Fragile Heart

By Elma David

Miranda Wilson, a young adolescent in search of true love is inspired by the love her parents share. She is determined not to give up on love even after several failed attempts, then she meets William, a middle-aged Professor of Geology. She falls in love again and they court for half a year. Her dream of uniting with him is however truncated by a shocking revelation; she finds out that he is already married. But that's not all, a certain medical diagnosis reveals that she may never conceive again. This changes everything, and although she meets yet another guy she likes, she is unwilling to give love another chance... Billy Carlson, a father of four with a serious alcoholic problem which escalates after news of a sex-scandal he was involved in got publicized, is struggling in his marriage. Married to Martha Carlson, who has problems of her own, his addiction nearly crumbles their home, save for a divine intervention. Fragile Heart is a contemporary christian fiction set in the beautiful city of Nashville, Tennessee. It reveals the various facets of life and the frailty in humanity. It is a classic that will not only inspire you but also keep you in suspense! The characters portrayed in this novel will definitely engage you as they embark on their various journeys to self-discovery, finding faith and true love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elma David
• Release date: Aug 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9788835870326

Book preview

acknowledgments.

PROLOGUE

On April the 4th, 1994, in Oaktown, Indiana, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson decided to mark their second wedding anniversary in the Jimmy & Jane’s Rooftop Restaurant just across their street, not that they wouldn’t have preferred somewhere cozier but Aubrey Wilson was almost due with their first child, so making a long trip might have induced an early labour.

It was a rather warm and quiet evening as the restaurant barely had occupants, but this panned out well for the Wilsons as George Wilson had hoped to make it a memorable day for his wife and figured the less crowded the restaurant was the better. They hardly made it through their first course meal when she felt it- that warm liquid trickling underneath her newly purchased flower-print yellow maternity dress.

Honey, I think it’s time, I’ve been having some mild contractions since we got here, and I think my water just broke! Aubrey Wilson told her husband calmly, not wanting to alert the other customers and feeling somewhat embarrassed at the concept of going into labour on her anniversary date with her husband. Her efforts were however sabotaged as George sprang precipitously to his feet, summoning one of the waiters to their table and causing avid disarray in the process. Thirty minutes later they were well on their way to the Spring Valley Hospital, a location chosen strategically nine months earlier due to its close proximity to their home.

George had phoned the gynecologist while assisting his wife to transfer the necessary things from their apartment into their car and informed her of the impending labour. Although the medical practitioner had not been expecting Aubrey, at least not for another week, she was confident that her team was very prepared for the delivery of the Wilsons baby. Dr. Sandra Mitchell, a guru in her field at 45, had over fifteen years working experience. She was certain that the delivery process would go smoothly.

However, to everyone’s dismay, things didn’t quite go as expected. After ten hours of labour, the expectations of both the soon-to-be parents and medical team was slowly deteriorating. Aubrey, exasperated from the exhausting efforts of ‘pushing’ became alarmed even though she tried her best to conceal her fears, ‘What if something terrible had happened to her baby? Was it normal for a delivery to take this long? And the pains-excruciating! Why did it hurt so much?’ Her thoughts.

I’m afraid we may have to perform a C-section on your wife, Dr. Sandra had stepped outside the theatre to inform George of the current predicament his wife faced in the operating room. The doctor feared that something was very wrong but couldn’t quite make out what it was. The test results from Aubrey’s last check-up (which was conducted the previous week) had shown everything to be perfectly normal.

The best way to tackle this would be to perform a C-section, that way we can ensure the safety of the baby and save the mother from further duress, saving both lives in the process. Dr. Sandra explained further to George who paid rapt attention, digesting and contemplating every word.

In split seconds he responded, as though struck by some kind of revelation and yet, with so much certainty and calmness in his voice, I understand perfectly doctor and I appreciate your concerns about the safety of my wife and child. I am convinced though, that my wife will deliver normally, you see, we are ardent believers and we’ve prayed hard about this. I believe God heard us and has already answered…..

Just as Dr. Sandra was about to respond, one of the nurse aides proceeded from the theatre beckoning on the doctor, We need you doc!

Not sure what new problems she’d be faced with and not wanting to waste more time trying to convince George on the importance of a Caesarean surgery, she simply said, I’ll be back shortly, please be prepared to fill and sign the consent forms. In her mind she thought as she practically raced to the theatre, ‘I am not so much interested in what this man believes, it is my job to save lives and that’s exactly what I am going to do, even if it means stopping a religious fanatic from making an irrational decision that could cost him the lives of his wife and unborn child.’

Entering the theatre, Dr. Sandra was met with the exuberant cries of her nurses, one had shouted, Push! While the other, almost immediately, said excitingly (or so she had thought), …quick! Doctor you need to see this! Sandra froze for an instant, and had to stop herself from admitting openly, …this can’t be! Yet she could not conceal her euphoria as she was immediately flooded with a great sense of achievement, the same feeling she got at the end of several successful deliveries she had conducted in the past. Her excitement was however, short-lived as the shocking realization hit her as quickly as her excitement had- there was no cry of a baby (one), this baby was out only seconds ago yet the umbilical cord which was yet to be cut, had disconnected already (two), a very cute baby girl she was yet she was barely breathing (three). As quickly as this realization settled in with the doctor, her team needed not to be told – with lightning speed they worked as a competent unit and within minutes transported the baby to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), where a stream of paediatricians battled to revive the sweet elegant baby girl.

Aubrey Wilson was highly elated, especially since the ordeal of child-bearing had been completed. Yet a wave of panic overwhelmed her as she feared the loss of her very first child. A brave woman she was because instead of yielding to her fears she chose to pray for her child. So, with her husband by her side, she prayed while the nurse who stayed back cleaned her up. Dear Lord, please preserve our daughter’s life, revive her and let us witness your miraculous power in her life here and now, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

And immediately she knew it, and her husband did too- a miracle awaited them.

¤ ¤ ¤

Both shaken by the event, Aubrey and George whispered reassurances to each other while waiting to hear news from the doctor about their daughter. Two hours later, Dr. Sandra appeared and she was not alone, another nurse wheeled their precious little girl into the room.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, in all my years of practice, this is the very first miracle I have witnessed, here’s your baby girl, we almost lost her… she said as she carried the little angel and handed her over to her mother.

She’s so tiny, Aubrey chuckled as tears trickled down her cheeks.

She is indeed a fragile one, Dr. Sandra heartily said as she left the newest mummy and daddy with their new born baby girl.

¤ ¤ ¤

On April 5th, 1994, at exactly 4am, in the Spring Valley Hospital, in Oaktown, Indiana, USA, Miranda Wilson was born. This happened, of course, almost twenty years ago, the memory still vivid because my parents must have narrated it a thousand times or more to me.

This year I’ll be twenty and everything changes….

CHAPTER ONE

You asked to see me, Joe said as he pushed open the glass doors which led him into the amply furnished office of his manager and friend.

Yes, please have a seat Joe, said Harold as he gestured him to an office chair directly opposite his. I asked to see you because something’s come up; you’re well aware of the changes made at board level, right? Well, Jay, we need to make some adjustments to your music if you are really going to survive this.

Survive what? What changes are you even referring to man? To the best of my knowledge, my two EP’s (Extended Playlists) have made a record for the company- 3 million downloads and counting in less than a year! Look Harold, I’m sure my upcoming album would be the bomb! My fans simply can’t get enough of me, Joe was frantic, he had feared this would happen. It was very common in the ever changing music industry. The rules were simple, follow the trend or get lost! He had known that much but he had also trusted his friend Harold and it was he who convinced him only a year ago to sign a contract with his current label, Star Records. He knew they produced and emphasized secular songs and all, but Harold had convinced him that the company which was the number one record label in the country also supported gospel artists like himself. ‘Hadn’t he said something like…you know bro, with your kind of music you could reach out to a larger audience and Star Records can help you achieve that! It’s time to quit going solo and let the professionals invest in you, trust me, in less than a year you’d be made bro…’ Joe reminisced.

Harold continued, With the old man’s resignation and his son taking his place on the board, I’m sure you can understand that this is beyond my control. Harold paused momentarily before continuing, …to cut the long story short Jay, the new boss is laying off all gospel artists and terminating their contracts. I’m truly sorry, but I thought long and hard about this and I’ve figured a way out.

Go on, Joe said, slightly infuriated and getting impatient but at the same time trying to keep his fast rising temper in check.

Well, I have pleaded on your behalf and the new boss is willing to retain your contract, you see, even he knows that you have a very unique talent and he doesn’t want to lose a fast rising star, I mean, isn’t that the whole focus of the company? So, Jay, he’s willing to keep you but you have to agree to his terms- some changes, some adjustments and we’re good to go! Now, all we need to do is work on your lyrics; your music is actually really good but you see Jay, the world is changing and a company like ours needs to brace up. If we are going to remain on top of our game and beat the competition then we must give the people what appeals to them the most. Our records have shown that we have a dwindling demand for full-fledged gospel tracks as many more persons are interested in other kinds of music, RnB, hip-hop, rap, trap, you know, music that more people can relate to. You feel me bro? Harold asked Joe who had been quiet for quite some time.

You’re asking me to switch to secular music Harold, isn’t it? You’re saying I should not include my religious belief in my music, right? As Joe spoke, he struggled with this new reality.

Yes Jay, but think of it this way; the world’s going whacko and with many more persons in search of solitude, you can become their saving grace. With a prodigious talent like yours, many more persons can be reached, and with a fame like that you can even become a global influencer. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?

Hmmm, well, I never saw it in that light, but I need time Harold, I need to brood over this for a while, and I can’t make a hasty decision over this.

I know Jay, but you need to decide quickly, the boss has given you three days to come to a conclusion. As your friend, I really want you to grab this opportunity, don’t miss this cause if you do, you many never recover from it, Harold said as he stood up from his seat offering Joe a formal handshake and a less formal bear hug, indicating that their impromptu meeting had come to a close.

¤ ¤ ¤

"I was born and brought up in a very religious home by my parents Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, in Oaktown, Indiana. Three years after my birth, my parents gave birth to my sister, Diana and twelve years after that my brother was born. Christian was the ‘baby’ of the house, my father adored him very much, and my mother, she treasured him most. This narrative is not supposed to be about my family but I feel it is imperative for me to share the story of my background with you.

You see from the moment I was born my parents did everything for me, which is quite normal for first-time parents. From stories my mother has shared with me about my childhood, I very much became their obsession. Everything was centred on me, which worked out well because I wasn’t a ‘problem’ child, but then you see, things changed when my sister was born. I think she became their new obsession and slowly I began to feel neglected. I did everything to please them you know, my parents; I was obedient, hard-working, selfless and I tried my best to live up to their expectations but I don’t know, I’ve always felt like my efforts went unnoticed.

When my sister was born my parents became devout Christians, this I think was partly because of the near-death experience my mum had during the birthing of my sister, Diana. Mum says she saw God and He had given her