historic town and namesake, Future. 

Meanwhile, developer Dominick Anglecon (aka Serpentyne) has plans for this flourishing community. To claim it as his own dominion. 

Widowed and mourning over the recent loss of her son, will Eden be able to save her town and remaining family from Dominick's clutches?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JHT BOOKS
• Release date: Feb 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393976387

J. Hale Turner

Since childhood, reading has played a very important part in J. Hale Turner's family. "We learned to read at a very early age. In addition to reading, we enjoyed the stories shared by our parents. I recall that my favorite assignments in school were writing poetry, short stories and compositions. At home we were encouraged to write letters to family and friends and eventually I began writing personal journals. Little did I know they all would play an important part in my life years later." Today, J. Hale Turner continues to write stories for her readers of all ages.   As an advocate for literacy her motto is, "Reading together brings family together."

Book preview

Prologue

Ten years earlier…

The entire household was in a bustle to celebrate our town’s beloved couple, Stormy Pierce, wide receiver for the Wheatenton Hawks and the love his life, Faith Moralle, newly appointed junior architect of Anglecon & Anglecon Associates.

I loved giving parties on my spacious garden. It became a family and community tradition, since the founding of our town. My cousins, Erline Future Rhoades, Evelyn Faye Future Randall and myself, Eden Future Trueblood, are descendants of the founder of our namesake, Future. Our families took turns coordinating events to keep the town flourishing.

In the early twentieth century, my great uncle, Abram PawPaw Future, an amazing man ahead of his time, with his brothers established the Town of Future Textile Mill. Each year in late spring to early summer, we’d have a textile parade and festivals that drew people throughout the states and even abroad to admire our crafts and materials. Historical tours of our town and the mill were additional highlights. Future was well known for its amazing vibrant floral displays throughout the community.

Despite having faced challenges over the decades, Future persevered, stood resilient against threat of oppression and financial depression, and became even more prosperous, benefitting even residents outside of Future. Thus, dubbed the Blessing of Wheatenton, North Carolina.

Considering our struggles, it’s such a delight to watch our younger generation reflecting our pride. Rarely did we incur problems of crime or mischief; and if by chance, the situation was quickly rectified—making Wheatenton one of the safest cities in our nation.

It was a jubilant time for our town. Faith arrived from Ohio a few days ahead of our city’s pride and joy, Stormy Pierce, after witnessing his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He recently announced his retirement after finishing out the remainder of his contract. A series of celebrations were planned for his return and his upcoming marriage to Faith. His and Faith’s sporadic courtship was getting old because of their demanding careers. Their plans were finally coming to fruition. Now they could establish their dreams in the real estate business with lifelong friends—my son Madison and our cousin, Nate Rhoades III, my cousin Erline’s son.

Storm was very much a part of my family with Madison and Nate. Those boys looked out for each other, especially Madison, who was sickly with a heart condition. They were inseparable as were Evvie, Erline and I growing up. Erl is presently serving abroad as a nurse. To miss her is an understatement, but we respect her calling. So, we keep her in our prayers and close to our hearts.

Although we have not had a favorable alliance with the Anglecons, who once coveted our town for development, we reluctantly accepted Faith’s employment with them for her amazing engineering and architectural skills.

The firm offers the experience I need to advance in our own business one day. Besides, that feud should be dead and buried by now. It’s in the past, was her convincing defense. She believed there was no hidden agenda of A&A Associates hiring her—that she would do her best, to apply her advocacy for Future’s preservation, imploring the benefits of preserving our historical home. It appeared they admired Faith’s honesty and tenacity. Perhaps time did indeed change the mindset of the Anglecons. Perhaps Faith working for them was a good thing.

Stormy, however, wasn’t too keen on the younger Anglecon, Dominick, from past dealings during their college days. It took a lot of persuading on Faith’s part to ease his angst; that Dominick had done a lot of growing up over the years. A&A was honoring Faith at a luncheon as their new junior architect. Stormy would later join her and her family at the luncheon upon his arrival in Charlotte, NC.

What an exciting and long day it will be for them—for all of us. It seemed like half the town is here preparing for this evening’s event. My garden’s setup was far more beautiful than I’d imagine. Madison and Nate did a fantastic job erecting the tent, the lighting and music. The catered food would be ready on time. Everything looked perfect.

Madison approached me in the kitchen. His solemn expression alerted my attention with a feeling of dread.

Nate’s been called to Charlotte as Storm’s legal counsel.

Just then my phone rings and I answered to my hysterical friend and Faith’s mother, Dixie, on the other end. They arrested Storm for assaulting Dominick Anglecon for taking liberties with Faith. For what I could make out, Storm walked in on the younger Anglecon and Faith in his office.

Edie, Storm’s been arrested. I heard Dominick asked Faith to join him and other members of the staff for a brief private meeting. Oddly most of staff were still with me in the reception room. A while later Storm arrived. When he asked where Faith was, Dom Sr. got concerned and his assistant rushed out the room. Storm followed, heard a commotion in Dominick’s office and caught him manhandling Faith.

Without further word, I rushed out with Nate and Madison to Charlotte. No one seemed to notice our distress, and we didn’t bother to share. I was praying we’d return from a mere misunderstanding and proceed with our celebration.

We road in silence until we arrived at the precinct.

I remained in the sedan until Nate and Madison rushed back to the van with Stormy between them evading the reporters and flashing lights. Confirming my fear of ruined evening for our beloved couple. Faith’s father, Langston, had just left with his wife and daughter a few minutes earlier.

Storm insisted to see his Faith, but Nate advised him to return home with us.

What had transpired was inconceivable, leaving us all in shock. To think all bygones with the Anglecons had ceased. Instead, this was the beginning of a tumultuous whirlwind of events to follow.

The news media had a field day with tabloid gossip. Dominick armed with heavy legal entourage lashed out in his defense of Faith’s amorous admiration for him, and reduced her credibility to a trifling jezebel. His sister, Angelique, a close and dear friend of Faith, was rushed away to rehab, as an unreliable witness due to her alleged drug and alcohol abuse. Faith’s gentle demeanor was tarnished with false accusations. Staff members claimed they had their suspicions of her and Dominick’s involvement.

I watched Stormy’s resilience reduced to emotional insecurity and confusion. Evidence and public opinion were taking their toll on them both. Faith became more and more withdrawn, while Stormy was becoming more and more helpless, angry. Dominick was deemed irreproachable, while Stormy watched his Faith fade away in despair.

The worse of our fears transpired. Faith took an overdose of pills, with a note.

Enough! I did nothing wrong, Stormy. You were right about the Anglecons. They protected their Dominick and made me the culprit. How could I have been so stupid? Because of my ignorance, I lost everything for not listening; and worse, I lost your trust, my love. Enough is enough.

Dixie found her daughter, who was pronounced dead on site. We all rallied to comfort her and her family. My heart grieved for Stormy who had his best friends in the world by his side to persuade him not to do anything irrational.

The trial exonerated Dominick, and his family later sent their demon seed off somewhere abroad. Stormy wanted revenge.

Instead, he arrived at my door in military uniform. He explained his decision to join the Marines. He looked so much like his late father, we affectionately addressed as General. Strong and determined.

Without Faith, he needed to put his thoughts into good use and regain his focus on life. He gazed out into my garden. In the whirlwind, we never took down the haunting tent. Stormy’s faced tensed. He bent down to kiss my cheek before he drove off.

I felt a gentle arm around my shoulder. My Madison.

He’s gonna be okay, Ma. Something he has to do.

I just stared blankly at the taillights of the sedan until it disappeared around the corner.

He was my son too since the passing of his parents. Now I was losing him as well.

Little did we know this tragedy was just the beginning of a series of events, and the pride of Future was about to change.

1

My name is Eden Future Trueblood. Over a decade has passed as I watch our community change. If only our forefathers could see what has transpired.

What was once massive farmland belonging to the indigenous people of Wheatenton, North Carolina has developed into a bustling mini-metropolis. We no longer have to travel to the Queen City—Charlotte. Now we have our own city hall and major stores. Progress can be a good thing. Wheatenton continues to flourish, while Future stands still.

Confounding to think back at what transpired a little over a decade ago to make the once renowned Town of Future, the Blessing of Wheatenton, struggle to stay above reproach. Our founders faced and endured many challenges to keep this town alive. If it weren’t for Future, Wheatenton wouldn’t be what it is today.

Our pride came from the town mill, that kept Future and the surrounding communities thriving. Then one day, it was gone.

Just like that.

An act of greed devastated Future and we’re still struggling.

Many of us here in Future can trace our heritage since the town was founded. Unfortunately, it no longer offers promise and our younger generation must seek success elsewhere.

Despite what took place in our town, I still maintained my home garden. My family history; my life’s story. Our family cottage stood several yards amid the elms and evergreens. Built by my great-grandpa, it’s one of the town’s landmarks. We lived there until Winston and I built our home and raised our son, Madison.

I took a deep cleansing breath of morning air and smiled. Despite our town’s demise, there was much to be thankful for. Plenty of sun for gardening. Good neighbors and family.

Still, I’m concerned about where Future was heading.

Will we ever recover and make it the Blessing of Wheatenton again? Or is this the final chapter?

Is there hope for us, dear Father? How long must we wait, Lord? How long?

2

I’m going to die soon.

How soon?

I don’t know but soon.

In a moment’s notice, it’ll all be over. The burden I carry is more